Reading in Moderation
By Avni Mishra
With the start of the school year, we all promise ourselves: I’m going to read more books this year. Come around October, we are all slammed with work, unable to make time for anything besides studying or sleeping. That’s not exactly true; most high schoolers spend about 4.8 hours on social media per day. Scrolling is an easy way to alleviate stress, but these hours can serve you much better if put toward reading. Instead of watching hours of brainless content, you can immerse yourself in a new world, fiction or real, and get the same dopamine release.
It is easy to say in theory, but truly making the switch is much harder. First of all, you don’t have to spend hours reading each day. In fact, according to a 2023 study by the National Literacy Trust, students who read for at least fifteen minutes a day scored significantly higher on standardized tests. Clearly, a little reading can go a long way in terms of academics, but it can also supplement your dopamine fix. Reading has been proven to lower stress levels and prompt relaxation, making it a valuable form of self-care during an often overwhelming school year.
For students who struggle to stay motivated, they can find their solution on social media itself. Goodreads or TikTok’s popular #BookTok community always keeps up to date with the most recent books and gives reviews, so you do not have to research on your own. Additionally, joining your school’s book club is an excellent way to hang out with friends and unwind while also being productive.
Finding time to read isn’t about setting aside huge blocks of time, but rather filling your brain with valuable knowledge even if it's only for five minutes. Free library apps like Libby or platforms like Kindle allow students to carry books wherever they go. If reading isn’t your thing, audiobooks are another great alternative. Most importantly, set small, realistic goals to incorporate reading into your daily life. You do not have to finish a whole book in a day, but just enough that you feel relaxed and rewarded after a hard day at school.
