How to overcome a reading slump after exams. A student's tried and tested guide.
After that major examination is over, books take a back seat, and so does our habit of constantly being in touch with them. That's when you enter the period of a reading slump. How to overcome a reading slump is something that enters your mind, but you aren't sure what to do?
Here is an effective step-wise guide that I use to get over my reading slump after exams.
How to Overcome a Reading Slump?
1. KNOW YOUR ESCAPE
To know what to do, we must know what we are doing if not reading. Most of the time, we resort to dramas, movies, shorts, reels—doomscrolling all day. Know what your escape is.
For instance, it was watching K-dramas all day for me.
2. REPLACE IT WITH A NEW TASK
To get over your reading slump, you must target your escape. Replace it with another activity that is less stimulating than screen, but time-consuming. Examples include painting, coloring, exercising, or just reading manga( physical copies).
In my journey, short comics proved to be a good alternative.
3. DECREASE THE TIME OF YOUR ALTERNATE ACTIVITY
Now that you know you are not scrolling anymore, pick a book that's just 50–100 pages long or a book with lots of images. Flip through the pages until any image catches your eye. Know about just that image that day.
Do the same for the next three days.
4. PICK A NICHE THAT CALLS YOU!
(Build your niche)
Choosing the right book for you is easier said than done. Some do have pretty covers but boring text. Knowing your forever niche is the key. Ask yourself what type of movies you were watching, or what genre of K-drama hooked you instantly, or what themed manga felt attractive.
That answer is your forever niche. (Mine is mystery and romance.)
5. CHOOSE YOUR BOOK
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| (AI used to create an image adhering to my experience) |
Now, even though you know your niche, going through recommendations can be hard, especially when there's a pool of recommendations without depth.
That's when an interesting name plays its part.
For example; The Silent Patient—it instantly makes you think, Why is the patient silent? or What made the patient silent? These questions that arise when you read the title are going to make you read it through the initial pages.
Or say, A Good Girl's Guide to Murder—What's a good girl, by the way? And a guide to murder? That's interesting, isn't it?
6. START THE BOOK
Now, before you actually try reading page by page, pause at the first page and read 10 lines of it. Flip through the pages until you reach the last page. Read two lines at the end of the book. Think what you got to know about the book.
This should take about 6–8 minutes max.
Leave it for the day and begin with page 2 the next day.
Make sure you pause when you're tired, sip some water in between, and even have your favorite cup of coffee or tea.
Enjoy the experience of reading before you finish the book. The experience will help you absorb the book.
(Sometimes reading a book backward helps as well.)
THAT'S HOW YOU'LL FINISH THE BOOK EVEN BEFORE YOU REALIZE IT.
These steps are tried and tested by me and are from my own experience—not backed by any scientific evidence or tests, but pure experience.
I genuinely hope it works well for all the readers that wants to get back to reading and enjoying books just the way they did before the slump.
SOME OF OUR RECOMMENDATIONS:
Books I Read During Exams—and How They Help or Distract Me
https://booksandthoughtsbydipti.blogspot.com/2026/04/books-i-read-during-examsand-how-they.html
Curated Indian Authors to Read: 5 Hidden Gems
https://booksandthoughtsbydipti.blogspot.com/2026/04/curated-indian-authors-to-read-5-hidden.html
READ MORE OF MY REVIEWS:
The Loopiness of Life by Tanima Das
https://booksandthoughtsbydipti.blogspot.com/2026/02/the-loopiness-of-life-by-tanima-das.html
Of Moonflowers and Memories by Satya
https://booksandthoughtsbydipti.blogspot.com/2026/01/of-moonflowers-and-memories-by-satya.html
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