Almost all schools require their students to read and understand certain books. Sometimes it can be difficult to enjoy a book if you feel compelled to read it. However, there are certain ways that you can improve your reading experience so that you can easily complete compulsory reading. Change your reading habits, learn how to read actively, and try to develop a genuine interest in stories.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Changing Your Reading Habits
Step 1. Clear your mind one minute before starting to read
Reading a book when your mind is full of other thoughts and worries can be difficult. Before you start reading, take a minute to clear your mind.
- Sit in a comfortable position for one minute. Try to clear your mind of distracting thoughts. Take a deep breath and, if necessary, close your eyes.
- Imagining a calming scenario might help. For example, imagine yourself at the beach with friends.
- Calculate the time. Give yourself 60 seconds to fantasize before starting to read.
Step 2. Eliminate distractions
If you often read when there are distractions, this may prevent you from enjoying the book. Your mind will be focused on your phone or computer. You may find it annoying that your reading distracts from these objects. Before reading, turn off your phone and computer. Go to a quiet room in the house, like the bedroom, and just spend a little time alone with your book.
Step 3. Read at short intervals
Part of the reason many people dislike reading schoolbooks is the pressure of reading due to deadlines. While deadlines are unavoidable at school, there are ways to work around them. Instead of focusing on 50 pages in 3 hours, read them in short intervals. Take a break between these times.
- You will need to come up with a little plan to do it successfully. If you put off compulsory reading until the last minute, this may be difficult to do. Realize deadlines ahead of time by reviewing the syllabus. Then figure out how much you have to read each day to meet the deadline.
- Read in 50 minute intervals. Take a 10 minute break in between. Don't try to read more than a few hours each day. This can lead to boredom or frustration with writing.
- You can enjoy a book if you can live it in a non-stressful state. You can pay more attention to the plot of the book as well as the characters if you read in short intervals. This can help you develop an interest in writing, allowing you to read it without getting bored.
Step 4. Take time to read in boring moments
If reading feels like a burden or obligation, reading will feel less fun. Instead of setting aside time to read every day, try reading at a time when it's boring. If you're already bored, books will feel like the long-awaited pause in the monotony.
- Take your book with you when you leave the house. If you're waiting for a bus or waiting for a friend at a coffee shop, start reading. Short intervals of 10 or 15 minutes of reading will feel less tedious and you'll be grateful that the book has distracted you from just waiting.
- You will also find yourself reading faster. When you only read in small portions, slowly it will become a lot. You'll find yourself hitting reading deadlines more quickly. This will make reading less stressful and allow you to enjoy the process.
Step 5. Consider purchasing an e-reader device
E-readers can help you feel less bored with books. E-readers are easier to carry, allowing you to read on the go, and many young people prefer to read on screens. If your teacher allows the use of an e-reader, ask your parents if they could consider buying an e-reader for you as a Christmas or birthday present. Explain that you feel an e-reader will help you enjoy reading more.
Ask the school library if you can borrow digital books. This can make your e-reader even more useful, as you will be able to get free school literature on your e-reader
Method 2 of 3: Active Reading
Step 1. Draw an underline and mark it with colored markers
If you live a reading, it will be more difficult to feel bored with the writing. Active reading can help you feel attracted to a book. To start, underline the important parts or mark them with colored markers.
- You need to underline the parts that interest you, such as important explanations. However, you should also underline the parts that feel important to the work. If you've learned about the concept of foreshadowing (writing that gives clues about future events), for example, mark or underline examples of foreshadowing in your reading.
- Don't over-mark. Some students, especially when they start marking with color markers, may end up coloring half the page. Be wise. Target only a significant portion of the writing.
- Make sure you ask your teacher before underlining or marking with colored markers. If the book belongs to the school, perhaps writing on the book would be against the rules.
Step 2. Ask yourself questions
When reading a book, ask yourself questions. Make predictions about what will happen next. Try to see how certain sentences, passages or explanations refer to the larger theme of the work. Ask what the book says and does in each section.
- The meaning of what the book says is its literal meaning. For example, if you're reading the book East of Eden, you might note that Steinbeck describes the setting as being trapped between two mountains. One mountain was dark and eerie, and the other light and calm. What is said in this section is an explanation of the background of the work.
- Ask yourself what this section does. In other words, how this section functions in more depth. Take the mountains of East of Eden for example. Steinbeck is constructing a parable. The main characters are caught between good and bad.
Step 3. Make notes on the margins
Margin notes can also help you get to grips with your reading. If you underline or mark something with a colored marker, make a note of why. For example, you might write something like, "Foreshadow example " or "Symbol of the main character's emotions." This can help you appreciate the reading. Understanding the work better can reduce boredom while reading it.
Step 4. Find out anything unknown
The more you get to know a work, the more interesting it will feel. If you find something unknown or confusing while reading your work, try to find out. You may read or learn something through your research, which will make you more interested in reading.
- Write down all the unknown vocabularies and find out later. You should also note down any terms or concepts you don't understand.
- Do a little research on the author. Understanding what the author believes and his background can improve your reading comprehension.
Step 5. Prepare questions for your teacher
As you read, jot down the questions. If there's something you don't understand or want to know more about, write it down in a notebook. In class, when discussing books, you can ask these questions. Insights from your teacher can help develop an active interest in your reading material.
Method 3 of 3: Learn to Enjoy Stories
Step 1. Discuss the TV shows and movies you watch
If you want to enjoy books better, you need to develop an interest in stories in general. If you don't read a lot of books outside of school, the main sources of stories can come from television or movies. Try to watch digital media actively.
- While watching TV or movies, try to discuss what you're watching with your friends. Use a few active reading techniques in movies and TV shows. Ask yourself questions.
- What is the trigger for the characters? Why do writers and directors use foreshadowing and imagery techniques? What do you think will happen from here? Why?
Step 2. Make a connection with the story
Sometimes having a personal connection to a story can help you enjoy it. When you're reading a book for schoolwork, take occasional breaks and put yourself in the character's shoes. What would you feel or do in this situation? Why? Have you ever been in a similar situation?
Apart from making books more enjoyable to read, making a personal connection with reading can also improve your understanding of the book you are reading
Step 3. Read books other than compulsory reading
You will enjoy reading the work that interests you much more. If you read non-compulsory work outside of school, it will be easier for you to read mandatory books. Visit a bookstore or library. Find books that interest you. If you are interested in the supernatural, look for fantasy novels. If you're fascinated by the Victorian era, look for historical fiction books. Appreciating non-compulsory work can help you enjoy the books you read for schoolwork more.
- You can read books that are not mandatory during holidays and school holidays. You will have a lot of free time, which can be used for reading.
- You can also read non-mandatory books during your free time at school. For example, if there's free time between classes or lunch, get a book out for you to read.
- Reading before bed every night can help you sleep better. If you make an effort to spend half an hour reading before bed, you'll have more time to enjoy non-compulsory reading and get better quality sleep.
Tips
- Talk about reading with your friends. Sometimes, insights from others can increase your interest in a particular book.
- You may be able to choose between two or three books for a particular assignment. In that case, do a little research on each book before choosing one. You're more likely to feel drawn to a book if the topic is of interest to you.
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