Sofia Chirico suggests a variety of short texts to read during exam season
Busy. An underwhelming adjective to describe the time between April and May for UCD students. With exam season well underway and assignment deadlines approaching, it's often challenging to be able to carve out time for one's well-being. Although, disconnecting from college work and indulging in small moments of self-care is crucial in these hectic times. Whether it is engaging in sports or hobbies, spending time on a pleasurable activity is extremely beneficial. Reading is one of those activities. As such, short stories, poetry, and philosophical texts make for the perfect literary break during exam season.
Short stories, poetry, and philosophical texts make for the perfect literary break during exam season.
The good thing about reading is that there is a genre for everyone. Furthermore, there are also plenty of short texts that accommodate everyone’s needs and tastes. While reading may seem time-consuming and daunting, short texts are a convenient alternative to novels, since they require less time and effort. They are perfect for busy students seeking a few moments to disconnect from studying. For this reason, we highlight some suggestions for short and easy reads to fit between studying.
Poetry is quite short, which makes it an accessible and quick read to everyone, even the busiest students. Rupi Kaur’s poetry collections — Milk and Honey, The Sun and Her Flowers, Home Body — stand out as the perfect read for these times. Kaur’s poems explore a wide range of themes; from love, to healing and pain, and their language is universally accessible, making it the perfect read for busy students who seek a reading experience that incites reflection and analysis.
For those with even less time to spare, another great way to incorporate reading into one’s life is haiku. Haiku is a form of Japanese poetry which is usually characterised by three lines, making it extremely easy and fast to read. There are several collections of haiku poetry, such as The Penguin Book of Haiku by Adam L. Kern and The Haiku Collection by Daisy Oguonu.
What these poems lack in words, they make up for in emotional depth. As such, they are a great way to take a moment to disconnect from studying and reflect for a while on emotions, thus prioritising our mental health - especially in a time of heightened stress for college students.
They are a great way to take a moment to disconnect from studying and reflect for a while on emotions, thus prioritising our mental health - especially in a time of heightened stress for college students.
Short stories represent another avenue for incorporating reading into a student’s bustling schedule. Typically under thirty pages, short stories offer an easy bedtime read, allowing students to relax after a busy day and disconnect from technology. Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s bestselling series Before the Coffee Gets Cold offers four collections of short stories. All of them are set in the same cosy café, where a little magic gets the story going.
Although all chapters retain the same setting, they are independent from one another, making each perfect for a quick read. These stories will make you reflect on the value of life, reminding you of the importance of simply being and putting things into perspective, even during the most stressful times.
These stories will make you reflect on the value of life, reminding you of the importance of simply being and putting things into perspective, even during the most stressful times.
If Japanese literature is not your cup of tea, another interesting collection of short stories is Kevin Barry’s The Old Country Music. These short stories explore everyday themes, such as existential questions, love, sadness, while also reflecting on Ireland’s history in a comic tone.
Lastly, philosophical texts and letters offer a means of weaving reading into the chaos of student life. Their thought-provoking themes often serve as reminders to appreciate what we have, which is crucial in times of anxiety and stress. Penguin’s series Penguin Great Ideas offers a few texts such as Being Happy by Epicurus, or The Freedom to Be Free by Hannah Arendt, or One Swallow Does Not Make a Summer by Aristotle. All these philosophical books are between 80 and 130 pages, and they are divided into short chapters. This makes them perfect to fit into a short reading break during a stressful study session or a great way to disconnect after an exam.
Their thought-provoking themes often serve as reminders to appreciate what we have, which is crucial in times of anxiety and stress.
Amidst the hustle and bustles that arise with university life, making time for reading is an amazing way to take a moment for oneself and disconnect from the chaos of exam season. Despite the stress this time of year brings, it is extremely beneficial to concentrate one’s attention on something outside of college work and academic deadlines. Focusing on a different activity for a short amount of time will let our brains enjoy some deserved rest. Short stories, poetry, and philosophical texts offer a gateway from stress, as they allow students to immerse themselves in the text, offering food for thought, as well as allowing them to reconnect with themselves.