Do you have no time to pick up the book that has been collecting dust on your nightstand — although the one-hour TikTok screen time might say differently? As an avid reader in my childhood, I would dedicate ample reading time daily. Yet my transition to college came with the loss of one of my favorite hobbies. As I have begun to reintegrate reading into my daily college routine, I have some tips and tricks to get you out of a slump. 

Reread a favorite series 

It might be time to tap back into your childhood obsession with books like the Percy Jackson series or “The Hunger Games.” Returning to a reliable series that you know will spark excitement is often the best way to find joy in reading again. a reliable series that you know will spark excitement is often the best way to find joy in reading again. 

Habit stacking 

Another good way to create dedicated reading time is through habit stacking. Identify a current habit you already do each day and then “stack” this new behavior afterward. Linking a new habit to a routine cycle makes it more likely that you will stick to the new behavior. For example, I will often incorporate around 10 minutes of reading right after I make my bed or while I get some sunshine in between classes. This helps me incorporate reading even when my days are busy.    

Switch genres 

When professors assign dense academic texts, sometimes the last thing you want to do is read more, even for leisure. To combat this, you can shift to lighter genres and alternate between academic and leisure texts. My favorite genres to get out of a reading slump are thrillers and memoirs due to their fast-paced plots and enthralling life stories. Some recommendations within these genres include “The Only One Left” by Riley Sager, a whodunit mystery premised on a cliffside mansion massacre, and “The Glass Castle” by Jeanette Walls, which recounts her nomadic and dysfunctional upbringing. 

Visit your local bookshop or library 

If you are on Magazine Street, Octavia Books is the perfect stop to gather inspiration and immerse yourself in a book-loving community. Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, Octavia is one of my favorite local bookshops to stop by, even for a quick browse. For a free reading option, the New Orleans Public Library system is well within reach of campus and offers free library cards for college students. The closest is Nix Library — 0.7 miles away! 

Set a reading goal 

Not only does this keep accountability on how much reading is prioritized, but it is also a way to feel a sense of accomplishment when completing your goal. I am currently aiming to read two books per month and track them in a book journal that I share with family and friends.  

I wish you luck in finding ways to incorporate reading back into your life, and I urge you to pick up a new book, even when your days feel long.