Solving Your Study Stresses

Student life is often harder than we expect. Nothing can prepare you for the amount of work you’ll have to get through, especially in the lead up to exams. Of course, just how much work you face depends on how much you do throughout the year. The unfortunate majority of us think we have plenty of time, only to find exams coming up. So, for the most part, things get busy. It may seem counterintuitive, but during that last minute rush, it’s important to give yourself time off. Small breaks will actually help improve your attention. Burning yourself out will stop you absorbing information, and won’t help anyone. Here are a few ways you can take a break when you feel the need.

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GET YOUR GAME ON

Chances are, you’re already a gamer, else you wouldn’t be here. But, have you considered using games to help you escape the study strain? Many of us pack our consoles away during exam season. But, if you have enough restraint not to spend hours on them, they can be a huge help. Nothing is quite so good for taking your mind off work than getting into a good game. Plus, you can use your sessions as a reward system. Allow yourself an hour of gaming if you manage to study for two hours straight. It works wonders! Of course, an hour can quickly turn into more. Make sure to set the alarm and stop playing the moment it goes off. You don’t want to lose all your study hours! You could even get to grips with gaming on the go and take it with you if you study elsewhere. This is a fantastic way to achieve short-term escapism.

A GOOD BOOK

Chances are you’ll be sick of the sight of books right now. So, why are we telling you to read more? Because it’s fantastic for escapism. And because you can still enjoy personal reading, even after all those hours of staring at a page. It’s a good way to keep your brain engaged, while still kicking back a little. Break your academic reading up with five-minute personal sessions, and see how much of a different it makes. Your eyes will still be focused on the page, so returning to your studies won’t be a huge leap. But, you’ll still get some much-needed rest.

FRIENDS FOR ESCAPISM

Chances are, your friends also lock themselves away when exams are coming. But, it’s important you still take the time to see each other. None of the above will help you as much as time with friends can. If you don’t get out to see anyone, you’ll start going crazy. Plus, when you’re home, studying will always be in the back of your mind. You don’t have to go out for hours, here. Who has time for that? Instead, arrange to go out for a drink, or a meal with friends. They’ll understand if you have to leave early. They’ll probably need to do the same.

Make Your Blog Shine Through the Smog

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Thousands of new blogs are created every day. In a sense, this is a sign of a very cool thing about modern technology. Anyone can grab a seat at the table; if you want to publish your writing on the Internet, it's easier than ever. The problem, of course, is that the table is now so large, and we're not really seated as close to one another as people make out. Even when we're yelling, our voices my not be heard.

So how can you take your blog to the next level? How can you make your work really stand out? We're going to take a look at some tips that can be considered by new bloggers and by those who have already got a bunch of material and a few readers.

Guest blogging

There are two ways you can go about guest blogging. The first is to see if other bloggers are willing to submit a post to your blog; someone, perhaps, who is a bit more established in your given niche than you. They'll probably expect payment – and you should be willing to pay them - but it’ll be worth it for the extra attention boost you’ll get, as well as the improved ‘legitimacy’ with which you’ll be perceived.

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You can also look into submitting posts for other blogs. This could be another blog in your niche, or you could consider hitting a little higher up the food chain and seeing if a bigger publication would be interested in a post you’ve created. This helps a lot with networking and exposure.

Other mediums

A lot of bloggers are beginning to use YouTube more and more. This is because YouTube can be a more consistent means of earning money, though it’s also because so many fans love to watch opinion-based content through the medium of video. Vloggers are becoming more popular than ever, so it’s certainly worth considering a YouTube channel to go with your blog.

If you think you have enough readers hooked, you should think about physical publication. Some would claim that books, journals, and magazines are dead media that no-one invests in anymore, but this simply isn’t true. A lot of popular blogs have turned to the creation of an occasional magazine issue as a means of earning additional revenue. Start thinking about original magazine content and experimenting with a magazine cover maker to get some inspiration.

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The e-book hook

E-books are something else that a lot of writers are using to grow their blogs. The likes of The Daily Wire, for example, hook passers-by to their mailing list by offering a free download of an e-book by Ben Shapiro, the founder of the website and a bestselling author.

If there’s a topic that will excite a lot of people, one which you’d like to write about without worrying so much about people getting tired of using their scroll wheel, then consider writing about the topic across at least forty pages or so then turning it into an e-book. This will really show your dedication and expertise and will help you take your blog to new heights.

The Science Behind Mobile Gaming

There is no denying that smartphone and tablet use is on the rise, and has been for some years now. It’s likely that most people you know will own such a device and use it for a plethora of purposes. What you may not realize is that many people use their mobile devices as a platform to spend some time gaming!

Gone are the days where you had to sit in front of a TV with a games console to spend some time playing your favorite titles. For some years, console brands like Nintendo and Sony have brought out a range of handheld gaming devices. Today, the emphasis on accessible gaming is even stronger than ever before! Thanks to technological innovations, smartphones and tablets now have hardware specs that rival those found in desktop and laptop computers.

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As a result, we are now able to play a range of resource-demanding games on our mobile devices. What’s more, we don’t have to invest in any additional hardware accessories to do so! Did you know that in 2015, over 164 million people in the U.S. alone played games on their mobile devices?

With all that information in mind, why is the mobile gaming industry so widespread and growing at such an exponential rate? Here’s an insightful look at the science behind mobile gaming:

Delayed gratification

The thing about any computer game is that you cannot finish it within the space of a few minutes. Often, you have to dedicate days, weeks, even months to the cause before you reach the end.

It’s that delayed gratification that draws us into computer games and makes us addicted to them in some respects. It applies not just to console or PC-based gaming titles but also to those on mobile platforms too. With thousands of mobile games to choose from, and that’s not even talking about the ones in the Apple App Store or Google Play, there’s something for everyone!

Ease of use

One of the reasons for the surge in mobile gaming popularity is the ease of use. We don’t have to learn how to use the device to play a game because we’re already familiar with the device’s controls.

Most mobile games are played on touchscreen phones and tablets, so there’s no need to learn what a particular button does in a game, for example.

There’s plenty of online help

Let’s say that you start a new and popular game on your iPhone, but you’re unsure how best to progress through each level. The good news is that the Internet makes it easy to discover walkthroughs or “cheat sheets” to new and existing games titles!

So, whether you wanted a Mobile Strike guide or a helping hand with Candy Crush Saga, you won’t have to scratch your head for very long!

Mobile gaming is social

Although it’s the last point in today’s article, it’s by no means the least important. One of the features of mobile gaming is that it’s a social exercise. The vast majority of titles for mobiles and tablets can be played with friends, family, and even strangers via the Internet.

It’s clear that the future of mobile gaming is big and isn’t about to decline anytime soon.

Advice For Streaming Online Video

Most of us stream videos and movies online these days because it’s cheap. However, lots of people don’t get the most out of the experience. That is either because their equipment doesn't fit the bill or they’re making mistakes in other areas. The last thing anyone wants is for a Netflix and chill date to go wrong because the film won’t stop buffering. That could seriously cramp your style and ruin your chances of taking things further. With that in mind, the simple advice on this page will ensure you can stream online video uninterrupted. So, make sure remember this information the next time you plan to binge-watch or invite someone around.

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Make sure you have a fast enough computer

Slow computers can cause issues when trying to stream TV and movies online. Ideally, you need something with an i5 processor or higher. Thankfully, machines of that spec aren’t as expensive as they were. That means you should manage to pick something up for only a couple of hundred dollars. However, you can make the process cheaper by upgrading your current system. Just bear in mind that you’d have to take the case off the unit and mess around inside. If you don’t feel comfortable doing that, you might want to pay a professional. Even so, they shouldn’t charge the earth for the installation.

Check your WiFi speeds

You know the situation. You’re watching a brand new episode of Rio Rainbow Gate, and suddenly, the screen freezes. Well, that tends to happen because you don’t have enough bandwidth to stream the video. That often means you have other devices connected to the internet at the same time. You could contact your internet service provider and complain about the speed. Companies of that nature can make your WiFi work faster with a little encouragement. At the end of the day, your internet should be fast enough to stream anything and play online games at the same time.

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Disconnect everything else from the internet

If all else fails, you just need to disconnect everything else from the web. Maybe your phone is performing an update or something similar? Perhaps a friend is playing Call of Duty in the next room? Either way, they’re using your bandwidth, and you need to stop them if you want to continue streaming. Maybe you could invite them to come and watch the move with you? If you don’t want to do that, just explain that your viewing habits are more important than their games…. And then run away fast! I joke.

You should have no issue streaming HD online video if you follow the steps mentioned on this page. Many movie and TV services will reduce the resolution of anything you watch to compensate for the lack of bandwidth. However, that just means you get a rubbish picture on the screen, and that can ruin whatever you’re watching. So, take my advice. Disconnect everything, upgrade your machine, and enjoy the show. If you do that, nothing should ever disturb your viewing time again.

Taking Your PC Gaming Visuals to the Next Level

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Gaming graphics are constantly getting sharper and more photo-realistic. Without the right software and hardware, you may be missing out on the visual capabilities that new games have to offer. Whether you simply want to see each game in stunning high resolution or simply want a smoother frame rate so that you can react more sharply, here are some of the modifications worth making to your PC.

Upgrade your monitor

A decent monitor can help you to see opponents more sharply and clearly as well as truly testing out the graphic capability of each game you play. HD monitors were once the pinnacle of technology, but these have since been replaced by Ultra HD monitors – some reaching a staggering 8K pixel resolution. These latter screens are obviously very expensive and most HD monitors can do the job just as well. Sites such as Armchair Empire offer some great reviews on gaming monitors. These may help you choose the best monitor for you.

On top of size and resolution, many gamers are exploring options using multiple screens. One monitor can be used for gaming, whilst another can be used for showing leaderboards or options. Alternative setups allow you to play with an almost panoramic view made up multiple monitors.

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Improve your graphics card

By replacing your ordinary PC graphics card with a more high-end specialized one, you can obtain a greater frame rate as well making your resolution sharper. Graphics cards can vary in price with some selling under a hundred dollars and others such as the GTX Titan Z reaching over three grand. Your more expensive and finely tuned versions are better suited to those using screens with a resolution of 4k and above, or multiple monitors.

A cheaper option to buying a new graphics card is ‘overclocking’ it. This involves taking off limiters set by the manufacturer, enabling the graphics card to deliver higher visual frame rates. The risk of this is that it can cause overheating or damage to your hardware if you keep pushing the card beyond its capability. Only those with the technical know-how should attempt to do this to prevent breaking anything.

Optimize your settings with software

Many background processes may be using up memory and CPU processing power that could be better used for boosting your graphics. You may be able to manually manage these processes, although it may be easier to download optimization software such as Razer Cortex that can automatically handle such background processes whilst you game. Regularly de-fragging your computer can also help improve visual performance as well as updating drivers on your graphics card. On top of this make sure that your in-game setting are tweaked in order to get the highest performance possible.

Making Some Money on the Side

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It’s no secret that most people are tight when it comes to money, nowadays. Things cost more than ever. And, jobs are paying less and less. So, it’s hard for people to be able to afford the items that they buy in the shop; even the essentials. It doesn’t have to be this way, though. If you have a little bit of spare time, you could turn it into some good income. And, you don’t have to get another job to do it. This post will be taking you through some of the ways that you can start to make more money on the side.

Freelancing

One of the best ways to make money is through simple work. But, getting a job that only fills a small amount of time can be hard. Thankfully, there’s an answer to this issues, though. And, it means you can work for yourself; instead of someone else. Websites like Freelancer.com offer a platform for people to share work that they have available. People who want the jobs can bid on them. And, then, they complete them in their free time. This sort of work is great for people who have a lot of spare time. Or, people who need to make a good amount of money very quickly.

Of course, work like this comes with some downsides. You risk not getting paid if you don’t have a good contract in place. And, you have to find the work for yourself. Working for other people like this can be a challenge. In most places, you won’t have any rights under these sorts of circumstances. Instead, you’ll have to solve issues by yourself. For some people, it can be well worth the risks. But, some people will find it far too risky. It’s a decision you have to make for yourself.

Investment

If you don’t need money so fast, you can look into making some investments. This way, you’ll still see exactly how much you’re making. But, you’ll have to wait some time before you can access it to spend. For some, this will be a great way to ensure that they don’t spend their new money before they have enough to bet what they want. Or, it can be a way to make sure that you’re money stays secure while it grows.

Different investment options present different levels of risk. Of course, you won’t find anything completely risk-free. But, you can get very close. In most cases, the riskier the investment; the more money you’ll make from it. And, if something isn’t risky at all; you won’t make much from it. You have to do this research when you choose a new investment, though. Sometimes, things will be much riskier than their made out to be. And, this can present some big problems. Investments can result in huge loss. So, it’s very important to make sure that you know exactly what you’re risking before you get involved.

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Have some fun

These methods might be too boring for some people. And, this is important; you’re much less likely to stick to something unless you enjoy it. So, it’s worth looking at options that might provide you with some entertainment. One of the best ways to do this is through competition. Of course, you might struggle to become a pro-athlete. But, you can still enter competitions with cash prizes to get some income. Or, you could even look down the gambling route. People are able to make loads of money with a simple click here and there. And, it can be very fun.

Making money this way isn’t very reliable, unfortunately. A lot of people will be able to predict their win rates in competitive games. But, they won’t be able to make it into an exact science. So, you have to make sure that you won’t be in trouble if you don’t have the money that you get from these avenues. It’s easy to get trapped with something like this as your main source of money. But, this can be a very bad position to be in; especially if you have other people relying on you. Something like gambling has to be done in moderation. And, can’t be done as a primary source of entertainment.

Hopefully, this will give you the help you need to start making ends meet in a creative way. It can be hard to make enough money to cover the essentials as well as the nicer things in life. So, putting this effort can make life a lot easier for you. And, it could even make you better off.

How Visualization Can Help You Achieve Your Goals

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Whether it is at work or everyday life, we all want to hit our goals. Hitting goals is an important feature of success both internally and externally. The problem comes with outing the words into practice. Saying we are going to achieve what we want to achieve in life isn’t as simple as having a positive mental attitude. There are a lot of factors involved in hitting your goals, and visualization is one. Here’s how visualizing can help you walk the walk.

It Gives You A Map

The reason that achieving success is so hard is the lack of a starting point. When we think of anything that is hard in life we often find that we don’t know where to start. Not only that, but we have no clue how we should start. The average person needs a map to success because a map is a directional tool. Visualization is that map, or at least it is the starting point that we all crave. When we visualize what we want, we think and plan in our mind’s eye. That plans morphs into something tangible that we can put into practice. It is only a small change yet it makes all the difference.

Humans Work Better With Imagery

It isn’t uncommon to hear someone say they work better when they can picture it in their head. The truth is that most people will agree with this statement because that’s the way our brains are wired. Sure, some people can do it without a picture, but they are in the minority. When we see something clearly in our mind, we instantly know what moves to make. That’s why marketing pitches include slide show presentations and models with 3D people. They are projecting their ideas onto the rest of the group by showing them the relevant images.

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It Seems Real

The pictures in our head not only seem real, but they are also real. At least, they are real to us or the closest thing we can get to reality. Humans don’t deal well with fake things because they are easy to see and disprove. It’s one of the reasons people with surgery get so much bad press. What we can’t disprove, or don’t want to, is what we see in our heads. And because it seems real we are happy to try our hardest to bring it into the real world. Anyway, who says it isn’t real? After all, our reality is what we decide in our heads.

We’re Told It Works

We have been told for the past few years that visualizing is the key to success. The more it is drilled into the brain, the more we believe it to be true. An accredited psychologist could tell you that everything you have heard about visualization is false and it doesn’t work. Even then you wouldn’t be one hundred percent convinced they were right.

And maybe they wouldn’t be right because what works for us isn’t false.

Turn Your Experise Into Cash

People tend to get trapped into believing that the only way to make money is by getting up, going to work, and bringing home the bacon. Well we’re here to tell you: that is complete nonsense. Being told “follow your dream” or “turn your passion into your job” might sound like cliched, unhelpful advice, it isn’t a million miles away from the truth. Because the truth is that anybody, absolutely anybody can take what they love and make money from it. We’re not saying you’ll become a millionaire (though dream big!), but if you’ve got a passion that you know others also enjoy, you could build a sizable side income that could one day become a full time gig. Sound good? Of course it does! Here’s how it’s done.

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Helping out the Newbies

Most people go to a tutor to help with their English or Science or whatever else, but they also need help getting better at whatever their passion is. No, forget that - they want help. It can be anything from language to guitar to helping a would-be Hemingway improve his or her creative writing skills. If you live in a busy urban area, post an ad around town and in the shops related to your activity. Charging by the hour for a few hours a week can bring in a healthy monthly top up to your income.

On the Web

If your passion is travelling, then why on earth have you not started a travel blog? In all likelihood, you have a ton of knowledge about how to get to A from B cheaply, the best hotels to stay in during a trip to Prague, the absolutely most amazing ship trips you can take in South America, and so on. People who want to travel want to read that stuff, and before they’re on their own adventures, they’re reading it a lot - online! Make yours the site they get the info from.

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Make it to Print

You don’t have to sit around waiting for a book publisher to give you a deal: do it yourself! By releasing a book to the world, you can make a passive income that most people would take as their full time wage. If you’re an expert on, say, World of Warcraft, then put down all your knowledge into a few chapters, get an online book printing quote, and get it out there for all the other World of Warcraft obsessives to buy.

And...No Imposter Syndrome, Please

There are plenty of people out there who think “but I can’t write a book/start a blog/sell my expertise, there are others out there better than me…”. Maybe there are, but they’re not the ones taking a proactive approach: you are. In the process of getting your expertise out there, you’ll learn that you really do have a lot to offer on the subject, especially if it's been your passion for years and years. In any case, you shouldn’t care if you’re suffering from imposter syndrome - so long as the money keeps rolling in and people love what you’re doing!

Social Gaming: 5 Tips to Help You Throw an Amazing LAN Party

What gamer doesn’t love to throw an amazing LAN party for their friends? Hours and hours of high-octane gaming, screaming at the top of your lungs and chowing down on pizza and fast food snacks is how many people spent their childhood and teenage years—so why not revisit those moments and throw a LAN party?

One of the most incredible and memorable experiences a gamer can have is relaxing with a group of their friends while playing through some of their favorite games together. It could be online team-based games like League of Legends, old competitive gems like Starcraft or even modern party games like Rocket League. Whatever your choice, you’re bound to have a great deal of fun by inviting your friends over and setting up some space for them to use their computers.

LAN parties have been somewhat forgotten over the past couple of years due to the increase in distance between friends who move away for work or family related reasons, the rise of accessible internet gaming due to fast internet speeds and the lack of LAN support for many newly released games. But it’s still a nerdy gaming ritual that many people still indulge in when given the opportunity. So get a pen and paper out and start planning your glorious LAN party with your friends and family members with these five helpful tips.

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1. Spacious Seating Arrangements

The more space you can clear the better. LAN parties usually involve people bringing over their own computers, so make sure you can provide them with desk, tables and chairs. You can check out this site for some excellent gaming chairs to fit your budget. The best thing about gaming chairs is that they’re as comfortable and durable as premium office chairs but come with unique design flairs, racing-inspired shapes and many LAN party creature comforts such as being able to recline the seat all the way down to create a makeshift “bed” to sleep in.

If you also plan to use a big-screen television to play console games or if you have a PC setup that uses controllers, you might also want to invest in some large beanbag seats or ensure that your sofa has been cleaned up and all the cookie crumbs have been hoovered up to create a clean and comfortable seat. LAN parties usually involve people sleeping over as well, so ensure that you have enough space for guests to stay over such as spare beds, guest rooms or sleeping bags.

2. Extra Hardware or Computers

One of the worst things that can happen during a LAN party is a piece of crucial hardware breaking or someone forgetting to bring a cable after driving halfway across town to get to your home. It halts the fun, someone will get left out and it won’t be the nostalgic experience that you had hoped for. Things like power cables, network cables, wireless adapters and even monitor cables are extremely important, and there’s always someone that manages to forget a vital piece of equipment for their computer.

If you’re the host of a LAN party then it’s common to always carry some spares or extras so that your guests can game away without worrying too much about hardware failures. You don’t need to have an extra computer or laptop (though that would be handy for anyone that couldn’t bring their computer) but some extra cables, controllers, keyboards and mice will go a long way if you host regular LAN parties in your home.

3. Ensure You Have a Fast Internet Connection

Since most online games require you to have a stable and decently fast internet connection, it’s going to slow down your gaming experience if you have multiple computers connected to a puny router that can’t handle all of the load. To remedy this, check if your internet service provider can upgrade your internet speeds before the LAN party starts. This way you can ensure that everyone in your home gets the optimal internet speeds to make downloading, updating and playing games smooth and fast.

If your router is old and can’t handle multiple wired internet connections, then consider using wireless. Using wireless isn’t recommended for serious gaming, so if you prefer a wired connection it’s a good idea to invest in a simple budget network switch so that everyone can connect to your home network.

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4. Plan What Games You Want to Play

This is the second worst thing that can happen at a LAN party. If you aren’t playing games then you’re probably sitting around doing nothing. Make sure you make a list of games that you want to play together. You don’t need to conform to a schedule, but making sure that you and your friends share common interests is key to hosting a successful LAN party.

Don’t just pick from the latest releases because you’ve probably played those games to death. How about revisiting some old classics? Heroes of Might and Magic 3 was a popular staple for video game enthusiast and it can still hold its own against modern strategy RPG games of today. Old FPS games like Quake 3 Arena are still a blast to play as well. Though they aren’t as popular as newer team-based FPS games such as Overwatch, you can definitely squeeze an hour or two of nostalgic fun out of older titles. And best of all? Old games support LAN play which means that you’ll get buttery smooth lag-free connections to your friends.

5. Don’t Forget the Food!

How else are you going to fuel your all-night gaming sessions if you don’t eat? Gather up some oven pizza, microwaveable snacks and lots of sugary drinks to keep you and your guests playing all night long. You could also contact a takeaway or catering service if you have a lot of guests or if you want to ensure they have quality food instead of fast food.

You might also want to consider the dietary needs of people. For example, if you have guests that are vegetarian or vegan then you want to have some options ready for them too, and consider allergies as well.

Now go forth and have an awesome party!

Thanks for stopping by!

Books Got You Broke? Find Your Way Back To Reading With These Ideas

What student has time to read? You’re already reading enough for your studies, right? Wrong. For the booklovers among us, there’s no such thing as too much reading! We’re all good at making time for what we want to make time for, after all. The only problem is that new books are expensive! If you’ve been struggling to afford your love of reading, we’ve got some tips to help you find a way back to it!

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VISIT THE LIBRARY

This one should be obvious. You’re a student. You have access to a fantastic library! You could even sign up for your local library and have two options available to you! If you avoid visiting the library because you think the books will be old and uninspiring, it’s time to change your view. Libraries have a range of books, and receive new releases all the time! Not to mention that you should be supporting your library as much as you can. The more use a library gets, the more likely it is to stay open for years to come! Set aside some time in your day to browse the shelves. You’re sure to come away with more than you bargained for!

KINDLE

Buying a Kindle may cost you to start with, but it’ll soon pay for itself. As well as being easy to carry around, and convenient, Kindles offer the chance to buy cheap books! You’ll only receive a file copy of the book in question, so you should be paying a lot less than you would for a physical copy. New releases can still be pricey, so it might be worth holding fire on those. Most of the time, though, you’ll be paying under the odds! There are even free ebooks for Kindle that you could get stuck into.

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SWAP BOOKS WITH FRIENDS

Swapping books with friends can be a lot of fun, and an excellent way to get new books for nothing. You may want to keep a few favorite books for yourself, but you’ll find that you don’t mind giving away many of your reads. You and your friends could set up a swapping club. You could even talk to the people in your building about setting up a swapping library. This can be a fantastic way to discover books you would never come across otherwise!

BUY SECONDHAND

If all else fails, you could always buy books second hand. It’s still going to cost you; there’s no denying that. Even so, it’ll cost a lot less than buying books new. Not to mention that you can trade books when you finish them, and pick up some new ones! After the initial payment, you should just be able to trade. Check this is a service your local second-hand shop offers before you buy.

So, there you have it. Getting books cheap isn’t difficult once you’ve set your mind to it. All it takes is a little planning. Don’t go without anymore. Take advantage of the resources available to you!