The Naked Roommate: And 107 Other Issues You Might Run Into in College [Paperback]

Harlan Cohen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2011

Now a New York Times Bestseller!

From sharing a bathroom with 40 people to sharing lecture notes, The Naked Roommate is a behind-the-scenes look at everything students need to know about college. This essential guide is packed with expert advice, plus outrageous stories from students on over 100 campuses.

Through his advice column, college tour, and website, Harlan Cohen has reached thousands of students with his message of being yourself and making the most of the college years.

"One of the best and most practical college advice guides I've read." -Andrew Tinnin, University of Michigan

"The most useful guide on college life."
-The Daily Orange (Syracuse University)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Get the scoop on how to handle some of the issues you might encounter in college – and get a good laugh" - Newsday

"Sound advice for students gearing up for campus life. Issues range from humorous to serious, with useful stories and tips from students themselves.

" - Sacramento Bee

"His advice is honest and unprejudiced, delivered in a way that many students cannot get from other sources like family and friends, who might sugarcoat things in an attempt to calm nerves. Don't let the heftiness of the book scare you. Because it is a guidebook, it doesn't have to be read in order. Readers can take their time with it, knowing that it will be well spent." - The Choice (NYTimes)

"In this update of the 2009 edition, an advice columnist for young people and their parents provides facts and tips on things not typically mentioned in college brochures such as homesickness and depression, naughty or nasty roommates, fraternities and sororities, drinking and drugs, and living on a student budget." - BOOK NEWS

"Harlan Cohen does an excellent job conveying all of the important aspects of college life in this easy to navigate book. He writes in such a way that the reader does not feel as though he or she just reading just another self-help book. Cohen utilizes stories from actual students, faculty and staff to carefully craft his fun and witty narratives and give real world examples for each chapter and section." - NACAC

"A humorous yet helpful look at what students should be prepared to encounter in college. From friendship issues to alcohol and drugs, this book tells students what to expect on campus and how to handle the bumps." - Go Local Prov

"This book for future college students includes upfront advice and tips on life in the residence hall, homesickness, roommates, friendship, college activities, Greek life, studying, relationships, drinking and drugs, money, sexual assault, and much, much more! These 500 pages include true stories from college students, tips, facts, and cautions for a comprehensive guidebook to college life. A handy index allows students to jump to the topic they need." - Susan Heim on Parenting

"Cohen tries to ease that transition by offering humorous insight and wisdom on subjects ranging from the titular naked roommate to drugs and alcohol use." - Journal Star

"A handy guide for those who may be starting college in the fall...Cohen does a great job of offering honest advice to young adults. He covers everything from the residence halls to study habits to friendships, money, drugs and alcohol." - Ashland Daily Tidings

"The essential tome for students preparing for life on campus...true stories add humor and and poignancy to the tips." - Gatehouse News Service

About the Author

Harlan Cohen's syndicated advice column for people in their teens and twenties, Help Me, Harlan!, is distributed by King Features Syndicate, and appears in papers such as the Chicago Tribune, Dallas Morning News, and the Seattle Times. Harlan tours college campuses giving presentations to orientation groups. He lives in Chicago, IL.

Product Details

• Paperback: 544 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks; 4 edition (April 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 140225346X
• ISBN-13: 978-1402253461
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 1.3 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,384 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #21 in Books > Education & Reference > College & University > College Guides

More About the Author

Harlan Cohen is a New York Times bestselling author of five books, a professional speaker, and a nationally syndicated advice columnist.

He is author of Getting Naked: Five Steps to Finding the Love of Your Life (While Fully Clothed & Totally Sober) (St. Martin's), The Naked Roommate: And 107 Other Issues You Might Run Into in College (Sourcebooks), The Naked Roommate: For Parents Only (Sourcebooks), Dad's Pregnant Too!: A guide for expectant fathers and their partners (Sourcebooks), The Naked Roommate's First Year Survival Workbook (Sourcebooks), and Campus Life Exposed: Advice from the Inside (Peterson's).

Harlan has been a guest on hundreds of radio and television programs, including the Today Show. He has been featured as an expert offering advice in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal Classroom Edition, Real Simple, Seventeen, Psychology Today, and hundreds of other publications. He is a professional speaker who has visited more than four hundred college campuses. His "Help Me, Harlan!" advice column is distributed by King Features Syndicate.

Harlan is a singer/songwriter best known for "The Chlamydia Jive." He is the founder of the websites www.HelpMeHarlan.com, www.NakedRoommate.com, www.GettingNakedExperiment.com, www.NakedRoommateForParents.com, and www.DadsPregnant.com,. You can follow him on Twitter @HarlanCohen and find him on Facebook at: Facebook.com/HelpMeHarlan. You can reach Harlan by e-mail at [e-mail]. Harlan lives in Chicago, Illinois, and is married to his wife, who rejected him via an online dating site before falling in love with him following an unexpected encounter at Mailboxes Etc..

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars By Far the Best College Guide August 1, 2011

By life is SWEET

Format:Paperback

The summer before my senior year of high school my mom and I were bumbling through a bookstore when she saw this--and couldn't help herself. Completely as a joke, she bought it. We had a good laugh before I shelved it on the bookcase in my room and never thought twice. One night, however, shortly after submitting my application to my first choice college, I decided to pick it up and just started reading. I can honestly say, this is by far the best college advice guide I've read--and I've read plenty. Harlan combines the funny with the serious incredibly well while still painting a picture of college life. He walks that perfect line between having real college student voices while still having his own knowledgeable voice there to comment. His humor is dry, but had me in stitches. He is incredibly down to earth, and I really liked that he doesn't take anything too seriously, except what truly needs to be. Perhaps best of all, his tips are actually relevant and useful without being completely remedial. I will definitely be using several of his tips this fall that I never would have thought of on my own.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun and Facts! Great resource and gift. May 14, 2011

By Champion for YOUth

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Recieved for my son's highschool graduation. Very practical, useful, funny and hits about anything you can think of.... BEFORE it happens to you! :) Really clever. We've purchsed several now for others going on the college venture!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous!!! January 16, 2012

By Jane

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I gave this to a high school senior for Christmas. She immediately dove into it and shortly began commenting that she had never thought about certain things mentioned in the book - many of them security related. She loved it and so did her parents. A great book at a great price. Highly recommend.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars College Advice Students Need July 26, 2012

By BeccaG

Format:Paperback

As a first generation college student I have received tons of college books for gifts as my family did not have much advice to offer but they wanted to help. I really think college advice books are good for student who parents may have not attended college themselves. The Naked Roomate:And 107 Other Issues You Might Run Into in College by Harlan Cohen is one of the very best college advice books I have read. The book covers many issues faced by college students. It covers topics such as arriving on campus, residence halls,roommate, friends,campus life, and common problems faced by students. I thought the most helpful advice was the sections on roommates and campus life. The tips by real students are helpful as you know every issue you face has been dealt with before and there are always multiple ways to solve an issue. It also covers some difficult issues that some advice books gloss over.The Life Inside the Classroom section was also useful as it featured some tips you usually do not read in advice books but tips that you might use. I also enjoy that the book mentioned it takes times to be adjusted at college as I feel it takes time to adjust to anything. I would recommend The Naked Roomate: And 107 Other Issue You Might Run Into in College to student going to college or attending college and parents and teachers of college age students.

11 of 15 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars OK August 23, 2011

By Student

Format:Paperback

I got this book for a graduation gift. A lot of the stuff in it are common sense. I'm a good student and am not into partying, so a lot of the book is about things that do not apply to me.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Grad Gift July 1, 2012

By Kario

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a great graduation gift! It has solid advise for the college bound student! Everyone that we have given the book to has used it and enjoyed the reading! Highly recommend it!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The College Bible! May 12, 2012

By Ty

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Yo! I wish I had this book even before my first year in college. He gives really helpful inside advice and tips to survive your first and additional years in college. This is a must for all college students. He keeps this book entertaining and it is not boring at all nor does it not provide any type of B.S. It is 100% real and I name this book the "college bible." Competition is high my college friends, we all need jobs and we all want good grades, and even good experiences. This book, is the key. It would not hurt to take a look at the Table of Contents. You will find very interesting topics.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Great gift for high school senior January 12, 2012

By lelahariana

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Given to my sister as a Xmas present. She is a senior in high school going to college in the fall and she loves it. Hasn't stopped reading it since she opened it.