6 Tips for Pleasure Reading from a Literature Major
Never trust anyone who has not brought a book with them.
―Lemony Snicket
As a literature major, one of my favorite pastimes is reading. Diving into a good book is such a reward after hours of homework, household chores, working a part-time job, and juggling my extracurriculars and social life. Reading was my first love, and we will be together for the rest of my life.
As a college student, I understand how difficult it is to find time to read. Classes take up hours of our week, the homework is neverending, and some of us have jobs, clubs, sports, family, and friends. Still, it is important to find time to settle in, with a cup of tea, maybe a candle, and a good book (and not one you have to read for class).
Sure, it seems stressful, another thing to add to our already full schedules, but think about it. We make time daily for socializing, working out, watching television, and scrolling endlessly through social media. So why can’t we make time to read? Not to say that those things aren’t as important, they’re a crucial part of our identities, but reading can easily become part of our identities too.
I’m not perfect. I went years without reading for pleasure, simply because I didn’t have time. I rediscovered my love in the past year, and I feel so much more complete now that I have.
College student to college student, I have some tips for those of you who need help finding the time for books.
Set aside a specific time of day for just pleasure reading.
I tend to read before bed—after finishing my homework, showering, and eating dinner. I typically give myself about an hour to really get into the book (and sometimes I accidentally stay up late because it’s so good). I used to spend this time watching television and doom scrolling through social media, and I still do those things, but I’ve made it a point to progress in my books almost every night. Pick a time of day, and dedicate some time to reading. It doesn’t have to be an hour, it doesn’t even have to have to be half an hour. You could just read a chapter. It’s up to you as the reader. It doesn’t even have to be at the same time every day. Sometimes I’ll read between classes, or during my breaks at work.
Make a GoodReads account
I’m telling you, this is one of the greatest things I’ve ever done. It helps me track my reading progress, keeps me updated with my favorite authors, and even gives me book recommendations. Setting a reading goal and watching my progress keeps me motivated.
Pick the right book for you.
I like to read fantasy books, you might like science fiction. I like to read books in a series, but you might prefer stand-alone. It doesn’t matter the genre, the length, the author, or the intended age group. Read what makes you happy. It’ll keep you interested and make reading feel like less of a chore.
Do your homework on time.
It’s hard to think about reading when you have a bunch of assignments hanging over your head. I know this, and when I have homework, I can’t relax because I’m stressed about getting it done. One thing I’ve realized is that getting my homework done early allows me more time for myself, and as I’ve established, this is more time to read.
Find friends who also like to read.
Or encourage the ones you have to read too. I’ve found that being able to talk to my friends about the books I’m reading gets me excited about reading more. Join a book club, or read a book with a friend.
Lastly, have fun!
This one is self-explanatory.
