I have always loved reading for as long as I can remember, but many of my friends in college, especially engineers, say that they don’t have time for it. Reading can be a fun and exciting pastime, and a way to connect with new friends. If you used to love reading but haven’t in a while, or have a nagging feeling that you know you should start, here are some of the reasons I love it, and how you can get started.
Why You Should Read
Required reading in high school (for some it’s the last time they read anything) may have left a poor taste in your mouth. But in reality, reading is for you. It is for whatever you love. You can be transported to a far-off world, witness a dazzling romance or learn something new you’ve always wondered about. If there was something you hated to read (for me The Grapes of Wrath) then find something that is far, far from it and explore new possibilities.
Reading is good for you and can be an escape from stress. It will expand your mind and spark your imagination. It will stretch your thought patterns and bring up great topics of discussion. Hiding in the very best books are ideas that will shape you forever.
What Should You Read
Pick up any book that interests you. Really anything. I am a huge fan of fantasy novels like The Lord of the Rings. My wife loves to garden and cook and can reliably be found in that section if I lose her in Half Price Books. Ask close friends and see if they have any suggestions or search the internet. Find out if that show you just watched or the movie you love is based on a book.
Never be afraid to return to something you enjoyed before. Re-reading can bring great comfort, especially when finals hit and you’re already cramming enough into your brain. Unwinding with something familiar is soothing and can be a great place to jump back in if you haven’t read in a while. This is also a good springboard to find new things you may love.
Where You Should Read
This is an important component that many people forget but all book nerds treasure dearly. Where you read sets the stage for relaxation or excitement, distraction and disengagement or solitude and serenity. If you want to comprehend something or maybe are absorbed in a story, try a quiet place like in your bed at night or a nice nook in the library (it’s not just for studying textbooks). If you want to unwind, I highly suggest somewhere outside like by a pool in the summertime or some areas on campus like Academic Plaza, or my personal favorite, the Flag Room.
It doesn’t matter where or what, start reading again. There’s too much out there to learn and discover and too much in you at stake to let it wither away.
The College of Engineering encourages our students to enjoy the many benefits the library system at Texas A&M University has to offer.
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