Once Upon A Campus: Tantalizing Truths About College from People Who've Already Messed Up

By Trent Anderson and Seppy Basili
Edited by Supurna Banjee
Published by Simon & Schuster
May 2003; $10.00US/$16.00CAN; 0-7432-4933-X

What is College Really Like?

College Students Weigh In On: Dorms and roommates - The social scene - Writing papers and studying for exams - What professors and teacher's assistants really want

Benefit from their wisdom . . .

"All roommates are weird. The key is realizing that your roommate is weird . . . and deciding to get along with her anyway."

--Senior, Biology, Seattle Pacific University

"A professor will not flunk you if he knows your name."

--Graduate, Sports Management, University of Kansas

...and learn from their mistakes:

"After a semester of eating in the dining hall, I quickly learned to steer clear of anything with 'medley,' 'hash', or 'casserole' in the name; anything 'over rice;' and 'meat with gray sauce'."

--Senior, Biology, Oberlin College

"I regret not changing my major. I thought I had to know what I wanted to do when I got to college, so I stuck with it even though I wasn't satisfied . . ."

-- Senior, Film, Northwestern University

Excerpt
The following is an excerpt from the book Once Upon a Campus
by Trent Anderson and Seppy Basili
Published by Simon & Schuster; May 2003; $10.00US/$16.00CAN; 0-7432-4933-X
Copyright © 2003 Trent Anderson and Seppy Basili

Introduction

Hi, we're Trent and Seppy. This book will give you the inside scoop on how to survive and thrive in college. We're searched the country for the best advice from current college students and recent grads about how to make college fun, exciting, and rewarding. They've lived and learned, and how you get to benefit from their wisdom -- and their mistakes. We guarantee 100 percent that the advice in this book will be unbiased and straightfoward and that it will help you succeed in college (if not, this book makes a great coaster.)*

We'll be popping in every now and then with survival tips: notes, suggestions, and our expert advice. Why should you listen to us? We've both worked with thousands of students, helping them with admissions, test prep, and financial aid advice. Our comments are based on our own experience and what we've learned by speaking to student and college personnel throughout the years.

We hope you enjoy this book--however you decide to use it. Now that we've exchanged introductions, you're ready to discover how Once Upon a Campus...students went to college and lived to tell about it.

--Trent Anderson & Seppy Basili

*Claims of a "guarantee" for the success in college or use of this book as a "coaster" have not been confirmed by any valid authority.

. . .

"Don't expect to recognize yourself four years from now."

--Graduate, English/Psychology, Vassar College

"Wear flip-flops in the shower. You don't want what grows in the shower to grow on your feet!"

--Senior, Environmental Design, Texas A&M University-College Station

"Remember the #1 rule: if it would annoy you if your roommate did it, it will probably annoy your roommate if you do it."

--Graduate, Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia

"Scheduling study groups is a good idea, because it forces you to look over the material before you meet, so you don't look stupid."

--Senior, Government, University of Virginia

"Although you should be open to new ideas and people, your room shouldn't. Always lock your door when you're not there."

--Senior, Legal Studies, Quinnipiac University

"You have to ask yourself, 'What class is going to get me out of bed at eight o'clock in the morning?' That is a class you should definitely sign up for."

--Senior, Biomedical Sciences, Marquette University>


"Eat, study, eat, study, sleep, eat, study."

--Junior, Chemical Biology, Stevens Institute of Technology

"GET GOOD INTERNSHIPS!!! This is the only time you will be given responsibility without having any experience."

--Graduate, Political Science, University of California, San Diego

"College in general was a great and memorable experience. I wish I could start all over again."

--Senior, Pre-Law/Mass Communications, The Ohio State University

Copyright © 2003 Trent Anderson and Seppy Sasili