Reading a book can be beneficial both at the time of reading and also for the rest of your life. Whether you are big into reading outside of school or not, it is important to try it. Reading a good book can be helpful to you in three ways: it can give you a break from the stress of every day; it can teach you something; and it can be a more engaging pastime than Netflix.

Being a college student, there are many stresses that can add up. Most of the time you can handle them, but sometimes you just need to get away. If you are not able to physically get away from the stress in your life, reading a book can be the escape you need. Although it can seem hard to understand why just reading a book can help, sometimes a good book is all you need to forget your problems. Most likely the book you will be choosing to read in your free time is about a topic you are interested in, and like watching your favorite movie, it can divert your attention and give you a mental break.

A book can be educational even if it is not labeled as such. When reading for fun, most people do not choose to read a textbook from a history course or an instructional handbook for computer science. The book you most likely selected has two educational purposes. First, your book could have a metaphorical meaning or life lesson that the author thought could be useful to the audience. This can be anything from "Brush your teeth twice a day" to "Be thankful for the people in your life." These life lessons are sometimes hard to find but are actually what most readers who are avoiding problems subconsciously look for. The second educational purpose most books have is teaching you to write well or become more well-versed. It is hard to learn how to write well, but the easiest and most often overlooked method is to read well-written books. Seeing how another writer is able to construct their words can help you learn to do the same. In reading these books, you also become more well-versed by being more educated on a topic and learning new words.

When you do get free time to relax in college, the typical thought is, "It's time to lie in bed and binge-watch Netflix." I am here to tell you that, as an avid Netflix watcher, I understand the difficulty that comes with starting a show—the urge to keep watching and see what happens next. How easy it seems to press play on the next episode instead of doing homework! Although Netflix is an amazing way to get caught up on your favorite show and even discover something new you never thought you would like, reading a book gives you a new way to pass the time and can even make it easier to fall asleep at night. Limiting screen time before bed can help you fall asleep easier and stay asleep for longer. So yes, Netflix is fun and a great way to watch TV and movies, but next time before bed I hope you reach for a book and not the "Next" button.

Now that you know just some of many benefits to reading books, I hope you are able to take the time out of your busy schedule to sit back, relax and read a book. Read on, bookworms!