The Academic Benefits of Reading
Along with the many ways reading improves our day-to-day lives, it also has an extremely positive effect on academics. Reading outside of your school requirements is always helpful, mainly because you do not need to analyse it within a fixed period of time or be burdened by the whopping number of pages you have to go through. You have the freedom to relax and read whenever you find the time to, which will surely give you an academic advantage. With that said, here are some benefits of reading:
Improved Vocabulary
There is no doubt that, by reading, you learn to retain and use new words. The simplest of books can expand your vocabulary greatly. The best way to use your newfound vocabulary is to highlight the words you learn while reading a book and come back to them or note them down in a notebook.
2. Enhanced Concentration
Reading requires a prolonged attention span. Once you embark on the enthralling adventure of reading, the interest that keeps you engrossed in a book often enhances your ability to focus on other activities. As someone who used to get distracted quickly while completing a task, reading and writing have proved to be of great help. Enhanced concentration will eventually lead to getting assignments done on time and better grades in class.
3. Stronger Memory Skills
Characters, that one hidden clue, backgrounds, ambitions, history, nuances, as well as the various arcs and sub-plots that weave their way through every story are only some of the things you need to follow once you start reading a book. This increases your memory skills, thus allowing you to perform well in exams and tests. Memory is an essential ability that can prove to be quite useful both in the academic and daily aspects of life.
4.Improved Analytical and Critical Thinking
No book is complete without an underlying mystery. As young readers, we try to solve it and often look for clues to analyze situations and characters’ words with the intent of drawing a conclusion of our own. This develops critical and analytical thinking skills which are immensely beneficial when writing books, reviews/reports, projects, presentations, and more.
5. Stress Relief
Just as much as reading improves our academic skills, it acts as a very efficient stress reliever. You can take a break and slip away into an eloquent story or remain in the present by reading articles and blogs online. Along with being a productive - yet enjoyable - source of relieving stress, it is also comparatively cheaper and, in many cases, free.
6. Improved Writing Skills
Whether it be book reports, projects, assignments, or leisure writing, writing is a crucial part of student life. Reading, in numerous ways, improves one’s writing skills. With an increasingly extensive vocabulary and through observing diverse writing styles, plots, and character formations, writing becomes an effortless endeavor.
In conclusion, reading will improve your overall academic skills and grades. It is a great way to relax while enhancing yourself. Whether it be blogs, articles, or a short book, it is a guaranteed way to ensure personal development. Try reading for 15-20 minutes before work or school; you’ll be surprised at how much more focused you are throughout the day. So, step away from your computer for a brief moment, crack open a book, and replenish your soul.
