Teen Reads: First-Year College Stories

The first year of college is quite an experience. Endless coffee breaks, all-nighters, break-ups and self-discovery can be both rewarding and challenging. We know you have to hit the books, but let's take a look at a few titles that can help you navigate the first year of college.

When preparing for the future, you can't forget the past. In Nina LaCour's novel We Are Okay, this sentiment is explored through Marin, a young woman preparing to attend college in New York. However, before she sets foot on campus, she (with the help of her friend) must deal with a tragedy that occurred last summer.

Doubt ruins dreams more than anything. This is the lesson that young Caroline must learn in Stacey Kade's gripping coming-of-age novel Finding Felicity. A dreamer at heart, she must learn to adjust to reality in order to succeed in college. 

What happens when you have to balance education and the expectations of your family? Find out in Sandhya Menon's debut novel When Dimple Met Rishi, in which two Indian American teens meet in college and have been arranged to marry by their meddling parents.

Do you have a favorite first-year college story? Let us know in the comments below.