In this article, I’ll share 8 important reasons why you should study from books instead of class notes, especially if you’re in college.
Studying from books is better because they are written by experts in the field. Books also go through a rigorous review process and help clear up doubts, providing you with certainty. Additionally, they offer clear explanations, use technical language, and give you a more comprehensive understanding of the subject.
Keep reading, and I’ll dive deeper into each of these points.
Books are the Great Pillars of Knowledge
Technology advances, but as a student, you can’t stop studying from books. Books will always be the great pillars of knowledge, regardless of technological progress. Even in the digital world, books have their place.
Class notes are necessary for studying, but they are taken from the teacher’s words and what you’ve interpreted or copied from the board. They’re an important guide when deciding what to study and what to prioritize. However, true knowledge comes from the books listed in the course bibliography.
Let’s explore the great benefits of studying from books as a college student.
Benefits of Studying from Books
1. Books Are Written by Experts in the Field
Typically, the author of a university textbook is an expert in the subject. It may happen that they aren’t a world-renowned expert, but at the very least, they will be someone with deep knowledge of the topic.
This is better than some websites or even your teacher, who, of course, may know a lot in some cases, but not so much in others. That’s why studying from books is especially useful when your professor explains things poorly.
2. The Book Goes Through Rigorous Editing
Before being published, a book goes through an editing process where several professionals refine and improve what the original author(s) wrote. As a result, the final product is a polished and higher-quality work.
3. The Book Clears Doubts and Provides Certainty
To say that books contain absolute truth is too much. However, we can say that their content is often unquestionable, at least for the most basic concepts, aside from cases where points of view, currents of thought, or theories are presented. And, of course, typographical errors.
4. Clarity in Explanation
Definitions and concepts are structured in a way that makes them understandable. Graphs and illustrations are clear and, in many cases, created using graphic design software—better than the hand-drawn graphs a teacher might make on a blackboard.
5. Professional Vocabulary
The book is written by professionals for students. Studying from books forces you to get used to reading this type of vocabulary. It’s also a way to prepare and train yourself as a professional.
6. The Possibility to Reread
If you don’t understand the explanation, you can read it again. Often in class, you may lose track. You can also get lost while reading a book, even a hundred times, but you also have the possibility to reread it as many times as needed.
7. Visual Fatigue
This advantage applies if you study from a computer or any device with a screen. With a paper book, your eyes won’t get as tired compared to devices that emit light.
Kindles and e-books don’t have this disadvantage because they can be set to not emit light. But it’s important to note that they are not made specifically for students, but rather for general reading.
I recommend you review the article “Paper Books vs. E-books.”
8. More General Knowledge
If you only study what your professor teaches in class, you’ll learn enough to pass the exam. But if you study from the book, you’ll learn so much more and gain a more general understanding of the subject
Studying from books is essential
These tips are not saying that you shouldn’t attend classes to take notes and consult with your professors. Not at all.
You must maintain balance, as in all aspects of life. But we can certainly affirm that studying from books is an essential requirement for a good student.
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