At the start of new semesters, students start off by looking into their syllabus ready to purchase textbooks that are required for class.
Students often have the option of purchasing a hard copy textbook, or alternatively an e-book version of the text.
Searching for the students’ personal needs can be a tricky process when deciding on which form of text is best to one’s liking and flexible with students’ lives.
Student Nayzeth Galindo said he prefers e-books due to the cheap monthly charges for only a certain amount of time.
“I think that the costs are better with e-books because you can pay monthly and not yearly,” said Galindo.
E-books aren’t just cheaper, but they’re convenient. E-books are small and portable. Instead of carrying around a heavy set book, you can carry it on a tiny little phone, computer and iPad.
Not only are e-books more convenient in price, but they’re uncomplicated to have around, unlike a hard copy text.
Galindo said he had challenges with hard copy textbooks from carrying around from class to class and the amount of weight that was carried.
“In my first year of college as a freshman at Citrus, I carried two notebooks, my laptop and my textbook,” Galindo said. “I had to carry those around me making me tired, which made me start purchasing e-books.”
Having to worry about all the textbooks you carry around disappears when students have e-books around. Students can have one device with a wide selection of textbooks, all in one.
Student Cheryl Pallie said in an email she thinks digital renting is a good idea for students looking for textbooks.
“I think for those that are cost conscious, digital rentals should be a good idea. As well as Amazon rentals,” Pallie said.
Students’ personal preferences play a vital role in deciding what to purchase. Choices also depend on the courses they’re taking.
E-books are easy to use in the sense that one can multitask easily when doing homework assignments or even when someone is out and about.
Pallie said she prefers e-books for online courses since she’s able to multitask across all devices and tabs when working on assignments.
“Personally, I’ve found that I prefer hard copy books for in-person and digital for online classes,” Pallie said.
This is just based on convenience. When taking an online class, I can open multiple tabs or even utilize multiple devices for materials needed for the class. Convenience is a big part of what makes e-books so essential, and what benefits students’ personal lives.
E-books have cool features on it too, being occupied gets in the way of reading your hard copy text thoroughly. With an audio e-book, it’s easy to carry on with life.
Student Catalina De Anda said she leads a busy life, and e-books help her continue on with her day. De Anda said e-books are convenient for her when she’s out and about.
“My time is so precious, and honestly I do too much in life to sit down and read a book or in my case a textbook,” De Anda said. “For example, when I’m at the market grocery shopping, driving or just sitting in traffic, I listen to my e-book.”
Not only does De Anda have a busy life, but she also has responsibilities and a family to take care of.
“I am a full time student that works graveyard shift full time. I squeeze in my day, caring for my 85-year-old-plus parents at their home, and babysit my 2-year-old granddaughter at her home,” De Anda said.
De Anda doesn’t have much time for herself being occupied with life, so she relies on her textbooks to get her through.
“That being said, I rarely have time for myself,” De Anda said. “I depend on my e-books to be mobile as I am instant, I can turn e-books on and the beauty is I am free from a large textbook.”
Though reading may seem like it doesn’t affect a big part of our lives, it does. E-books are a gateway for a smoother education and an easier life.
