Off the Shelf and Into College

This article was submitted by Swampscott Library Director Alyce Deveau.

Last Thursday evening the Young Adult Librarian, Sandy Moltz, hosted a college night at the . 

She introduced speakers from Princeton Review, the Swampscott High School Guidance Department and Sallie Mae who came to the library to help parents of sophomores and juniors prepare for the major process of applying to college.

Because at this time of year generally and specifically because of the program, college oriented books are flying off our shelves.  

A good place to start in this college process is to read The Anxious Test- Takers Guide to Cracking Any Test by the Staff of the Princeton Review. This book will help students get over the testing anxiety (for ANY test) by giving strategies and advice on how to succeed on all kinds of exams.  Once the anxiety level is reduced there are various PSAT and SAT preparation books that are available at the library. These books give sample tests and many hints for doing well.

Of course students and parents need some information about the colleges that may be taken under consideration for application and these next few books are very helpful in this respect.

Profiles of American Colleges, 2011 by Barrons gives the latest information on enrollments, tuition and fees, academic programs, campus environment, and available financial aid.

Complete Book of Colleges by Princeton Review is another good source for getting information about the colleges.

America’s Elite Colleges by Berry and Hawsey discusses the competition for getting into an Ivy League college. This book helps parents and students alike by offering  strategies from the inside for getting into our nation's elite schools.

Get Into College is another of the college advice guides. Throughout this book, students, parents, admissions officers, and consultants offer valuable information on everything from admissions to financial aid. There is also a guide with step-by-step instruction for writing a quality applications essay. The guide is written by Harvard law grad/SAT guru Jay Brody and includes sample essays that demonstrate writing techniques.

Parents also have the additional worry of for this college education and so they feel  Getting Financial Aid 2012  by The College Board is a must. The book walks parent through the recently revised FAFSA form is explained with step-by-step instructions, and the College Board’s CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE

Stop by the library and check out our current display of  books that we hope will make the college application process easier for all.