It is no secret that the life of the modern teenager is packed full of club meetings, sports practices and social commitments on top of hours of nightly homework. After long days like these, students often turn to forms of quick entertainment such as social media and TV shows to unwind. One activity that is not always thought of to fill this time is reading for pleasure. Some students see reading as a time commitment that they cannot make, while others simply do not want to read outside of English class. However, there are obvious benefits to reading for pleasure in both school and students’ personal lives.

According to a study conducted by Concordia University professor Sandra Martin-Chang, most students show interest in reading while in elementary school. As they move to the high-school level, however, students lose the love for reading that they once had. Thirty-five percent of the students in the study said that they would enjoy reading more without analyzing the books that they read. 

There is one simple way to fix the problem of decreased interest in reading: reading for pleasure. Telling students who don’t enjoy reading to read more seems counterintuitive, but English teacher Mrs. Child explains that reading for pleasure can actually make the school reading experience more enjoyable.

“Students who read Poe and Hawthorne for school then go home and read Suzanne Collins and Veronica Roth for fun are exposed to different genres and writing styles. They get a much more well-rounded experience by reading things they enjoy,” says Child.

When students read books outside of the school curriculum, they are able to make connections to the novels read in English class that they may have missed otherwise. Students who read for pleasure become better discussion leaders in this regard because they may relate discussion topics to what they have witnessed in their own reading.

Child hopes that students understand that all reading is important, whether for school or for fun. She highlights the fact that reading in general helps to strengthen vocabulary and comprehension skills. Reading for school tends to focus on and strengthen critical and analytical thinking skills. Tools such as study guides help to guide discussions in the classroom and promote conversation among students.

Students such as Junior Emily Wickham do not always enjoy reading the books assigned in English class. However, Wickham spends much of her time reading and browsing book stores to find her next great read. So what is the difference between reading for school and reading for pleasure? The answer is simple: you must find a book that means something to you.

“A lot of the books we are required to read aren’t the most interesting to students. Sometimes they make reading feel more like a chore than something enjoyable. Choosing our own books would definitely help change this view,” says Wickham.

Along with the obvious positive effects on school performance, students who read books of their choosing can somewhat escape the challenges of the everyday world. Wickham explains that reading has helped her to stay off of social media and worry less about negative events happening in the world. She enjoys the time that she can spend relaxing while reading instead of focusing on her phone.

For some students, finding a genre of literature that truly appeals to them is possibly the hardest part of becoming an avid reader. Child offers some advice in this situation as well.

“Keep looking,” says Child, “Try to find something that speaks to you. Reading is beneficial to everyone, even if it is just a comic book.”

Overall, students who can find books that they enjoy have more positive experiences throughout high school and beyond. Next time you’re browsing Amazon or are near a local bookstore, consider picking up a new book to read in your free time. You never know, you might just fall in love with reading!