School, extracurriculars, jobs and hobbies have made reading more challenging to fit into a schedule, according to students. Senior Megan Green is involved in various extracurriculars, including theater and StuCo and has a part time job, leaving little free time for reading.
“It’s difficult to find time to just sit down and read for a chunk of time,” Green said. “I still have homework and other stuff afterwards.”
Sophomore Ruth Yang said she has also been met with challenges when reading. Yang said she liked reading, but simply had distractions in life that prevented her from reading.
“I’ve tried to read more than I did in middle school,” Yang said. “I’ve had more academic stress, so there’s been less time.”
Even though Yang said reading can be challenging to do on top of her academics, reading has had mental benefits for Yang. So even with Yang’ s challenging academic schedule, she said she does her best to fit in time to read.
Similarly, Green said that reading has had mental benefits for her. Green said reading can act as a relaxing escape from reality.
“Not only is it challenging your mind, but it’s also giving yourself time to wind down and relax,” Green said. “It’s an important balance that everyone should figure out.”
Green said that reading is also a way to challenge a student to gain a deeper understanding of the world. Books can help us learn not only facts, but also other peoples’ opinions, Green said.
“Reading books is a really great way to see and hear other people’s perspectives in the world,” Green said. “Which I think is super important right now.”
English teacher and National English Honor Society sponsor Kylee Johnston said that audiobooks are a way students could fit in more reading.
“You’re a busy, busy person, and then you have your chores at home. You could be listening to a book while doing your chores at home or driving to school,” Johnston said.
Johnston said that reading outside of school, however, is a choice every student has to make independently, weighing the costs of extracurriculars, reading and time to rest.
“You need to realize that if you take four AP classes and you’re in an extracurricular, or you dance every night, and you have a part time job and you’re doing the play. Those are choices you make. So you’re not leaving yourself much time for rest or reading,” Johnston said.
