5 College Advice Books That Are Actually Helpful

College can be a stressful time, especially for newcomers like freshman who aren’t sure what exactly to do in a new environment. Studying, getting to class, and even just surviving all the stress cam be hard. That’s why the first year or even all of college can be really difficult if you aren’t sure how to handle all of the expectations and the new workload you’ll be given. College is often a time to have fun and explore, but it can also be extremely hectic. Luckily, there are things you can do to make your time at college less stressful.

Authors and former college students alike have realized the stress of college and have offered to remedy this (and probably make a few bucks) by offering college advice books that promise to help you get through your academic career. Of course like many advice books, there’s a lot of junk in the college advice book section. Some college advice books are outdated or offer advice that is irrelevant. Others try way to hard to be relatable to college kids and try to squeeze in unfunny jokes. Some even offer just advice that is just common sense like “study” and “lock your dorm room.”

If the college advice book doesn’t offer anything that won’t be discussed during orientation or doesn’t offer advice that you maybe don’t feel comfortable discussing with your parents (i.e. how to handle drinking culture) it’s probably best left in the trash. But there are still plenty of college advice books out there that do offer valuable advice and aren’t a drag to read. Here are 5 college advice books that are actually helpful!

1. Her Campus Guide To College Life

From the college magazine written by students for students, comes a colorful book that has a lot of great advice. The book takes advice from recent college students and is updated every once in awhile so the book stays relevant. It covers everything from schoolwork and safety to healthy eating and roommate problems. It has a lot of great advice and offers some things you might not think of.

You can buy it here:

2. Goodnight, Dorm Room

A play off a the children’s book “Goodnight mom”, this college advice book offers tips in a rhymes and a cute style. It’s great book to read when you want to prepare for college but are looking for a book that’s a little more light and doesn’t have large walls of texts you have to read. It’s a cute but insightful book with good tips and real advice.

You can buy it here:

3. Do Your Laundry or You’ll Die Alone: Advice Your Mom Would Give if She Thought You Were Listening

This hilarious book offers some useful advice from a mom. There’s all the motherly and caring advice you could expect, plus some brutally honest truths your real parents are probably afraid to tell you. From cooking to finances there’s a lot to learn in this book, and it’s a great read if you’re looking for some in-depth lessons about college life.

You can buy it here:

4. U Chic: The College Girl’s Guide to Everything: Dealing with Dorms, Classes, Sororities, Social Media, Dating, Staying Safe, and Making the Most Out of the Best Four Years of Your Life

Another helpful book that is similar to Hercampus’s guide, this book offers a variety of helpful tips from actual college students. Over fifty girls give advice on everything from sororities to safety on and off campus, making it an interesting and useful book to read.

You can buy it here:

5. Recipes Every College Student Should Know

One thing often neglected in college advice books is cooking. Yet the skill is important in college where even with dining halls, having a home cooked meal at your apartment or dorm can really boost your health. This book offers a variety of recipes specifically geared towards college students. Skip signing up for the unlimited meal plan, and read this book instead before heading off to college.

You can buy it here: