College students are busier than ever—juggling classes, jobs, social lives, and everything in between. But when grades start slipping and stress starts climbing, many overlook one of the most powerful (and underused) study tools sitting right in front of them: the textbook. And I don’t just mean reading it cover to cover—I mean truly using it. The practice tests, the solution keys, the vocabulary lists... they’re all part of the success equation. But far too many students skip them. And it’s costing them.

“But I never used the textbook in high school…”

That’s exactly what my son told me during his first semester of college. And guess what? He bombed his first biology test. Not because he didn’t care—he did. But because he hadn’t built the habit of using what was right there in front of him.

He’d glance through the assigned pages, maybe skim a paragraph or two before a quiz, and move on. What he missed? The end-of-chapter questions that mimicked his exams. The vocabulary definitions he needed to actually understand the lectures. The diagrams that pulled everything together.

He didn’t need a new tutor. He didn’t need a flashier app.
He needed a mindset shift: that his textbook was more than reading. It was training.

The Problem: We Treat the Textbook Like a Burden

Students often treat the textbook like a checklist item—or worse, they ignore it altogether. Why? Because it feels passive. Long. Boring. And let’s be honest, in an age of TikToks and YouTube explainers, textbooks feel a bit... old school.

But here’s the truth: college professors don’t include textbooks just to make students spend money. They’re tools packed with:

• Practice problems (many with solutions)

• Study guides and review questions

• Multiple choice practice

• Charts and summaries

• Glossaries of terms

Skipping those is like ignoring the GPS on a road trip and hoping you’ll just feel your way to your destination.

The Fix: Build the “Textbook Habit”

I teach students how to use their textbooks as study partners—not just for reading, but for doing.

Start small.
Pick just one tool inside the book—like the review questions—and do them weekly.
Pair it with your lectures.
After class, check what the textbook says. Do the practice problems for that section.
Use it like a test.
Cover the answers. Try solving problems cold. Make flashcards from the glossary.

This shift in mindset—textbook as resource, not assignment—is a game-changer.

What Parents Can Do

If you’re a parent watching your student struggle—or maybe just “doing fine” but feeling overwhelmed—this is something you can talk to them about tonight. Ask:

• Are you using the end-of-chapter review sections?

• Do your books come with online tools or solution keys?

• Can you walk me through how you study with your textbook?

It’s not about nagging. It’s about showing them there’s a better way—and that they’re capable of mastering it.

This Isn’t About Straight A’s

It’s about confidence. When students use these resources, they stop walking into exams feeling blind. They start seeing patterns. They make faster connections. And the best part? They free up time later. Less panic, less cramming, and more space for fun.

Final Word: Don’t Leave Easy Points on the Table

The textbook isn’t a last resort—it’s a roadmap. When students stop ignoring it and start using it, they gain control. They take pressure off their professors and themselves. They stop spinning their wheels and start making progress.

If your student wants to improve without burning out, this is the simplest habit to start. And if they need help making that shift, I’d love to guide them through it.

👉 Want more practical strategies like this?
Check out my course that helps students build smart, balanced systems to win the semester.