A Note from the Authors

This book is specifically and exclusively written to those students who have recently graduated from high school (or are about to). If that’s not you, then put this book down. If it is you, then keep reading.

What you’ll find in this book comes a little bit from us, Bruce and Stan, and a lot from the collegeaged guys and gals whom we have known over the past few years. We even contacted many of them during the writing of this book and asked for some specific advice and “words of wisdom.” You’ll find their quotes sprinkled throughout the following pages.

But there is more to this book than just practical advice and information. The most important part of our lives is our faith in God. That spiritual dimension brings balance, hope and confidence to all other aspects and details of our lives. We can’t honestly talk about your future without including God in the discussion. Actually, it is amazing to realize that God has a specific plan for you:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD.

“They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).

If you are serious about making plans for the next few years, you ought to at least consider what God says about your future.

We are genuinely excited for you because we know that the next several years in your life are going to be a great adventure. You’ll experience a combination of freedom, responsibility, learning and recreation that won’t be matched at any other stage in your life. With our help, maybe, just maybe, you can do it without ending up in debt, in the hospital or in jail.

Bruce Bickel

Stan Jantz