College can be unpredictable, even messy. In Real College, students get realistic tools for navigating college with reflection and intention, as well as a clear-eyed look at the challenges, growth, and surprises that make the journey worth it.
Real College is a practical, honest guide to first-year college success—one that never strays from the real lives of today’s students. It covers all the essentials: adjusting from high school, managing time and money, building relationships, note-taking, study strategies, critical thinking and information literacy, working with professors, staying healthy, and more.
But it goes further, recognizing that not all students arrive with the same background, resources, or expectations. This book is for everyone: full-time and part-time students, students from every type of college, background, and lived experience, and students juggling work, caregiving, financial pressure, and/or just plain uncertainty. Throughout, Real College strikes a balance: upbeat but realistic, encouraging but unflinching. What sets it apart is its deep respect for students’ actual experiences. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach here—just honest, inclusive guidance to help students succeed on their own terms.
Comments
“Real College is the rare first-year guide that actually meets students where they are. As someone who teaches first-year students specifically, I appreciate how clearly it demystifies the real work of college—help-seeking, reading with purpose, navigating professors, and building sustainable habits. What stands out is its honesty: students see themselves in these pages, including their challenges, not an idealized version of college life. The book offers concrete strategies, student voices, and thoughtful activities that make it easy to bring into the classroom. It’s practical, compassionate, and immediately useful—a resource I wish all my students had on day one.” — Rebecca Harris, Associate Professor, Shippensburg University
“At a moment when higher education is undergoing profound and accelerated change, Real College focuses on what matters most: the student journey. By meeting learners where they are and acknowledging the complexities of their lives, the authors model the kind of experience-centered design and institutional responsiveness that can reshape the future of college. Offering both clarity and practical strategies, this book becomes both a map and a compass, helping students navigate the challenges of their first year with confidence. Real College is an invaluable resource not only for students but also for parents, faculty, and all who are committed to supporting student success.” — Jeffrey Hole, Director of First Year Experience, University of the Pacific
