As we wrap up the school year and begin the summer season, it seemed the right time to recommend some summer reading. Throughout the month of May, the McNeal Sams College Consulting team will suggest some favorite books for students and parents entering or concluding their college choice journey.
Our first book, Happiness 101: Simple Secrets to Smart Living & Well-Being by Tim Bono, Ph.D. is the perfect way to start a process filled with big decisions or prepare for your transition to college. Happiness 101 offers something both students and parents need: clarity. Dr. Bono, a professor of positive psychology at Washington University in St. Louis, distills the science of well-being into practical, digestible insights that feel immediately relevant, especially for those preparing to step into college life. (Watch Dr. Bono speak about positive psychology.)
What makes this book stand out is its grounded optimism. Rather than chasing the myth of constant happiness, Bono reframes the conversation around meaning, connection, and resilience. He emphasizes that fulfillment doesn’t come from prestige or perfection, messages that land powerfully for students navigating college choices and expectations. For parents, it’s a refreshing reminder that success is not just about outcomes, but about well-being along the way.
Students will find reassurance in Bono’s research-backed strategies: prioritizing relationships, managing stress, practicing gratitude, and embracing setbacks as part of growth. These aren’t abstract ideals: they’re actionable habits that can shape a healthier, more balanced college experience from day one. At a time when many students feel pressure to “have it all figured out,” Happiness 101 gently insists that they don’t have to.
For parents, the book provides a helpful lens into what truly supports young adults during this transition. It encourages conversations that go beyond grades and resumes, focusing instead on emotional health, purpose, and belonging, all key ingredients for thriving in college and beyond.
As the first pick in our summer reading series, Happiness 101 sets the tone beautifully: thoughtful, encouraging, and deeply relevant. Whether read by a student, a parent, or both together, it’s the kind of book that sparks meaningful reflection and perhaps a few great conversations.
