Accommodating Book Reading amidst a Hectic Daily Routine
Welcome to the "Student Life" section, where we explore the various aspects of student life. Today, we delve into the world of eBooks and their impact on students, particularly those with limited time.
In the realm of convenience, smartphones offer a treasure trove of benefits. Engineering Correspondent, Alexandra Koskosidis, explains how these devices can transform reading into an anytime, anywhere activity. With eBooks, students can carry an entire library in their pocket, making the most of short breaks, commutes, or any free moments that arise during a busy day [1].
Moreover, the seamless syncing of bookmarks, notes, and progress across devices ensures that students can pause on one device and continue exactly where they left off on another without losing track [1]. This feature is a game-changer for students juggling multiple responsibilities.
The customization options in eBook apps are another boon for students. By adjusting font size, background colour, and brightness, students can tailor their reading experience to their preferences and conditions, promoting longer and more focused reading sessions [5].
Despite research suggesting that reading comprehension may be better with print books due to fewer distractions and better cognitive processing of text in physical formats [3], the ability to read on smartphones makes learning more accessible for busy students who might otherwise not read at all.
Alexandra, who prefers physical books, acknowledges the practicality of eBooks for student life. As a child, she was an avid reader, consuming multiple books at a time. However, her reading habit dwindled during high school due to lack of time and energy. It was only when she started reading eBooks on her phone that she found her passion for reading rekindled.
In her senior thesis, Alexandra discovered a website called BookBub, which provides personalised eBook recommendations. She averages a book every week or two weeks by reading in short intervals on her phone.
In another section of the article titled "Junior Paper (JP)", Alexandra provides insights on how to use a Reference Room. Princeton, for instance, has an eBook library called OverDrive, and many libraries offer eBook borrowing programs.
In conclusion, for students with limited time, eBooks on smartphones provide essential benefits of on-demand access, personalised reading experiences, and study flexibility, helping them maximise learning opportunities amid their busy schedules [1][4][5]. If you're one of those who struggle to make time for reading, Alexandra recommends giving digital reading a try. It might just be the key to filling those dead moments with knowledge.
- In the "Junior Paper" section, Alexandra shares tips on utilizing eBook libraries like Princeton's OverDrive, which can be found in many libraries, to make the most of eBooks for study flexibility during busy times.
- While conducting her senior thesis, Alexandra discovered BookBub, a website offering personalized eBook recommendations, and utilizes it to read an average of one book every week to two weeks, primarily on her smartphone.
- With the customization options in eBook apps, students can craft a reading experience tailored to their preferences, such as adjusting font size, background color, and brightness, to promote longer, focused reading sessions, even when time is scarce.
