Life Life Strategies Inspiration & Motivation 10 Books Every College Freshman Should Read Need something extra to throw in your college student's care package? These inspirational books will help them feel right at home on their new campus. By Samantha Zabell Samantha Zabell Samantha is a writer, runner, and avid plan-canceler living in Manhattan. In between Netflix binges, she’s working her calligraphy side hustle at @samzawrites. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on June 16, 2020 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Getty Images Books for college freshmen should be inspirational, educational, and entertaining—and don't books make the best high school graduation gifts, anyway? If your new college student is struggling to find their way on their own, searching for a new direction, or simply in need of a break from school stresses, give them one of these top books for college freshmen to help them on their way. (Books are also one of the best care package ideas.) College is a time of growth, learning, and self-discovery, but it's also a challenging time, especially for students who stepped outside their comfort zones to go to a school in a new place or with a new community. Help them out however you can, whether they're already at school or getting ready to leave in the fall, with these books for college freshmen. 01 of 10 The Crossroads of Should and Must: Find and Follow Your Passion, by Elle Luna Is your freshman overwhelmed at the prospect of choosing (and sticking with) a college major? This book is full of advice on finding your “true calling,” and will inspire students to take that one class—Painting! Music! Fiction Writing!—that will be creatively fulfilling. To buy: $10, amazon.com.. amazon.com Is your freshman overwhelmed at the prospect of choosing (and sticking with) a college major? This book is full of advice on finding your "true calling," and will inspire students to take that one class—Painting! Music! Fiction Writing!—that will be creatively fulfilling. To buy: $10; amazon.com. 02 of 10 Why Didn't They Teach Me This in School?: 99 Personal Money Management Principles to Live By, by Cary Siegel amazon.com So many college students will complain that they were underprepared for financial obligations after graduation—so give your freshman a leg up on his or her friends with this easy-to-understand financial guide to budgeting, debt, credit cards, taxes, and more. To buy: $12; amazon.com. 03 of 10 Adulting: How to Become a Grown-up in 468 Easy(ish) Steps, by Kelly Williams Brown amazon.com It might seem like the "real world" is still eons away, but it'll sneak up faster than they'd expect. This funny, lighthearted handbook to adulthood was based off of Brown's popular blog, Adulting, and will make grown-up life seem much less scary. To buy: $9; amazon.com. 04 of 10 Color Me Stress-Free: 100 Coloring Templates to Unplug and Unwind, by Lacy Mucklow amazon.com When exams roll around, every freshman will need something to help relax and de-stress. Enter this beautiful, adult coloring book. Send it in a care package with a set of colored pencils, and your student can sit in bed for hours in a post-midterms trance. To buy: $10; amazon.com. 05 of 10 Commencement, by J. Courtney Sullivan amazon.com A fictional story about four unlikely friends as they travel through their four years at Smith College, this novel will give college freshmen something to look forward to. It follows them from day one on campus all the way through one of the girls' weddings. It's the perfect read for when she is taking a much-needed break from her studies. To buy: $11; amazon.com. 06 of 10 52 Cups of Coffee: Inspiring and insightful stories for navigating life's uncertainties, by Megan Gebhart amazon.com This collection of stories takes networking to a new level—when Megan Gebhart graduated college, she didn't opt for the traditional career path, and instead decided to have a cup of coffee with someone new every single week. For any college student intimidated by the prospect of meeting new people, this is the perfect inspiration. To buy: $12; amazon.com. 07 of 10 Seuss-isms! A Guide to Life for Those Just Starting Out...and Those Already on Their Way, by Dr. Seuss amazon.com They've already been told about the places they'll go, but this pocket-sized book is filled with even more wisdom from their favorite childhood author. On nights when they're feeling particularly homesick, they can take comfort from familiar characters—like Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, and even the Grinch. To buy: $9; amazon.com. 08 of 10 Getting from College to Career: 90 Things to Do Before You Join the Real World, by Lindsey Pollak amazon.com Career expert Lindsey Pollak offers a 90-step plan to a successful undergraduate experience and post-graduate career. From making over a resume, to creating a base for success on campus, Pollak offers easy strategies and solutions that every young student needs to know. To buy: $11; amazon.com. 09 of 10 Good and Cheap: Eat Well on $4/Day, by Leanne Brown amazon.com Every college student wants to be able to eat good food for less money—which is exactly the aim of this cookbook. To buy: $10; amazon.com. 10 of 10 The Real Simple Guide to Real Life, by the editors of Real Simple Barnes and Noble From salary negotiations to apartment decorating, the real world is filled with a lot of new experiences. With this book, your student can tackle (and prepare for) any hurdle that'll come up in the home or the office, with timeless-yet-practical advice from the editors of Real Simple. After reading a few pages, you might want this on your shelf, too. To buy: $17; amazon.com. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit