Making Time for Leisure Reading
PC: Levi Ventura
When you start to feel like all you’re doing is studying your textbooks, the last thing you want to do is add to your assigned reading.
There’s no doubt you can remember the last book you read for class, but remembering the last book you read for pleasure may be more difficult.
Reading for pleasure can help you destress and give you the opportunity to more learn more about topics you’re interested in.
By taking the time to read recreational books, you’ll enjoy reading while developing better reading skills you can apply to your textbook reading.
Here are a few tips to incorporate leisure reading into your life:
Don’t limit yourself to physical books. Audiobooks are a great way to relax and unwind before bed or catch up on listening while on the move.
Audio books are also easier to fit into a busy schedule because you can listen while you get ready in the morning or complete other tasks such as cleaning and laundry. Take advantage of digital library resources and youtube.com to find an audiobook that interests you.
Set aside time in your schedule for reading. This doesn’t have to be a long period; even just five or 10 minutes works.
If scheduled at night, this can be a great way to relax and lessen your screen time before bed. The few minutes you spend reading can help you destress for a more restful night’s sleep. Ease yourself into it. While it’s good to branch out into new topics and read books that challenge you, it can be best to start off with something that you simply enjoy. You want to keep your leisure reading fun so you continue the habit and it doesn’t feel like another assignment to complete.
Once you’ve developed a routine that fits reading time for lighter topics into your schedule, you can branch out into other topics. Find a reading buddy. Choosing a friend to go through a book with you can keep you motivated and result in some great discussions. You can join a book club or just keep it simple and pair up with one friend. This can also introduce you to new books that you may not have considered reading before.
Although it takes time, incorporating a little more leisure reading into your day can make a big difference in your life.
Amanda McCarter is a senior studying biomedical science.