How do you balance academic reading and personal reading while studying?
This was a question I ask when I started my English Studies course. How can I do all this reading for my course and read the books I want to read?
And to be honest, in my first year, I struggled. I read during my reading week and at the end of the semester once my assessments were handed in.
(Reading week is a week in the middle of the semester that is used to catch up on any reading, work, or sleep! Autumn Semester = October Reading Week, Spring Semester = February/March Reading Week)
It also doesn’t help that I turn my single English degree into a joint English and Journalism degree a few weeks into my first year. This meant more required reading and double the work! Yay!
In my second year, around November time, I got much better. This was mainly because I left my part-time job in October so I could focus on my mental health a bit more.
I figured out how to listen to my mind and body, understanding what needed to be done and what they needed. This included downtime, which included reading my books.
It sounds simple, but being able to fit in my hobbies and rest made me more productive and excited for classes and learning.
But how did I do it?
In this post, I’m going to list some ways that you can use to kick-start a healthy balance between course reading and personal reading. If I’ve missed any ways you know of, let me know on social media!
This can be used for any course or job and isn’t specific to just an English Studies course.
~1~
Schedule Time
Be Strict If Needed
Whether you have a full day you book out or just 30 minutes a week, scheduling some time during the week does help.
Scheduling time is a brilliant way of disconnecting from the world too. With Education nowadays being so technology reliable, it’s nice just to switch off your computer and mute your phone for a little time.
During this scheduled time, you can let people you live with, friends and family know that you will be unavailable during your scheduled reading time. Excluding emergencies, of course.
You might not need or be able to accommodate a full day, which is fine, but even a small bit of time each week will be beneficial.
When I schedule time, I try to make it an hour of reading before bed. It is normally the time of day that fewer people talk to me. Plus, it’s dark and cosy during those times!
Ultimately, scheduling can help set aside some uninterrupted reading time allowing you to enjoy the experience a bit more. This might not be for everyone or suitable for every time you want to read, but it’s nice at least every once in a while.
~2~
Make It Your Reward
Make the target manageable.
During your time at University, you’ll have assessments, exams and classes that you really can’t be bothered doing.
There is bound to be a class or class topic that sucks the soul out of you. So, to get through it, make personal reading your reward.
You have to make the target-reward balance manageable and fair. You can’t make it, so you need to complete all of your Uni before you get your reward.
Make it something you can achieve easily.
For example, I had to read Shakespeare in my first and second years. I thought I would enjoy it but did not find it that easy.
I made personal reading and early bedtimes my reward. It gave me something to strive for.
“The quicker I finish this, the more time I have to read my stuff before going to bed.”
So I would set my goal as a minimum to watch all the videos I need to for classes and read Journalism’s core reading.
Watching all the videos is easy to achieve, as is Journalism reading which never takes me too long.
This means I can get rewarded for doing a little work and pushes me to do more next time.
It made all the difference in the world.
~3~
Don’t Worry
About your personal reading
This can be impossible at University. However, I’m not talking about not worrying about university.
Don’t worry about your personal reading.
If you are on Bookstagram, Booktok or anything book related on the internet, you’ll always be flooded with the newest book or series.
I’m constantly seeing the newest fantasy horror book being discussed and released.
One option is to re-read books.
Reading something easy and enjoyable can help encourage you to keep reading and stop reading slumps occurring while in Education.
The downside is that you’ll only have short periods of time to read the new releases.
For me, I re-read the Harry Potter series. It’s an easy read and keeps me excited to read.
On the other hand, buy the new releases. Just read what you want when you want. Halfway through a book, but have the sudden urge to read another book? Do it! Read the other book! Who cares? At least you’re reading something that has no relation to University.
In the end, don’t worry about what you’re reading. Reading anything is better than trudging through a semester only reading what you’ve been given.
~4~
Use Different Locations
Using different locations for things is known to increase productivity.
So, a good way to help keep you motivated and balance academic and personal reading are to use different locations. This will work well if you have space to use different rooms.
Working on all your University work in an office or dining room, including reading, then using a living room or book nook for your personal reading. This would allow your mind to separate the two activities; studying and relaxing.
However, not everyone has that luxury, especially most students.
I work from one room—my bedroom. So, I divide my room into separate areas.
One section is my desk. I use this area for academic and writing work. I do all my academic work here as well as work on my blog and writing too.
The second place is my bed. I use it for sleeping, but I also use it for personal reading. I also have a chair in my room I can use, but I always have pillows and blankets on it!
Breaking up space does help me. Using different rooms would probably be better, but sometimes you have to work with what you have.
Finally, another option you can use is to go somewhere else. Universities have libraries and sitting areas on campus which can be of great use. Using them can allow your mind to get into the mode of study, and your home can be your personal space.
For some people, this is the best way to work. There are no personal distractions, you’re in an environment built for studying, and many tools around you to help.
Regardless, each method works; it just depends on how you study. Everyone will study and focus differently. The challenge is finding how you study and where.
~5~
Set The Scene
This one needs a bit of preparation, but it can be worth it in the end!
Starting with the easiest part of this suggestion is the PJs and bed. Arrange your pillows and blankets the way you like them, pop your PJs on and prepare a hot water bottle if you want one (or two or three!)
Next, grab your favourite hot drink and book. If you crawl into a far corner of your bed with no bedside table, I suggest using a drinking flask to bring your drink next to you. It means you don’t need to move while reading just for a drink.
Finally, find your soundscape.
Headspace has an entire section dedicated to soundscapes; you’re bound to find one you like. My favourites are Delhi Thunderstorm, Cabin Downpour, Indoor Fireplace and Car Journey. Each of these soundscapes can last for up to 8 hours.
YouTube is also filled with soundscapes that last for hours! I’ve linked my two favourites below, but there are plenty more you can find.
~6~
Read During Breaks
This method is handy during assessment and exam time. There is normally not much free time during this period, so squeezing in some reading might just be the slight escape you need to stay sane.
There are four main times I can think of as places to squeeze in reading.
Travel
Travelling to and from campus is a great time to catch up on your reading. Obviously, not if you drive unless you use a service like audible.
However, as long as you can read while moving, this is a good way to squeeze in reading.
I can’t read in a car as I get headaches, but I can read on trains. I don’t know why.
Between Classes
Depending on how your classes work and how much you’re running behind on work and want to cram in before your next class, this could work for you.
You can read while walking to your next class, waiting to get into the class, or waiting for the lecturer to arrive.
You might not get much time between them, but it can be something.
Two of my classes this semester are back-to-back. One ends at one, and another starts at one, just down the hall from each other, but walking and waiting, I can quickly read a page or something. It reminds me of the story and keeps me thinking about it.
Before Bed
Reading before bed can be dangerous. Ye Be Warned.
At the end of the day, as everything starts to wind down is a good time to whip out your current read. This runs the risk of not sleeping and binging the book, but it works if you can put it down.
It’s a good way of helping you schedule your reading time. Attaching your reading time to another scheduled activity will help keep it up. It could also help you build a sleep routine if you don’t have one.
Meals
Now, this one isn’t always recommended. Some places say to try having meals without distractions, but let’s be honest, we all watch TV, Netflix or YouTube while eating.
Reading can be done as well.
If I read while eating, I tend to use my Kindle. I don’t have to hold it, the pages won’t shut over, and I can prop it up. There are things you can make and buy to do the same with physical books.
I use it between classes and bedtime. Since I drive to University, it isn’t possible for me to read, and I either watch something or just eat with meals.
Again, it’s a case of figuring out what works for you.
~7~
Make Assessment Decisions ASAP
This one isn’t about personal reading but more about maximising your focus on what to read.
Some degrees require more reading than others. I’m doing a joint English and Journalism, so there can be much reading to complete in a week.
Normally, if your course has assessments instead of exams, the assessment questions will be given out well in advance. In that case, as soon as you get the questions, read through them and pick your top 3.
Once you get your top 3, focus more heavily on the reading for them. You still do every week’s reading, but you can skim-read the other stuff. This means you can spend more time fully reading the ones you need to know.
It also gives you time to start the work and ask questions slowly. This will hopefully elevate some stress and allow you time to feel like you can read your stuff.
