Book explores crazy college life
‘Class Dismissed’ highlights entertaining tales of dorm life, social scenes
By Laura Becker, staff writer
Posted on August 28, 2006

What do the two classic college movies “Animal House” and “Old School” have in common?  Guys and gals getting drunk and getting it on.  In so many words, the book “Class Dismissed: 75 Outrageous, Mind-Expanding College Exploits (and Lessons That Won’t Be on the Final)” shares this theme.

Written by the creators of CollegeStories.com, Ben Applebaum, Ryan McNally and Derrick Pittman, “Class Dismissed” is a collection of entertaining tales sent in from university students. The authors cover several topics, including roommates, relationships and party life.  There are horror stories, prank stories, embarrassing moments and, of course,stories of bad choices.

Along with the documentation of students’ college adventures, the authors offer up their own advice on how to handle rough situations and reassure readers of how their experiences can positively shape their future.  For example, prefacing the section titled “Room (Dis) Service: Studies in Nightmare Roommates,” the authors encourage readers to bear with “these ‘unique’ characters” in order to gain not only patience, but also valuable communication and negotiation skills.

While Applebaum, McNally and Pittman have created an interesting compilation of tales, some of the stories seem extremely far-fetched, and therefore lose their comedic appeal. The tales that are convincing are the most enjoyable, such as “Hooters and Honors,” a young woman’s story of a mortifying experience with one of her professors.

Conservative readers may find the book to be a disappointment, as the authors often seem to glorify living life on the wild side.  For example, the prologue states, “College is about new experiences. It’s a crucial time, a time to tap into new ideas, new adventures and new icy cold kegs. It’s a time when it’s acceptable to steal toilet paper yet spend your life savings on a decorative glass bong. And since this behavior isn’t tolerated in the real world, college is an ideological playground worth hopping the fence for.”

The book is a light read that can be finished in a matter of hours or enjoyed in short spurts. As Court Crandall, creator of “Old School” says,  “[‘Class Dismissed’ is] a great read for anyone who is heading to college, has graduated from college or is currently lying in a pool of their own vomit at college.”