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Have you ever found yourself scrolling endlessly on Instagram when you should be studying? If so, then you're not alone. During assessments it is very difficult to stay focused, especially with constant notifications of posts and updates which demand your attention. We are living in a time when social media offers instant psychological stimulation, and it has become very easy to fall into the trap of endless scrolling. From personal experience, I have a better alternative.

Why reading is a better alternative

Reading books is not just for students; it is a powerful tool for creativity, focus and even entertainment. Another advantage of reading is that it expands your imagination and improves your concentration. This will help improve the quality of your written answers.

The hidden costs of endless scrolling

Social media just gives your brain a temporary high which does not last for long. This constant chase for instant gratification leads to reduced attention spans, increased procrastination and mental exhaustion.

We have all been there. You tell yourself that you will check your phone for just five minutes, and suddenly, an hour is gone. During assessments, this is especially harmful. Instead of focused study sessions, you will end up distracted, drained and behind schedule.

Your mind becomes so used to fast content that reading a paragraph from a textbook feels like a chore. In the end, social media gives you entertainment, but at the cost of your productivity and peace.

Books: fuel for the mind and soul

Books offer more than just knowledge – they train your brain. Regular reading boosts memory, focus, vocabulary and communication - all essential during assessments.

Books invite your brain to slow down, absorb and reflect. This not only helps you in understanding topics better, but also sharpens your ability to focus for a longer time. It is a skill that pays off not just in assessments, but in life also. Reading also fuels creativity and imagination. Like in my case, when I started reading, my imagination began to improve which was useful in helping me to write and make substantial arguments in essays. 

Writing is a deep, active process that encourages you to think more clearly and critically. Reading also calms you. It offers peace, not pressure which is required during assessments. Books are like workouts for the brain; social media is just a sugar rush. One builds lasting strength while the other gives a quick high and then a severe low. Choosing books can help you build habits and skills that stay with you far beyond assessment days.

Reading can be enjoyable and more rewarding than limitless scrolling or binge-watching. Books entertain without distracting you from your goals. A good mystery novel sharpens your critical thinking. Fictional novels help you in building your emotional world and empathy, while non-fiction fills your mind with new ideas and knowledge.

On the other hand, screens only leave your eyes tired and your brain confused while books provide a calmness. You can go into different worlds, feel different emotions, meet different people and walk away with something valuable. In this regard I love the quote of René Descartes “The reading of all good books is like a conversation with the finest minds of past centuries.”

Make the shift: choose books over feeds

I challenge you to replace 30 minutes of daily scrolling with reading. It may not give you the instant psychological stimulation which social media does, but the benefits will last far longer. Reading strengthens your mind, improves your focus and supports your academic goals. Next time, instead of picking your phone because of boredom, go and pick up a book. Why? because when you read, you don’t just prepare for assessments, you prepare a great intellectual mind and a better life.

Mamoor studies BSc Business Administration in Pakistan.