Summer Reading? I Thought I Was Done With That!

Summer Reading? I Thought I Was done with That!

by Ann Rossbach, Independent Educational Consultant

As Notre Dame’s faculty put it, “One of the differences between high school and college is the degree to which you actively educate yourself, and your summer reading can be a part of your transition to greater engagement in your own education.” For some, that realization comes later in life and perhaps with more reluctance, because in a fast- paced world, sitting quietly to read can seem mundane. For the college-bound student however, getting past that road block is imperative, as reading loads during freshman year can be range between 100-400 pages per week (the average is 72 pages/course). Keeping abreast of current events, reading a classic or historical novel or the latest best seller provides a reader with a more interconnected world and can spark what David Markus, Brown alumni interviewer and Newsday reporter, refers to as intellectual curiosity.  

Here’s a short list of colleges’ required summer reading.  If your university doesn't have required reading, check out http://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/nerdscholar/2013/2013-college-summer-reading-lists/.  This is a great website featuring picks from graduates, college presidents and librarians. If finding blocks of time to read is a challenge, try abbreviated essays, such as Malcolm Gladwell's, What the Dog Saw and Other Adventures.  Additionally, http://popurls.com/ will cover everything from current affairs, and entertainment to politics and much more. Delving here may ignite that intellectual curiosity!

Reading offers you a better sense of self by learning what sparks your interest.  You may be surprised how the inspiration found by reading one book may directly impact your future.