HAPPIER BY DEGREES: The Most Complete Sourcebook for Women Who Are Considering Going Back to School

by Pam Mendelsohn ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 1980

A peptalk for college-minded homemakers that combines trivial advice on dealing with families and housework, standard information on colleges and careers, and testimonials from veterans. Not all the experience is positive. ""I'm a better mother because I feel so much better about myself,"" says one woman, but an eight-year-old complains that his student mom is ""never home."" Mendelsohn recognizes that the biggest drawback to scholarly pursuits is having less time with the kids, but she advises making up for this by cooking their favorite meals when you are home (and buying your husband a cookbook). Also, talk things over at home, set priorities for time-management, and above all, don't fear failure--women over 40 get better grades than those 18-25. Finally, we get to the institutions themselves (basic information differentiating colleges from universities, describing college boards, warning prospective students not to miss deadlines), followed by advice on child-care centers and career choices. Mendelsohn does provide useful lists of financial-aid sources (also relevant guidebooks) and counseling centers by state. Overall, though, a lot of excess verbiage which busy women shouldn't waste time plowing through.

Pub Date: March 1, 1980

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Dutton

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1980

Categories: NONFICTION