Customer Reviews

The Real Freshman Handbook: A Totally Honest Guide to Life on Campus

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

After surveying many books to purchase in preparation for college, I bought this book. I would not recommend this book for the following reasons: continuous sarcasm creates constant confusion, regular sexual innuendos get old fast, irrelevant page-fillers line book, but leave for an empty mind, and grammar and writing are much lower quality than expected of a Harvard graduate. The only suggestions, which I actually thought were helpful and relevant, of which there were some, were all too obvious and things I learned my freshman year in high school. Overall, I would not suggest a student, or anyone, buy this book, I regret that I did.

There were chunks in this book that I just could not apply to my situation. For example 1/4 of the book dealt with cars and I cannot even drive in Boston so I had to skip that part. Another 1/4 of this book is filled with lists and while the author is helpful in explaining why we might need the items the author doesn't realize that colleges send lists to freshman about what to bring.

This book is also based of a female point of view which is a bit of downer for those of us guys trying to find out more about how it will be like to live in a new enviorment. The psychology asserted in the book is of females and the "dialoges" which take place in another quarter of the book are between girls and discuss futile things.

I wish the author would have saved me my money and just used the last 1/4 of the book which was loaded with useful information. I learned that I should not microwave my socks because unlike a dryer they might actually burn them. The author has a good way with wit(however it is based off a female point of view). At any rate there is some useful stuff and it is worth buying if one is willing to skip 3/4 of the book because of the futility it holds.

I read the first addition of this book and was blown away by the bad advice, sexual innuendos, and not-so-cute in-jokes. At times there is some legitimate advice being offered, however for the most part you would be better served tossing this one back onto the pile.

I doubt anyone would be prepared for a real life college experience after reading this book. In fact at one point the book recommends using duct table to attach things to the walls of a dorm room. Guess what -- that is a bad idea! Duct tape peels paint when removed. Peeled paint means room dammages, which means you, the poor college freshman, will be charged additional fees. BAD BAD BAD BAD

[...]BR>I liked that it was written by a college student and all her friends. There were some interesting tips and stories that I truly found helpful. However, I hated all their inside personal humor which ran rampant through every single chapter. This point made, the text got a bit annoying and exasperating at times. I liked the lists they provided of things to pack. I believe someone else pointed out that your college sends you a list of such... The lists in the book however remind you of the things I definately would have forgotten. Also there is a lot of information on a wide range of topics, however these are not very in-depth accounts usually. I feel kind of indifferent to this book. Its [inexpensive] enough to give it a try.

I just bought this as a graduation gift for my cousin whose been like a little sister to me. After seeing this book at a used bookstore downtown I thought that it would be a great ice breaker to start up a dialogue about her upcoming experiences in College. After skimming through some of the chapters, particularly about getting your living arrangments and roommate situations taken care of, it reminded me very much of my freshman year. Although some of the advise like it's ok to slack in your first year I found to be a little unsettling. Then again going to an intensive urban setting art school is far different from her Poli-Sci curriculim at her private all girl school.

I would deffinatly recomend this as a fun gift for a graduating high school senior, particularly from friends or relatives of similar age groups.

I was glad to have read the book as to know what is expected to happen when staying on campus. However, it's only for freshman. What about students that are transferring from another institution, say, a community college? I did find some information useful when I was going through the process of enrolling in a four-year university and going to orientation. However, there are some things that I really didn't get into reading because I already was aware of that. Apart from that, the book is a pretty good read for anyone who is considering going back to school and staying on campus.

It has been MANY years since I finished my BSEE degree. It was not at all easy. It should NOT be easy, because you want that degree to show that you deserve some level of respect.

You can always 'party' when you finish school. If you go in thinking it is one big party, you will fail!!! Most people in the hard areas such any engineering or science areas had better be serious because FEW get out in four years.

Also do not worry about failing a quiz or test once in a great while. Failure is a wonderful teacher! If it happens often find a new line of study or try much harder.

If you are looking for a girl friend or boy friend then you are partially doomed. Unless, you meet somebody in the same field of study who knows when to be serious about school work!!!

If you are taking a field of study JUST to please someone, then STOP IMMEDIATELY! This is a life altering experience, be smart about it!