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reading

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Reading VS Revision – How to Survive School

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I don’t know about you, but I find that one of the worst feelings in the world is feeling like schoolwork is getting in the way of reading With exams looming (eek!), lots of us are starting to think about revision, but how do you revise and read at the same time without exploding?

1. Get into a routine

Revision timetables are always useful to use, but make sure you slip time to read into them. If it’s written down, you’re more likely to stick to it and it will mean you have something to look forward to. Also, reading timetables are so much more exciting than revision timetables 😉

You can also revise at the same time each day and then read for the rest of the time. I’ve got into the habit recently of reading at least a chapter of the book I’m reading before bed. It doesn’t matter what time it is, I’ll read and then I have something to look forward to at the end of each day. It’s time to de-stress, relax and get lots of words read!

2. Make reading a reward

Done twenty minutes of revision? Reward yourself with ten minutes of reading! It makes it so much fun, and you’ll find yourself being a lot more productive just so you can squeeze your reading time in.

I also like to throw chocolate rewards into the mix if I’m really struggling, but usually I end up eating the chocolate first before any revision has been done…

3. Don’t read.

Sometimes I find that if I don’t read anything, I’m more likely to read more when I finally do get around to reading. It sounds counterintuitive, but it works! Abandon books for a week and come back feeling fresh and ready to read!

4. Throw all revision out of the window and READ.

I usually try to do this at least once a month where I binge read millions of books for an entire weekend. In fact, this is usually my favourite way to read because it means I’m so engrossed that I pretty much forget to do anything else. I think other people may get annoyed with me though when I ignore them for long periods of time… It’s just you and your books and it gives you a well-deserved break too.

5. Find out what works for you

Everyone’s brain works differently, so figure out how you work best. For some people, reading is totally out of the question, but I find that if I don’t read I go just a tiny bit insane. My brain works best with words in it! Experiment, try new things out and listen to your heart.

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Blogging and Reading Through Other People’s Eyes

I’ve never made it a secret that I love reading. In fact, I like to reveal that part of myself just as much as people like talking about their favourite football team or band. The thing with reading, though, is that people view it as weird and because I like reading I’m seen as a geek or a nerd. Not that I have a problem with this, because it really doesn’t bother me. Blogging about books, though? People find that hard to understand.

By blogging I’m taking my nerd levels to extreme heights. So, how exactly do people react?

Some people are genuinely interested and ask me questions. They ask me about reviewing for publishers and how it works, whether I get paid (I have had people ask this millions of times, and they don’t seem to understand that, no, I don’t get paid), and I don’t mind talking to people like this. It’s surprised me sometimes when some people ask and it’s totally out of character. I enjoy talking about what I do and sharing it with other people, because they’re not really familiar with anything like it.

Then there is the other type of person that thinks I’m stupid and wonders why on Earth I do what I do. And I understand completely why they might think that. It is quite a weird thing for a teenager to be doing. I put so much work into my blog and sometimes I’m not exactly sure what I get out of it. But I enjoy it and I don’t want to stop. I like sharing a part of my life with you all and I love you guys to pieces. People who aren’t a part of our community won’t realise just how amazing it is.

I want to set myself a few goals. When people ask me condescendingly if I’ve reviewed the book I’m currently reading (‘Well, I’m not going to review it if I’m in the middle of reading it, am I?’), I won’t bite their heads off with a snarky reply. After all, they have no idea what I actually do and I suppose it’s my job to educate them.

The other goal I’m going to set myself is to stop worrying what other people think. I’m generally good at doing this, but sometimes things do bother me and I want to try and stop this. Everyone has something they geek out about and my geeky thing is books. I’m not going to apologise for that, and I don’t feel I have to.

I love reading, and I’m proud to say it.

If people know about your reading and blogging, how have they reacted? If not, is there a reason you don’t tell anyone? Let me know!