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Friday, September 4, 2009
How to Find Time to Read
I'm reading on my lunch break right now - I can't not read wherever I am. The first thing that catches my eye as I'm scrolling through the NY Times online (it wasn't delivered yet as I walked through the parking garage) is a piece I missed yesterday about reading on the subway in New York. Anyway, not only does it reinforce the message that there are lots of readers in the world who still like the printed-on-paper media style, but it gives some good strategies for blocking out distractions while reading. See what you think.
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I thought this was a cute article, profiling several subway characters and their intellectual pursuits. It shows how people in NY can use their mundane time to put more in their brain, and enjoy doing it. Even the kids have goals to achieve, and they're so excited about it.
ReplyDeleteI simply find it refreshing to know that people still find time to sit down and read still. Reading is such a vital part of humanity and society and it seems to be slowly losing its place in the common and casual world. This is a kind reminder that it still is holding its place.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard for me to read everywhere because I am so easily distracted. I would read something that I wont have to refelct on or answer questions about in the future, but if it is important and needs to be digested, I need to be in a quiet enviroment. Learning ways to be able to read an assigned reading in a public place would probably be a great benifit to me and my grades.
ReplyDeleteReading through this article allows for a new perspective to form regarding my own "outside reading." I often find myself so caught up in external noise and activity, as little as the ice-machine churning, that I find it difficult to remain focused on the task at hand. Strategies involving blocking out external commotion would greatly improve my ability to focus on my reading, and perhaps delving in to an atmosphere similar to that of the NYC subway and "reading through it" on a routine basis would aid in my focus.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I could read on a subway in new york, mostly because its hard for me to even stay focused on a book and only the book even when I'm at home and its quiet. My mind wonders and if I multitask while reading, I seem to forget most of the information. I wish I could learn to do that becuase there are a lot of times that I could be reading to catch up in a class but can't stay focused enough on what I'm reading to remember enough of it for class
ReplyDeleteWhile our EDC course encourages us to establish a "learning" and "studying" space that specifically facilitates the best concentration with the least distraction, the skill of the reading-subway-riders is noteworthy for our class. Humans do have the capacity to overcome obstacles to focus when they want to. All of the subway riders had a habit of reading, even the children were being taught to cultivate the habit of reading. Furthermore, each individual had a different type of reading and technique. One used music, the other an attentive posture, yet more their desire for the material of the text, etc, etc. However, there were also different types of readings, light and distracting, to the heavy and comtemplative. Being aware of ones abilities, and working within them can be a valuable recognition, even in "impossible" work places. Perhaps one knows they cannot study in a line, but they can update their planner. Making the most of time, in whatever capacity is available, is another way to extend the hours of the day, and continually stimulate the mind to engage a subject to memory.
ReplyDeleteI find the best time to read a newspaper, magazine, or novel is right before bed. Since the semester has gotten rolling, I will read on the short seven minute shuttle ride to campus, inbetween classes, or while walking to class. This way, I am at least getting my thirty minutes of personal reading in that I am unable to get at night.
ReplyDeleteIts very hard for me to find time to read for entertainment becuase in order to get into a book it seems like I have to read large parts of it at once. Im not like the people who can just read a litte bit here and there like before class and after lunch. I alwasy want to read at night when I normally have other things to do.
ReplyDeleteI find that if the book is something I am interested in, or something that is required for me to read, I'll make time to read it. For instance I'll think to my self, "I've nothing better to do right now, might as well get something pseudo productive done." Admittedly this is much more natural and easier to do with a book or paper I am interested in than something I must read but have little interest in.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the article all I can think of is the quote, "get your head out of the sky". That's what I think of when I see people reading and not paying attention to their surroundings. Having time to read something that's not require is a luxury and usually put off for summer. Maybe it's the way I was raise but my parents were never a fan of me multitasking. They said it could create for dangerous situations if I'm not aware of my surroundings... I guess it's true.
ReplyDeleteI think "finding time" to read is great, like when you squeeze in a little here and a little there, but I also love the routine of reading a good book right before I go to bed.
ReplyDeleteI wish more people, like myself, could read anywhere. I do find myself getting distracted easily, maybe this is because I am really not interested in the actual material. Would like however to find the time to read more often whether it is for school or not. reading is important and keeps the brain on its toes
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