Overview
What exactly is a credit hour? What’s an elective course and why should you care? What’s the secret to studying for tests? Compact and to-the-point, this is an easy-to-use guide to everything first-year students really need to know about how college works. The first part of the book helps to demystify the academic system. Easy to read bite-sized chapters cover topics such as understanding the college course structure, adding and dropping courses, understanding grading systems, pre-registration and scheduling, and attending class. Part 2 introduces the knowledge and tools students need to succeed at college, including time management, critical thinking, test-taking skills, and writing papers. The final part of the book gives guidance on taking care of your physical and mental health, and looks at goals and career planning. It also features a dedicated chapter which is geared to the needs of commuter students. Each chapter features opportunities for the reader to pause and reflect on how the content applies to their own situation and experience. Chapters end with a list of questions which encourage students to consolidate their learning and identify the relevant policies and supports at their own institution.
Full Product Details
Author: Professor Michael Keaton (Southern Wesleyan University, USA)
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Imprint: Bloomsbury Academic
Dimensions:
Width: 13.80cm
, Height: 2.50cm
, Length: 21.60cm
Weight: 0.454kg
ISBN: 9781350557772
ISBN 10: 1350557773
Pages: 240
Publication Date: 05 February 2026
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Tertiary & Higher Education
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming
Availability: Manufactured on demand
Reviews
Start College Strong is a valuable resource for college students, especially first-generation students, to help them navigate the complex system. This book is information-packed yet offers a space for students to reflect on how the information affects them. It is highly recommended for a first-year experience program! * Micky Lee, Associate Dean of Core Experience, Suffolk University, US * Start College Strong offers the incoming student a holistic reference book for the college experience. By including information on the sometimes ""hidden"" curriculum including things like understanding the college classroom, college organizational structures and job titles, advising norms as well as academic supports and strategies, Michael Keaton has created a valuable guidebook for every college student. First-generation students and families will find this particularly helpful, but with the changing landscape of higher education, anyone will find something beneficial in this book as they transition to college and face challenges in their first years. As a Director of First-Year Experience, I think this book does a great job of alleviating a lot of the ambiguity that happens in the lead-up and first couple of years of college. * Sue Peterson, First-Year Experience Director, California State University Chico, US *
Author Information
Michael P. Keaton is Professor of History at Southern Wesleyan University. He has taught students for over 20 years.
