How to be a well-read individual
You first heard the term during a lecture, quickly assuming that you're a well-read student. After all, millions haven't read the books by James Joyce. If you're truly a fan of the author, then there won't be any excuse for not finding a copy of his stories. It doesn't make you a well-read person, as this would depend on the eye of a beholder.
Let's assess the term:
Bookworm, bibliophile, heavy reader. All three terms (and the others) aren't synonymous with well-read people. There's a strong possibility that all three could pertain to one or two fields. It would be literary genres as well. The outcome would be someone with a fair knowledge of a particular subject, if not one who has a good opinion on it. An eclectic taste may be the closest thing to a well-read person, and this could demand lots of time. It would be another subject matter, though. Don't sweat it if you can't call yourself as one. (You would point out the other aspects of a student's life.) Let's proceed to the next one.
How about newspapers? It's the most accessible medium, where you can read various topics by a wide range of writers. If you're really serious about the craft, then it will be a must to read the news. (One of the benefits will be learning about news writing. It won't be too different from essay writing.) Not a few people will be dismissive of tabloid publications, but there's no need to hop on the high horse. Crossword puzzles? It can enlarge your vocabulary. How about sports? Marcel Hirscher's sixth consecutive World Cup (in alpine skiing) won't mean a thing, not even the rugby league in Down Under. After all, everyone you know is into baseball, football, and basketball. And they don't have to be in that particular order.
You hit the goldmine in comics. Hollywood has been adopting comic materials for decades until Marvel Studios found the right formula. (Almost perfect if you're too critical of Kevin Feige's productions.) Comic writers like Stan Lee won't deny the references of many comic stories from the classics, and there's nothing wrong about it. Most comic artists tend to exaggerate the plot while illustrators will be glad to draw stark features of mostly superheroes, if not the grotesque aspects of their worn-out faces. You might be tempted to look for past copies of the Incredible Hulk after learning about Mark Ruffalo's confession about Marvel Studio's change of heart (on making one more motion picture on the big, green dude.)
Maps, anyone? Google can assist you on this one unless you're interested in useless information. It won't be a severe case of wanderlust, as there's a thing called a sense of place. You should know (after recalling the novels you read).
The best of the rest. Many will frown upon books that put emphasis on the human faith, unaware that the likes of John Milton penned epic poems on the subject matter. You don't need to be reminded of it, as you learned about it during your first year. How about calling a spade a spade?
At the end of the day, you must read because you want it. You enjoy it as well. And you'll likely come back to it (and read it again). It will probably require a Herculean effort to read different kinds of written materials, but you're truly a special one (if you're trying to be one).
