Start College Strong - What Every First-Year Student Needs to Know

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.

List of contents

Introduction

PART 1 - THE SYSTEM
1. Credit Hours and Course Labels
2. Understanding the College Course Structure
3. Dual Enrollment, AP and Transfer Credit, and Prerequisites
4. Advising, Pre-registration, and Scheduling
5. Adding and Dropping Courses, Withdrawals, and Incompletes
6. College Textbooks
7. Financial Aid
8. Learning Management Systems and the Catalog
9. How to Read a Syllabus
10. Attending Class
11. Grading Systems, GPA, and Academic Standing
12. Job Titles, Organizational Structures, and the Names of Offices
13. Professors and Degrees
14. Communicating with Professors

PART 2 - THE ACADEMICS
15. Managing your Time
16. Critical Thinking
17. Study Skills
18. Test-Taking Skills
19. Research
20. Academic Writing
21. Presentations
22. Online Courses

PART 3 - and YOU
23. Your Physical Health
24. Your Mental Health
25. Goals and Career Planning
26. Commuter Life
27. Skills for Adults
28. A Few More Tips

Conclusion
Index

About the author

Michael P. Keaton is Professor of History at Southern Wesleyan University. He has taught students for over 20 years.

Product details

• Authors: Michael Keaton
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Release: 05.03.2026
• EAN: 9781350557765
• ISBN: 978-1-350-55776-5
• No. of pages: 240
• Series: Bloomsbury Study Skills
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Education > Education system; STUDY AIDS / General, STUDY AIDS / Study Guides, STUDY AIDS / College Guides, Study & learning skills: general, Advice on education, Educational: General studies / study skills general, Study and learning skills: general, General studies and General knowledge, For higher / tertiary / university education, General studies