The Trickster's Guide to College

By Rosalie Kakos

General education for 12 years of your life doesn't mean you're ready for college. It only means you did what you were told.

In this book, find out what separates those who succeed from those who fail with tips and tricks you won't find anywhere else.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rosalie Kakos
• Release date: Dec 1, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301684618

Rosalie Kakos

Rosalie James is a poet and author and has been writing for over twenty years. Her work spans across a variety of genres and age groups. With a specific passion for vivid imagery, Rosalie takes a versatile approach to story telling. Along with writing, she enjoys the arts, philosophy, film, and personal development.

Book preview

The Trickster’s Guide to College

Slick tips and tricks you won’t find anywhere else!

Rosalie James

The Trickster's Guide to College

Slick tips and tricks you won't find anywhere else!

Rosalie James

Copyright 2012 by Rosalie James

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying and recording, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without express written permission from the author.

Rosalie James

PO BOX 252392

West Bloomfield, MI 48325

Email me at: [e-mail]

Visit me at http://www.youtube.com/rawwithrosalie

Disclaimer:

The author has made every effort to make this book as complete and accurate as possible, but no warranty of fitness is implied. The information in this book is provided on an as-is basis. The author shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damages arising from the information in this book. The author does not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages. The author of this book does not guarantee that you will graduate from college with a 4.0 GPA due to the use and/or implementation of the tips and tricks in this guide. There is no guarantee that they will work for you or solve all of your problems. The author was a student on the receiving end of a college education in America. The author is thankful for her education. You may read this for entertainment purposes, but if you decide to use the tips and tricks, the author is in no way responsible for what happens as a result. To continue to read means you agree to the aforementioned terms and conditions.

*Some names and identifying details have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals.

*The author was not paid for products, services, websites, or people mentioned in this book.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Dedication

Dedicated to independent thinkers, unconventionals, and rebels everywhere.

Acknowledgements

I'm thankful to have had incredible teachers who made a lasting impact on me. They had the power to make the worst behaved kids behave. They had the power to bring out the best in you because they expected the best from you. These are teachers. They gently guide you, keeping in mind that your heart, thoughts, and emotions are fragile. They know this and they take great care.

To Professor George Tysh, my film professor. I found my favorite movie in your class, Wim Wender's 1987 masterpiece, Wings of Desire. I’ll never forget that you have to want to learn if you want to learn anything and that the occasional F-bomb has its place.

A special thank you to Mr. Solomon, my business teacher. I want to thank you for showing me that human kindness and compassion are priceless qualities. Your genuine smile and belief in your students was deeply felt. And I will always remember to have a good pair of shoes, a good bed, good insurance, good glasses (if I need them), to give to charity, to pay it forward, and to know that I am special!

To Mrs. Compton, my film and dance teacher. Your gentle and moving character influenced me in more ways than you’ll know. Specifically when you showed us the film, Rudy. After that, I knew I could have what I wanted, as long as I wanted it.

To Mrs. Minninger, my English teacher. Thank you for giving your students a second chance to fix their mistakes, teaching us that it's okay as long as we learn from them.

To Mrs. Greenwald, my literature teacher. Because of you (and because you said you'd fail us if we didn't), I can spell Massachusetts without having to look it up. You had spunk and a smile that lit up the room. You always made it a point to recognize your students for a job well done.

To Kris Kelly, my mentor and producer extraordinaire at CBS Detroit Television stations. Thank you for seeing beyond my flawed cover letter and into my heart. For showing me that my voice is stronger than the critics in my head, and that I can get out of my own way. I am forever grateful.

To my parents, Lillian and James, I feel heartfelt gratitude for your guidance, encouragement, wisdom, and advice. I may have been difficult for you, but it was never for naught. I love you both very much. And to my brothers and sisters - you all continually teach me in your own special and unique ways. I hope I do the same for you. I love you more than you know.

Finally, I thank the greatest teachers of all - God, Experience, and Love. A teacher doesn’t have to be in the classroom to teach, just like the student doesn’t have to be at their desk to learn.

Rosalie James

Contents

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

Acknowledgements

Introduction

College - Do you really need to go?

The Unconventionals

Book Smarts vs. Street Smarts

How College Will Benefit You

Getting into the hottest club

Tips and Tricks Briefing

Be Prepared

College Quick List

How lack of preparation will cost you

Procrastination

Communicate

Be self-sufficient, damn it!

The Syllabus - It's like being psychic

Be Nice

Be Book Smart

Selling Books Back

Professors and TA's

Counselors and Advisors

Putting your class schedule together

Sorry, We're Closed

The Agenda

Your University Online

Classroom/College Etiquette

Semester Friends

Excuses Have No Uses

Financial Aid

How to properly utilize Anger

Never Take No For An Answer

How to overcome Wall People

Their Right isn't YOUR Right

What College Did For Me

About Rosalie James

Introduction

You are about to read the written unwritten rules about college. The closest you probably ever came to these rules was while reading graffiti in permanent marker on the bathroom stall door, debating whether or not to draw a giant black X over this guy named Tom for actually responding to everyone's complaints with arrows and thought bubbles. Do these people know they're going to do this before they do it or are they inspired? Is our best thinking done in the bathroom? Is the bathroom a place to release both physically and mentally? You're not sure. But you come to the conclusion that strangers writing thoughtful responses to each other with their asses hanging out is one of the more bizarre thoughts you've had today.

You're probably guilty of participating in graffiti discussions. If not in a bathroom, then in carving words into your desk. Only you know why you do it. You're bored. You need someone to complain to about this college shit. You're tired. It's funny and keeps you awake. You need to vent. You want to get the hell out of class so you can go back to sleep. You're barely passing, and if you are, you're being pulled in too many directions. You know you're going to graduate, but sometimes, you scare the shit out of yourself thinking you won't. And sometimes, the only reason you stay is for the refund check.

Before I continue, what I say might be controversial, might offend you, or make you angry. At times, I use obscene language. If you can't handle that, don't read any further. To me, aside from my use of the words shit and ass, what's more obscene are the millions of students going to college year after year without any warning or preparation. Twelve years of Math, Science, English, and History on repeat is NOT preparation. It's mind-numbing.

Every year, millions of us choose to go to a four-year school hoping to get better paying jobs or that highly advertised career we've always wanted. So we register and go to class. We apply for student loans. We argue with the Financial Aid department. We get a third part-time job. We gamble, sell drugs, or strip, all in the name of becoming college graduates. We're told our entire lives that a four-year school is the ONLY way to succeed in life. But the truth is, it's not.

We go anyway and quickly realize that we should've done what we wanted to do to begin with. Whether that means picking your major (because every damn person in your family wants you to become a doctor), going to a community college to get your Associates degree, or skipping this altogether and starting a business. I want you to know, before anything else, that you are not tied down to going to a four-year school. It's not your only route to success. But if you're choosing to go or you're already registered and there's no way out (you feel like you have to, or your parents, the Department of Education, or scholarship provider will cut you off), I can help you make your life easier while you're there. You can? you might ask. Oh yeah. I can because I was a college trickster.

Type the word trickster into Google or Wikipedia (college students’ right-hand men), and you’ll find that a trickster is something or someone that plays tricks or otherwise disobeys normal rules and conventional behavior.

When I use the word trickster, I don't mean I set two live turkeys loose on campus and tagged them #1 and #3. I use it with pride. I use it to positively describe someone who goes against the grain, who does things differently, creatively, and thinks critically. A college trickster is someone who doesn’t take no for an answer. You’re someone who knows there is more than one way to get something done- and you’ll find it. You’re also someone with a bit of an edge to you (if you think you don’t have an edge, you will by the time you graduate). Most of all, a college trickster has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to this education business. Learning how to handle the academic environment takes skill, persistence, and a little stubbornness. But you’ll get there, especially since you’ve chosen to read this book.

I've had my share of good and bad in college. I was initially disinterested because I wanted to go to broadcasting school. I didn't put much effort into my studying, my courses, or anything else for that matter. There was no passion and it showed in my grades and in my attitude. I changed my major three times, took a semester off, and considered dropping out. But the real problem was that I allowed other people to make decisions for me. That's when I snapped and finally majored in Media Arts. I learned a lot of things about myself and about the college experience. In this book, I share these experiences with you. During my six long-ass years as a college student, my disinterest and passionless demeanor bore specific methods, tips, and tricks that I used to make college life and academics easier.

It's hard enough not knowing what the hell to expect. Most books I've read on the subject never tell you the good stuff. They're too vague and don't cover the small details that can make a big difference. Like the importance of a brain dump before a test or the dangers of a grade binge during the semester. They'll tell you to study, stay organized, and register early. Yeah, we know. And I'll tell you that, too - but I go further. Much further.

I wrote this book using a fragmented, conversational style. If more professors taught this way we'd all probably pay more attention. I wrote it for the new college student, the troubled college student, and the anxious high schooler that wants an edge over everyone else. It's for you when you don't know what to expect and you expect more of what you don't know. I wrote it with the dynamics of academia in mind to equip you so your life runs smoothly. I talk about other subjects sparingly. I'm not about to tell you how to party. Just as long as you don't act like an ass, hurt yourself and others, or get arrested.

Maybe you already know how to do the whole college thing? Maybe you’re one of those people who just gets it before anyone else. You can juggle five or more courses, party on the weekends, study, go to your club meetings, and spend time with family, all without wanting to start a drinking or smoking habit. I give you a lot of credit for that.

But it took me a hell of a lot longer than I expected to figure it out. And now, I want to share my common wisdom, tips, and tricks with you. I want to make your life easier. You’ll save yourself time and money.