NEWS!!

Please note that this entire blog is written for improving social interactions and language skills. So there is every chance that the macro benefits might not be mentioned. And most importantly, this is my opinion.

I’m sure our parents or teachers told us to read the news at some point in our childhood (I’m assuming that you are no longer a child ;) ).

So there’s no need to introduce the benefits of reading news, but let’s summarize its benefits in a few lines before jumping into the core of this blog(how to use it as a tool to improve your vocabulary):

1. General Knowledge of current affairs: Everyone would agree that staying up-to-date with worldwide events would be a huge plus. There are direct advantages while appearing for competitive exams but many in-direct benefits. Being up-to-date with news will make it easy to start conversations, and it becomes easy to relate to other people who often talk about current events and politics.
2. Debates/ Competitions on current affairs: No doubt, there are 100s of contests happening regularly that offer good prize money, where staying at par with the current affairs can turn the favor on your side.
3. Improvement in writing style: For sure, folks who read the news regularly would have a slight edge over non-readers when it comes to writing as they have more exposure to reading stuff from different people hence a wide range of variations.
4. Improved Vocabulary: We have discussed how news reading can help improve vocabulary in the previous blog. Please read it here. We discussed the importance of vocabulary and various ways to improve one’s vocabulary.

I might have missed a few other benefits; please feel free to comment ;)

So, whatever your goal is in the above list, you might want to start reading the news. And I understand, we lack a structure to reading and eventually give up reading news. That’s what this blog is all about. To help you set up a framework for yourself and make news reading a long-term habit.

I started reading news in July last year, and I hardly missed reading for less than 10–12 days. Exciting right, more than 90% regularity for around six months and observed various benefits. So let’s dive in:

1. Take it slow: Don’t plan on reading 20 articles a day. Don’t set up unrealistic expectations. Remember that how much you retain matters more than how much you consume. Be determined that you have to read at least one article every day.
2. Select a single topic: Which one to read? Interview of your favorite actress or yesterday’s cricket match? Politics or business or the new release from Mercedes? To avoid this confusion every day, pick up one genre and stick to that for at least a month. I chose business news. So the anxiety to choose from the 100s of articles you see is eliminated and okay done. What next? You might be thinking. Continue reading!!
3. Understand all the terms related to that industry: Whenever we start reading something new, our brain makes it feel awful. One attempt to make it going would be to spend a little extra time learning about the basic terms of the subject. (Imagine trying to read cricket news without understanding terms like LBW, Drs, 30-yard circle, etc. [Probably the most important thing to sustaining the habit for long-term]
4. Maintain a counter: Helps in every habit. Try to write down no. of days you have been consistent. Once you reach 20–25, a part of your brain would want you to keep the flow going.
5. Slowly increase the number: Keep growing the number of articles over time. In the beginning, don’t over-strain your brain. One mistake everyone makes is reading a lot in the beginning, it is good to read a lot, but it’s always better and more viable if it happens over a long time.

Now, most of the things I have mentioned are the ones that are applicable in establishing any new good habit. Always remember, before starting anything, Start with Why. Have a solid answer to why you must do it, and you won half the war. Prove yourself that adding this new habit will help you be a much stronger person in the future, and it will all be worth the tiny struggles you make in the beginning.

I can add more to this, but I don’t want to make it longer. Once again, as a reminder, if you forgot to read my previous blog, please do.

Thanks for reading this far. You are indeed a fantastic reader! Consider leaving a comment (positive or negative); it means a lot.

Thanks again.

Signing off,

with lots of respect,

Mallikarjun.