reading all the time

these past few weeks, i've had an overwhelming amount of reading to do for class but i've somehow managed to get it all done. in the past, i've said that i think students should take at least one day off from school work and i do generally follow this rule myself. however, there are some other steps i've discovered that i think can help us read more and read better, too:

moving breaks to the middle of the week
typically, when classes are done for a week, i breathe a sigh of relief and take the following day off. for example, i have class on monday and tuesday and so wednesday ends up being my "day off" from reading. however, wednesday sometimes filters into thursday and then i'm all of a sudden feeling very behind and completely clueless as to what i need to do. the best study trick i've found is to not use classes as the determinant for when the week starts and ends. rather, use some day further along in the week.

for me, this day is thursday. so, on tuesdays, when my week of classes is done, i try to grab my readings and bring them home. on wednesday, i spend some time getting a grasp on what i have to do for the following week and then i get started doing it. in this way, i'm always on board with the work i have to do and once i have a sense of how much there is, it's easier for me to plan for the rest of the week. that way, by thursday, i can take my "day off" from reading but still have the work on my radar.

reading for pleasure
you might be thinking, "i barely have time to read my school work; how the hell can i fit pleasure reading into this?" it turns out that pleasure reading is actually one important key to being a good student. first, pleasure reading helps you to maintain and at times (for example, my fall reading of the count of monte cristo) gain reading momentum. in other words, it's a great way to make reading a habit without being constantly bogged down with homework. second, pleasure reading is good for you mental health, so doing it actually strengthens your brain and makes you further prepared for the difficult school work you have to do. i have to say that ever since i made reading for pleasure a daily habit, i've actually upped my homework reading as well.