Reading is a hobby that every student should take up

I know what you’re thinking after reading the headline: I hate reading. I have to read for two semesters, leave me alone.

I know you think that because I used to feel that way too. It wasn’t until this summer that I realized how important it is to read for pleasure.

I read a lot as a child. My mom would often take me to the public library and we would borrow several books at a time. My favorites were the classics from the upper grades of elementary and middle school, like “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” and “The Geek Diaries.” My favorite series was “Whatever After,” about a girl who had a magic mirror that transported her to all the classic fairy tales, like “Cinderella,” “Sleeping Beauty,” and “The Little Mermaid.” I still have eight of those books on my shelf.

As I became a teenager, my love of reading waned. I can’t pinpoint the exact reason, but I suspect it was a combination of business and lack of free time. And the same pattern followed me through college: busy and short on time. I should be using every extra second to catch up on sleep, do chores, or finish my studies.

While this is probably true for you during the semester, it is not true for your summer vacation. In fact, I have found that summer is the perfect time to get back into the habit of reading for pleasure.

At the end of the spring 2024 semester, I bought myself a Kindle Paperwhite after friends convinced me it would “change my life.” It sounds crazy, but the device kind of did. As of July 1, I’ve read nine books since the beginning of summer. Up until now, I probably haven’t read nine books in a row in years.

I have also found that reading complements other hobbies, tasks and responsibilities in my daily life. Reading, especially with my Kindle, can happen anywhere. It is not limited to the bed before going to sleep or the rocking chair when it is raining outside.

Reading for pleasure is very different from required reading for class or scanning textbooks. First, the books you read for pleasure are your own choice; read what interests you. Also, reading for class often has a deadline, but when you read for yourself, there is no pressure to finish the book quickly. Library checkouts can be extended, and you have the freedom to spend as much time as you need.

That’s why I believe that reading is a hobby that every student should take up.

Once you get into the habit, reading will become easier and more natural. I hope to continue my journey when the Fall 2024 semester begins, as I now find reading to be a relaxing escape from everything else going on in my life.

So pick up that new book you saw on TikTok. Sign up for a library card. Visit a bookstore. You’ll find a new hobby that will last a lifetime.