In Binge, Barrett Seaman reveals what every parent, student, and educator needs to know about the college experience. Seaman spent time with students at twelve highly regarded and diverse colleges and universities across North America-. During his two years of research, he immersed himself in the lives of the students, often living in their dorms, dining with them, speaking with them on their own terms, and listening to them express their thoughts and feelings. Portraying a campus culture in which today's best and brightest students grapple with far more than academic challenges, Binge conveys the unprecedented stresses on campus today. While sharing revealing interviews and the often dramatic stories, Seaman explores the complexities of romantic relationships and sexual relations, alcohol and drug use, anxiety and depression, class and racial boundaries, and more. Despite the disturbing trends, Seaman finds reasons for optimism and offers provocative and well-informed suggestions for improving the undergraduate experience. Sometimes alarming, always fascinating, and ultimately hopeful, Binge is an extraordinary investigative work that reveals the realities of higher education today.
This book should be required reading for any parents or family that has a college student or one that's looking at colleges-it gives a thorough review of college culture and current issues on campus as they effect students.
Amazing, he gets it!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 19 years ago
As a college student myself, I was at first very skeptical that some guy who attended college in the 1960s could even come close to getting what is my current undergraduate experience.....but he does! I was brought up on a college campus and now attend a liberal arts college. My parents have lived and worked in the college world for all their lives, and they were still suprised by the findings in the book. I saw this book as more of a starting point, introducing my parents to the idea of college life, as a way to get a real conversation going. (With the obvious idea that they would listen with an open mind. This book read like something I've had in my mind. Mr. Seaman never claimed to have been a perfect college student. As for the non-college students, trust me, if you are like 90% of my friends, there will be things that college students do that you would never ever be told. So if you are currently a college student or want to read with an open mind about what goes on, then this book is amazing.
Well Researched Documentary of College Life
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 19 years ago
Anyone interested in residential college life will enjoy this book. It would appear that much has changed on college campuses relative to decades ago. For example, the "supposed" minimum drinking age of 21 appears to be ignored by everyone except the colleges who, rightfully, fear lawsuits. Mr. Seaman boldly discusses the notion that restrictive drinking laws may actually do more harm than good. Equally interesting subjects include athletics, affirmative action, grade inflation and other topical issues. Every parent, professor and administrator should read this book and be prepared to defend personal views on these controversial trends. Overall, a very well written piece.
Great Book
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 19 years ago
A must for every college parent. Seaman does an excellent job of informing students and parent what to expect at today's institutions. Parents - read this book!
Binge: What Your College Student Won't Tell You
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 19 years ago
Insightful, well organized, and thought provoking. A book for every parent of a teenager or college student. Public policy and academic leadership this is a must read.
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