Thanks, Abigail. Since the last edition of the book in 2016, much has changed. The global pandemic disrupted life as we knew it for most of the planet for a few years while at the same time issues of gender, race and justice have become enormous sources of conflict and confusion in the culture at large. Not surprisingly, they have become even more magnified on campuses. Students, administrators, alumni etc are struggling to find ways to deal with these issues and they are having decidedly difficult time of it.
Life on college campuses are microcosms of the broader culture. students, professors, administrators, parents etc are engaging in a massive acts of improvisation, adaptation and translation (culturally, socially, politically etc) in the face of extraordinary circumstances at the moment. This tension in many ways is an affirmation of the central value at the core of The Freshman Survival Guide: the key to flourishing is grounded in our ability to successfully navigate the difficult circumstances and the unpredictable/inevitable changes and challenges that life presents us.
How can we do that with respect for differences of opinions, backgrounds and lives? Developing those skills transcends college life.They are skills for life in general and it is the difference between surviving and thriving. This third edition addresses these issues and draws on the voices of the students, administrators, professors, counselors etc who are dealing with these challenges in real time. As you can imagine, they aren’t able to offer any magic solutions to these complex problems but their ability to grapple with these issues with honesty and integrity provide a good roadmap for new students heading off for their first year.
Since the earliest editions of our book, we’ve been very aware that there are a number of distinct audiences who are interested in the transition from high school to college. There are the students themselves, of course, but the book has also became a go-to resource for parents, high school, teachers end, guidance, counselors, orientation teams, residence life professionals etc. That is why, very early on we created our “User Guide: a ‘How to’ (and ‘Who is’) for using The Freshman Survival Guide”. Essentially it breaks down the various issues different audiences are dealing with in terms of the transition and offers up specific chapters in the book that deal well with those challenges.
Over the past 10 years we’ve heard from people and organizations who have used it as a textbook, an orientation manual, or simply as a discussion starter for honest conversation with students getting ready to embark on their college journey.
Honestly, without their input, the book simply would not have the credibility it needs to really speak to life on college campuses today. Every time we have done a revision of the book, we have made it a point to do surveys of college students to get a clear sense of what they’re experiencing now. What are the challenges they are encountering on campus? Where have they experienced great opportunities as well. Life on college campuses is pretty dynamic, but the biggest changes often surface in the realm of technology. It can be an enormous aid to their education in terms of their connection to endless amounts of knowledge and the possibilities of remote learning but it is equally concerning because it can have such a negative impact on students’ time management or ability to focus.
When you speak to residence life professionals on campus, the subject of homesickness definitely comes up frequently. A UCLA study estimated that nearly three out of four first year students experience it. In fact it ts is so common that some of the campus professionals we’ve encountered actually have a window of time in the first semester when they expect to be confronted with the issue from a number of students. So that is a very common experience… I would say, in terms of actual needs, students generally struggle to find some sense of balance emotionally, academically, socially etc during this huge transition.
Sorry we made your head spin
But the truth is, if college doesn’t pull you out of your comfort zone and make your head spin a little you might not be doing it right!
It is a complex world you are entering and the ability to think critically and negotiate conflicting ideas and values are essential life skills. That doesn’t mean you should abandon who you are and the values that are important to you, but In the course of your college career it would be a waste if you didn’t take the opportunity to see the world from a different perspective and challenge your way of thinking.
For most students, heading off to college will be an experience of freedom unlike anything they’ve seen before. But that freedom cuts both ways. You have the freedom to make good decisions that help advance your education and development, but you also have the opportunity to make some seriously bad choices as well. The point is the choice is yours. What are planning to do with this freedom?
The Freshman Survival Guide
by Nora Bradbury-Haehl
by Bill McGarvey
A completely revised and updated values-based guide full of practical tools and advice that students need to navigate the first year of college and get the most out of their experience.
In the twelve years since its initial publication, The Freshman Survival Guide has helped tens of thousands of first year students make a successful transition to college life. However, much has changed on campuses. Culture changes, the ubiquity of social media, and the arrival of “hybrid” or remote learning have all added new layers of complexity to the leap from high school to college. The Freshman Survival Guide‘s newest updated edition features new research on issues such as mental health, sexual assault, and finding balance. It also features expanded sections on:
- gender and race relations on campus,
- online learning,
- dating,
- and money management.
Of the approximately 2.5 million college freshmen each year, one in three won’t make it to sophomore year. Combining relatable and relevant stories from hundreds of college students and insightful interviews with professors, deans, and other campus and community leaders, The Freshman Survival Guide focuses on how incoming first-year students can prepare themselves for the biggest change they’ve encountered in their lives: heading off to college.
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Meet The Author: Bill McGarvey
BILL MCGARVEY is former editor-in-chief of the award-winning BustedHalo. He has written and commented extensively on topics of pop culture and faith for BBC, NPR, New York Times, Washington Post, America, The Tablet (London) Time Out New York, Sirius-XM Radio, Commonweal, and Book magazine.
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