Bell's chapter on love is worth the price of the book in itself; it distills academic critiques of Western notions of romantic love into clear-headed advice for young people learning to deal with sex and relationships. But that's only a small part of a book about what it really means to learn and think for yourself, what it means to be a good teacher, and all the ways the modern university can fail to support true learning. Everything from the chapter on questioning conventional career ambitions to the section on the definition of the self is influenced by progressive sociology and Eastern spirituality, but Bell presents her challenging ideas in ways that her student audience can easily relate to.

I recommend the book to anyone who's in college. It'll rearrange your mind and get you thinking about your life and your surroundings in ways you never have before.

6 of 6 found the following review helpful:


Lifesaving and Lifechanging  Jan 11, 2002
Reading this book for the first time (I have read it many times since) I was most impacted by the chapter on grades. Bell hits the nail on the head: the entire system of grading, whether necessary for ranking students or not, does influence the way students perceive themselves. True learning happens when one is free from the quest for an A...when one is learning for the learning's sake.

This book is an excellent emotional and psychological lifesaver for any high school, college, or grad student. I love this book!

5 of 5 found the following review helpful:


An essential book for college undergrads  Dec 11, 1998
"This book was written for me." That is what you will say after reading the first few chapters. It tells all about why we do the things that we do in college, such as procrastinating, cramming, lazyness, and other college-related things. It also explains professors and how to get on their good side and why they act the way they do. This book also explains college love and what happens when you graduate. Inge Bell is completely on the level with us, it make you feel as though you have a link to the inside of college institutions. It's a must-read.

4 of 4 found the following review helpful:


If Only I had Heard of This Book 4 Years Ago  Oct 23, 2003 By Shannon Richardson
This was an excellent book! I am nearing the end of my undergraduate degree now and plan to pursue a Master's degree. This book helped me to put my life and my goals into perspective. For the greater part of my life, I have become obsessed with grades and the pusuit of things to add to my resume that will ensure myself of getting into a good grad school and being awarded with a good career upon graduation. I disagree with readers who criticize Bell for being one-sided in her anti-institionalism (some say socialist) arguements. Common sense tells most students that grades are important because the reality is that our educational background and subsequent GPA help determine where we end up in life after university. The point is though that these things HELP but they are not the be-all-end-all nor should they be. It takes much more to define a person and build their character. In North American society, as young people we are constantly bombarded with the pressures of accomplishment and achievement through school and work. Of course, these are more than noble goals but when is it ever enough? This is what I see as the main point of the book and the author is sending us a warning to "stop and smell the roses" in life before we end up directionless and unfilled. Great addition to every young person's reading list!

4 of 4 found the following review helpful:


Survival Manual is an understatement  May 22, 2002 By Nancy Mannikko "Nan"
This is a great book. It makes a great high school graduation gift for any kid about to go off to college. I wish I'd been able to read it before I began my undergraduate education. It points out a lot of pitfalls and potential problems that most recent high school grads are totally oblivious to in addition to reminding people there's more to living than trying to make the dean's list every semester. You need friends, you need a real life, you need to be comfortable with who you are.

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