College can be all-consuming. Between running to classes, bouncing from extracurricular to extracurricular, and planning for the future, being well-read might be the last thing on your mind. Let’s be real: free time is used for sleep or social fun, depending on which you need the most. It can be hard to find the time or motivation to read anything except the prescribed textbooks, so here are some tips to help foster a love of reading, despite a busy schedule.
1. Don’t treat it like a chore
If you’re having to force yourself to read a book, you’re not doing it right. Stop. Move on. If the classics bore you, try something contemporary. If British literature bores you, try something from South America. If literature isn’t your thing, try reading a scientific, sports, or hobby-based journal. The more you actually like what you’re reading, the more you’ll want to make time for it.
2. Choose the medium that best suits you.
Do you have a passion for paperbacks? A need for newspapers? A great love for graphic novels? Everything counts! Reading doesn’t correlate with just libraries and print anymore. With the digital age, access to ebooks and other electronic media is faster and more accessible. Choose the medium that best suits your lifestyle and interests.
3. Stay motivated
A great way to force yourself to finish a book by a prescribed time is to check it out from the library. This gives you a set about of time to finish a book in. If setting rigid time frames aren’t your thing, try a more relaxed approach by discussing books with friends who have similar interests. Who knows, you might inspire someone to pick up your habit!
4. Make (a little) time
A huge problem many of us have is not finding the time to read. While it may be more enjoyable to sit and read an entire article or novel in one sitting, it’s very hard to do so, especially when classes are paramount. A few ways to sneak in reading time includes reading on the bus during your daily commute, reading right before bed, and easing yourself into a weekend morning, by, of course, reading. Even if it’s a couple of pages per day, you’ll soon finish.
5. Remember your priorities
Reading can take up time, especially if you get lost in the book. Remind yourself of what is more important, but relish in the time you’re taking to build up a rewarding life habit! It may even become your new favorite hobby.