A book a day works wonders

Reading every day keeps laziness away! Well, maybe that’s not always the case, but it’s been proven that reading does stimulate the mind. Whether you’re studying your history book, indulging in fun-filled adventures or just getting in touch with world news, reading will expand your mind and provide you with the knowledge to succeed in this world.

In elementary and middle school, I had my share of series such as Babysitter’s Club and Goosebumps, all of which helped develop my reading comprehension. Our school rewarded students who read for fun in a program known as Accelerated Readers. Programs such as these encouraged us to learn the benefits of reading. Now that I have reached my senior year of high school, I am thankful that so many of my teachers took the time to help me develop my reading skills. Every time I open up a book, newspaper or magazine, my mind goes to work to fill me in with useful information that helps develop my critical thinking skills.

Reading has also expanded my vocabulary and has helped me to understand concepts quickly. I have found this to be a plus when taking standardized tests, such as the SAT. The analogies section seemed much easier because I was more familiar with word structures and definitions, and the reading comprehension section took me less time to complete.

My advice to all current high school underclassmen is to find time for reading. Even if you’re bombarded with tons of assignments or extracurricular activities, take at least 30 minutes every day to read something of interest to you. By just opening a book, you may find the key to all the treasures you’ve been waiting for!

Tanya Walywn is a high school senior in Avon Park, Fla.

Article provided by