Whether they’re headed off to college, trade school, work or the simple independence adulthood brings, high school seniors getting ready to take flight will appreciate one or more of these books.
Are You Really Ready for College?: A College Dean’s 12 Secrets for Success – what high school students don’t know (4.5/5 stars, currently priced at $9.99)
Amazon book description:
In his book, Dr. Robert Neuman shares with high school students 12 key strategies that will help them become better organized and avoid common ‘college student’ mistakes. It’s a systematic approach that goes beyond micro skills like outlining and memorization tricks to help students learn how to be productive, take initiative, use resources, manage themselves and their time, realistically assess progress, read warning signs, adjust to change, set and reach goals, and mark off academic milestones…
From the author:
As a dean of academic advising, I spent my professional life working with college students, many of them in academic trouble, despite excellent high school grades and test scores. Listening to these students, I identified a set of common problems that defined student “un-readiness” to meet the academic demands of college. The 12 strategies of my book prevent these problems. I wanted to share them with students, parents, teachers, and counselors.
College “un-readiness” is a national problem and the well-documented statistics on the nation’s poor college graduation rates bear this out: Only about one-third of students graduates in the usual four years. Extend that time to six years, and the number rises to only about 60% – a little more than half. It’s a problem that’s not only discouraging but expensive. Another disturbing statistic: A staggering 25% of college freshmen don’t return to their original campus for sophomore year, often because they cannot cope with the workload.
I wrote this book for high school and middle school students, specifying 12 strategies that young students need to develop before college. During these formative years, teens can practice and strengthen these strategies. If they do, by the time they get to college, they will be ready. While the book is written for teens, it acts as a guide for parents and educators who want to know specific ways to support teens getting ready for college.
Amazon reviewer Cate Grace says:
“Dr. Bob Neuman’s book should be required reading for all high school students, and for any college freshmen parents have just sent off to begin the year. Its practical advice will prove useful not just for the challenges of college, but those after graduation as young people take on the responsibilities of their first jobs. Students, owning this book is like having your own personal coach right at your elbow as you get ready for one of life’s greatest privileges–a college experience.”
The Starving Student’s Cookbook (4.5/5 stars, currently priced at $8.00)
Amazon book description:
Since 1983, college students have turned to this book for delicious, cheap, nutritious, and easy recipes. Now completely updated for the college student or reluctant cook of the ’90s, this book offers even more mouthwatering dishes and a wide variety of vegetarian offerings. The recipes are explicitly described, complete with illustrations, cooking tips, and nutritional and health information.
One reviewer says:
Bought this for my college student who for the moment is restricted to whatever she can make in a dorm room (microwave, cupcake maker and a rice cooker, and she can cook many, many things in those!). She likes this book because it’s fun and funny, and isn’t your typical boring adult cookbook– very much directed toward the young adult who likes cooking but needs to know some basics. She loves that the recipes are for 1-2 servings and are things she can actually access while in college, where just getting to a store can be a logistical chore. She sad down and read it, chuckling many times, and exclaiming, “Oh, wow!” lots of times, so this was definitely a hit gift this Christmas. Cooking is a stress reliever for this kid, and she’s so excited to be able to cook for her friends at school, too.
Naked Roommate: And 107 Other Issues You Might Run Into in College (4.5/5 stars, currently priced at $9.68)
Amazon book description:
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)
Money Sucks! Money Strategies for Real Life (5/5 stars, currently priced at $5.99)
Amazon book description:
Money Sucks is full of straightforward, practical tips for the financially clueless. While many older adults could learn from these financial tips – I didn’t know I should be careful about giving my birth date out to inquiring minds – the book is especially helpful for younger adults. Even 16-year-olds have checking accounts, debit cards, and borrow money from their parents for cars, vacations, and prom dates. Now they can learn why it’s smart to balance your checkbook, keep track of receipts and due dates for bills, and to know the perils of runaway credit card use. It helps that the book is written with a splash of humor, some fun drawings, and is easy to read.
Identity theft is a huge problem today, and this book offers advice on how to monitor your credit rating, protect private information from getting into the wrong hands, and resist the lure of no interest/easy payment options for buying high-priced items. And who among us did not have trouble filling out our income tax withholding form at our first job? Even the other employees – and sometimes the managers – didn’t know how to advise us on how to fill in the blanks. Money Sucks gives you a step by step explanation so that you will never again have trouble choosing your options.
Reviews:
It’s important to learn all you can before you leave the protection of your parents’ home. And I recommend that before you earn your first paycheck you read Money Sucks because someday the money you earn – and may lose – will be your own. –YoMama, March 13, 2008 on Amazon
The tag line for this terrific little book captures the essence of Gordon’s message: Money Strategies for Real Life. Personal finances can be scary especially for young people newly (or nearly) headed out on their own, or for anyone that finds themselves in over their heads. The logical progression and simple clarity offered in these pages calms the nerves and brings the heart back to a normal rhythm. If you’re anxious about any part of personal money management, or know someone who is, hope has arrived! –Leo Muller, Executive Director, CHOICES
Another name for this book could be ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.’ The best way to avoid bankruptcy is to stay out of trouble in the first place. This book is a great starting point for doing that; follow the tips, learn to budget, pay attention to your money and avoid credit cards and payday loans!! –Ruth Nelson, Bankruptcy Attorney, Seattle, WA
Handy Household Hints from Heloise: Hundreds of Great Ideas at Your Fingertips (4.5/5 stars, currently priced at $8.99)
Amazon book description:
Do EVERYTHING Around the House
• Better
• Smarter
• Faster
Heloise is America’s most recognized name for household advice, and she shares her innovative solutions for your most-pressing dilemmas. Whether you need shortcuts for everyday tasks, delicious ideas for quick meals, or ingenious tricks for the spills, accidents, and clogs in your day, just turn to Handy Household Hints from Heloise.
You’ll learn how to:
• Clean a keyboard with a used dryer sheet.
• Remove hot pepper seeds with a grapefruit spoon.
• Lift scuff marks with plain, white paper.
• Corral electrical cords with a ponytail holder.
Discover Heloise’s most creative ideas and tips for cleaning up, entertaining with ease, making repairs, getting organized, taking care of yourself, coping with nuisances, and keeping house. Filled with up-to-the-minute hints, you’ll turn to this handbook whenever you’ve burnt the rice, stained your shirt, or splattered paint on your hands.