Reading is a popular pastime enjoyed by a range of age groups around the world. It has numerous benefits, even for high school students, but it’s rare to see high school students reading books anymore.
“Reading requires a person to find the time to read and to slow down enough to enjoy the process of reading the book. I think the fast-paced world in which we live can make it difficult to prioritize finding this time,” said Linda Sullivan, staff (via email). Sullivan teaches English II and AP Language & Composition at LRHS.
One of the main reasons students aren’t reading books often is because they simply don’t have the time. At LRHS, the majority of the student population is involved in some extracurricular activity–be it band, sports, etc–that can take away from reading time.
Another reason students don’t read as much anymore is the rise of social media. According to a study done by Axios, the average screen time–out of 117 teenagers–was 5.6 hours per day.
Aside from the considerable amount of time spent on their phones, apps like social media can decrease attention spans, making it harder for people to sit down and read a book.
Creating time for reading can be challenging but not impossible. If you don’t have the time to sit down and read a physical book, there are other ways to enjoy reading.
“I listen to audiobooks a lot…when I’m getting ready or making food… sometimes when I’m doing my homework,” said Avery Pederson, junior.
If students can make time to read, there are a lot of benefits.
“It’s a de-stressor. I feel like I can get home and open a book and not have to worry about my math homework or a test I have the next day,” said Pedersen
“It’s a good use of your free time… if you’re feeling really stressed just sit down with a book, read, and it allows you to escape [life] for a minute,” said Lucas Casterline, sophomore.
One of the major benefits of reading is its ability to reduce stress. Research shows reading can reduce your heart rate and decrease muscle tension.
Another major benefit is its impact on vocabulary. It exposes you to new words with context and engages your memory skills to expand your vocabulary.
“It exposes you to new ideas and gives you a chance to think critically,” said Sullivan (via email).
“It improves your use of vocabulary,” said Casterline.
Regardless of the cognitive benefits, reading is an enjoyable activity. There are a lot of different genres of books, so that means there’s something for everyone.
“I like fantasy a lot… It’s really interesting to read about all the world building and the different magic systems,” said Pederson.
“I really enjoy mystery because I like horror movies,” said Casterline.
Reading has proven perks: It can help you relax, improve your mind, and be enjoyable. Even though it’s hard to make time, high schoolers would benefit from sitting down and picking up a book.
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