For some people, books are a way to escape. For some, they are simply for pleasure, and for others, a form of relaxation. Unfortunately, for many high school students across America, books have little impact on their lives. According to Statistic Brain, 33% of high school graduates never read a book after graduating, and only 58% of high schoolers claim to read more than 2-10 books per year. That’s right, per year. With high school students transitioning into adulthood, the fact that the majority of them are only completing 10 books at the most every 12 months is extremely alarming. That includes required reading in school, which is frightening for our collective future as a community. When faced with statistics like that, it looks imperative for students to find time to read.

Although the average high school students often complains about not having enough time to read, the answer to this problem might be at our fingertips. Not only are books fun to read, they are also stress reducers. According to Telegraph U.K., independent reading for six minutes during times of stress can reduce stress levels up to 68%. Because students complain about constantly being under stress due to upcoming assessments or assignments, taking a break to fall into a book could help drastically. This strategy is particularly useful during times of large tests or assessments, such as midterms and final exams, and reading is a better, and more relaxing option for a break than watching a quick episode on Netflix or surfing the internet and social media.

As many students drive to school every day, they can use this time to listen to an audio-book. Listening to an audiobook is still an opportunity to engage with a story outside school requirements. According to Forbes, listening to audiobooks is just as rewarding as reading the same story, on an intellectual level. Furthermore, audiobooks are convenient for students who have a hard time reading, or for student who have a hard time finding time to read in general. Students have access to free time throughout the school day, such as free periods, x- periods, and time after lunch. If you have your book with you, the answer to your free time problems is easily solvable. According to Psych Central, having a consistent reading schedule can help reduce anxiety, increase the quality of sleep, and develop a reliable outlet to express any stress before unwinding during the night. Clearly, if you make reading a habit, it can help you in more facets of life than expected.

Sometimes students forget that it is okay to lose yourself and truly enjoy what is on the page. Books are a gift to education, and without them, society would not be the same, because of the lessons that they teach us about how to improve your intelligence. Making time to read is not only encouraged, but it is necessary.