The Skinny on Your First Year in College

by Sean Heffron

When you arrive on a college campus you will be faced with hundreds of new choices, people, questions. For most students it takes months to learn to navigate this new environment ... nine months in Your First Year of College . This book will prepare you for the heartache and mistakes and give you the answers all first-year students wish they had when they began the journey. The information in this book was gathered from scholars and students at colleges across the 2-year, 4-year, private, public, large, and small. Aspects from each are tied together with the common theme every first-year student they needed help. We re going to try to help by telling you the story of Jake, a first-year student at T.H.E. University. He is about to experience many of the obstacles first year students encounter. Your first year will be full of challenges, questions, and opportunities. In an hour or so, you ll be ready.

156 pages, Paperback

First published January 25, 2011

About the author

My father was a jack-of-all-trades. He was good at everything. He built the house we lived in, and he always made sure to show his three children how to build something new and how to fix it when it broke. I am blessed to say I am very much like my dad, or at least I try to be.

In addition to my professional role at a university, I coached the club baseball team for seven years, I teach writing, communication and business courses, I am an ordained minister (I have performed three weddings—all for former students who asked me to marry them), and I am the father of three hilarious children. I couldn't do any of it well without the love and support of my wife, who is the coolest person I know.

When I'm not working, teaching, coaching, reading or writing, I enjoy all things outdoors--hiking, running, skiing, rock climbing, camping--I'm like a lumberjack sans the beard.

I like telling stories. I get that from my Irish roots, I think. One aspect of a good story is realistic dialogue. I want readers to feel like they know the characters in my stories...like they’ve had some of the same thoughts and conversations. Readers will find comfort in the familiarity of some of the characters in my stories. But they will still be surprised…

DID YOU KNOW: When I was born, I was very sick. I actually died and was resuscitated. (Thank you, NIC U nurses for that, and thank you spellcheck for helping me with "resuscitated.") Dying already gave me a unique perspective on life, and I try not to worry about much. My kids are chipping away at that blissful worldview, as I am sure I did to my parents when I was young.

Reviews

[Sasha Zuri · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a super easy read, the cartoons give it the appeal of not only being an easy read but then just enjoying the book itself. Totally recommend it to all freshmen in college and to high school students. Perfect gift for high school seniors as well. The wrap up at the end is perfect and gets straight to the point and a debrief of everything you really do need to know about college. There could be a lot more added but it would take away from being an easy read, and I think most people should get the jist of it.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick read with some great studying and social tips for an incoming or transfer student. I am going to go into my freshman year at Boise State University with more under my tool belt of tricks to use when I start my new semester!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the format and content. This is a great walk through some of the challenges of being a freshman in college. Definitely got some goods ideas for my learning community class.