You can't always protect them-but you can help prepare them. College is more than academics and independence-it's a high-stakes transition filled with unfamiliar environments, social pressure, and real-world risk. From late-night parties to first apartments, campus protests to new relationships, students face decisions every day that can impact their safety, reputation, and well-being. Unfortunately, most are sent off with advice that's outdated, vague, or based on fear. This book changes that. Written by nationally recognized self-defense and leadership coach Ryan Hoover, "College Bound" offers a real-world guide for students-and for the parents who want to support them without hovering. With a calm, no-nonsense tone, it delivers practical tools for setting boundaries, building situational awareness, navigating digital life, and developing habits that make students harder to harm. No scare tactics. No rigid rules. Instead, you'll find straightforward conversation about what confidence actually looks like, how to handle conflict without escalation, and why preparation beats paranoia every time. Whether your student is moving into a dorm, commuting to campus, or starting fresh in a new city, this guide will help them move through the world with more clarity, capability, and calm. Inside you'll learn: How to build everyday habits that reduce risk in under 30 seconds. The difference between real confidence and performative bravado. How to set and hold boundaries-socially, physically, and digitally. What to know about moving out, going out, hooking up, and speaking up. How to prepare for conflict before it happens, without living in fear. "College Bound" is ideal for students, parents, and educators who want more than surface-level safety tips. It's a modern resource for a modern world-and a must-read for anyone stepping into independence for the first time.
