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Reading After Class Is Over

     ⋮   Audio version below

Here’s the great thing about a literature class: simply put, it makes you read more, and in a more organized fashion, than you might otherwise if you were not enrolled in one. Most people struggle to find time to read in their busy personal lives, and nothing motivates you to find the time to read like enrolling in a college literature course, paying hundreds of dollars of tuition for it, and knowing that your GPA and degree are on the line. And though most students naturally grimace at the reading and writing workload of a literature class, the combination of the syllabus, calendar, textbook, instructor, classmates, and classroom create a learning experience that simply doesn’t exist outside of college. Though meeting weekly with like-minded peers to discuss literature is great, cultivating a rewarding, life-long reading habit that fits the complexity of your personal life can be daunting. As you finish class, think about your reading preferences. Every person’s reading strategy is unique to them, so go find yours.

First, think about WHAT you want to read

  • Pick literature that works for you - If you leave a literature class and want to stick with it, consider which time period or artistic movement you like the most (e.g. Colonial or post-WWII, Romanticism or Modernism). Pick a genre that you like too: a novel series, standalone novels, short stories, poetry, plays, etc. There’s an overwhelming amount of literature available, so do a little research online and find what you enjoy.
  • Read for your life right now - Literature is great, but it doesn’t always address the exact need you have at this moment. Read books about financial planning, self-help, raising children, health issues, your career or whatever other major issues you’re facing in your life. Make your reading as practical and applicable to your life as possible.
  • Read outside of your interests - Reading more of what you enjoy makes sense but reading about the same topic over and over can get repetitive, might make you feel like you’re in a rut and kill your reading habit all together. Expand your horizons. Find a good book outside of your typical interests: climatology, archeology, genetics, statistics, psychology, romance, history, astronomy, visual art, music, etc. There are almost infinite intellectual pursuits for you to pursue. Read broadly and stay curious.

Next, think about HOW you read

  • Pick a format that fits your life - Some people prefer hard copy reading: hardcover, paperback, journals or magazines, purchased with your own money or borrowed from the local library. These are all good options. Others prefer digital reading: look for smartphone apps, eBooks, podcasts, audiobooks and other digital reading options. A book’s format is not a dealbreaker. It is more important that you find a format that makes reading convenient and enjoyable in your day-to-day life.
  • Look Locally: If you’re a social person and want to meet new people in your area, search online and on Meetup to find local book clubs, reading groups or social events that meet in the community. Look for book discussions, public readings, book launch parties, bookstore events, art festivals and any other literary-minded events. Go on your own and meet new people or invite a group of friends.
  • Use Social Media: If you’re already on social media, follow writers on Instagram and join reading groups on Facebook. Make an account of Goodreads to get book recommendations, join reading challenges and connect with other book people. Social media can connect you to like-minded folks on a state, national and global scale that you might not have access to in your own area.

Finally, keep reading in perspective

  • You don’t have to feel pressure or an obligation to read. Across enough years, reading and tastes will come and go as your life changes. That’s fine. There might be times where books and reading are critical to you and might just save your life. There might be other times when you won’t read for months or years while you pursue other interests. Life is expansive and there is a natural ebb and flow to it. Books, literature and reading will always be there when you need them.