It's practically a sin to say the word 'books' during the beginning of the semester; it's almost like one of those Voldemort kind of things where people would instead prefer you to say 'that-which-must-not-be-purchased.'
Books are expensive and evil.
Who wants to shell out hundreds of dollars for a new hardcover edition you're not going to see all semester until finals? No one. You don't even have to ask around, you can see it in people's eyes; where there once used to be a twinkle of life has been squashed with each memory of going to sell the book back for less than half of what they paid because a new edition has already been printed.
To stave off the madness, I recommend reading. Not that $200 paperweight, but a real book. Take time from your day to pick up your Nook, Kindle, iPad, smartphone or-here's a novel idea-any physical copy of a classic work of literature. If your major involves classic works of literature, go for a trashy paranormal romance instead.
The point is to read anything that doesn't have to do with your work. That's why they call it escapism.
I feel like students think they don't have time to read for fun. I've said that several times each semester, yet I can't shake off the urge to open a new book or revisit one of my favorites, even when I'm knee-deep in coursework. I believe it pays off for your mental health.
What if reading isn't your thing? Too bad. Read a book.
What if you've got a million things to do? Too bad. Read a book.
Bed-ridden with illness? You might want to get that checked out...then read a book.
Reading is beneficial not only to your overall well-being as a stress reliever, but it also helps increase your vocabulary and reading comprehension skills. Even if you aren't a liberal arts major, chances are that you'll be writing at some point this semester.
I'm not writing all this to wag my finger or sit on my high horse. I don't intend to force you to memorize every line of "Gone with the Wind" and ask if you're feeling relaxed. I'd rather you come away knowing reading doesn't have to be a chore and that if you do like to pick your way through anything in the written word, it doesn't have to be put aside because you are studying.
I guess I'm saying this to the freshmen mostly, many of whom just came from environments of summer reading lists and are now drowning in core classes and deciding which major to choose. Let me join in with your professors and scores of other nerds to tell you this: Reading is super cool, you guys.
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