Books

Book Review: College or Not?

The last first day of school. The last homecoming, the last Christmas program or sports event you’ll have to attend. The last spring break, the final prom, and the last day of school, they’ll all be bittersweet, but you’ll manage. As in these new books about college, you’ve got big decisions to make first.

Published

2 years ago

August 18, 2024

By Terri Schlichenmeyer

Book Covers. Photo by Terri Schlichenmeyer.

By Terri Schlichenmeyer

“Make College Your Superpower” by Anna Esaki-Smith, c.2024, Rowman & Littlefield, $30.00, 189 pages

“Rethinking College: A Guide to Thriving without a Degree” by Karin Klein, c.2024, Harper Horizon, $29.99, 256 pages

There are about to be a lot of lasts in your household in the coming months.

College or not? It’s a big question for every high school senior. And the answer is…

In her new book “Make College Your Superpower” (Rowman & Littlefield, $30.00), author Anna Esaki-Smith says, “It’s a great time to be a student” because, though life has been “weird” with the pandemic, shut-downs, and such, “technology has changed everything.”

Today’s students know a lot about technology, for one thing – possibly more than their professors do, giving students “an edge.” Facial recognition on a variety of campuses has recently shown more “happy” faces than ever before.

To be one of those satisfied students, she says, don’t go by magazine rankings. Learn the smart ways to apply to the right college for you. Play up what you do best, not what you love most. Take the quizzes and the workbook-like questionnaires in this book and know yourself. Be savvy about finances and the lack thereof.

And get out and meet people! That’s part of what college is for.

Then again, college is not for everyone.

In the new book “Rethinking College” by Karin Klein (Harper Horizon, $29.99), you’ll learn that despite what you’ve been told for most of your high school career, you can thrive and succeed without a four-year degree.

Volunteer work is a valid way to gain experience that could open doors in environmental groups, food pantries, and service groups that offer some paid positions within the organization. An apprenticeship may be a way to learn a trade through on-the-job instruction while also receiving a wage; an internship could accomplish the same. Exploring how one’s talents can be turned into a job is always possible, especially if what you love doing is in high demand. Or you could take your visionary skills and start your own business with surprisingly less money than you may have thought possible.

This is the kind of book you want to give the high schooler who’s not so-called college material, or who chafes against what college has to offer. It also opens a whole world of possibility for anyone who’s older, with high school long behind them.

If these books aren’t exactly what you or your high-school senior needs for the next few months and beyond, then ask your local librarian or bookseller for help. They’ll have books for you on surviving Freshman year, on knowing what to expect at college, on homesickness and missing your teenager, and on how to land a great apprenticeship, non-profit position, or how to start your own business. Your librarian or bookseller will have something for your Year of Lasts, and the first book you’ll want for success.

By Terri Schlichenmeyer

Posts by By Terri Schlichenmeyer

Up Next

California Legislature Honors LA Lakers Legend Michael Cooper

Don't Miss

Oakland Narrowly Avoids Major Budget Cuts With Newly Signed Deal For Coliseum Sale

By Terri Schlichenmeyer

Click to comment

Advice

Book Review: Books for College-Bound Students

The kind of workday your Grandpa had is probably over, and you can’t count on toiling at the same place for 40 years for a pension and a gold watch. You already know that, and these books will help you decide your next step. You’ll learn what kind of worker you are, what’s stopping you from finding a job or occupation you’ll love, how to determine the purpose you envision for your future, and how to get where you need to be.

Published

1 week ago

May 17, 2026

Oakland Post

Book covers. Photo courtesy of Terri Schlichenmeyer.

By Terri Schlichenmeyer

Authors: Various, Copyright: c.2026, Publishers: Various, SRP: $21.00 – $29.00, Page Counts: Various

The videos and news reports were inspiring.

In them, a hesitant prospective college student became a happy, new college-bound student with the click of a key. They were accepted into the college of their dreams – so how can you get the same feeling next spring, when you’re the one with the highest of hopes?

You can start by reading these great books and sharing them with your family…

You probably already know that getting into the college of your choice is not something you do last-minute. In “The People’s Guide to College Applications: A Week-by-Week Approach to Writing, Connecting, and Getting in” (Prometheus Books, $ 21.95), Jill Constantino takes you through each step, but not in a frantic way. There’s no pressure here, just easy-to-grasp, makes-sense methods to apply for the college you want. There are reminders here, things you can’t forget and things you can, hints on asking for referrals and writing essays, and plenty of reminders to take a deep breath. Bonus: it’s also a book for parents, who may feel just as much pressure as their child does.

Okay, but let’s say that you’re an adult, a parent who’s sweating those college applications, classes, and the FAFSA for yourself, ugh! Then you’ll want to read “Student Parent: The Fight for Families, the Cost of Poverty, and the Power of College” by Nicole Lynn Lewis (Beacon Press, $26.97). an urgent call meant for nontraditional students who are also Black, Latinx, gay, Moms, or Dads.

Inside this book, you’ll find stats and stories that may already sound familiar, tales of not enough money, not enough support, not enough arms or sleep or resources. If you’re looking for a book of advice, this isn’t it, though. It’s more of a resource that you’ll want to take to your guidance counselor or any local politician.

Alright, but what if you’ve decided that college can wait? Is that okay? Look for “The Mission Generation: Reclaim Your Purpose, Rewrite Success, Rebuild Our Future” by Arun Gupta and Thomas J. Fewer (Wiley, $29.00) because – guess what? – you have many options for your future.

The kind of workday your Grandpa had is probably over, and you can’t count on toiling at the same place for 40 years for a pension and a gold watch. You already know that, and this book will help you decide your next step. You’ll learn what kind of worker you are, what’s stopping you from finding a job or occupation you’ll love, how to determine the purpose you envision for your future, and how to get where you need to be. This book isn’t just for high schoolers, but for anyone ages 16 and beyond who’s feeling restless, ready for change, or who’s thinking about some kind of purposeful retirement.

And if these aren’t the college-based or not-college-bound books you need, then be sure to ask your favorite bookseller or librarian for help on ideas, how-to’s, test prep books, or study guides. They’ll have books for you, and maybe a little inspiration, too.