Do University Students Still Have to Read Newspapers?

When you read newspapers, you might not realise the benefits you can get from them. Well, although we are living in the digital age, reading newspapers can help a lot in improving your study. In fact, there are tremendous benefits you can get from this activity. So, do university students still have to read newspapers? Yes, let’s explore the reasons why and some tips to read effectively! 

The Benefits You Can Get from Reading Newspapers 

As a university student living in the digital era, you might be wondering about the necessity of reading newspapers. After all, you can get any information you need from the internet, right?  

However, newspapers serve as a medium for us to engage with global issues. Moreover, when you read newspapers, you will be able to think critically and get educated on a wide range of topics. Most importantly, newspapers can also contribute extensively to your spoken English skills. Plus, they can help you learn how to speak English fluently.  

Check out some promising benefits of reading newspapers below! 

Strengthens Your Reading and Writing Skills 

Without you realising it, newspapers are the best source of providing good reading ability. Better yet, newspapers can turn you, as a reader, into an active learner. When you read newspapers, you will get a better understanding of reading and vocabulary. 

Furthermore, newspaper reading also improves your writing and reading skills. How? While reading it, there might be some difficult words that come and confuse you. Simply put, making a habit of reading newspapers daily can improve your vocabulary. Plus, if you are interested of pursuing a BS degree in English, you will love to read newspapers in English language. 

Gain General Knowledge 

Knowledge and experiences can help you reach a stage of success in any examination or competition in life.  As a student, you can easily gain valuable information through newspapers about recent discoveries and latest inventions. Hence, you can get general knowledge about what is going on at present and what is in trend nowadays. 

Get Useful Ideas About Research and Projects 

When you learn at a university, you will have to undergo a lot of research and school projects. For this, you need to search for various ideas, creations, and a better design. 

This is where newspapers are a handy source. When you read newspapers, you can easily get multiple topics of almost recent searches. Hence, not only will you get useful ideas. More than that, you can engage with news about many discoveries, launches, and establishments. Overall, these sources will help you cover your school projects. 

5 Tips to Read Newspapers Effectively 

When you study in your dream university, like CUST (Capital University of Science and Technology), you might not have enough time to read newspapers. After all, you must adjust to your university life. In this context, you need to learn how to read and get all the information you need from newspapers effectively.  

To help you out in this, here are five tips you can follow! 

1. Set a Consistent Reading Routine 

Setting a regular reading routine can help you create a habit of allocating dedicated time for reading newspapers. You can choose a time when you can concentrate without interruptions, such as in the morning or evening. By being consistent with your reading routine, you can stay updated with the latest news consistently. 

2. Go for the Headlines 

Headlines provide an overview of the news topics covered in the newspapers. By skimming the headlines, you can quickly identify the articles that interest you the most and prioritise your reading. Moreover, you must also pay attention to both local and global headlines to stay informed about a wide range of issues. 

3. Read the Lead Paragraphs 

The lead paragraph contains the most essential information of the article. So, when you read this section, you can quickly get a summary of the main points and grasp the essence of the news. In addition, understanding the lead paragraph will help you decide if you want to read the full article or move on to other topics. 

4. Practice the Active Reading Techniques 

Active reading techniques involve interacting with the text while you read newspapers.  

To practice the active reading techniques, you should: 

• Highlight key points 
• Underline valuable information 
• Note down things that help you engage more deeply with the content 

When you use these techniques, you can improve your retention and understanding of the information. 

5. Pay Attention to Context 

Context is highly essential when reading the news. This means that you must consider the source of the news, whether it is a reputable newspaper or a lesser-known publication. Also, you should evaluate the author’s background and expertise on the subject matter.  

Most importantly, you should be aware of the publication date to ensure you are reading up-to-date information. By understanding the context, it will be easier to identify potential perspectives that may be present in the news. 

Final Notes 

Indeed, university students still have to read newspapers. In fact, there are tremendous benefits you can get from this activity, including strengthening your reading and writing skills, gaining general knowledge, and getting useful ideas about research and projects. Even if you are a university student with a busy routine, you can follow the tips above to get information from newspapers effectively.