College Freshman Survival Guide

College Freshman Survival GuideCollege Freshman Survival GuideCollege Freshman Survival Guide
  • Home
  • 1 Intro
    • Ch 1 The Big Change
    • Ch 2 You're in Charge
    • Ch 3 Time Management
    • Ch 4 Slow Starts
    • Ch 5 Non-Traditional
  • 2 Class
    • Ch 6 Speed of College
    • Ch 7 Go to Class
    • Ch 8 Wiser Than the Book
    • Ch 9 Preparing for Class
    • Ch 10 Where to Sit
    • Ch 11 Listening Skills
    • Ch 12 Note-Taking Skills
    • Ch 13 Class Discussion
    • Ch 14 Meet the Professor
  • 3 Study
    • Ch 15 Study Techniques
    • Ch 16 Review and Review
    • Ch 17 Preview the Reading
    • Ch 18 Drop Highlighter
    • Ch 19 Flash Cards
    • Ch 20 Break Down Subject
  • 4 Writing
    • Ch 21 "It's a Process"
    • Ch 22 Internet Warning
    • Ch 23 Plagiarism Pitfalls
  • 5 Exam Prep
    • Ch 24 What's the Format?
    • CH 25 Make a Study Plan
    • Ch 26 Critical Thinking
    • Ch 27 Predict Questions
    • Ch 28 The "Why" of Math
    • Ch 29 Combine Your Notes
    • Ch 30 Practice Exams
    • Ch 31 Study Groups
    • Ch 32 Are You Ready?
  • 6 Taking Exams
    • Ch 33 Test Anxiety
    • Ch 34 Exam Day Calming
    • Ch 35 Read Instructions
    • Ch 36 Outline Your Essay
    • Ch 37 Math/Science Exams
    • Ch 38 Multiple Choice
  • About
    • About the Author
    • Testimonials
    • About the Survival Guide
    • Troubleshooting Checklist
  • More
    • Home
    • 1 Intro
      • Ch 1 The Big Change
      • Ch 2 You're in Charge
      • Ch 3 Time Management
      • Ch 4 Slow Starts
      • Ch 5 Non-Traditional
    • 2 Class
      • Ch 6 Speed of College
      • Ch 7 Go to Class
      • Ch 8 Wiser Than the Book
      • Ch 9 Preparing for Class
      • Ch 10 Where to Sit
      • Ch 11 Listening Skills
      • Ch 12 Note-Taking Skills
      • Ch 13 Class Discussion
      • Ch 14 Meet the Professor
    • 3 Study
      • Ch 15 Study Techniques
      • Ch 16 Review and Review
      • Ch 17 Preview the Reading
      • Ch 18 Drop Highlighter
      • Ch 19 Flash Cards
      • Ch 20 Break Down Subject
    • 4 Writing
      • Ch 21 "It's a Process"
      • Ch 22 Internet Warning
      • Ch 23 Plagiarism Pitfalls
    • 5 Exam Prep
      • Ch 24 What's the Format?
      • CH 25 Make a Study Plan
      • Ch 26 Critical Thinking
      • Ch 27 Predict Questions
      • Ch 28 The "Why" of Math
      • Ch 29 Combine Your Notes
      • Ch 30 Practice Exams
      • Ch 31 Study Groups
      • Ch 32 Are You Ready?
    • 6 Taking Exams
      • Ch 33 Test Anxiety
      • Ch 34 Exam Day Calming
      • Ch 35 Read Instructions
      • Ch 36 Outline Your Essay
      • Ch 37 Math/Science Exams
      • Ch 38 Multiple Choice
    • About
      • About the Author
      • Testimonials
      • About the Survival Guide
      • Troubleshooting Checklist

College Freshman Survival Guide

College Freshman Survival GuideCollege Freshman Survival GuideCollege Freshman Survival Guide

  • Home
  • 1 Intro
  • 2 Class
  • 3 Study
  • 4 Writing
  • 5 Exam Prep
  • 6 Taking Exams
  • About

About the Author: John Spiropoulos

I'm a former TV news reporter in Washington, DC. I wrote and produced the College Freshman Survival Guide. It's one of the hundreds of training and educational videos I've produced during my career. 


For the guide I traveled to a dozen college campuses in eight states. I personally interviewed more than 100 students and more than two dozen professors and other academic staff. This project was self-financed and a product of my own business. 


The College Freshman Survival Guide is a comprehensive update to a program I first produced in the 1990s when my own children were heading off to college. I made numerous TV appearances discussing the project including ABC's Good Morning America and NBC's Today show. See below.

ABC's Good Morning America_1992

Here's a clip where I discuss the College Freshman Survival Guide on ABC's Good Morning America in 1992.

NBC's Today Show_1992

Here's a clip where I discuss the College Freshman Survival Guide on NBC's Today Show in 1992.

I'm not a professional educator. But I am a professional learner. As a reporter I had to learn a new subject everyday. That involved gathering information, interviewing people, organizing the facts and presenting them in an understandable manner. Every day.   


In Washington, D.C. I reported for the local ABC news station. My "beat" was the Federal Government, Economics and Personal Finance. I did that for 10 years. Earlier in my career I wrote and produced the 6pm or 11pm news at TV stations in Washington, DC; Detroit, Miami and Louisville.  


In all I have 50 years experience in news and public policy reporting.  I've piled up a few awards, including three local Emmys, in my half-century of work. But perhaps the most endearing memories of my career are the refreshingly honest interviews given by college students as I traveled from campus to campus. 

I've written and produced a variety self-help videos, books and booklets for sale to the public. They include:

• The College Freshman Survival Guide (Current Edition)

• The College Freshman Survival Guide (1992 edition)

• How to Pay for College

• Parenting Your College Freshman

• MoneyWise Investing

• The Car Buyer's Survival Guide./

• Ernst & Young/Kiplinger’s Guide to Retirement Security

• Arthur Young/Kiplinger’s Guide to Personal Finance


For my full bio, see the pdf below.

John Spiropoulos_Bio

Download PDF

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