To read, or not to read, that is the question many students face when it comes to school assigned books. Whether it’s a non-fiction biography for rhetorical analysis, a novel for summer reading, or an old Shakespearean play for AP Lit, finding the motivation for reading can be a struggle for many. Oftentimes this lack can lead to procrastination and a sparknotes cram for an assignment or exam, resulting in lower grades than desirable. However, the solution to this common problem is simple: don’t read the book. 

No, this is not a suggestion to evade the assignment altogether, just the physical act of reading. How, you may ask? Audiobooks! 

So many tasks can be made easier when using audiobooks for homework and this opens students up to more tools for their studies. There are a multitude of benefits when listening to books instead of or in addition to reading. 

Most students are all too familiar with the dreaded feeling of reading half a book and then putting it off until the last minute. The night before it’s due, they have over 100 pages to read and need notes for their essay or exam. Instead of pulling an all-nighter or solely relying on the internet for the answers, students can turn to audiobooks that allow them to work efficiently and still achieve the grades they desire.

The act of physically reading a book can be tedious and limiting. Some people complain they can’t find a comfortable position to read in that would not distract them from the task at hand. Additionally, if teachers require their students to take notes or annotate, students have to take time to put their book down, write, and make sure their notes aren’t lost with flimsy post-its. Even if students don’t mind the process of note taking, reading can be a lot to handle on top of other homework.

With audiobooks, students can free themselves up while still completing their required work. Because you’re listening, you can take notes freely without taking lengthy pauses which can make the process quicker. You can turn the audio on and listen while doing chores, other homework assignments, or more small tasks. Another benefit of audiobooks is that you can speed up the recording and finish the portion of the book faster than you may be able to read it.

Furthermore, audiobooks can be a great help for tough books. For novels that use different dialects that affect the text written, hearing the words can be easier to understand than trying to decipher the author’s words. When it comes to plays such as Shakespeare, audiobooks can help you visualize the story coming to life with tone and nuance added to the lines that would otherwise be lost upon the reader. 

And if you aren’t an auditory learner, you can still utilize audiobooks in hand with physical reading to help you concentrate and better follow the story.

So with all these benefits, you can use the summer reading assignments as a great way to start and delve into the world of audiobooks!