Since I was a young girl, it has been nearly impossible to find me without a book somewhere on my person. From my fascination with the "Magic Tree House" series in second grade to my "Harry Potter" obsession in fifth grade and my "Hunger Games" hysteria in ninth grade, I've always been an avid reader, and this habit has helped me in more ways than I could ever imagine. It has allowed me to become more empathetic, a better writer, more witty, and a more intelligent human being. I even wrote about my reading habit in one of my college admissions essays (and guess who's currently a college student). It's so important to me that I've already started writing my first novel. Reading has always been a huge part of my life. However, before I moved into college, almost everyone I knew told me that while I was here, I would have no time to read whatsoever. And they were right -- sort of. Obviously I don't have nearly as much free time as I used to for reading. However, I still make time for it when I can. This is why I still find time to read in college -- and why you should, too.

1. It's distracting.

When I'm absorbed in a good book, it's impossible to worry about deadlines, projects, exams, and grades. I can escape in to an entirely different world -- an entirely different life -- and just relax. For me, books are the best defense against college anxiety.

2. It improves your writing.

If you've ever been interested in writing, you've probably been given a lot of advice. The No. 1 piece of advice on any list on how to become a better writer is to read more. By exposing yourself to good writing, your own writing simultaneously improves. It's pretty convenient if you need to write an excellent paper (or an Odyssey article) that you put off until the last minute.

3. Your vocabulary increases exponentially.

I'm not sure if there have been any studies on this, but it's almost guaranteed that if you read plenty of books, you'll begin to understand more and more words, which is especially handy when you're trying to sound smart in front of a professor or an interviewer (or your new boyfriend's parents). And I don't mean that you have to read "War and Peace" to increase your mental word bank. When words like "chagrin" and "masochism" showed up on the SAT, you better believe I thanked my lucky stars for my sixth-grade "Twilight" obsession.

4. You have more confidence.

According to recent psychology studies, we have these things in our brain called "mirror neurons," and these neurons allow you to observe other people's actions and replicate them. This allows you to emulate successful people. And guess what -- these neurons function the same way when you read. So when you're reading about a hardcore, sassy, confident, or strong hero or heroine, your brain pays attention. I remember after I read the "Vampire Academy" novels, my self-confidence increased dramatically merely because I felt connected to the main character. By channeling my favorite strong, confident, and brave characters, I can be similarly strong, confident, and brave.

5. People automatically assume you're a genius.

From knowing random facts in history class to always winning a friendly game of Jeopardy, reading has the capacity to give you a lot of random knowledge. And it may seem to your compatriots that you know everything when you really just know a lot of nothing -- but you'd never tell them that.

6. Books make great dorm decorations.

Now, who wants to stare at a shelf full of uninspiring textbooks while they slave over their chemistry homework? Not me! I'd much prefer to have my prettiest novels watching over me while I struggle through a 10-page paper. And who knows, you might get some of that Hermione Granger mojo if you keep your "Harry Potter" series close by.

7. Making cool nerdy friends is a piece of cake.

There's no easier way to make friends in college than to mutually fangirl over some obscure book series. And while people were scrambling to find conversation topics during sorority recruitment, I was freaking out over books with whoever I was talking to at the time. Trust me, you can't go wrong with a bookish friend -- they're frequently as creative, intelligent, and adventurous as you are.

8. You're used to plot twists.

If some aspect of your life hits a snag, it doesn't feel like the end of the world. As an avid reader, you're constantly expecting plot twists in your books -- so when they happen in your life, you can only be so shocked. You're just grateful that your issue is a messed-up class schedule and not a bombshell like "your crush is actually your brother" or "your best friend is a supernatural creature."

9. You're never alone.

When you feel lost and alone and have no one to turn to (a surprisingly common occurrence in college), you can be assured that comfort and support from your favorite characters are as easy to come by as pulling a book from your shelf. Reading is like a hug for your soul. It lifts you up when you're down, makes you laugh when you want to cry, and gives you strength when you need it most.

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