Over the years, the university experience has changed for young people; higher education study is expensive, graduate employment isn't guaranteed in an age of fast-evolving technology, and the stakes feel high. In The Backpacker's Guide to University, Dr Jo Phillips and Martin Griffin draw on their collective 45 years' experience teaching undergraduates and sixth formers to bring students the ultimate guide to making the most of their time in further education. Written in a warm and approachable style, they offer clear and practical guidance supported by key research in the field. Together, Jo and Martin demystify the language of university and offer the very best advice on adjusting to university study, campus life and independent learning. They share clear and easy tasks, structured so that students can work through them sequentially from pre-arrival to the end of the first year and beyond. This book urges students to embrace the 'backpacker approach', a transformative mindset that will empower them to immerse themselves in the spirit of adventure and seize every opportunity that university life has to offer. Essential reading for students applying to university, current undergraduates in the early stages of their course, their parents and teachers.
"The Backpacker's Guide to University is an invaluable resource for first-year students and the university staff who support them. It is readable and fun, but most importantly, it' is filled with practical and relevant activities that cover the very real experiences that so many first-year students face at university. With this book, a first-year you will set yourself on the fast track to self-awareness and personal growth and will receive those key insights and pointers that many students wish they had received when starting out. Embracing the metaphor of the backpacker's journey, the book authors invites students to view university as a life adventure, encourages students to begin their next chapter with courage, curiosity, and hope. A must-read for anyone embarking on the university adventure."
Fanie Walters
"The Backpacker's Guide to University is an immersive, helpful roadmap to all aspects of university written by professionals who know what it's like. The experiences and advice shared by the authors relate to the struggles and worries that many students may feel, packaged into an excellent guide for this new journey of life with its solutions and reflections. The inspiring messages and engaging tasks help to develop students' confidence and help them make the most out of their time in university by empowering them to become active participants in their learning. This book makes the prospect of going to university something to be excited about, rather than terrified. It's perfect for new undergraduates and any university students who need a bit of guidance and encouragement."
