Sofia Chirico discusses tips and ticks on how to create good reading habits for the new year.
New year, new me! Or at least, that’s what they say. Nowadays, it appears every new year has to bring drastic changes to people’s lives. Pressure to implement new habits and goals might be felt. Although, small things are what really make a difference, and reading is one of them! It might be difficult to incorporate reading into your schedule as a student, but you can get so much out of the reading experience. Here are a few tips to help you set up healthy reading habits in 2024.
Firstly, when incorporating reading into your life, set a reading goal for the new year. You can do so by writing down this goal in a reading journal or on your phone. The best app for this is GoodReads. This app allows users to join a “reading challenge” every year, where all you have to do is set up the amount of books that you aspire to read throughout the year. But fear not should you fail to meet your target, as the app allows you to edit your reading goal - thus reducing any stress that might arise from not being keeping up with your challenge.
The second tip is to see reading as an act of self-love. The experience enriches the reader in countless ways, above all the accumulation of knowledge and vocabulary, as well as the immersion into others’ experiences and cultures. That’s why everyone should try to integrate reading into their daily life little by little. This can be done, for instance, by scheduling some time for reading everyday, or at least a few days a week - even only 15 to 30 minutes can be enough. It will make a big difference in your life: once you start, you are automatically going to train their brain into reading.
Once you start, you are automatically going to train their brain into reading.
Suggested times to read as a student:
- First thing in the morning: Many students start off their day by snoozing their alarm a few times. Instead of spending the first 15 minutes of the day on your phone, why not try to read a chapter or two? It’s healthier than scrolling through Instagram or TikTok and it gives the brain more food for thought.
- Last thing at night before bed: Again, most young people use their phone until the very last minute before falling asleep, but this is far from healthy. Substituting 15 minutes of screen time can be beneficial for students as it is a great way to unwind, and disconnect from the stress that comes with a hectic college life. In fact, reading at night helps lower cortisol levels, calming the body and making it easier for you to sleep.
- On public transport: Time spent on Public transport can often be idly swept away from us while glued to our phones. One healthy habit to implement could be to use your commute time productively. Bringing a book and reading it on the bus can be a great way to further integrate reading into your life, without taking any time away from daily tasks. If carrying a book at all times seems like a hassle, audiobooks can be a valid alternative. Audiobooks are brilliant for multi-taskers, allowing you to listen to books while going about your day, making them the perfect choice for even the busiest of students.
A crucial aspect of the reading experience is how you approach the activity. Romanticising reading can certainly help you keep up with the activity itself. For example, you could go on a solo coffee date and bring a book with you. Alternatively, you could spend a fun afternoon with your friends and go on a bookstore crawl. You could pick a few bookstores in town, such as Hodges Figgis, The Last Bookshop or Books Upstairs. A picnic in the park with friends and books is another great way of incorporating reading into your life. Encouraging other people to read and being encouraged by others is a key factor when it comes to motivation - and might also help you successfully complete your yearly reading goal.
Romanticising reading can certainly help you keep up with the activity itself.
Ultimately, reading is a fun and healthy habit to include amongst your new years’ resolutions. It can be daunting to pick up a book and to be consistent with it, but there is nothing more rewarding than finishing a book and ticking it off your reading list. Don’t forget that reading is a habit, so you can pick it back up at any point in time. Don’t let reading slumps scare you, as you can train yourself back to reading whenever you want. Reading has to be a pleasurable activity, so don’t force yourself to do it. Try taking a gentle approach to it, perhaps sticking to the wise words of Frederick Douglas: “Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.”