<p>Several of my friends kids are heading to colleges/universities this fall and I would like give them books as graduation gifts. What advice/self help book would you recommend? </p>
<p>So far I have "The Naked Roommate: And 107 Other Issues You Might Run Into in College"</p>
<p>This isn’t directly college related, but definitely a great read for young adults just starting out. The theme is basically, don’t waste your 20s. Very well written and good advice intending to help young people avoid some of the common mistakes made during these very important developmental years.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.amazon.com/The-Defining-Decade-Twenties-Matter--And/dp/0446561762/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1339016572&sr=8-1[/url]”>http://www.amazon.com/The-Defining-Decade-Twenties-Matter--And/dp/0446561762/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1339016572&sr=8-1</a></p>
<p>“The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch fits the bill.</p>
<p>How To Win At College is a good choice. Carl Newport is the way to go as far as academic self-help books are concerned.</p>
<p>I’d go with the last lecture. All the other self help books are BS because everyone is going to find their own way to do their work and manage their time. If you do get that Naked Roomate book, know that you probably won’t encounter any of the “issues” that they mention.</p>
<p>Here is the list of books that you can give to that college bound freshman (maybe as small graduation gift). Any more suggestions please?</p>
<ol>
<li> The Naked Roommate: And 107 Other Issues You Might Run Into in College by Harlan Cohen</li>
<li> The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter–And How to Make the Most of Them Now by Meg Jay </li>
<li> The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch</li>
<li> How to Win at College: Surprising Secrets for Success from the Country’s Top Students by Cal Newport</li>
</ol>
<p>I like The Naked Roommate and, more to the point, my daughter did, too. She appreciated the humor and the breadth of subject matter. She read it before she got to college and told me she continued to consult it from time to time once she was there. My son, on the other hand, has yet to open it.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.amazon.com/The-Thinking-Students-Guide-College/dp/0226721159[/url]”>http://www.amazon.com/The-Thinking-Students-Guide-College/dp/0226721159</a></p>
<p>Here is the list of books that you can give to that college bound freshman (maybe as small graduation gift). Any more suggestions please?
<p>I preferred Cal Newport’s other book “how to become a straight a student” much better than “how to win at college”. The first book talks about ways to get your work done quickly and effectively so that there is more time available for what kids really want to do in college … Socialize, experience, etc. the latter book says things like “get enough sleep, exercise, attend lecture, etc”</p>
<p>Yes. The Naked Roommate. It was required reading for my whole office (Student Success) and I liked it so much I started giving it as a gift to graduating he seniors.</p>
<p>This isn’t exactly college related either and it’s not self-help but based on what I saw and what my D saw going on in the dorm kitchens, this is one I often recommend: Help! My Apartment Has a Kitchen. </p>
<p>So many kids, especially today haven no idea how to fend for themselves in the day to day things like cooking and laundry. I’ve been told this has saved young people from starving-and they’re probably not exaggerating.</p>
<p>I’m impressed that kids would read these types of books; I don’t think any of mine would! If anyone gave them one for a graduation gift, it would have been ignored.</p>