- #1
Psych101
- 10
- 1
I use to sell a lot of my university textbooks (mainly because I was just following what other people around me were doing. Basically I was following the herd so to speak), but it wasn't until recently (as in the past couple of weeks) that I realized that it can sometimes be a very bad idea to sell your university textbooks. That's especially true for the textbooks based on the subject(s) you are majoring in university.
I am majoring in Psychology (as my username suggests) and I am only in 2-3 year right now, and recently I noticed the self-handicap I induced onto myself from selling my Introductory to Psychology Textbook (as well as the textbook for a Second Year Abnormal Psychology Textbook). I originally sold many of textbooks (After finishing the course) mainly because
a) I probably don't need them ever again
b) I could always find the information on the Internet, so why keep the textbooks
The problem with those two above premises is the fact that
a) You will likely need to look back into your textbooks (especially if they are subjects you are majoring in and/or minoring in)
b) Even though theoretically you can find all the key information (like key concepts and terms) on the Internet, it would save you a LOT of time by having all the information nicely laid out to you in a very clear and organized fashion on the Internet. Besides, the information in the textbook is probably authoritative on the subject manner you are taking.
I am NOT saying you shouldn't use the Internet for helping you study the material in your courses. It is just that the Internet cannot be a complete substitute for textbook information. I use to think that was the case, but now I realized that is a false dichotomy.
That's mainly because both mediums (textbooks or books in general and the Internet) compliment each other since each medium has its own distinct advantages and disadvantages. You just need to allow both mediums to compliment each other in order to fill up the weaknesses of each of the two mediums. For example, books TEND to be more organized, concise, faster-to-search through and accurate than the Internet where the Internet has MORE information, can be updated more readily, but unfortunately takes more time to find the information you need.
So what do you guys think? Do you guys keep your university textbooks or not? And what's the reasoning behind your decision? Do you agree with my points?
I am majoring in Psychology (as my username suggests) and I am only in 2-3 year right now, and recently I noticed the self-handicap I induced onto myself from selling my Introductory to Psychology Textbook (as well as the textbook for a Second Year Abnormal Psychology Textbook). I originally sold many of textbooks (After finishing the course) mainly because
a) I probably don't need them ever again
b) I could always find the information on the Internet, so why keep the textbooks
The problem with those two above premises is the fact that
a) You will likely need to look back into your textbooks (especially if they are subjects you are majoring in and/or minoring in)
b) Even though theoretically you can find all the key information (like key concepts and terms) on the Internet, it would save you a LOT of time by having all the information nicely laid out to you in a very clear and organized fashion on the Internet. Besides, the information in the textbook is probably authoritative on the subject manner you are taking.
I am NOT saying you shouldn't use the Internet for helping you study the material in your courses. It is just that the Internet cannot be a complete substitute for textbook information. I use to think that was the case, but now I realized that is a false dichotomy.
That's mainly because both mediums (textbooks or books in general and the Internet) compliment each other since each medium has its own distinct advantages and disadvantages. You just need to allow both mediums to compliment each other in order to fill up the weaknesses of each of the two mediums. For example, books TEND to be more organized, concise, faster-to-search through and accurate than the Internet where the Internet has MORE information, can be updated more readily, but unfortunately takes more time to find the information you need.
So what do you guys think? Do you guys keep your university textbooks or not? And what's the reasoning behind your decision? Do you agree with my points?