Conquering College: The Meaning of Success

About the Book

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."

About the Author

Phillip Timothy Gay's bachelor's degree in Russian Language and Literature iis from Case Western Reserve University His master's and Ph.D. degrees in Sociology are from Harvard University. He has taught at eight different colleges and universities, variously located on both U.S. coasts. He is the author of both fiction and non-fiction books and articles. His most recent novel is ACADEMIC AFFAIRS: LOVE AND MURDER IN ACADEMIA. Since the summer of 2007, he has been a San Diego State University of Sociology Professor Emeritus, free lance writer, higher education issues consultant, and has appeared in films and stage roles, as well as in music videos. His vocations include graphoanalysis (i.e. handwriting analysis), and the study of foreign languages). He may be contacted at pgay@mail.sdsu.edu. Nafelie Monsour was born and raised in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. Her bachelor's degree in Sociology is from the University of San Diego. Her master''s degree in Sociology is from from San Diego State University. She is currently a canddate for the Ph.D. degree in Sociology from the University of Califonia, Riverside. Her academic interests are mainly in the areas of social organization social class inequalities and the sociology of the mega church. Her avocations include women's fashion design ,as well as floral arrangement and design.