Best College & University Student Life Books of 2025

The Naked Roommate: And 107 Other Issues You Might Run Into in College is an essential college life survival guide for students. Packed with real-life advice on everything from making friends to managing stress, this fully updated edition covers all aspects of college life. The book is hilarious, outrageous, and tells stories from students on over 100 college campuses. Harlan Cohen, the author, is a speaker who helps thousands of students, parents, educators, and professionals every year, and his experience shows. Overall, this book is a great gift for high school grads moving on to college and provides excellent insights into college life.

Radical Inclusion by David Moinina Sengeh is an inspiring and powerful read that presents seven principles for creating a more just workplace, home, and world. Sengeh's personal experiences encountering exclusion and his efforts to guarantee pregnant girls' right to education in Sierra Leone serve as a parable for advocating for change and reimagining systems that perpetuate exclusion. The book offers a roadmap for pursuing radical inclusion in our own lives and work, making it essential reading for modern leaders and anyone who hopes to help unleash the power of a world that is truly, radically inclusive.

Hacking School Discipline: 9 Ways to Create a Culture of Empathy and Responsibility Using Restorative Justice is a practical guide for teachers and school leaders on how to replace traditional school discipline with a system based on restorative justice. Authors Nathan Maynard and Brad Weinstein provide real-world examples and strategies for reducing negative behaviors, building empathy and communication, and empowering students to take responsibility for their actions. This book is an important read for anyone looking to create a positive and productive school environment.

The Knock Knock Why You're the Best Teacher Ever Fill in the Love Book Fill-in-the-Blank Gift Journal is a personalized gift book that can be filled with heartfelt messages for your favorite teacher. The hardcover book comes with a removable clear plastic jacket, making it a durable keepsake that can be read again and again. The book is small enough to fit in a pocket or purse, making it an ideal gift for any occasion. The book is a perfect way to show appreciation for a special teacher. Overall, this book is a unique and thoughtful gift for any teacher.

The 5-Ingredient College Cookbook by Rockridge Press is a must-have for college students who want to eat healthy, delicious meals on a budget. With over 100 recipes that only require five main ingredients and take 30 minutes or less to prepare, this cookbook is perfect for busy students with limited time and kitchen space. The book also includes helpful tips and tricks on cooking basics, nutrition, and substitutions. What sets this cookbook apart is its emphasis on affordability and simplicity without sacrificing flavor. Overall, it's a great resource for any student looking to upgrade from fast food and microwave dinners.

The Freshman Survival Guide: Soulful Advice for Studying, Socializing, and Everything In Between is a must-read for any student heading off to college. The book offers practical tips and advice on navigating the complexities of college life, including mental health, sexual assault, and money management. The authors, Bradbury and McGarvey, provide a holistic approach to college life, addressing big life questions of faith, service, and spiritual journey. The book's updated edition features new research and expanded sections on dating and finding balance. Overall, this book is a valuable resource for any student looking to make a successful transition to college.

The Essential Guide for Student-Centered Coaching is a valuable resource for educators who want to prioritize student learning in their instructional coaching. Based on current research and a decade of field experience, the book outlines the philosophy and core practices of Student-Centered Coaching. The authors emphasize the importance of asset-based coaching that promotes equity and offer examples of how to integrate curriculum into coaching cycles. The book also includes anecdotes that illustrate what Student-Centered Coaching looks like across grade levels and content areas. Overall, this book is an excellent guide for coaches and school leaders who want to keep student learning at the center of their work.

Goodnight Dorm Room: All the Advice I Wish I Got Before Going to College is a bestselling faux children's book that offers practical tips and humorous illustrations for soon-to-be freshmen. With over 30,000 copies in print, this heartwarming gift book is the perfect way to celebrate high school graduates' achievement and launch them into their college experience. The book covers everything from what to pack to how to balance class and fun. The author, Samuel Kaplan, combines humor and insight in a way that will make readers both laugh and think. Overall, Goodnight Dorm Room is an enjoyable and unique guide to college life that any high school graduate will appreciate.

The Ultimate College Student Health Handbook is an award-winning guide that provides accurate, trustworthy, evidence-based medical information with a dose of humor. This book covers more than fifty common issues that college students face, from homesickness to hangovers. It offers practical advice to reduce anxiety and stress and set appropriate expectations. The book is an excellent resource for students who are facing their first illness, accident, or anxiety away from home. It won multiple awards, including the 2022 Bookauthority Best College Ebooks of All Time and the 2022 American Writing Awards Nonfiction Health Category.

CliftonStrengths for Students is a vocational guidance book that helps students discover and develop their strengths to achieve their full potential. The book includes an access code to take the CliftonStrengths assessment and get a list of the student's top five themes of talent. It also provides suggestions for developing and using those strengths in college and beyond. Written by Gallup, a global analytics and advice firm, this book is a valuable resource for students who want to build their life around their areas of greatness.