For many parents of graduating seniors, college preparation has focused on applications, housing, orientation, and financial aid. But there is another transition that often catches students off guard once classes begin: textbooks.
Today’s high school students rarely use traditional textbooks in a meaningful way. Many classes rely on Google Classroom, teacher-created slides, short articles, videos, worksheets, or online learning platforms. Even when a high school teacher actually hands out a textbook, students may only use it occasionally or reference small sections during class. As a result, many students graduate high school without ever developing the skill of independently reading, annotating, and learning from a college-level textbook.
College is different.
In college courses, textbooks are still a central part of learning in many subjects. Professors often expect students to complete large reading assignments before class, understand material that is never fully reviewed in lectures, and independently identify key concepts from dense academic writing. In many cases, the lecture supplements the textbook rather than replacing it.
This adjustment can be surprisingly difficult for first-year students. Many freshmen assume they can succeed by simply attending lectures, reviewing slides, or studying the night before an exam. They quickly discover that college reading requires stamina, focus, and active engagement. Reading a biology chapter, economics text, or psychology assignment is very different from scrolling through short online content. Additionally, students will need to decide if they’d like to buy online textbooks or “real” textbooks. This can slightly shift the way students interact and utilize their textbooks.
The good news is that textbook reading is a skill that can absolutely be learned. Students who recognize the difference early — and adapt their study habits accordingly — often experience a much smoother academic transition during their first semester of college. Here at State Street, we offer a Textbook Reading Workshop over the summer that students can enroll in. This is a vital skill that will help students throughout their time in college and beyond.