Have you read books today?
----The analysis and measures about the reading phenomenon of the university students of the Time
Zhou Wentong
(School of economics and Management，Harbin Engineering University，Harbin，150001)
Abstract: As the saying goes“The book is the stair steps with which the humanity is progressing.” However, in the more and more impetuous and utilitarian microenvironment, it seems to be too difficult for modern people to lose oneself to“Read a good book while having a cup of tea”,but they become more and more interested in pursuing profits. The aim of this article is to work out the reason why reading atmosphere is missing in the campus through analyzing the reading phenomenon and to come up with corresponding solutions.
Key words: The university students now, reading, utilitarianism，humanistic quality
It is a sorrow to know that the national reading rates are getting down. Here comes a sentence which wakes up most of the people to the truth.
“There is the most rewarding time to read but not to read; There are the most rewarding people to read but not to read; There are the most rewarding books to be read but not to be read.”
Consider that ,if the undergraduates now in China cannot comprehend the essence of great thoughts when their brain is in the best state，cannot appreciate sapiential ideals shining in the long history when their values of life is forming gradually, it will be a deeply regret even a sorrow for the Chinese !
1. Brief analysis about the reading phenomenon of the university students of the Time
1.1Utilitarian points of view on reading
In the transition period of the Chinese society, it is an inevitable matter that the utilitarian points of view spread in every university. Through investigating different types of the book students are reading, I discovered that, except for the specialized textbook, those utilitarian and practical books: the books on the foreign languages, computer technology, economy and interviews, the public relations are the most popular. On the contrary, those “light reading”books that can edify a person’s temperament, advance one’s intelligence are actually treated coldly.
1.2Popular literatures are in vogue
The investigation also discovered that, the popular novels and the fashion magazines take up too much reading time.
To magazine, boys pay more attention to those about sports and digital material, while girls are fond of the magazines about cosmetology and clothing.
To be contrary, those about popular science, historical knowledge and various literature periodicals seldom can be read.
The network novels and e-books are in fashion. Rich contents, freak
Imagination, unconstrained style, the thrilling plot of the network novel, caters to the youth’s reading interest. And the e-books attract students for its fashionable appearance and the convenient reading way.
1.3Widely used of the Internet
The network has an impact on paper books. An investigation say: nearly 30% of the university students search the Internet everyday, 10% search the Internet as long as 3 hours everyday. However, 10% of the students spend less than half an hour in reading, while only less than 13% read books for more than 4 hours.
2The analysis of the reasons about the reading phenomenon of the university students of the Time
2.1The social environment that people are eager for quick success and immediate gains have a bad influence on the reading mentality
Along with the coming of the Network Times and the suppression of the global capital, the world market itself entices people to adapt to the market, so that they can obtain the material benefits. This situation is also fit for the university students who are preparing for marching into the society soon. Facing the employment pressure which increases day by day, and the superheating of employment situation, many students believe that reading books on humanities is just a waste of time. It seems more reality to get a chartered accountant certification than to read an abstruse book on philosophy.
2.2Complex network environment is destroying the reading mood
Network is destroying partial students’ reading mood. They become crazy about the network entertainment. Worse still, eating and sleeping is less important than playing network games. Reading atmosphere has changed greatly: The students concentrating him to books become less while the students focusing on the entertainment become more.
2.3E-books affect the traditional reading habits
Along with the price of the electronic products like mobile phone, mp4 is in descending order, the e-books becomes popular in the campus. It seems to be a good method to take an e-book; so that you can make the best of the leisure time to do some reading wherever you are .It is not as good as it looks like, though. This kind of reading level is quite shallow, which couldn’t meet the students’ further reading need. So it should just be treated as a way to kill time, but to replace the paper books.
2.4Imperfect libraries and high price of book
The Management System of many universities’ library has serious flaws .Not only the book type is not comprehensive, but the library cannot provide the newest and hottest book at once for the students. When those books are in urgent need, students have to turn to the bookstore. But usually the price there stops part of students from it.
3The analysis of the consequence of the reading phenomenon of the university students of the Time
3.1The disappearance of the humanistic quality
Humanistic quality has an effect on one’s thinking habits, makings and the manners of handling matters and so on. From the small aspect, it decides a person’s height of one’s makings. From the big aspect, it is “the root” for a person to derive the nutrient, maintaining one’s healthy development. A university student, who is lack of the corresponding humanistic quality, will be a morbid and unsound person, who is unable to set foot in the society and becomes a useful person. So-called “the person with great ability to build our country” also will be a meaningless title.
3.2Influence on the whole country’s mental state and humanistic quality
An excellent nation has an excellent reading habit. Jew’s wisdom is admired by the whole world, owing to her deep love on books. The nationality is multitudinous in the world, and each nationality has her unique makings. It is books that can pour the lasting vitality into a nationality.
A country will fall behind without the modern science, a spirit of a country will get lost without the humanity. As a result, the nationality could be dissimilated.
3.3Bad influence on the succession of the cultural values
Reading quality have an influence on one’s mental state and the humanistic quality; But the reading prevailing custom of a time is related to the atmosphere of the society, and also related to the creativity level of culture production and succession of the cultural values. The long, glorious Chinese culture flows to the present, and emit the bright charm. Without any doubt, the university students of the Time are shouldering the important mission to inherit and develop.
4The solution of the reading phenomenon of the university students of the Time
4.1Change the reading mood and raise the good reading habits.
It is impossible to bring out the actual benefit what a person seeks for, but the book does bring the immaterial wealth which can affect one’s whole life. The related experts suggested that, while the university students learn the specialized lessons, he or she should also read several kinds of books as below: high quality books on philosophy, famous literature works, works concerning on the society, works filled with theories, historical monograph, and leader’s works and so on. The significance is that reading these kinds of books can give us possibilities to help one set up the correct values of life and raise the capacity of thinking. What’s more, it is also essential to understand the most cutting edge knowledge.
Transforming the existing concept is extremely necessary to the majority of the students. They must get rid of the passive learning habits, raise an independent consciousness, and learn to carry on one’s own study system according to the need of social development and individual interest and knowledge.
4.2Make reading notes diligently
Make reading notes diligently, and write down the feedback of new knowledge in time. A good study custom will help a lot.
4.3Establish reading associations or book clubs to exchange the reading understanding
Ten universities should consciously make some guidance to the students sometimes. Establish the reading associations, exchange each other’s reading understanding and let different active thoughts exchange and crash, thus bursting the spark of thoughts.
4.4Optimize the library management system
The importance of the library is no need to say. Whether the library plays an important role in the university life or not can’t be separated with its daily management. Optimize the library management system, thus providing a superior reading environment for the students.
Reference：
[1]孙秋英《大学生读书现状调查及分析》2006
[2]边丽达《大学生读书心态简析 》2001
[3]周松青《我国在校大学生读书表现存在问题及对策分析——对上海市1305名大学生的调查》2008
[4]李腾《大学生读书不可急功近利》1998