College in a Can : What's In, Who's Out, Where To, Why Not, and Everything Else You Need to Know about Life on Campus

by Choron, Sandra

• ISBN13: 9780618408719
• ISBN10: 0618408711
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-04-26
• Publisher: Lightning Source Inc

Summary

Where you're going to college is just the first of the questions you'll face as you prepare to step onto the campus. But what happens once you're there? College in a Can is chock full of all the answers you need - from what to bring and how to study effectively to what the best college radio stations are and how to meet new people. Here you'll find bite-size wisdom and entertainment in the form of more than 250 lists about the topics that matter most to college students. College life doesn't have to be full of unknowns, so open College in a Can to get a realistic idea of what it's all about. Featuring The most common mistakes students make in choosing a college Things definitely not to bring Hints for coexisting peacefully with your roommate The best college movies Full-course meals you can make in your toaster oven Space-saving tips for even the smallest dorm room Thirteen ways to get a date Prof profiles Symbols to use when taking notes Tips for finding a job after graduation And much, much more!

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. xix
Collegeville, U.S.A.
Top 10 Worst Reasons for Choosing a College	p. 2
12 Things You Probably Wish You Had Known Before You Got to College	p. 4
7 Things About Ivy League Schools That They Don't Want You to Know	p. 5
17 Bizarre College Courses	p. 6
Some Student Stats	p. 7
5 Weird College News Items, 2003	p. 8
8 Ways in Which the Bible Would Be Different If College Students Had Written it	p. 9
8 Presidents Who Never Attended College	p. 10
Top 10 TV Shows Among College Students	p. 10
Top 10 Magazines Among College Students	p. 10
Top 5 Newspapers Among College Students	p. 10
The 13 Most Important Issues Currently Facing the Nation, According to College Students	p. 11
What College Students Really Want	p. 11
The Best Student Publications	p. 11
The Top 12 College Radio Stations	p. 13
2002 CBI National Student Production Award Winners for Television	p. 15
15 College Urban Legends	p. 16
2002 CBI National Student Production Award Winners for Radio	p. 17
10 Haunted Colleges	p. 20
The 25 Best College Nicknames	p. 22
The 10 Oldest Colleges in America	p. 23
6 Fraternities and Sororities for Gay Students	p. 24
The 10 Most Difficult Colleges to Get Into	p. 26
The 4 Youngest College Students	p. 27
The 5 Most Notorious College Football Rivalries	p. 28
The 8 Most Common College Mascots	p. 29
Is Your College Gay-Friendly?	p. 30
33 Successful People Who Never Graduated from College	p. 31
14 Celebrities and Their College Majors	p. 32
10 Famous Resident Assistants	p. 33
24 Great Movies About College Life	p. 34
10 College Movie Bloopers	p. 38
Life According to the Class of 2008	p. 40
The 7 Oldest College Graduates	p. 41
College Life IOI
Carpe College: The Essential 67	p. 44
The College Students' Bill of Rights	p. 47
28 Things to Bring to College	p. 50
What Your Computer Color Says About You	p. 52
What Your Choice of Computer Font Says About You	p. 52
Smileys	p. 53
The 10 Biggest College Time-Wasters	p. 54
The 8 Hardest Things About Being a Freshman	p. 54
7 Ways to Tell Right from Wrong	p. 55
15 Advantages to Living off Campus	p. 56
16 Advantages to Living on Campus	p. 57
24 Tips for Getting Along with Your Roommate	p. 58
The Ideal Roommate for Your Astrological Sign	p. 60
The Roommates' Bill of Rights	p. 61
How to Fight Fair	p. 63
Dorm Shui: 15 Space-Saving Tips for Small Dorm Rooms	p. 64
13 Cheap Decorating Ideas for Your Dorm	p. 65
29 Instant Messaging Phrases	p. 66
10 Ways to Make New Friends	p. 67
10 Cures for Homesickness	p. 67
18 Ways to Get More Sleep	p. 68
17 Ways to Avoid the Freshman Fifteen--or Twenty--or Thirty	p. 70
12 Tips for Surviving the College Cafeteria	p. 71
How to Eat Healthy at 9 Fast Food Restaurants	p. 72
14 Safe Snacks	p. 74
7 Top Snack Preferences Among College Students	p. 74
What Your Snack Preference Says About You	p. 74
11 Meals You Can Make in a Toaster Oven	p. 76
8 Things to Consider Before You Have a Body Part Pierced...	p. 77
... and 7 Things to Consider If You're Going to Do It Anyway	p. 78
To Tattoo or Not to Tattoo	p. 79
10 Campus Protest Hot Spots	p. 80
How to Stage a Successful Campus Protest	p. 82
How to Handle Racism	p. 83
Fighting Hate on Campus	p. 86
Greek Trivia--15 Facts	p. 88
6 Myths (and Facts) About Hazing	p. 89
Stop Hazing Now!	p. 91
17 Examples of Hazing	p. 92
4 Bad Reasons for Considering a Transfer to Another College	p. 93
5 Good Reasons to Transfer	p. 94
7 Students Who Learned More on Their School Breaks Than They Did in School	p. 94
9 Good Reasons to Study Abroad	p. 97
14 Reasons to Skip Class	p. 98
9 Organizations That Sponsor International Volunteer Programs	p. 99
10 Questions to Ask Before You Sign Up for an On-line Degree	p. 101
12 College Habits That Follow You Home	p. 102
Get Smart
Dave Barry's Guide to Choosing a Major	p. 104
8 Simple Secrets of Successful Students	p. 106
11 Great Motivators	p. 108
How to Calculate Your GPA	p. 109
101 Books They Expect You to Have Read by the Time You Get to College	p. 110
How to Get the Most Out of Orientation	p. 118
Prof Profiles	p. 119
What You Can Learn from the Syllabus	p. 120
15 Tips for Course Selection	p. 121
How to (Really) Choose Your Major	p. 122
What Your College Major (Probably) Says About You	p. 124
5 Ways to Sleep in Class and Look As If You Are Awake	p. 126
13 Strategies for Managing Your Time	p. 128
7 Qualities of a Good Mentor	p. 130
12 Common Supports for Students with Learning Disabilities	p. 131
How to Size Up a Teacher	p. 132
10 Things That Annoy Teachers the Most	p. 132
How to Understand Everything the Professor Says	p. 133
9 Tips for Meeting with--and Impressing--Your Professors	p. 133
5 Ways to Ask a Teacher for Help	p. 134
The 8 Links in the College Food Chain	p. 135
9 Ways to Deal If the Teacher Hates You	p. 136
How to Stay on Top of the Grading System	p. 137
How to Get a Grade Changed	p. 138
The 10 Best Excuses You Can Give Your Professor If You Get Caught Sleeping in Class	p. 140
15 Phrases to Listen for When the Teacher Is Lecturing	p. 140
16 Tips for Taking Great Notes	p. 141
10 Steps to Writing a Great Essay	p. 142
70 Abbreviations and Symbols to Use When Taking Notes	p. 143
11 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Turn In an Essay	p. 145
10 Great Sources of Research Information	p. 146
4 Ways to Avoid Plagiarism	p. 147
How to Give a Great Speech, No Matter How Nervous You Are	p. 148
How to Win a Debate, Hands Down	p. 150
8 Professional On-line Homework Help Resources	p. 151
How to Customize Your Textbook	p. 152
How to Preread Any Book in 30 Minutes or Less	p. 153
8 Ways to Jog Your Memory	p. 154
12 Mnemonic Devices	p. 155
16 Exercises for Overcoming Math Anxiety	p. 156
The 3 Worst Places to Study	p. 159
5 Aromas That Help Keep You Mentally Alert	p. 159
The 4 Best Places to Study	p. 159
If You Study to Music	p. 160
10 Exercises You Can Do at Your Desk	p. 161
7 Common Distractions from Studying	p. 162
10 Study Habits That Really Work	p. 162
How to Study	p. 164
How to Form Your Own Study Group	p. 165
5 Myths About Tests	p. 166
28 Tips for Improving Your Test Score Without Even Studying	p. 167
10 Exercises for Your Brain	p. 168
10 Foods You Should Eat Before a Test	p. 171
15 Tips for Reducing Test Anxiety	p. 171
6 Aromas That Will Help You Relax	p. 172
What to Do If You Catch Someone Cheating	p. 174
What to Do If You Are Caught Cheating	p. 175
How to Deal with Failure Successfully	p. 176
What You Can Do About an F	p. 177
30 Steps to Writing a Great Term Paper--NOT!	p. 178
You Know You've Been in College Too Long When ...	p. 179
Party Hearty
11 College Pranks, from Stupid to Spectacular	p. 182
How to Fit In Anywhere	p. 183
10 Reasons Studying Is Better Than Sex	p. 184
Go Greek!	p. 184
Don't Go Greek!	p. 185
How to Size Up a Club	p. 187
How to Start a Club	p. 188
12 Ways to Make Sure Spring Break Is Fun	p. 188
Top 6 Spring Break Locations	p. 189
Spring Break Packing Checklist	p. 190
10 Ways to Feel Better About Yourself--Instantly!	p. 191
6 Ways to Tell a Friend to Cool It	p. 192
7 Reasons Not to Drink	p. 193
How to Drink Responsibly	p. 194
8 Statistics About Drinking on Campus That Speak for Themselves	p. 195
9 Hangover Cures, Just in Case You Blow It	p. 196
10 Nonalcoholic Cocktails	p. 196
11 Zero-Proof Games	p. 197
15 Drugs You Shouldn't Take (and What Will Happen If You Do)	p. 200
College Fads Through the Ages	p. 201
Drug Use on College Campuses	p. 203
10 STDs and What You Should Do About Them	p. 203
13 Ways to Get Dates	p. 206
11 Tips for Speed-Dating	p. 206
6 Reasons Not to Date Your Professors	p. 207
18 Tips for Shy Students	p. 208
25 Cheap Dates	p. 209
Date Rape--and Beyond	p. 210
What You Should Know About Date Rape	p. 211
8 Examples of Sexual Harassment	p. 212
12 Misconceptions About Birth Control	p. 214
Sexetiquette	p. 216
Practical Matters
How to Make All Four Years Count	p. 220
The ABCs of Success	p. 224
How to Break Bad News to the 'Rents	p. 226
The 10 Best National Discounts and Freebies for Students	p. 228
How to Identify Scholarship Scams	p. 229
8 Facts About the Federal Work-Study Program	p. 230
How to Avoid Scholarship Scams	p. 231
7 Things They Don't Tell You About Loans and Scholarships	p. 231
6 Kinds of College Loans	p. 232
14 Interesting Scholarship Programs for Undergraduates That You May Not Know About	p. 233
4 Federal Tax Credits for Students	p. 235
10 Wacky Scholarships and Grants	p. 236
9 Characteristics of the High-Risk Student	p. 237
25 Money-Saving Tips for the Economically Challenged Student	p. 238
6 Ways to Get Cheap Textbooks	p. 239
1 Reason Not to Buy a Used Computer	p. 241
6 Ways to Get the 'Rents to Send More Money ...	p. 241
... and 4 Ways for Them to Get It to You Fast	p. 241
6 Tips for Finding a Job on Campus	p. 242
5 Tips for Getting the Best Internships	p. 242
20 Off-the-Wall Ways to Make Money	p. 244
11 More Traditional Ways to Make Money	p. 245
How to Balance Schoolwork and Your Job	p. 245
10 Stain-Removing Hints	p. 247
6 Tips for Choosing a Bank	p. 248
9 Tips for Managing Your Checking Account	p. 248
Glossary of College Finance Terms	p. 249
10 Things You Should Know About Credit Cards	p. 251
3 Alternatives to Regular Credit Cards	p. 252
32 Dorm Safety Tips	p. 253
22 Personal Safety Tips	p. 254
What You Should Know About Reporting Campus Crimes	p. 255
7 ATM Safety Tips	p. 256
10 Signs of Depression	p. 257
7 Ways to Handle Depression	p. 257
5 Tips for Coping with Disaster	p. 258
19 National Hotlines You Might Need	p. 260
11 Laundry Tips	p. 263
Cars on Campus	p. 264
15 Ways to Lower Your Car Insurance Costs	p. 264
What to Do If You Get Arrested	p. 266
Brave New World: Life After College
23 Things That Will Change the Second You Graduate	p. 268
10 Common Fears of College Grads	p. 269
10 Questions to Ask Before You Take a Risk	p. 270
10 Essential Tips for Networking	p. 270
The 9 Most Common Lies Job Applicants Tell	p. 271
18 Things You Can Do If You Just Graduated and Have No Idea Whatsoever About What You Want to Do with the Rest of Your Life	p. 272
14 Ways to Describe Yourself	p. 273
Graduation Etiquette	p. 274
11 Questions You Should Always Be Prepared to Answer	p. 275
11 Creative Things You Can Do With Your Diploma	p. 276
Great Graduation Gifts	p. 276
8 Ways to Make Sure Your Graduation Day Is Memorable	p. 277
37 Great Commencement Addresses	p. 279
Cap and Gown Trivia	p. 284
Arguments Against Grad School	p. 285
Arguments for Grad School	p. 285
10 Tips for Finding the Best Graduate Schools	p. 286
6 Reasons to Join a Professional Association	p. 288
So You Want to Be a Philosopher	p. 288
6 Ways to Get the Alumni Association to Work for You	p. 289
How to Be a Good Alum	p. 290
7 Ways to Turn Your Favorite Pastime into a Career	p. 291
Possible Career Choices	p. 292
How to Get a Job as a Teaching Assistant	p. 296
How to Use the Internet to Find a Job	p. 296
The 10 Fastest-Growing Occupations, 2000-2010	p. 298
17 Tips for Acing Any Job Interview	p. 299
How to Dress Like a College Graduate	p. 300
What They're Looking For	p. 302
How to Ask For--and Get--Great References	p. 302
12 Questions to Ask a Potential Employer	p. 304
The 5 Biggest Mistakes Job Interviewees Make	p. 304
The 6 Biggest Mistakes People Make on Their Resumes	p. 305
7 Things to Ask for If They Won't Meet Your Salary Requirements	p. 306
102 Words That Will Look Good on Your Resume	p. 307
12 Advantages of Moving Back Home	p. 308
What to Do If You Can't Pay Back Your Student Loan	p. 308
9 Ways to Get Out of Repaying Your College Loan	p. 310
4 Reasons That Stafford Loans Are Forgiven	p. 310
You and the IRS	p. 310
7 Steps to Establishing Credit	p. 312
How to Scratch Your Entrepreneurial Itch	p. 313
The 8 Most Unpredicted Living Costs	p. 314
The 5 Biggest Surprises for Those Who Have Never Rented an Apartment Before	p. 314
10 Clauses to Avoid When Signing a Lease	p. 315
17 Questions to Ask When Renting an Apartment	p. 316
3 Things to Do If You Experience Housing Discrimination	p. 317
How to Keep Learning Forever	p. 317
Index	p. 319
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

Excerpts

INTRODUCTIONWe wrote this book with three important points in mind: 1. Youre busy. Yeah, like you have time to read another book. Fact is, youre already loaded down with enough textbooks to break Arnold Schwarzeneggers back. So heres what we did: we culled the most important information from hundreds of Web sites, books, magazines, scientific studies, and the experts themselves to present you with the essentials. Do you really have time to read a guide to college that spends six pages urging you to get involved in extracurricular activities (duh?) or thirty pages suggesting that you adhere to the kinds of safety precautions with which most third graders are already familiar? College in a Can dispenses with the lectures and gives you the information you need in a concise, fun format. No need to read this book from beginning to end-jump in anywhere. You have your own priorities, and whatever they are, weve tried to address them all. Were hoping that youll thumb through the pages to find your own beginning, middle, and end, and that youll find something useful everywhere you look. 2. Youre smart. You wouldnt have gotten into college without the ability to figure out certain basics for yourself. You already know that impressing your teachers will help you toward your goals, whatever they are. But did you know that there are five basic "prof profiles" and that there are simple ways to get on the good side of even the most challenging types? Similarly, we assume youve already figured out that you need to study for exams. But did you know that certain foods can help keep you alert during tests? We offer these, along with the best study tips and shortcuts out there, in the hope that youll find the most efficient methods that work for you. Think of yourself as being in college not necessarily to learn everything you need to know, but to learn how to learn in a classroom thats even more important than the one youre in now: life. 3. Youre there to have fun, too. Were positive that some of the most important lessons you absorb in college wont be learned in the classroom, so weve included plenty of information to help you through the parties, the relationships, and the good times that make up the college experience. Were hopeful youll get a great education in the years that you attend college, but what a shame it would be to miss out on the fun of what could be the most carefree years of your life. The college urban legends youll find here, along with our list of wacky grants and scholarships, best movies about college, and Dave Barrys hilarious guide to choosing a major, are included to remind you that laughter and good humor can help get you through the most trying times.Think of college as the most lavish buffet you will ever experience. Try it all. Once you find your favorites, dont be shy about going back for more.Copyright 2004 by Sandra Choron. Reprinted by permission of Houghton Mifflin Company.

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Excerpted from College in a Can: What's in, Who's out, Where to, Why not, and everything else you need to know about life on Campus by Sandra Choron, Harry Choron
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.