Date Published: September 1, 2020
Publisher: Mascot Books
College—it’s the first time most young adults move away from home. Suddenly, there is freedom like they’ve never encountered before—no parents, no school bells, no rules. There is no rulebook for starting college, and, unfortunately for most students, it can be a difficult and even shocking transition.
Renée Bailey knows firsthand how difficult the transition from high school and college can be. Going into her first year, she, like many others, thought she was prepared for the challenges and the freedom that awaited her. Looking back, there are so many things she wishes she had known. Renée wants students to know that they are not alone. 18 Things College Students Should Know provides rising college freshman with the tools, support, and the confidence they need to navigate a successful first year academically, socially, and mentally.
Renée Bailey grew up as the only daughter of a single mother. Between the ages of about 5 and 10 years old, she watched as her mother went to a two year nursing college while working full time. She watched as her Mom studied, and listened while her mom played audiotapes of her classes. She listened so well that this young woman would actually quote the professors back to her mother. As she approached her own college experience, she realized how ill prepared she really was. Sure enough, in the second semester of undergraduate degree, life took a sharp turn for this young woman and what she didn’t know about university life started working against her. As a result of what Renée went through with her own college experience, she learned about the stress of college, firsthand. Learning more about these stressors and how to overcome them kept her from being one of approximately thirty percent of college freshmen who drop out and enabled her to finish two undergraduate degrees and a master’s degree in Performance Psychology. She has taught at the college level and now writes and speaks to high school and college students to help them stress less and succeed more in college.
Interview with Renée Bailey
What was the hardest scene from your book to write?
The hardest part of the book to write was the part that is most personal to me: the idea that each student should be able to shine and enjoy their time in college. How do convince a student that they are worthy and capable? They often times won’t believe it, but I firmly believe in them, so I took painstaking efforts to make sure they felt that.
Why did you choose to write in your particular field or genre?
As someone who studied the hard and miserable way and then saw the same misery reflected, at times, in the eyes of my students, I felt I had an obligation to help in any way I could.
What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
I reveled in the idea that what I was writing could give a stressed out, worried student hope.
What book that you have read has most influenced your life?
There are so many, but if I was going to pin it down to just one, I guess I would have to say, “The Babysitters Club” series. I know that may seem silly for an adult to be saying but, it taught me that it was ok to be a “Girl Boss”, independent and caring.
Tell us a little about yourself? Perhaps something not many people know?
I admired Mary Lou Retton as a child. I loved dance and gymnastics. I competed briefly in gymnastics and even went to Bela Karolyi’s gym for a training camp.
Can you tell us something about your book that is not in the summary?
My book is born from a heart of service. There are tons of students who get torn down by a college system that doesn’t always serve them well. Helping them navigate that system is a pleasure and my mission.
About the Author
Renée Bailey grew up as the only daughter of a single mother. Between the ages of about 5 – 10 years old, she watched as her mother went to a two year nursing college while working full time. She watched as her Mom studied, and listened while her mom played audiotapes of her classes. She listened so well that this young woman would actually quote the professors back to her mother. As she approached her own college experience, she realized how ill prepared she really was. Sure enough, in the second semester of undergraduate degree, life took a sharp turn for this young woman and what she didn’t know about university life started working against her. As a result of what Renée went through with her own college experience, she learned about the stress of college, firsthand. Learning more about these stressors and how to overcome them kept her from being one of approximately thirty percent of college freshmen who drop out and enabled her to finish two undergraduate degrees and a master’s degree in Performance Psychology. She has taught at the college level and now writes and speaks to high school and college students to help them stress less and succeed more in college.
Contact Links
Facebook: @rbaileyspeaks
Instagram: @renee.bailey.speaks
Purchase Link
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