I bought this book and a few others while I was preparing to get into Graduate school. My GPA from undergrad was a 2.54, but I've always been a smart kid, just not school smart. I love to read, but could never get my grades up. Well, after reading this book i found out why.I was studying all wrong, and it was showing. After taking entrance exams and doing well, I'm enrolled in graduate school and just finished my first semester with a 3.5, something I don't think I did once in undergrad. And my classes are so much harder now with so much more notes, but I'm doing better and actually enjoy the lecture.I wish I had a book like this 5 years ago. Since I can only go forward, I'm taking this book everywhere I need to learn something new. The principles and guidelines are excellent, and they're helping me digest material that I would've given up on a few years ago. If you decide to go to college without buying this book (and other books like it) I would suggest that you reconsider your decision.