Reading Dana’s Book Review last week got me thinking—it can be really difficult to find time to read (for fun) during the craziness of the semester. Even the most avid bookworms can have trouble fitting in a “fun” book between piles of boring textbooks. But don’t worry — there are many ways to find time to read Gone Girl or Bossypants or whatever book is appealing for you and still manage to finish your readings for class!
1.Read in the morning (if you’re a morning person)
If you’re like me, and wake up early—this tip is perfect for you. It feels really great to start off of your morning with a cup of tea and 30 minutes of reading. It is a great way to center yourself and an easy way to ready your brain for a day of classes and learning. And eventually, you may find yourself eager to wake up early to read. You’ll never oversleep again!
2.Make Use of Those Weird Breaks
We’ve all had those awkward breaks between classes where you can’t go back to your dorm, but you also don’t have enough time to grab a snack at Swemromas. So what do you do? Find a quiet place and read. Most academic buildings on campus have nice lobbies or sitting areas, so make use of them. Sit down for 30 minutes or so and read until your next class starts.
3.Read During Meals
It just so happens that there will be times when you don’t have anyone to eat with. It can feel weird to be sitting in Sadler by yourself, staring at the wall while you eat, so just bring a book with you. It can be refreshing to just have some downtime to be with your thoughts (and your book).
4.Take a Study Break
If you’ve been slaving away on your paper or problem set, you are most definitely in need of a break. Instead of turning to Netflix, where you will inevitably fall down the binge-watching rabbit hole, why not read a book? If you set a timer for 20 minutes, or just say you are going to read two chapters, that helps ensure that you won’t lose track of time and completely forget your homework.
5.Use Your Phone (Yes, You Read That Right!)
Let’s face it: the sad truth is that most college students are attached to their phones. While technology isn’t always a bad thing, it can interfere with other parts of life. But it doesn’t have to hinder reading. With apps like iBooks and Kindle, you can download FREE digital copies of many classics. If you know you have a book in the palm of you hand, you might be less likely to check Twitter or Instagram during every ten-minute break you have. And, you will finally get around to reading all of those classics.
6.Read Right Before Bed
You may be exhausted before bed, but reading for 30 minutes before you crash can actually help you sleep better. With all of the screens in our lives, the blue light they emit can wreck havoc on your sleep patterns, especially if you look at screens right before bed. So check social media one last time, set your alarm, and PUT THE PHONE DOWN. Pick up a book and read for 30 minutes or so—it doesn’t have to be War and Peace—a People magazine will work. I promise you that you will sleep so much better and wake up rested for the new day.