The Incredible Four-Year Adventure: Finding Real Faith, Fun, and Friendship at College

Chris Yates actually mailed me this book so that I could relate it to may own college experience, which I am experiencing right now. Much of what is discussed and dealt with here is truly what typical college students who seek a religious element in college experience throughout their years. What I like the best is how the book underscores how to maintain Christian faith in the face of so many other aspects that college affords: freedom, parties, friends, school. All of these, the Yates brothers argue, can be balanced while maintaining a good relationship with the Lord. I have found it difficult to balance all of my activities with Church, volunteering, etc., but I find that my relationship with Christ and the Church actually helps me balance these things. This book has been very instructive in the maintenance of that balance, and I am sure that it can be for many others as well. College is for figuring yourself out, above all, and this book, with the help of the Yates brothers, can help you do that. It deals with many issues that confront students in the normal course of college as well- academics, activism and activities, social life, drinking, and dating. It addresses all of these issues with a Christian yet realistic approach that I find very applicable to my own lifestyle at school. It stresses, above all, the relationships that we foster with friends, family, professors, and God during college. It is the relationships with these individuals that sustain us when we are writing those tedious mid-term papers. For many of us, college is the first time that we accept Christianity for the first time without the coercion of parents. The Four Year adventure shows us how important this acceptance can be in shaping our college experience, and making it that much richer.

This is an great read for any Christian who just graduated and is ready to move to the world of college. I am in just that situation, and I found this book very helpful. It gives good, practical advice on many aspects of college. The first part provides a foundation for what being a Christian, especially in college, really means. The second part talks about all different relationships - with God, close friends, fellowship groups, etc. The third part talks about the practical living aspects of college - money, schedules, etc. Finally, the fourth part provides tips on handling academics in a Christian manner. One of the authors of this book, John Yates, was a speaker at the FOCUS Pre-College Weekend in Martha's Vineyard this summer, and he is a very cool guy and is now in seminary. Both brothers have recently graduated at the time of the writing, and provide the real, practical advice that only recent grads can. For all these reasons, I urge any Christian who is going to college or will be soon to read this book. It will really help you prepare for the crazy world of college and how you can serve God there!!

There are many books aimed at Christians about to begin their undergraduate years. With this notable exception, the vast majority were written by people who are old enough to be these freshmen's parents. Or grandparents. The Yates brothers finished up their college careers in '96 and '98, and began the writing process for this book while they were still in school. They remember the idiosyncracies of student life because they are fresh out of college. They tackle issues like managing your time and money, choosing classes, churches and fellowship groups and coming home, giving wise advice with a personal touch... like an older sibling or a dear friend would. I was also impressed with the way they tried to make the book applicable to students no matter what type of college they would be attending-- large or small, public or private, secular or Christian. A wise investment, especially for students without an older sibling figure to guide them through the process of adjusting to college life.