Introduction

DON’T SKIP THIS PART!

You might not read this part of a book, but you really should. It tells you how the writing is structured and helps you decide what you need to pay the most attention to!

Did I get your attention? I hope so! The types of books you are likely to be assigned in college have introduction sections. As a student, I used to skip this part, but reading the introduction will save you time and effort and make your reading more effective. Why? Because in the introduction the author tells you how the book is set up and what to focus on.

Always read (at least skim and skip) the introduction of an article or book!

So what about this book? This quick introduction can help you understand the book, why it was written, and what my goals are for those who read it.

College is a time of change, where you become the person you want to be, leading the life you design and work towards. You will change in how you see yourself and the world over your time in college, and each class (even if you don’t realize it) will become part of your knowledge base. Even the things you think you forget are buried in your memory and shape your future.

While television and movies portray college as parties and sports, for most people, the college experience is about classes, work, and learning. There are a lot of misconceptions about college and a lot of information you need to know (but people don’t tell you what you need to know).

As you get used to college, there are things you need to know. This book discusses 10 important things you need to know- and figure out as you start college. In each chapter, you will learn about one of these 10 things, and what you read here is meant to help you get started. Once you understand the basics, you can learn about your college, think about yourself, and plan your future.

This book is not meant to give you the answers. This is not a reference guide. It IS meant to help you formulate and understand the questions you need to answer and how to find those answers. The 10 things are big ideas and fundamental knowledge that will help you understand college and key areas that can help you be successful.

You get to decide if you want to survive or thrive in college and if you are ready to dive in and make the most of your time here.
Start with these 10 things… they are a good foundation.