For many students, a perfect summer would consist of relaxing by the pool, playing volleyball on the beach, gaming, shopping, and most importantly, no homework!  Though it is important to take a break from the stress of studying, it is not ideal to take a break from books altogether.  Many experts believe it is important for college students to spend at least some of their summer preparing for the next semester and the best way to do that is by reading! Let’s look at just a few of the many wonderful benefits summer reading can have on your education.

1. Avoid “Summer Brain”  

Reading daily helps to keep your mind active.  Spending hot summer days by the pool may sound ideal, but you are not doing yourself any favors for the upcoming school year.  Light, summer reading is a great way to continue learning over the summer and to avoid losing some of your hard-earned education.  And in case you are wondering, this is something you can even do relaxing by the pool!

2. It Can Increase Your Vocabulary

Vocabulary is one of the biggest challenges students face when struggling to comprehend what they are studying.  Many of the textbooks you will examine over the school year contain advanced vocabulary.  Reading helps to expose you to new words that will help you with future readings. It will also increase your vocabulary skills making writing essays easier.

3. It Will Improve Your Writing

As mentioned before, reading will increase your vocabulary making it easier to write those long research essays many professors assign in university.  By reading daily, a student's vocabulary invariably increases.  Reading a variety of different books, not just those specific to your major, will play a significant role in increasing your vocabulary as you will be exposed to content from many different backgrounds.

4. Read For You

Students often complain about reading books they didn’t select.  Summer reading is your chance to get to read something you choose.  Remember, summer reading is meant to be relaxing and enjoyable.  Select books which are of interest to you.  By doing so you will reduce stress, stimulate your brain, and get a sense of accomplishment, all while relaxing on the beach.  Since summer is calling, go ahead, grab a book, and relax!