Phillip Gay

Conquering College: the Meaning of Success Phillip Gay

Conquering College says much that cannot be said by counselors and professors during New Student Orientation Day sessions-or any other time, for that matter. Student peers and official student mentors are often good counselors, but they don't usually know all there is to know. This book was written to fill some of the gaps in their knowledge. Chapter 1 informs readers of the four most common ways that students choose to go about experiencing college, and the consequences-both positive and negative-of choosing one way as opposed to another. Chapter 2 focuses on the four most common types of professor, and gives tips on how to thrive under each type. Subsequent chapters focus on choosing the right major, guidance counselors, the relative importance of grades, winning and losing the goodwill of professors, course syllabi email, the halo effect, sleep, and how to get the glowing letters of recommendation that lead to admission to graduate and professional schools or to immediate post-college employment. These chapters also carry conversations with college graduates willing to discuss the extent to which-and the reasons why-they feel that their college career may or may not be said to have been "Successful."