How to Read Books for School Without Getting Bored

Last Updated: February 18, 2023

It can be difficult to enjoy a book if you're being forced to read it, but schools often require you to read specific books. It's easier to complete your assigned reading if you can make yourself engage with or feel interested by the content. Change your reading habits, learn how to read actively, and try to develop a genuine interest in storytelling.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Changing Your Reading Habits

1
Clear your mind for one minute before reading. It's hard to enjoy reading a book when your mind is busy with other thoughts and worries. Before you begin reading, take a minute to clear your mind.
- Sit in a comfortable position for about a minute. Try to clear your mind of troublesome thoughts. Take a few deep breaths and, if necessary, close your eyes.^{[1]
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- It may help to imagine a relaxing scenario. Picture yourself on a beach with friends, for example.
- Time yourself. Give yourself 60 seconds to zone out before you begin reading.
2
Eliminate distractions. If you frequently read when you're distracted, this can prevent you from enjoying the book. Your mind will be focused on your cellphone or computer. You may get irritated that your reading is taking your attention away from these things. Before reading, turn off your phone and computer. Go to a quiet place in your home, like your bedroom, and simply spend some time alone with your book.^{[2]
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3
Read in short intervals. Part of the reason many people dislike reading books for school is the pressure to read by a deadline. While deadlines are unavoidable in school, there are ways to work around them. Instead of plowing through 50 pages in the course of 3 hours, read in short intervals. Take breaks in between.
- You'll have to do some planning to make this work. If you put off required reading until the last minute, this might be tricky. Be aware of deadlines ahead of time by reviewing the syllabus. Then, see how much you need to read each day to make the deadline.
- Read in 50 minute intervals. Take 10 minute breaks in between. Do not try to read for more than a couple of hours each day. This could lead to boredom or frustration with the text.^{[3]
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- You may enjoy the book if you're able to engage with it in a less stressful manner. You may pay more attention to the plot of a book as well as its characters if you read in short intervals. This can help you develop an interest in the text, allowing you to read it without boredom.
4
Take time to read during dull moments. If reading feels like a burden or an obligation, it will be less enjoyable. Instead of setting aside time to read each day, try to read during dull moments. If you're already bored, a book will seem like a welcome break from the monotony.
- Keep your book with you when you go out. If you're waiting for a bus or waiting for a friend to show up at a coffee shop, start reading. Short 10 or 15 intervals of reading are less tedious and you'll be grateful the book's distracting you from simply waiting.^{[4]
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- You'll also find yourself getting through books quicker. While you'll only be reading in small chunks, it will add up. You'll find yourself reaching reading deadlines quicker. This will make reading feel less stressful, allowing you to enjoy the process.^{[5]
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Consider an e-reader. An e-reader may help you feel less bored by a book. It's easier to transport, allowing you to read on the go, and many younger people prefer reading from a screen. If your teacher allows e-readers, ask your parents if they'd consider getting you one for Christmas or your birthday. Explain that you feel it may help you enjoy reading more.^{[6]
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- Check your school's library to see if you can borrow digital books. This may make your e-reader more useful, as you'll be able to obtain reading for school for free on your e-reader.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Reading Actively

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Underline and highlight. If you're engaged with a text, it's harder to get bored with it. Reading actively can help you get into a book. To start, underline or highlight important sections.
- You should underline sections that are of interest to you, like particularly notable descriptions. However, you should also underline sections that seem important to the work. If you've been learning about the concept of foreshadowing, for example, highlight or underline examples of foreshadowing in your text.
- Do not go overboard. Some students, especially when they first start to highlight, may end up highlighting half the page. Use discretion. Target significant portions of the text only.
- Make sure you check with your teacher before underlining or highlighting. If your book belongs to the school, it may be against the rules to write in it.
2
Ask yourself questions. As you read the book, try to ask yourself questions. Make predictions about what will happen next. Try to see how certain lines, passages, or descriptions point to the greater theme of the work. Ask what each portion of the book says and what it does.
- What a section of the book says is its literal meaning. For example, if you're reading East of Eden you may note Steinbeck describes the setting as being caught between two sets of mountains. One set is dark and foreboding and the other is light and calm. What this section says is a description of the setting of the work.
- Ask yourself what this section does. In other words, how does this section function on a deeper level? Take the mountains in East of Eden. Steinbeck is establishing a metaphor. The main characters are caught between light and dark forces.
3
Make margin notes. Margin notes can also help you engage with the text. If you underlined or highlighted something, make a note of why. For example, you could write something like, "Example of foreshadowing" or "Symbolic of the main character's emotions." This can help you engage with the text. Better understanding a work can decrease boredom while reading it.
4
Research anything unfamiliar. The more you know about a work, the more interesting it will seem. If you encounter anything unfamiliar or confusing while reading a text, try looking it up. You may read or learn something through your research that makes you more interested in the text.
- Write down any unfamiliar vocabulary words and look them up later. You should also write down any terms or concepts that you don't understand.
- Do a little research on the author. Understanding the author's beliefs and background can enhance your understanding of a text.
5
Have questions ready for your teacher. As you read, write down questions. If there's anything you do not understand or want to know more about, jot it down in a notebook. In class, when discussing the book, you can raise these questions. Your teacher's insight can help you develop an active interest in your reading material.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Learning to Enjoy Stories

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Discuss TV shows and movies you watch. If you want to better enjoy books, you need to develop an interest in stories in general. If you don't read a lot outside of class, your main source of storytelling may come from television or movies. Try to engage with digital media actively.
- When watching TV or movies, try to discuss what you're watching with friends. Use some of your active reading techniques on films and shows. Ask yourself questions.
- What drives the characters? How do the writers and directors use foreshadowing and metaphor? What do you think will happen from here? Why?
2
Make connections with stories. Sometimes, having a personal connection with a story can help you enjoy it. As you read a book for school, pause on occasion and put yourself in a character's shoes. How would you feel or act in this situation? Why? Have you ever been in a similar situation yourself?
- In addition to making a book more enjoyable, making a personal connection with a text can also increase your comprehension of a book you're reading.
3
Read non-required books. You're far more likely to enjoy reading if the material interests you. If you read non-required texts outside of class, you may have an easier time with required reading. Make a trip to the bookstore or library. Find books that appeal to you. If you're interested in the supernatural, look into fantasy novels. If you're fascinated by the Victorian age, look into historical fiction. An appreciation for non-required text can help you better enjoy books you read for school.
- You can read non-required books over Christmas and summer vacation. You'll have a lot of free time, which you can use to read.
- You can also read non-required books during free time at school. For example, if you have time between classes or at lunch, pull out a book to read.
- Reading before bed each night can help you sleep better. If you make a point of taking half an hour to read before falling asleep, you'll have more time to enjoy non-required reading while also getting better quality sleep.

Community Q&A

Question

What can I do if I have to read, but do not want to?

Community Answer

Set yourself goals, for example 30 pages a day. Find a book you really like to read. Also, treat yourself if you reach your goal, such as eating a treat.
Question

Could you please mention the author of this article so that I can write it on my reader's log?

Tom De Backer

Top Answerer

There's a link on the article's page, "Co-authors: [number]". Click on that to see who contributed to this article. As of this writing, there are 17 co-authors.
Question

How do I get into reading the Great Gatsby. How can I be motivated?

Community Answer

Find the adventurous and the touching parts of the story before reading the whole book. Then you will find yourself reading the whole book searching for the adventurous and touching parts.