One of the most common responses I get when I talk about how much I love to read is people saying that they want to read more but just “don’t have time.” Having a busy schedule that takes time away from your hobbies can be soul-sucking if you don’t have time to do the things you love. Most people in college also do a lot of academic reading, which can push them away from wanting to do even more reading. Whether you’re looking for tips to meet your yearly Goodreads goal or just looking to incorporate more reading into your life, this article is for you!
- Bring a book with you wherever you go
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If you’re carrying around a backpack or purse that’s big enough to accommodate throwing a book in, I would encourage you to do that! If you have a spare moment in your day, you have your book right there with you.
- Read during the “in-between times”
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When you’re waiting in a line, waiting for class to start, or on public transport, most people’s first impulse is to open their phone and scroll through social media. Replacing this with reading can be much more mindful and isn’t as stimulating as checking your phone.
- Switch up the genres
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The most common trigger of my reading slumps is genre burnout. It’s really fun to find a type of book that I love to read, but reading too much of the same thing can feel like a chore. Additionally, if you’re reading books that are objectively more difficult to get through (such as some classics or heady nonfiction), make sure and mix those up with faster-paced books that are easier to get through (think romance or YA).
- Set a realistic goal
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Make sure you’re able to know and define your reading limits. If you set a goal that’s way too high, the prospect of even attempting that can scare people away. Any amount of books that you read is always better than none. You can always edit your goal as well, because you may end up surprising yourself with the amount you can read in a year!
- Try audiobooks
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Being super engrossed in a book feels great, but running into a pole because you were walking and reading at the same time does not. If you’re doing something that doesn’t accommodate reading at the same time (doing the dishes, walking to class, exercising, etc.) try an audiobook! Audiobooks are also a great option if you experience any sort of eye strain from reading text.
- Try an e-reader
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Since you can customize your font settings, such as font type or size, many people report reading faster on e-readers. I’ve had my Kindle since I was in elementary school, and I absolutely love it! One of my favorite things about my Kindle is that it allows me to read at night without using a bedside lamp. If you live with a roommate, you should be able to read for however long you would like without disturbing them. Finally, e-readers are compact and great for travel. If you don’t feel like cramming five different hardback books into your suitcase, trying an e-reader is a great option.
- Have a set reading time during the day
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For my schedule, I always reserve time in the evening for reading. 10-11 p.m. is strictly set aside for me to curl up with whatever book that I’m reading. It’s a great way for me to de-stress from a super busy day in college and focus on reading for pleasure instead of the academic readings that I do for my classes.
- Find book buddies to keep you accountable
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Reading doesn’t have to be a solitary hobby. While it’s great for introverts, there are so many ways to make reading more community-focused! For example, if you were to join a book club that reads one book per month, you would end up reading 12 books per year (and most likely gain some super cool, bookish friends)! Additionally, it’s really fun to get recommendations from friends and family. If you’re competitive, you can also start a friendly competition between you and other book lovers in your life to see who can read the most books.