Been There, Should've Done That II: More Tips for Making the Most of College

As a college instructor with over twenty years of experience, I can say without qualification or conditions that this is a book that should be passed out to all students at freshman orientation. Unfortunately, the advice given in the book is of the after the fact type. By that I mean that the messages are those of experience that can only be appreciated after you have the experience of not having it. My favorite sections were about interacting with your instructors and understanding that for most people, the major is of limited relevance. In terms of interacting with instructors, simply talking to them on a regular basis and showing interest in the subject is the best way to get yourself over the top if your grade is on the border. I have never failed to give the student who showed interest and a desire to succeed the higher grade when the issue is in doubt. Students who try to excuse their way out the last week have never gotten it. In conversations with my colleagues, that opinion is universal. This is one of the best books about how to really succeed in college currently available. The best part about it is that it is interesting and lacks that dull pedantry that seems to be a requirement in all the "How to Succeed in College" pamphlets that colleges and universities hand out to their students.

This books provides honest solid advice. Unlike most so-called college guides, this one was not written by a book mill, but an author who understands the complexities of being a college student. Well done. Bravo! I can't recommend it enough. If I may, I would like to suggest a book to buy in addition to this one:College 101: The Book Your College Does Not Want You To Read (ISBN: 0966412206)College 101 may not be as polished as Been There Done That, but it does provide a complete picture of the college experience from a first person point of view, that is brutally honest. It shows the college experience warts and all!Buy these two books together and you will know everything you need to know about college!

I recieved the first edition of this handy little book upon graduating from high school and read it cover-to-cover in an evening. The basic format of the book is a collection of quotes from college students giving helpful truisms concerning various areas of the college experience. The editing and format is easy to read and well suited to any incoming freshman or seasoned college student. As someone who actively helped people find their way in college as a resident assistant, I can't recommend this book enough. It explodes myths that many incoming freshman have, such as: college is one huge party, professors will always be looking over my shoulder like high school, college is solely about academics, mommy and daddy need will take care of getting everything signed, paid for etc. In short, its a perfect graduation gift.

I buy this book every spring as a graduation gift for young friends who are college bound. No heavy reading required, it's full of quick, practical tips and helpful hints from other students who have been there before. I wish I had had something like this when I went off to college years ago. It would have saved the frustration of learning the hard way -- by experience.

Wow, I'm really glad I read this book... I bought it yesterday and read it in a single night, because all of the information is very engrossing and entertaining... it's really fun to read! It got me very excited for the college experience. I actually feel really bad for any students that don't come across this book, because there's some stuff in there that you would never think of to do... before it's too late! Like scheduling your classes with a map so that you don't have to run from opposite sides of the campus to get to class and a WHOLE lot more. There was so much stuff in there that I wanted to remember, that I went through and hilighted excerpts... which wound up to being about half of the whole book! Buy this book... for yourself, for a friend, for a son or daughter: anyone going to college! They'll thank you for it! I just hope I can find a copy of volume one!