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The Secrets of College Success (Professors' Guide) [Paperback]

Lynn F. Jacobs (Author), Jeremy S. Hyman (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (51 customer reviews)

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Book Description

July 26, 2010 047087466X 978-0470874660 1
If you’re currently a college student, or plan on being one, you need to check out this book. Written by award-winning professors Lynn Jacobs and Jeremy Hyman, it’s loaded with insider information that only professors know--but few are willing to reveal. The over 600 tips in this book will show you:
  • How to pick good courses and avoid bad professors
  • How to develop “college-level” skills and habits that’ll put you ahead of the pack
  • How to get through the freshman comp, math, language, and lab science requirements--in one try
  • How to figure out what’s going to be on the tests, and what professors are looking for in papers and presentations
  • How to pick a major you’ll really like--and be good at
  • How to get the edge for graduate school--or the inside track to a really good job
  • And much more.

The tips are quick and easy-to-use, and the advice is friendly and supportive.  It’s as if you had your own personal professor guiding you on the path to college success.

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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 9 Up–Full of practical and easy-to-implement tips, this handbook is written in brief segments, perfect for the short attention span of the YouTube generation. While covering the basics found in other “how to be successful in college”-type books (study skills, time management, test-taking tips), this one also has sections on other issues that students will likely face: how to get into a closed class, studying abroad, working with a professor, and getting one's money's worth. Topics are approached with humor, but there is a serious undertone throughout: college is expensive, so their philosophy in a nutshell is to do the work, make the grades, and graduate. This book deserves a place in high school libraries across the country. Many students are college-bound with no real idea what to expect once they enter the realm of higher education. Secrets would be a great tool to incorporate into an adviser/advisee program for students on a college track. Learning to implement some of the tips will make them more successful in college, and they will likely reap benefits during their high school tenure as well.–Gina Bowling, South Gibson County High School, Medina, TN. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Review

Advance Praise for The Secretsof College Success

" If I had my way, I’d give this book to every single college student, of any age, and make them read it. A book that moves from ‘How to Turn a B into an A’ to ‘10 Surefire Ways to Piss Off Your Professor,’ is beyond just ‘helpful.’’ It is ‘the Missing Manual’ for turning a merely ‘okay’ college experience into a delicious adventure. I laughed, I took notes, I loved every page. And I’m not even in college. If you are, don’t even think about not buying this book. It will be the best thing you ever did for yourself."— Richard Bolles, author of What Color Is Your Parachute?

" Along with shower flip-flops and a very loud alarm clock, this book should be on every freshman’s college packing list. The professors have outlined solutions for all the major fears that students face when they start college." — Marjorie Savage, parent program director, University of Minnesota and author of You’re on Your Own (But I’m Here If You Need Me): Mentoring Your Child During the College Years

" Psychologically sound tips for thriving, not just surviving, in college. Lynn’s and Jeremy’s tips will make your college experience a spectacular success." — Chuck Snowden, director of honors program, University of Wisconsin

" Clear, practical, comprehensive — and caring. These authors want you to succeed. Listen." — Judy Genshaft, president, University of South Florida and past president, American Council on Education

" Riddled with humor and witty in presentation, this lighthearted "easy read" could be the most helpful, honest resource for today’s college student." — Scott H. Reikofski, director, fraternity/sorority affairs, University of Pennsylvania

" The Secrets of College Success needs to be required reading for anyone starting college, regardless of age. A great source of practical advice that could mean the difference between success and failure." — Eduardo J. Padrón, president, Miami Dade College

" The students who are most successful in college are those who are most prepared. The Secrets of College Success reveals what students need to know from the perspective of the professors who teach them. It pays to know the rules of the game before you play."— George R. Boggs, president and CEO, American Association of Community Colleges

" This volume provides a banquet of tips. Easy to read, easy to locate what you need, this book will be helpful throughout your undergraduate years. I highly recommend it."— Sharon J. Hamilton, professor and former director, Indiana University Faculty Colloquium on Excellence in Teaching

" Accessibly written and logically organized, there’s something here for everyone. This handy volume will help students focus on what it takes to be successful."—Peter H. Quimby, deputy dean, Princeton University

" This book provides sound advice in a great format on how to get the most from your college education, starting on Day 1 of your freshman year."— Martha O’Connell, executive director, Colleges that Change Lives

" High schools focus on getting their seniors  TO college but they rarely teach them how to get THROUGH college. Professors Jacobs and Hyman  fill this gap with a series of high energy, digestible and practical tips that any student can master in one sitting. This book should be required reading for every college-bound student so that they will be equipped with the "under-the-hood" expertise they need to succeed in h0000igher education."—Keith W. Frome, chief academic officer, College Summit Inc.

" The Secrets of College Success is an easy-to-read, highly informative book. In my experience, many students come in to Stanford unprepared for the realities of college life. With bite-sized and digestible tips, this book provides substantial advice applicable to any college student."— Kamil Dada, president


Product Details

  • Paperback: 224 pages
  • Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (July 26, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 047087466X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0470874660
  • Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.6 x 9.1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,688 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

MEET THE PROFESSORS:
Dr. Lynn F. Jacobs is professor of Art History at the University of Arkansas. A specialist in Northern Renaissance Art, Lynn previously taught at Vanderbilt University, California State University, Northridge, University of Redlands, and NYU. She has received the National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship twice, and the University of Arkansas Prize for distinguished academic advising. Jeremy S. Hyman is founder and chief architect of Professors' Guide™ content projects. An expert in Early Modern Philosophy, Jeremy has taught at the University of Arkansas, UCLA, MIT, and Princeton University. He received the University of California Regents award for distinguished teaching.

Lynn and Jeremy write a weekly education column at US News and World Report www.usnews.com/professorsguide and a blog at Reader's Digest's The Lineup www.rd.com/all-blogs.do?blogger=ljacobs_jhyman. In addition to the present book, they are co-authors of the book, Professors' Guide to Getting Good Grades in College (HarperCollins, 2006). They live, with their 12-year old son, Jonah, in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book has tons of useful information about how to do well at college. The great thing is that it's written in the form of top-ten and do's and don'ts lists, so it's easy to read and you get the information quickly. It was even pretty funny. I learned a lot about how to take tests and write papers, how to study and take better notes, and how to start preparing for grad school and a career. I thought it was good that the book included material on specific requirements (such as freshman comp, math, and foreign language courses) and that it really tried to motivate students and help them build their confidence. The book also gave me a much better sense about how professors think. I was pretty surprised to learn how professors grade and I found the tips on how to approach the professor especially useful (I've never really gone to see a professor, but I'm planning to do so now). The book also has really nice graphics. I liked the icons for "Best kept secrets," and "5 Star tips," and I liked the relaxing green headings. The Secrets of College Success would be a great book for any college student, and even high school students could benefit from it.
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9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I've just had a sneak peak at a new book being published on Monday, The Secrets of College Success, by Lynn F. Jacobs and Jeremy S. Hyman, weekly columnists at US News and World Report and bloggers at [...], the Huffington Post, and Reader's Digest. It's a book I wish I'd had access to before I went to college.

Some of the content seems to be simple common sense ("Why It's Never Good to Procrastinate," for example), but even sections that seem to be no-brainer stuff ("10 Signs You're in Real Trouble at College" for instance, which includes my favorite, "You spend every waking moment on some medium") give context that is both savvy and convincing. And several sections would have really helped me out when I was starting my college days, especially "The 13 Warning Signs of a Bad Professor" and "16 Techniques for Doing Research Like a Professor," which includes #5, "Use the living, breathing resources" and "make your way to the reference desk at the brick and mortar library. The librarians there will be happy to help you with your electronic searches.... Use them." Wise words, indeed.
Cheryl LaGuardia, Research Librarian, Widener Library, Harvard University
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)
This nonfiction book presents over 600 tips for college students to learn the ins and outs of how to be successful in college. It's arranged by topic into chapters using lists or bullet point presentation of the material, thus it is a fast read and non-intimidating. Some parts are repetitive but I'm not complaining, in trying to be thorough in the list format some material belongs in more than one place. When reading it by skimming or looking up one or more topics at a time rather than a cover-to-cover read of the almost 200 pages it is good that some things are repeated.

Jacobs and Hyman give a ton of information in this book that will be of use if only a college or senior in high school a) actually reads the book and b) does what is recommended. And therein lies the rub. Many will agree that most teens reject outsider's advice and instead shirk some of even the most common sense recommendations as they think they know better (such as attend class, take notes, and study). Yet this book recommends these things multiple times. I hope the authors can get through to the readers when the student's own parents cannot. (Thanks for giving it try!)

I liked the tone of the book which is direct and to the point. The authors don't mince words and say just enough to get the point across yet are not so skimpy as they fail to give supporting examples for their advice (good for Doubting Thomases who may roll their eyes at the advice). The writing tone is upbeat and street smart but not snarky. It is not condescending or patronizing, the readers are spoken to with respect even when trying to convince them that yes, they do need to attend class and yes, they need to actually do the homework.

Some percentage of people seem to only learn by experience: skip class, miss learning material, score poorly on the test, then and only then do they choose to try to actually attend all their classes. Those students will not read this book even if it were given to them. But hey, you can't blame a well-meaning adult from trying (so yes, buy this book for a to-be college student you know)!

Smart students who want insider information who somehow don't glean this from their own parents, fellow students or their own street-wise savvy will be wise to read this and do what the authors recommend.

I rate this book highly. It would be a good gift for parents or anyone else to give to a high school junior or senior (not a week before college starts please). Study tips apply often to high school as well so honestly it's never too early to read the book. Students who want to excel academically but feel unsupported within the family or their community should read the book as the authors can be their cheerleaders and mentors on the path to college success.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
AMAZING!!!!!!!
This book is a must for college students whether they are just beginning college or entering their last year. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Kaylei
Exceptionally helpful and concise
I highly recommend this book for anyone entering or in college as it is filled with an abundance of helpful tips for succeeding in college academically and in preparing for the... Read more
Published 11 months ago by S. Lipson
Best of the lot!
I got a bunch of graduation invitations this year- instead of sending them only money, I decided to send a book too. Read more
Published 11 months ago by book junkie
Awesome.
It's something great! There are more tips here than you can shake a stick at -- and the ones I tried really worked. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Marianne Laouri
Probably a book for the B average student.
It's true, there are a lot of tips. The chapters are well organized, and each tip is quite substantial. Read more
Published 12 months ago by CrazyAsian
No secrets here...just basic common sense; terrible book-NOT...
This has to be one of the most pathetic books I have ever read. It is condescending, ridiculously inane, repetitive and insulting. Read more
Published 13 months ago by ccincalif
Some things you wouldn't think of...
Back in the day, my parents were both college professors so I can appreciate the teacher's perspective. One of mine is heading of to college fall 2011. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Michael G. Lustig
Great book about the academic side of college life!
I am going to college this fall, and I bought this book because I was getting extremely nervous about the work load of college. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Amanda
Terrific advice
This is a compendium of worthwhile advice collected from college professors & students about what really works in college these days & what doesn't. Read more
Published 16 months ago by MDP
I Wish I Had This When I Went to College
I got this book for my son who is headed off to college next year, but I think it's a great book for parents too to help them remember how to help their "investments" and learn a... Read more
Published 16 months ago by James John Hollandsworth, M.D.
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