The 5 Books to Read Before College, According to Professor X

The 5 Books to Read Before College, According to Professor X

This list of the five books you should read before college builds on two previous lists: one from me and another list by former philosophy major and frequent contributor to My College Advice, Miles Raymer. Professor X has more than 20 years of science teaching experience at the University of Oregon, and has previously written contributed an article entitled "The Transition From High School to College" on this site. Enjoy!

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Sunday Dinners: Veggie "Meat" Loaf

Sunday Dinners: Veggie "Meat" Loaf

For all those vegetarians out there (or for the culinary adventurers), today's Sunday Dinner is a meatloaf of the meatless variety. It's brought to you by my friend Christina, who I met while studying Conflict Resolution at the University of Oregon. She is now pursuing a PhD in Nonprofit Leadership from the University of San Diego. When asked for culinary advice for college students, she answered "a crock pot is your best friend."

Enjoy this veggie comfort food classic, and look forward to future recipes from Christina!

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Sunday Dinners: Hot German Potato Salad by Leah

Sunday Dinners: Hot German Potato Salad by Leah

It's springtime, and I've got picnics and summer foods on my mind. So today's recipe is perfect: a spicy and fresh revisiting of a traditional potato salad dish. Perfect for potlucks, graduation parties, and sunny afternoon BBQs. And on top of all of that, it's brought to you by my fabulous friend, Leah, who is also responsible for other favorite comfort food recipes on this site: "Garbage Muffins" for the culinary adventurers/folks trying to clear out their cupboards and "Chocolate Lava Cakes" for all the chocolate enthusiasts out there.

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The Transition from High School to College: Guest Post from "Professor X"

The Transition from High School to College: Guest Post from "Professor X"

 The transition from high school to college is certainly different now than it was 20-30 years ago and thus represents an evolutionary process.   While the high school experience has probably not changed much in the last 100 years, the college experience is now different in new and fundamental ways, and most incoming freshmen are unprepared to deal with this new way of life and new mode of educational performance. By far the biggest of the transitions is the realization that now you, the college freshmen, are suddenly personally responsible for your own successes and failures.

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Sunday Dinners: Tahitian Pork Chops from Aunt Mish

Sunday Dinners: Tahitian Pork Chops from Aunt Mish

Aunt Mish, our loyal source of my favorite Sunday Dinners, is currently living through a home rennovation project and is re-doing her kitchen. Luckily for us, this means she's getting back to a "simple cooking" phase, and sent this recipe along with the insight "If I learned anything from these 3 months of living without a “real” kitchen, it is that the recipes for students or people living in a small apartment are different than the ones I cook for myself – I am now proficient at cooking things that require only a single pan (or a skillet and another one for baking) and don’t have too many ingredients."

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Choosing a College: Gut Feelings and Pro/Con Lists

Choosing a College: Gut Feelings and Pro/Con Lists

This decision really could be the most important one you have ever made. That being said, I am also of the opinion that most people can thrive at a whole range of colleges. I think you can happily settle into many different environments, pick from a variety of majors, and develop an active and satisfying undergraduate college experience.

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Sunday Dinners: Taco Salad by Aunt Mish

Sunday Dinners: Taco Salad by Aunt Mish

Today's comfort food is as "comfort" as it gets. This recipe comes from my Aunt Mish's set of recipes that launched my college career, along with the other standbys of meatloafchicken with zucchini, and beef stroganoff with buttered noodles (among others).

This is one of those really simple meals that almost anyone would enjoy, and which can be endlessly adapted according to taste. Enjoy!

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