Library Volunteers are students who volunteer with Library staff to support and add value to services provided by the Library. We recruit new volunteers at the beginning of each academic year. Emily Fletcher is a 23-year-old BA (Hons) Criminology student currently volunteering with our team. In this post, Emily talks about rediscovering her passion for reading.
When you are at university, reading becomes a part of your daily routine. You are constantly reading lecture notes, journal articles, assigned chapters, and reference lists. Whilst all of this serves a purpose, it is easy to forget that reading can also be a pleasure, not a task.
Many students, including myself, find that their love for reading fades under the weight of required academic texts. What used to be an escape becomes another box to tick off. But it does not have to be that way. Making time to read for yourself, even just a little, can make a big difference to your wellbeing, mindset, and university experience.
When Reading becomes a Chore
Let’s be honest, sometimes studying at university can take the fun out of reading. When your day is filled with dense material on tight deadlines, curling up with a novel at the end of the day can feel like more work. And yet, abandoning reading for pleasure can slowly disconnect you from the joy that first made you love books.
Academic reading is important, but when it becomes all you read, you miss out on the emotional, creative, and mental benefits that come from choosing what you want to read.
The Case for Reading what you Enjoy
Reading for pleasure has been linked to improvements in mental health, sleep, concentration, and even increased empathy. In fact, research suggests that reading fiction for just 30 minutes a day can help you understand other people’s perspectives and emotions more deeply.1 That is a powerful tool, especially in an environment where empathy and communication are key to group work, presentations, and student life.
Reading something you love, whether it is fantasy, poetry, memoirs, or graphic novels, can provide a break from screen time and study pressure. It can reduce stress, improve focus, and spark creativity. More than that, it can reignite your passion for learning.
How I made Reading Work for me
My first three years at university involved no reading for pleasure whatsoever. During my final year, I made a conscious decision to bring reading for pleasure back into my routine, and it made a real difference. University life can feel intense, especially in your final year when deadlines pile up and it is easy to feel burnt out. For me, setting aside time in the evening to read before bed became a way to relax and switch off from academic pressure. It can feel like you have no time for pleasurable activities while you are at university, and there is this wave of guilt I have noticed in people my age that, if you are not being productive academically, you are failing. I promise you, this is not the case. Just because it may not directly involve your studies does not mean that it is not worthwhile.
Spending just an hour or two with a book that I chose, not just because it was on a reading list but because it genuinely interested me, helped me decompress, sleep better, and feel like I had something that was just for me. I also noticed that I would only class screentime when I was on my phone, but in reality, I was spending 8-9 hours at my computer screen and decided I needed some time away from a screen to unwind.
I also started using a reading app called Fable, which lets you track your reading progress, set goals, and even join online communities. It has been surprisingly motivating to see how much I have read over time. Watching your progress build up in an app might sound small, but it is a lovely way to stay consistent and feel a sense of achievement outside your coursework. The app even sends you reminders, which always gives me a gentle nudge to read a couple of pages.
Fitting Reading into a Busy Student Life
You do not have to commit to finishing a novel in a week. Even ten minutes before bed, or whilst commuting, can help you build a sustainable reading habit. Try keeping a book in your bag or on your phone, using apps like Fable to track your progress, or setting a reading timer for a short break in between your studies. Creating a personal reading list of books that excite you and browsing your university or local library casually can also help you ease back into the habit. I found that on my days off, a trip to town to Waterstones was always a nice way of getting out of the house and finding a new read.
Final Thoughts
Reading is not just an academic skill, it is a deeply personal, nourishing habit that can enrich your time at university. It is okay to read for no reason other than enjoyment. In fact, it is encouraged. Reclaiming reading as a form of self-care, curiosity, and exploration can help you stay grounded, inspired, and connected, which will only benefit your studies.
Whether it is through a physical hardback or an app that reminds you what page you are on, every page you read for enjoyment is an investment in your well-being. So next time you feel overwhelmed by your reading list, remember that not all reading has to feel like work. Pick up a book that makes you feel something, and permit yourself to enjoy it.
By Emily Fletcher, BA (Hons) Criminology student
‘Volunteering at the Brynmor Jones Library during my final year didn’t just reconnect me with my love of books but gave me a sense of purpose, community, and a quiet space to grow beyond my degree. It was the perfect way to give back to the university community.’
If you are interested in becoming a Library Volunteer, please email our team at libraryvolunteers@hull.ac.uk and we will add you to our waiting list.
References
1 Panda, Sayan. (2025). Why Reading Fiction is More Important than Ever in 2025: A Psychological Perspective. [Online]. Reflections. Available at: https://reflections.live/articles/16662/why-reading-fiction-is-more-important-than-ever-in-2025-a-ps [Accessed 31 May 2025].