With the rise of quick and easily digestible content at the tip of your fingertips, the joy of extracurricular reading can seem like a lost art! However, discovering this joy can be profoundly enriching, offering numerous health benefits - even in as little as 30 minutes a week. In fact, you reading this blog right now counts towards those 30 minutes!
It’s a popular myth that reading online does not qualify as reading or is somehow less valid than reading a physical book. In fact, reading is a process of meaning making and is composed of a wide range of texts: traditional books, even leaflets, catalogues, and more!
In this blog, we’ll talk about how you can rediscover the pleasure of reading beyond your academic or professional obligations and why it’s so important for your well-being, whether you’re a student or working adult!
Create a Reading Routine
Incorporating reading into your daily routine can make it feel like a natural part of your life. By designating a specific time and place for reading, you can help build this habit. Consider nipping to the library or your favourite café after school or work or create a cosy reading nook at home with good lighting and a comfortable chair!
The environment in which you read can significantly impact your experience: a quiet, comfortable space free from distractions can enhance your concentration and enjoyment. There are many websites which give you tips on how to personalise your space with elements that inspire you, like nifty bookmarks or fun furnishing accents.
Join a Book Club or Reading Group
Not sure where to start? Consider joining a local book club or reading group! They offer a social dimension to reading that can enhance the experience as like-minded readers will band together to discuss books, share insights, and hear different perspectives.
Reflecting on what you read and sharing your thoughts with others can deepen your connection to the material. If you want a tutor to help bounce ideas off or to help you understand your texts better, we have many to choose from!
Set Realistic Goals
Reading is not a race! Start with small, achievable targets like reading one book a month rather than going for a copy of ‘War and Peace’ right off the bat. As reading becomes a habit, you can increase your goals, which will in turn motivate you further.
There are apps available which allow you to track your reading progress and set annual reading challenges. Celebrating these milestones can provide a sense of accomplishment and encourage you to continue. And if you don’t like a book you’re reading? You’re allowed to just put it down and move on to the next one!
Explore Diverse Authors and Genres
Reading a diverse range of authors and genres can open up new worlds and perspectives, helping you to gain an appreciation of different cultures, histories, and ideas. This especially rings true if you’re an aspiring writer! Exposing Yourself to good writing means you can hone your own techniques.
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Extracurricular reading helps to dispel some long-standing myths and misconceptions we may have about reading. Reading for pleasure improves our confidence and self-esteem and aids in our sleep and reduces feelings of loneliness.
I encourage you to pick up a book, comic or scroll through more of our blogs today and embark on a journey that promises to enrich your mind and soul.
Blog Post Crafted by Cheryl
Cheryl manages our Admin Team, and is a qualified teacher with 5 years' experience in schools across England and Canada.
Cheryl graduated from University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Education. She tutored secondary school students in English for over nine years in Canada.
Cheryl speaks Cantonese, English and French, and in her spare time, she can be found illustrating and reading children’s books for inspiration.
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