How To (NOT) Fall Flat on Your Face in College

About the Book

WHY DO YOU THINK THAT SO MANY STUDENTS FALL FLAT ON THEIR FACES IN COLLEGE?

WHAT CAN BE DONE TO AVOID THESE PITFALLS AND CATAPULT ASPIRING STUDENTS TO A DIPLOMA, CAREER SUCCESS, AND HAPPY AND MEANINGFUL LIFE?

The answers are pivotal, even life-defining, but may not be what typical students or parents think. A successful college experience requires not only responsible use of time, energy, attention, and money through good choices, balance, and working and studying both hard and wisely, but also attention to numerous other details and strategies, some subtle. Some are based upon standard habits such as going to class, taking good notes, reading the textbook, and completing homework, but many involve removing unprofitable influences and commitments, accentuating talents and character, and coming to proper self-definition, life purpose, priorities, and goals. Most are based upon cause and effect, return-on-investment, good ethics and morals, and starting one's dominoes tumbling in the correct direction.

In this candid, hard-hitting book, Dr. Robert Engelken, a college professor with 3+ decades of experience in a college environment, provides frank opinions regarding common mistakes that propel some students to failure or mediocrity in college and life, and habits and strategies that superstar students use to invest time, energy, attention, and money to be highly successful. He also presents pointers for high school students preparing for college, and their parents and teachers. The entertaining, thought-provoking book's discussions are sometimes surprising, compelling, and tongue-in-cheek, but get to the bottom of relevant issues with no holds barred. It should serve as an insightful guidebook, not only for prospective and current college students, but also for parents, instructors, and administrators seeking to understand and nurture today's students toward success and purpose, and help them to avoid stumbling and falling flat on their faces in college, career, and life.

About the Author

Dr. Robert D. Engelken is Director and Professor of Electrical Engineering at Arkansas State University. His 24 years of experience (as of 2006) as a college professor and 8+ years as a college student have provided him significant insight regarding the patterns of choices, attitudes, and behaviors that separately lead to success, mediocrity, or failure among college students. Dr. Engelken is active, and has published several papers, in the field of engineering education, and is a member of the American Society for Engineering Education. He is also active in funded research and development in the fields of semiconductors, thin film deposition and applications, optoelectronic materials and devices, and environmentally benign materials synthesis and processing techniques. He is known for innovative involvement of undergraduate research assistants in his research program. Other professional affiliations include the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and the Electrochemical Society, Inc. He is also a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Arkansas. He is married and has two sons. His e-mail address is rde@flatfacebooks.com, and his book's web site is www.flatfacebooks.com.