Embrace Your Freedom: Winning Strategies to Succeed in College and in Life

Former Skidmore College president Glotzbach mines his five-plus–decade career in higher education for this sturdy debut guide to undergrad life. Comparing the college years to ”skiing a run that’s just a little too intense for comfort,” Glotzbach encourages readers to forge connections with peers who are different from them, choose a major according to interest rather than moneymaking potential, and remain open to changes in direction, while at the same time taking care to keep student debt at “a manageable level” by finishing in four years. He also stresses the importance of self-reflection, suggesting that readers should consider how college might fit into their future plans rather than “just taking the expected next step” after high school. While predictable lectures on binge drinking might cause some students to roll their eyes, Glotzbach’s seasoned perspective lends weight to his insights about the changing cultural and educational landscape, including the enduring value of a liberal arts education as a “powerful and adaptable intellectual toolkit” for today’s professional world, even in STEM fields. It’s a solid resource for ambitious incoming freshmen looking to make the most of their college years. (July)