74 The Journal of College Orientation and Transition

Navigating the Research University: 
A Guide for First-Year Students
By Britt Andreatta
Published by Thomson Wadsworth 2005, 363 pages

Reviewed by
Dale Masterson (dale.masterson@ucr.edu), Director, Student Orientation and 
Involvement, University of California, Riverside

The transition from high school to college can be a perplexing journey for many 
students.  The adjustment to a new academic way of life and overcoming personal and 
social struggles are paramount during this period.  For those newly enrolled students at a 
research university, there may be additional complexities in their unique educational 
environment.  



75Fall 2005  •  Volume 13, Number 1

In Navigating the Research University: A Guide for First-Year Students, Britt
Andreatta guides students in acquiring an understanding of the nature of a research 
university and how it may affect their day-to-day collegiate experiences.  Andreatta notes
that the justification for a book specifically focusing on the transition of students at
research universities is the result of years of work with students from first-year students
through graduating seniors who commonly did not grasp the distinctiveness of their 
educational environment.  

Andreatta’s target audience is both first-year and transfer students, and she suggests
the book is appropriate for a variety of settings including orientation programs, 
summer reading programs, introductory writing courses, freshman experience courses 
or seminars, freshman interest groups, and transfer preparation courses.  The book is
organized into three sections: academic development, personal development, and 
community development. 

Andreatta has included features in each chapter that effectively illustrate her points
and enhance a new student’s understanding of the content: 1) narrative—includes 
definitions and explanations of the content; 2) “What this means to you,”—explains 
how topics translate to the daily experiences of students; 3) “Might I suggest…”—
advises students how they can most effectively apply the specific content; 4) student 
stories—includes perspectives and advice shared by current students; 5) “Reflections 
for Writing”—prompts students to respond to questions regarding their institution to
enhance their reflection and critical thinking; and 6) written or experimental exercises—
engage students in critical thinking and enhanced learning about their own institution.  A
“Quick Start Guide” is also included to assist new students successfully through the first
few days on their campus—a reference to topics such as finding classes, adding and
dropping courses, paying tuition, living with roommates, campus parking, and attending
campus events.

A thorough explanation of a research university—its purpose, mission, procedures 
for conducting research, and an overview of the various academic disciplines—is the
introductory section of Chapter 1.  An overview of Bloom’s Hierarchy of Knowledge is
provided with a clarification of the expectation for critical thinking skills which 
students will be expected to demonstrate in the quest to discover new knowledge.  The
importance of academic integrity is emphasized early in the book; this topic is made
“real” for new students through the account of an actual experience of a current student.
Chapter 1 concludes with clarification of the roles of teaching assistants and the various
levels of faculty, an explanation of office hours, and an overview of staff and 
administrators and their roles on campus.  

The development of skills for academic success is the primary focus of Chapter 2.
New students are introduced to the concept of assignment management.  Andreatta 
effectively illustrates the increased reading time and additional workload per class that is
required of students.  The suggestion is made that students develop their own “workload
grid” by pulling from each syllabus the individual assignments for each week and 
organizing them together on one grid, allowing students to quickly visualize their 
commitments for each week of the term.  This naturally leads to the topic of time 



76 The Journal of College Orientation and Transition

management and the development of a daily schedule for the budgeting of time.  
Since new students encounter many social opportunities, the importance of assertive
communication and the ability to say “no” to friends is highlighted. Academic success
strategies featured also include reading skills, taking lecture notes, study styles, 
preparing for and taking exams, writing and research skills, and analytical argument 
formation.  

The next section explores various degrees, classes, and majors.  An understanding 
of a bachelor’s degree and a liberal arts education introduces the concepts of course
workload, credit units and estimated hours of work outside the classroom per credit hour,
course levels, and teaching and learning styles.  Especially beneficial to new students
(and their families) is information about the connection between majors and careers.
With increasing parental pressure on students about selecting a major, this portion of the
chapter is timely as well as informative.  The chapter concludes with a discussion of the
organization of a university from the various colleges to academic departments and
Student Affairs.

Independence, separation from family, and value development is the topic of the next
chapter, and is the beginning of Section 2, personal development.  Andreatta begins by
addressing homesickness and the concept of “friendsickness”—missing those friends left
behind when going away to college. Practical suggestions, as well as exercises, are
offered to assist students in working through these issues.  An excellent summary of the
Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is offered, which includes its impact
on a student’s independence and responsibility.  Students are provided a presentation of
both the advantages and disadvantages of their newfound freedom and suggestions on
how to manage it.  Also of particular relevance to both students and parents is an 
explanation of Bloom’s Stages of Parent/Adolescent Separation, which provides a clear
overview of changing family dynamics.  The chapter ends with information about the
development of values and some of the common issues that can cause conflict between
students and their families.

Chapter 5 addresses the theme of increased freedom, specifically discussing the
impact of alcohol, drugs, and sexual activity. Current data on alcohol-use trends of 
college students is examined, and a presentation of the negative consequences of alcohol
use for college students is included.  Student stories and advice that are part of this 
chapter, as well as the useful tips regarding alcohol use, should be especially effective 
in getting students’ attention about this very important topic.  Suggestions for helping a
friend who has been sexually assaulted, what to do if you have been sexually assaulted,
and resources for healthy relationships are emphasized.  An impressive amount of 
information is presented to assist students in dealing with these issues.

Chapter 6 focuses on the first-year student experience and begins with an introduction
to student development theory.  A list of common first-year experience themes is 
presented and grouped into five categories (academic issues, social issues, general 
campus environment, personal issues, and issues unique to transfer students) with student
development theory relevant to each item.  This is one chapter where completing the 
initial reflections and exercises will be important for the average student to fully 



77Fall 2005  •  Volume 13, Number 1

understand and utilize the chapter’s content.
The final section of the book begins with the diverse campus community.  Students

are encouraged to develop cultural competence because many employers seek applicants
with this skill.  The various dimensions of identity are examined to assist students in
developing their cultural competence.  It is pointed out to students that an important
component of their education is community building, and that they should actively
engage in this process.  The chapter is concluded with a review of the dynamics of
oppression, and like many of the preceding chapters, the “Might I Suggest…” section
and student stories are helpful in reinforcing the central messages of the chapter. 

Leadership development and involvement opportunities are the themes of Chapter 8.
New students are assisted in understanding the importance of campus involvement and
are encouraged to seek out leadership opportunities as a way to affect community change
and personal development.  Students are then presented with many of the common types
of involvement opportunities found on a college campus, both academic and 
cocurricular, and they are encouraged to identify those with which they have an interest.
The chapter wraps up with a list of important leadership skills that students should 
develop while in college.

The final chapter is about planning for the future.  Andreatta presents a list of 
appropriate goals by class level in four categories: academic, personal, social, and career.
The freshman year is identified with a goal for “exploring,” the sophomore year with
“defining,” the junior year with “researching,” and the senior year with “implementing.”
Students are helped to understand SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, 
relevant, and time-based goals) to allow them to begin establishing a plan of action to
accomplish the goals by class level. The chapter ends with encouraging students to 
utilize campus resources and to identify personal mentors and allies.  

Navigating the Research University: A Guide for First-Year Students is an excellent
resource for all first-year students.  Andreatta does an effective job in capturing the
important topics of the typical first-year.  The “Might I Suggest…” and “What This
Means To You” are extremely effective segments for expanding upon and reinforcing
the main points of each chapter.  New students will also appreciate the inclusion of
advice and real-life stories from current students, which help to drive home the message.
This book is straightforward and easy to understand, while also providing ample 
challenges for students through exercises and reflections.  Although the target audience 
for this book is new students at research universities, it is applicable to all new students
and also to their parents to help them understand FERPA, the transition of their son or
daughter, and how they can best assist in that transition.