Helpful Books

Whether you are returning to college after many years or entering for the first time, the books listed below can help you with the transition to academic life and provide valuable tips on how to reach your academic goals.

PLEASE NOTE: These books may contain information that is not applicable to students in the ACE Program. Therefore, students should consult the ACE Student Bulletin for Academic Policies and Procedures.

1) Bruno, F (1998 ). Going Back to School: College Survival Strategies for Adult Students. New York:  Macmillan.
Available at Borders and Barnes & Noble $12.95

This book is an interesting and informative guide that was specifically designed for adult students.  The author, Frank J. Bruno, Ph.D., is a Professor at San Bernadino Valley College.

Topics include:  common misconceptions about college, student support services, study methods, how people learn, motivation, public speaking, organizing time, coping with math and test anxiety, teaching styles, taking exams, writing a term paper, family and the pursuit of academic goals.

The book concludes with a Self-Scoring Examination that will help prospective students determine their understanding of the material presented and evaluate their own ability and willingness to return to school.

2) Siebert, A., and Gilpin, B. (1996). The Adult Student's Guide to Survival and
Success. Portland, Oregon: Practical Psychology Press.
Available at Borders and Barnes & Noble $14.00

This thorough guide provides helpful information for the adult learner.  The authors are experienced adult educators.  Al Siebert, Ph.D. has written several books for college students and has taught adult education courses.  Bernadine Gilpin, M.S. has over twenty years experience in education.

Topics include:  confronting fears, managing time, preparing for exams, writing term papers, learning and teaching styles, balancing work and school, diversity and career change.

The book concludes with a selected reading section and a list of internet sites.

3)  Wilf, S. (1998). Basic Skills for Effective Reading. Prentice-Hall Publisher.

Reading skills on development and applications, using contemporary theory.  Skills related to the use of context, clues, and word parts.  A dictionary, and a personal vocabulary system.  Contains practice reading and exercises.

From the Back Cover
KEY BENEFIT: Brings adults with limited reading skills closer to college-level reading by providing a step-by-step, hands-on approach to reading skill development and applications. KEY TOPICS: Uses contemporary learning theory (i.e., skill preview, division of skills into small units, guided practice, immediate feedback, and skill practice). Presents word attack skills (e.g., phonics and syllabication); skills related to the use of context clues, word parts, a dictionary, and a personal vocabulary system; and skills for the formation and mapping of packages of related information through the identification of the main ideas and details in paragraphs and longer selections. Contains practice reading selections and exercises that provide opportunities not only for reading, but for critical thinking and writing as well.

Available through http://www.amazon.com/  $30.75

4) Turner, H.G. (1997) . You Can Do It: A Guide for the Adult Learner and Anyone
Going Back to School Mid-Career . Silver Lakes Publisher.

This book helps individuals review learning tools needed to effectively absorb new information.

Synopsis from http://www.amazon.com/
Facing the constant threats of corporate downsizing and restructuring, many people are finding that midway through their careers they need to go back to school to sharpen job skills and get new knowledge. Without condescension, this book helps these individuals review the learning tools they need to most effectively absorb new information .

Available through http://www.amazon.com/  $14.95

5)  Ludden, LaVerne L. (1996). Back to School. A College Guide for Adults. 
Available through http://www.amazon.com/at the price of $11.96

This book covers two-year, four-year and master degree programs. The author also includes distance learning and portfolio programs. In addition, she offers a very comprehensive directory of adult friendly degree programs all over the nation.