In Thriving at College, author and professor Alex Chediak provides insightful tips and tools for students just beginning their college journeys, or for those who are already in college and could use some extra advice. Divided into four parts (with two helpful appendices related to choosing a college and owning your Christian faith while in college), Chediak explores the common mistakes most college students make and also offers advice for how to avoid them. Subjects like "Living for Grades" and "Chucking Your Faith" are sure to help the Christian student who wants his or her college experience to be one of the best experiences of his or her life.
I've never been drawn to a book because of its foreword, but when it came to Thriving at College, I immediately took notice because Alex and Brett Harris, founders of The Rebelution and co-authors of Do Hard Things, wrote the foreword. So, I knew it would be good. I was definitely curious to see what a college professor at a Christian university had to say to those of us who are just stepping into college, and I was extremely curious to know if it would mainly focus on socializing with a heavy emphasis on the importance of attending a Christian university. It did not.
Actually, Chediak discusses the social side of college in a relaxed way, advising readers to stick with their personalities. If you're an extrovert, that's great. Hang out with others, but be careful not to let social time take away all of your study time. If you're an introvert, don't worry. Try to step outside your comfort zone and become more of a people-person, but don't worry yourself over not having a list of friends an arm long. This is not an approach I hear very often. (I'm an introvert, by the way.) I also enjoyed Chediak's approach to picking a university, and his well-balanced pros and cons for secular and Christian colleges. (And these are just two topics out of the many that I really enjoyed. There's so much more, like tips for good relationships with parents and professors, advice on extra-curricular activities like sports and student government, and money-managing help.)
When picking up this book, you might be surprised that it is larger than most non-fiction, equalling 320 pages including the appendices. But really, it's an enjoyable read and well worth the time it takes to read it. I can easily see myself going back to specific sections in the next four years to rethink my approach to different aspects of college. I highly recommend this book to any Christian who will be starting college in the fall, and to anyone who is in his or her first or second year of college. Thriving at College encourages students to consider wisely, trust God fully, and enjoy the years spent earning a college degree.
Thriving at College is 320 pages long and is published by Tyndale House Publishers.
