Why aren’t students reading enough? This question has been running through my head for a while now. Reading is a general skill that should be mastered as an individual grows. Reading is a vital skill in finding a job. It’s a basic way of growing a good self image, yet, many of us still don’t bother to pick up a book and read.

Students aren’t reading as much as students read back in the day. There are many reasons that are keeping us away from reading and enjoying the books out there written for us. Abeer Almachy, 11th grade Fordson student quoted, “I think students don’t read enough because there are so many other things they’d rather be doing, such as playing outside or on their electronic devices.” She also stated that, “Most students can’t find the right book that fits their personality that they can just sit down and read without getting bored.” Finding an interesting book isn’t always hard, just find a series or an author who writes the right way for you and reading won’t be as boring anymore.

Reading now is a skill that students and even adults rarely do for pleasure. Reading books is now something we don’t have time for because things such as phones, video games, etc. are entertaining us more than the books we’ve read. Shaima Aldaibil, college student quoted, “I don’t have time to read books unless they’re required for class.”  On the other hand, Fatima Rahal, a 5th grader quoted, “I like to read interesting books for at least 30 minutes a day.” its is amazing that she reads every night.

If you’re a student that doesn’t read enough, just know that you can definitely change that. Start out slow, read 15-20 minutes a day then start reading more when you’re ready. Always have a book in handy to read when you have nothing to. Don’t think of it as a chore, or homework, its not work at all. Reading is just a way to push your imagination further and a way to change your life. Abeer Almachy also quoted, “I believe students can get higher grade levels by reading 20 minutes a day, every time you read, you get better at it and become more fluent and start to comprehend words better and have a better understanding.”

So are you going to start reading from now on? Remember your reading doesn’t have to only come from books, it could be magazines, comics, signs, and even books online. Find what interests you the most and do it. Just read and build up your habit of doing it every night.

Hawra Aldaibil

Middle School Journalist