We live in a distraction-filled world. So even though most of us can admit to getting distracted way too quickly, it isn’t our fault, kind of…
It starts all too innocent. Maybe you need to read two chapters in the novel you are reading for English class because there is a quiz tomorrow. You pick up your book, get about two pages in and boom, your phone buzzes. It’s your friend texting you about the weekend, and before you know it, you exchange multiple text messages, and you somehow end up on scrolling through Instagram. Thirty minutes have passed, and all you have done is the two pages of reading.
The scenario above comes in all shapes and sizes, but it happens to the best of us. When the school work is piling up, and we have become so distracted that we are up until 2 AM trying to study, it may be a sign something needs to change.
Imagine yourself getting more homework and studying done in less time, even with room to watch a few episodes of Netflix before going to bed at a reasonable time! Sound appealing? If you said yes, follow the five steps below to overcome distractions and become a more productive studier!
1) Audit your Workspace
Take a second and think of your typical study spots. Do they have any, all, or a combination of the following:
- Organized
- Comfortable and roomy
- Natural lighting
- Quiet
- Light to little foot traffic
Does your study space have any, some, or all of these variables? Further, how would they rank on a scale of 1 to 10?
Freebie: Click here to access a template to do just that! Find out how functional your workspaces are by following the directions! *After clicking on the link, go to file and click make a copy!
2) Turn Distractions in Rewards
Turn common distractions like eating and texting into rewards. Following this method will make you more efficient in your studying. Knowing an award is following will motivate you to stay concentrated.
If one of your biggest distractions is your phone, for example, set a goal to work hard for an hour without giving into any distractions including your phone. When the hour is up, you can have 10 minutes of phone time.
Another example could be taking your favorite candy in bite-size form, and for every five pages you read in your textbook, eating a piece or two!
3) Use the Right Apps and Turn Off the Distracting Ones
Many people attest to our phones being one of the biggest distractions in our daily lives. With the phone being the villain all too often, we forget there are great tools we can only access on our phone. tútit is just one where you can receive homework and test prep help on-demand.
For cutting out the most distracting parts of your phone:
Offtime allows you to track, monitor, and limit your phone usage in various forms. From turning off phone call and text message notifications to restricting access to specific or all apps, you control it all. This is an excellent way to remove the urge to go on your favorite social media channels or text your friends. You can make exceptions for let’s say, your parents, so they don’t think you are ignoring them.
4) Take Breaks
A tip we will repeat; however many times it takes to get through, breaks are good for you! Now we are not telling you to take a break every 20 minutes for 10 minutes at a time but, for every hour or two, taking a 10-minute break or so is healthy for you.
Get up, stretch your legs, and get some water. Most importantly, create a physical and mental space away from your study space. You will come back more refreshed and alert when you separate yourself from your desk every so often.
5) Make it a Game
Make it fun, so you want to be studying or doing school work! How though?
Challenge yourself by making it a game. Time yourself to finish a chapter or write a page of your paper and see how much you can get done efficiently in a particular time frame. Then, beat yourself next round.
However you make a game out of it, you’ll quickly find yourself enjoying the time you’ve spent learning.
Whether you try one or all five steps, you’ll be on your way to overcoming whatever distractions come your way!
