Reading

We asked Jefferson students about their reading habits when we were planning for Read & Succeed. What we heard is that students sometimes have trouble finding a quiet, comfortable place to read. Check out this guide for a few simple tips about setting up your own reading space at home.  

Having a good reading space ready before you read helps you pay attention, focus on your reading, and read for longer without interruptions. All of that adds up to better understanding of what you’re reading. 

Sometimes it’s hard to focus on reading. Too much noise, physical discomfort, interruptions and other distractions can make focusing even harder. Choose a good reading space to help you make the most of your reading time. 

A good reading space should be comfortable (but not so comfortable that you’ll be tempted to take a nap). When you think of a comfortable reading space, you might want to think about a good chair to sit in, temperature that’s just right, and the right kind of light to avoid eye strain. If possible, it helps to have enough space to spread out all your materials so that everything you need is easy to reach. You may also want to have a snack and a drink nearby so that you don’t have to stop your reading session to go get those. Part of comfort means mental comfort too. Choose a time to read when you are feeling able to concentrate and don’t have to hurry. Being in a good place mentally will help you settle into your reading session with focus. 

Try to find a reading space without many distractions. It’s usually hard to focus and read if there is too much noise or activity around you. Your phone, TV, computer and other devices can be serious distractors too. So, it’s helpful to turn those off or put them away out of reach. Of course, sometimes you can’t control the noise or activity around you. It helps to have a plan for dealing with those distractions. That might mean wearing earbuds to help cancel out some noise or turning your chair away from a window or TV that keeps taking your attention. 

Finally, a good reading space should be organized. Make sure you have everything you need before you begin reading so you can stay focused. You’ll want to be sure to have the text you’re reading. You might also need other class materials like your syllabus, handouts or notes. If you’re reading on a device, make sure you have a charger handy. You may need school supplies like a notebook, notecards, pen or highlighter to use as you read. And you might need some things that help you stay comfortable in your reading space like a sweatshirt, water bottle, or earbuds.  

Now you have the idea of why a reading space can be helpful. Are you ready to create your own reading space? Great! Follow this plan to help you set up a space that will help you focus on your reading. 

Start by choosing a good place. Here are a few things you’ll want to think about to pick a great spot. Is it quiet enough for you to focus? If other people use this space, will they be quiet so you can read? Will you be able to use this space when you usually plan to read? If the place you’re thinking of is used by other people too, you might want to check with them before you claim it as your reading space. 

Stop and think: What space will you use? 

Focus on where you’ll sit. It’s important to be comfortable to concentrate on reading. Move things around or add to the space to make sure you can sit comfortably for more than a few minutes and that you have space for what you’ll be reading. You may think about choosing your bed as a regular place to read, but that could be too comfortable and make it easy to fall asleep. Think about using a table or desk with a comfortable chair instead. 

Stop and think: Where will you sit?  

Check your lighting. Too much light or not enough can make your eyes tired and cause a headache. If you do some reading on paper or in books and some on a computer, you may need different amounts or kinds of light to be at your best. Letting sunlight in through a window or adding a lamp to your space can help you control the light and get the amount that works best for you. 

Stop and think: What might you need to change with your lighting? 

Organize your reading materials. Gather the things you usually need for reading and organize them in your reading space. This will make it easier to find what you need when you need it. You won’t have to go looking for a highlighter or pen when you come to something you need to remember. 

Stop and think: What materials do you need for reading? How should you organize them to make sure your space is ready when you read? 

Tell others around you about your space. Your space is set and organized. Be sure to keep it that way by telling other people in your home that this space is a place for you to read. Work out a plan for making sure that your space is ready for you to read when you are ready. 

Stop and think: Who should you talk with about your reading space? What do you want them to know about your space? 

This checklist can help you think more about setting up your space.  
 

• Try looking for a reading space on campus. The College has some spaces marked with these signs to let you know this is a great place to sit and read. More reading spaces will be coming to all six campuses soon. 
• Go to a public library. Most libraries have a lot of spaces you can choose from for some quiet reading time. Look for a library near your home or work and see what kind of space they have available. 
• Ask about a quiet place at your workplace that you could use outside of working hours. Some workplaces have offices that aren’t used all the time. You might consider asking your supervisor if there’s a space you could use before or after work to stay on top of your reading. 
• Try reading in your car if you drive—but not while you’re driving! Be sure to park in a safe place with good lighting and not a lot of distractions. You may find that sitting in the passenger seat or the back seat is better for spreading out your materials. 

These can all be helpful places to read if a home reading space isn’t possible. You may want to put together a kit to make it easier to read if you’re not at home. Check out the guide on making a reading kit for some ideas of what to include and why. You can also stop by the Learning Commons to pick up a kit with a door hanger to help you let people know when you’re reading in your reading space. 

Here are some articles that you could read for more descriptions and pictures of reading spaces. 

This WikiHow article shows each step to create a reading nook with illustrations. One thing we really love in this one is the ideas about how to make your reading space more private. 

This quick read gives some specific tips for changing up your space if you are living in the same space you did in high school. It has some helpful ways to help your brain think about being a college student instead of a high school one. 

This article shares some ideas about finding a study space on campus. Plus, it includes some tips for setting up your own study space at home. The pictures it shows have some great ways to consider setting up your reading space. 

If you’re looking for a quick list of tips to make your reading space great for reading, this might be for you. This is a list of ten tips to make your study space the best you can. Some helpful tips focus on being able to have a good attitude about studying in the space.