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The Only College Guide You'll Ever Need
Find Meaning, Growth, and Joy in Your College Journey
The Complete U is a supportive, real-world guide to thriving in college—academically, socially, and emotionally. With warmth, humor, and deep insight, Dr. Deborah J. Cohan delivers over 100 empowering lessons to help students navigate every aspect of campus life.
The Complete U is your empowering, honest, and compassionate guide to navigating every step of the college experience. With over 100 lessons from sociologist and beloved professor Dr. Deborah J. Cohan, this transformative book offers the wisdom, support, and practical strategies every student needs to succeed in and beyond the classroom.
Whether you’re a first-year student or preparing to graduate, this book is like a trusted mentor, cheering you on while offering real talk about everything from picking a major to building mental resilience. From managing course loads and professors to making friends, coping with anxiety, and defining your purpose, The Complete U helps you grow not only as a student—but as a person.
Inside, you’ll find:
- Practical advice for every aspect of college life—from homesickness and time management to healthy relationships and stress relief.
- Supportive lessons for mental, emotional, and academic well-being, especially tailored to modern challenges like social media burnout, identity, and uncertainty.
- Lively reflections and real stories from students and parents, offering encouragement and insight in equal measure.
Your College Compass and Survival Toolkit
If you liked The Anxious Generation, The Freshman Survival Guide, or The Naked Roommate, then you'll love The Complete U.
“The Complete U is a must-read guide packed with heart, humor, and hard-earned wisdom that will keep you engaged until the end. With over 100 life lessons, this book feels like having a trusted professor in your corner, who, in this case, is deeply passionate about mental health and personal growth. It’s insightful, empowering, and perfect for students navigating the classroom and life. I can think of no one more qualified to direct such a tour than my favorite professor, Deborah Cohan. Her expertise and The Complete U were built for such a time as this!”
—Gracie Bonds Staples, former columnist at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“Deborah Cohan offers honest, practical, and positive advice on navigating the terrain of college, urging students to savor and appreciate all the experiences—ups, downs, thrills, challenges, and rewards—that college offers them on their journey of self-discovery, knowledge, and growth. I absolutely recommend this book to any student entering or currently enrolled in college. I only wish this book had been available years ago—thank goodness it is here now!”
—Andrea Rossi-Reder, PhD, dean of sophomores and Ada Comstock Scholars at Smith College
“How to make the most of something as expansive as the college experience? Professor Cohan to the rescue! The Complete U inspires readers to plant their roots and reach for the sky, offering pragmatic and encouraging advice for prolific personal growth.”
—Lisa Wade, PhD, professor of sociology at Tulane University and author of American Hookup: The New Culture of Sex on Campus
Introduction
Chapter 1: The Magic of College
Chapter 2: Getting Rooted in the College Experience
Chapter 3: The Rhythm of the College Experience
Chapter 4: Adjusting to College Life
Chapter 5: Mapping Your Course Schedule
Chapter 6: Setting Out on the Path to Finding Your Academic Niche
Chapter 7: Major and Minor Decisions
Chapter 8: Cultivating the Mindset for Academic Success
Chapter 9: Preparing for Academic Success
Chapter 10: How to Shine in Class
Chapter 11: Papers and Projects and Exams, Oh My!
Chapter 12: Communicating and Connecting with Your Professors
Chapter 13: When the Academic Road Gets Rocky
Chapter 14: Decisions, Decisions
Chapter 15: Friendships and Relationships
Chapter 16: The Tethered Student
Chapter 17: The Mind/Body Connection
Chapter 18: Violence and Recovery
Chapter 19: The Community of College
Chapter 20: When School’s Not in Session
Chapter 21: Heading to the Finish Line
Conclusion: Follow Your Passion, Follow Your Bliss
Afterword