Understanding Your College Experience
Fourth Edition ©2027 John N. Gardner; Betsy O. Barefoot; Kimberly A. Koledoye Formats: Achieve, E-book, Print
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Authors
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John N. Gardner
John N. Gardner brings unparalleled experience to students as an author. The recipient of his institutions highest award for teaching excellence, John has over forty years of experience directing and teaching in the most widely emulated first-year seminar in the country, the University 101 course at the University of South Carolina (USC), Columbia. John is universally recognized as one of the countrys leading educators for his role in initiating and orchestrating an international reform movement to improve the beginning college experience, a concept he coined as "the first-year experience." He is the founding executive director of the National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience and Students in Transition at USC, as well as the Policy Center on the First Year of College and the John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education (www.jngi.org), both based in Brevard, N.C.
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Betsy O. Barefoot
Betsy O. Barefoot is a writer, researcher, and teacher whose special area of scholarship is the first-year seminar. During her tenure at USC from 1988 to 1999, she served as co-director for research and publications at the National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience and Students in Transition. She also taught University 101 and graduate courses on the first-year experience and the principles of college teaching. She conducts first-year seminar faculty training workshops around the world and is frequently called on to evaluate first-year seminar outcomes. Betsy is co-director and senior scholar in the Policy Center on the First Year of College and Vice President of the John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education both in Brevard, N.C. In her Policy Center role she led a major national research project to identify institutions of excellence in the first college year. She currently works with both two- and four-year campuses in evaluating all components of the first year.
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Kimberly A. Koledoye
Kimberly A. Koledoye is a professor of academic student success and serves as the academic student success program coordinator for the Houston Community College system. Additionally, she teaches developmental and credit-level English. Her work has made a tremendous impact not only on the institution but also statewide, as a leader of development teams for first-year-experience courses and developmental English redesigns. She holds a bachelor of arts in English, a master’s degree in education administration, a graduate certificate in rhetoric and composition, and a doctorate in higher education leadership.
Table of Contents
Part One: Welcome to Your College Experience
Chapter 1: The Essentials for College Success
Profile
Exploring Purpose and Setting Goals
Self Exploration and Career Planning
Academic Planning
Making the Transition by Connecting with Others
Chapter 2: Cultivating Motivation, Resilience, and Emotional Intelligence
Profile
The Importance of Motivation, Attitude, and Mindset
Resilience and Grit
Understanding Emotional Intelligence
Chapter 3: Managing Time, Energy, and Money
Profile
Managing Your Time
Managing Your Energy
Managing Your Money
Chapter 4: Discovering How You Learn
Profile
How People Learn
The VARK Inventory
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
Multiple Intelligences
When Learning Preferences and Teaching Methods Conflict
Understanding and Improving Your Learning
Learning with a Learning Disability or Challenge
Part Two: Succeeding in College
Chapter 5. Getting the Most Out of Class
Profile
Become Engaged in Learning
Prepare for Class
Participate in Class
Take Effective Notes
Chapter 6: Reading to Learn from College Textbooks
Profile
A Plan for Active Reading
Strategies for Reading Different Kinds of Textbooks
Improving Your Reading
Midterm Check In
Introduction
My Midterm Check-In Audit
Chapter 7: Studying, Understanding, and Remembering
Profile
Studying in College: Making Choices and Concentrating
Improving Your Memory
Study Strategies and Tools for Success
Studying to Understand and Remember
Chapter 8: Taking Tests Successfully
Profile
Getting Ready…
Taking the Test
Types of Questions
Test Anxiety
Academic Honesty, Misconduct, and Artificial Intelligence
Chapter 9: Developing Information Literacy and Communication Skills
Profile
Information LIteracy
Choosing, Narrowing, and Researching a Topic
Using a Campus Library
Evaluating Sources
Using Your Research in Writing
The Writing Process
Part Three: Your Path to Success in College and Beyond
Chapter 10: Thinking in College
Profile
College-Level Thinking
Developing Strong Thinking Skills
Applying Your Critical-Thinking Skills
Bloom’s Taxonomy and the First Year of College
Chapter 11: Maintaining Wellness and Relationships in Today’s World
Profile
Understanding Wellness
College and Mental Health
Managing Your Relationships
Thriving in Varied Environments
Chapter 12: Making the Right Career Choice
Profile
Careers and the New Economy
Planning for Your Career
Getting Experience
Job Search Strategies
Skills Employers Seek
Staying on the Path to Success
Product Updates
Fourth Edition Updates (2026):
- New co-author: Kimberly A. Koledoye (Houston City College) joins John N. Gardner and Betsy O. Barefoot.
- New chapter content:
- Chapter 4: New research on learning science to improve academic performance
- Chapter 7: Expanded study strategies for real-world student success
- Chapter 9: New attention to AI Literacy to support student understanding and ethical use
- Chapter 11: Greater emphasis on mental health and wellness
- New AI Literacy and Ethics module in Achieve.
- Expanded LearningCurve adaptive quizzing topics: test-taking, mental health, and learning science are now fully integrated.
- All video activities in Achieve now include autoscored multiple-choice assessments.
- Updated PowerPoint Lecture Slides for instructors reflect new content throughout.
Authors
-
John N. Gardner
John N. Gardner brings unparalleled experience to students as an author. The recipient of his institutions highest award for teaching excellence, John has over forty years of experience directing and teaching in the most widely emulated first-year seminar in the country, the University 101 course at the University of South Carolina (USC), Columbia. John is universally recognized as one of the countrys leading educators for his role in initiating and orchestrating an international reform movement to improve the beginning college experience, a concept he coined as "the first-year experience." He is the founding executive director of the National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience and Students in Transition at USC, as well as the Policy Center on the First Year of College and the John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education (www.jngi.org), both based in Brevard, N.C.
-
Betsy O. Barefoot
Betsy O. Barefoot is a writer, researcher, and teacher whose special area of scholarship is the first-year seminar. During her tenure at USC from 1988 to 1999, she served as co-director for research and publications at the National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience and Students in Transition. She also taught University 101 and graduate courses on the first-year experience and the principles of college teaching. She conducts first-year seminar faculty training workshops around the world and is frequently called on to evaluate first-year seminar outcomes. Betsy is co-director and senior scholar in the Policy Center on the First Year of College and Vice President of the John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education both in Brevard, N.C. In her Policy Center role she led a major national research project to identify institutions of excellence in the first college year. She currently works with both two- and four-year campuses in evaluating all components of the first year.
-
Kimberly A. Koledoye
Kimberly A. Koledoye is a professor of academic student success and serves as the academic student success program coordinator for the Houston Community College system. Additionally, she teaches developmental and credit-level English. Her work has made a tremendous impact not only on the institution but also statewide, as a leader of development teams for first-year-experience courses and developmental English redesigns. She holds a bachelor of arts in English, a master’s degree in education administration, a graduate certificate in rhetoric and composition, and a doctorate in higher education leadership.
Table of Contents
Part One: Welcome to Your College Experience
Chapter 1: The Essentials for College Success
Profile
Exploring Purpose and Setting Goals
Self Exploration and Career Planning
Academic Planning
Making the Transition by Connecting with Others
Chapter 2: Cultivating Motivation, Resilience, and Emotional Intelligence
Profile
The Importance of Motivation, Attitude, and Mindset
Resilience and Grit
Understanding Emotional Intelligence
Chapter 3: Managing Time, Energy, and Money
Profile
Managing Your Time
Managing Your Energy
Managing Your Money
Chapter 4: Discovering How You Learn
Profile
How People Learn
The VARK Inventory
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
Multiple Intelligences
When Learning Preferences and Teaching Methods Conflict
Understanding and Improving Your Learning
Learning with a Learning Disability or Challenge
Part Two: Succeeding in College
Chapter 5. Getting the Most Out of Class
Profile
Become Engaged in Learning
Prepare for Class
Participate in Class
Take Effective Notes
Chapter 6: Reading to Learn from College Textbooks
Profile
A Plan for Active Reading
Strategies for Reading Different Kinds of Textbooks
Improving Your Reading
Midterm Check In
Introduction
My Midterm Check-In Audit
Chapter 7: Studying, Understanding, and Remembering
Profile
Studying in College: Making Choices and Concentrating
Improving Your Memory
Study Strategies and Tools for Success
Studying to Understand and Remember
Chapter 8: Taking Tests Successfully
Profile
Getting Ready…
Taking the Test
Types of Questions
Test Anxiety
Academic Honesty, Misconduct, and Artificial Intelligence
Chapter 9: Developing Information Literacy and Communication Skills
Profile
Information LIteracy
Choosing, Narrowing, and Researching a Topic
Using a Campus Library
Evaluating Sources
Using Your Research in Writing
The Writing Process
Part Three: Your Path to Success in College and Beyond
Chapter 10: Thinking in College
Profile
College-Level Thinking
Developing Strong Thinking Skills
Applying Your Critical-Thinking Skills
Bloom’s Taxonomy and the First Year of College
Chapter 11: Maintaining Wellness and Relationships in Today’s World
Profile
Understanding Wellness
College and Mental Health
Managing Your Relationships
Thriving in Varied Environments
Chapter 12: Making the Right Career Choice
Profile
Careers and the New Economy
Planning for Your Career
Getting Experience
Job Search Strategies
Skills Employers Seek
Staying on the Path to Success
Product Updates
Fourth Edition Updates (2026):
- New co-author: Kimberly A. Koledoye (Houston City College) joins John N. Gardner and Betsy O. Barefoot.
- New chapter content:
- Chapter 4: New research on learning science to improve academic performance
- Chapter 7: Expanded study strategies for real-world student success
- Chapter 9: New attention to AI Literacy to support student understanding and ethical use
- Chapter 11: Greater emphasis on mental health and wellness
- New AI Literacy and Ethics module in Achieve.
- Expanded LearningCurve adaptive quizzing topics: test-taking, mental health, and learning science are now fully integrated.
- All video activities in Achieve now include autoscored multiple-choice assessments.
- Updated PowerPoint Lecture Slides for instructors reflect new content throughout.
Because every student counts
Understanding Your College Experience, Fourth Edition equips students with practical tools and research-backed strategies to thrive in college and beyond. With its clear, student-centered approach, the text supports academic, personal, and professional growth.
New co-author Kimberly A. Koledoye (Houston City College) brings fresh perspective to a text grounded in decades of research. This edition adds expanded guidance on mental health and wellness (Chapter 11), new content on learning science to improve academic performance (Chapter 4), and updated study strategies (Chapter 7).
A new Tech Tip on artificial intelligence (AI) prepares students to use emerging tools effectively and ethically, supported by a new AI Literacy and Ethics module in Achieve. Also in Achieve, LearningCurve now includes new questions on test-taking, mental health, and learning science. Video Activities now feature autoscored assessments, and updated PowerPoint Lecture Slides reflect all content changes.
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John N. Gardner; Betsy O. Barefoot; Kimberly A. Koledoye | Fourth Edition | ©2027 | ISBN:9781319628338
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MPS Order Search Tool (MOST) is a web-based purchase order tracking program that allows customers to view and track their purchases. No registration or special codes needed! Just enter your BILL-TO ACCT # and your ZIP CODE to track orders.
Canadian Stores: Please use only the first five digits/letters in your zip code on MOST.
Visit MOST, our online ordering system for booksellers: https://tracking.mpsvirginia.com/Login.aspx
Learn more about our Bookstore programs here: https://www.macmillanlearning.com/college/us/contact-us/booksellers
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Our courses currently integrate with Canvas, Blackboard (Learn and Ultra), Brightspace, D2L, and Moodle. Click on the support documentation below to find out more details about the integration with each LMS.
Integrate Macmillan courses with Blackboard
Integrate Macmillan courses with Canvas
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If you’re a verified instructor, you can request a free sample of our courseware, e-book, or print textbook to consider for use in your courses. Only registered and verified instructors can receive free print and digital samples, and they should not be sold to bookstores or book resellers. If you don't yet have an existing account with Macmillan Learning, it can take up to two business days to verify your status as an instructor. You can request a free sample from the right side of this product page by clicking on the "Request Instructor Sample" button or by contacting your rep. Learn more.
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Sometimes also referred to as a spiral-bound or binder-ready textbook, loose-leaf textbooks are available to purchase. This three-hole punched, unbound version of the book costs less than a hardcover or paperback book.
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-
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Achieve (full course) includes our complete e-book, as well as online quizzing tools, multimedia assets, and iClicker active classroom manager.
Most Achieve Essentials courses do not include our e-books and adaptive quizzing.
Visit our comparison table for details: https://www.macmillanlearning.com/college/us/digital/achieve/compare
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Achieve (full course) includes our complete e-book, as well as online quizzing tools, multimedia assets, and iClicker active classroom manager.
Achieve Read & Practice only includes our e-book and adaptive quizzing, and does not include instructor resources and assignable assessments. Read & Practice does integrate with LMS.
Visit our comparison table for details: https://www.macmillanlearning.com/college/us/digital/achieve/compare
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We can help! Contact your representative to discuss your specific needs for your course. If our off-the-shelf course materials don’t quite hit the mark, we also offer custom solutions made to fit your needs.
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Understanding Your College Experience
Understanding Your College Experience, Fourth Edition equips students with practical tools and research-backed strategies to thrive in college and beyond. With its clear, student-centered approach, the text supports academic, personal, and professional growth.
New co-author Kimberly A. Koledoye (Houston City College) brings fresh perspective to a text grounded in decades of research. This edition adds expanded guidance on mental health and wellness (Chapter 11), new content on learning science to improve academic performance (Chapter 4), and updated study strategies (Chapter 7).
A new Tech Tip on artificial intelligence (AI) prepares students to use emerging tools effectively and ethically, supported by a new AI Literacy and Ethics module in Achieve. Also in Achieve, LearningCurve now includes new questions on test-taking, mental health, and learning science. Video Activities now feature autoscored assessments, and updated PowerPoint Lecture Slides reflect all content changes.
Select a demo to view:
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