Question for the recent college goers...

[nkotb]

My little brother is getting all grown up, and will be heading off to school next year.  For a Christmas present, I wanted to get him some type of book or college prep-type read.  
 
 I'm not so much looking for what colleges to choose, but more social/off on your own for the first time-type tips.  Any suggestions?

[Brian_Wallace]

<img src="http://www.fumcmiddlebury.org/holy%20bible.jpg" alt=" - " />
 and
  <img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/93/The_Prince.jpg" alt=" - " />
 
 They really go hand in hand.
 
 Brian

[manimtired]

save your money and just send him this link...some of it is quite funny.
 
 http://www.college-freshman.com/

[Vas Deferens]

If he doesn't have it already...
 
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dress_Your_Family_in_Corduroy_and_Denim
 
 Check out Chapter 8 and 19

[nkotb]

I won't lie...that made me LOL.  Thanks.
 
 

Originally posted by Brian Wallace:
   <img src="http://www.fumcmiddlebury.org/holy%20bible.jpg" alt=" - " />
 and
   <img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/93/The_Prince.jpg" alt=" - " />
 
 They really go hand in hand.
 
 Brian

[miss pretentious]

i'm not trying to be difficult or anything, but will he really read anything like that if you actually got it for him? that tends to be one of those gifts that gets boxed up and set aside, in my opinion... there's tons upon tons of actual items i'm sure he could use for college - especially if he's going away.
 
 but if you are dead set on a book, isn't this the standard cutsie thing?
   <img src="http://content.vcommerce.com/products/fullsize/72/524072.jpg" alt=" - " />

[manimtired]

get him a box of condoms and a bag of weed.

[Brian_Wallace]

Originally posted by miss pretentious:
  i'm not trying to be difficult or anything, but will he really read anything like that if you actually got it for him? that tends to be one of those gifts that gets boxed up and set aside, in my opinion... there's tons upon tons of actual items i'm sure he could use for college - especially if he's going away.
 

Yeah, like a subscription to Penthouse, a wipe-off board, microwave popcorn and road flares.
 
 Brian

[nkotb]

No, you're probably right to an extent.  My plan was to include the book as a stocking stuffer-type present, to go along with another bigger, more necessary college-related item.
 
 I was really hoping someone like Betty or Grace (I think they're both off to college soon) might have found something helpful.
 
 

Originally posted by miss pretentious:
  i'm not trying to be difficult or anything, but will he really read anything like that if you actually got it for him? that tends to be one of those gifts that gets boxed up and set aside, in my opinion... there's tons upon tons of actual items i'm sure he could use for college - especially if he's going away.
 
 but if you are dead set on a book, isn't this the standard cutsie thing?

[6949]

I was looking for a similar gift for my sister.
 
 If you're being serious then try
 
 Life Skills 101: A Practical Guide to Leaving Home and Living on Your Own
 
 or if you want to get him a book he might actually read try
 
 The CollegeHumor Guide to College: Selling Kidneys for Beer Money, Sleeping with Your Professors, Majoring in Communications, and Other Really Good Ideas
 
 or  
 
 The Naked Roommate: And 107 Other Issues You Might Run Into in College .

[miss pretentious]

Also, if he has selected a major, you could get a book along those lines... pocket dictionary, reference guide, ap stylebook, etc etc etc

[nkotb]

Another good suggestion, although it presents yet another problem...he's not even sure what school yet, let alone a major.  I think 6949's suggestions were good, though.  I was looking for something on the humorous side, especially related to social life and hanging out.  Both of your last two suggestions looked good.
 
 Anyway, if anyone else thinks of something, definitely let me know.  And thanks for the tips.  Some of these will be good for later on when the little guy actually gets into the trenches.
 
 Ah, college...
 
 

Originally posted by miss pretentious:
  Also, if he has selected a major, you could get a book along those lines... pocket dictionary, reference guide, ap stylebook, etc etc etc

[Brian_Wallace]

Originally posted by miss pretentious:
  Also, if he has selected a major, you could get a book along those lines... pocket dictionary, reference guide, ap stylebook, etc etc etc

Yes, you're right.  Nothing is more fun, scintillating and page-turning reading than:
 
   <img src="http://www.cs.princeton.edu/~aahobor/Lucy-Day/Images/Covers-50/M-L-A-Handbook.jpg" alt=" - " />
 
 Man, you're such a killjoy, Miss P!  You suck the air out of any room you're in.
 
 Just get him Guitar Hero III and Bob Marley "Legend."  He'll be able to figure out the rest from there.
 
 Brian

[vansmack]

<img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/411K1X7ZD5L._AA240_.jpg" alt=" - " />

[kookiemnstr8]

Yup, I am off at school!  Let me brainstorm some things and get back to you. . I've seen the Naked Roommate around in a lot of people's room here but I haven't looked at it really.  Let me think on this and get back to you.