Studying for finals is hard enough but to study when there are so many distractions like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social media sites, it is nearly impossible to stay concentrated. So how can you stay focused on studying for that impossible physics test or that mind-boggling calculus problem? Here are just a few ways that may help!
1. Get anti-distraction apps on your computer/cell phone
Try anti-distraction apps that your computer or phone offers such as SelfControl, an app on macs that allows you to disable certain websites so that you will not be able to veer from studying to check them. You are able to set the amount of time for which these websites are disabled and no matter how many times you try to restart your computer or reload the page, the website will not be accessible until that time limit is up. Now let’s say you physically and mentally cannot stand being locked out of your favorite social media websites and will literally have a panic attack if you do so. Well there is an app that will allow you to continue focusing on studying while also allowing breaks for social media checks. This app is called Focus Booster and is a time management system that challenges you to focus on a single task such as studying for 25 minutes and then will give you a five minute break to grab a quick snack or check those social media websites for recent updates. You could even do something as simple as setting an alarm on your phone to go off every 25 minutes with 5-10 minute breaks in between so that you can have the best of both worlds while studying.
2. Turn off your phone completely.
I know it sounds crazy but think of how much more you can get done when you’re not constantly checking Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and other social media sites while studying. You also won’t be able to waste your time sending or receiving text messages, looking through old pictures on your camera roll or changing the background on your phone from a picture of Channing Tatum to a picture of James Franco. You can also think about how rewarding it will be to be able to turn your phone back on after all that time studying and receive several text messages or notifications all at once! Think of how popular you’ll feel!
3. Go to the library or other quiet places to study.
Sometimes it makes all the difference of where you study. When you are surrounded by others who are in the zone of studying and concentrated in their work it helps to keep you concentrated and focused on your own work. Being in a quiet place can also keep you from putting your phone on loud and therefore will prevent you from hearing constant phone updates.
4. Give yourself rewards after studying.
After studying for a long period of time give yourself a reward! It will make studying easier if you know that you have something fun waiting for you afterwards. You can make rules for yourself such as if you study for 2 hours then you can watch a 2-hour movie or if you study for one hour you can check Facebook for 10 minutes. You will feel more accomplished if you get your work done in its entirety and allow yourself to receive rewards for doing so.
5. Listen instead of read.
A lot of times we get more distracted when trying to read something than if we were listening to it. If you can concentrate more by listening than reading, than try listening to Tegrity online or if your class doesn’t offer Tegrity, try recording yourself reading the notes out loud or reading out of the book and then listening to it over and over again until it is stuck in your head. You can use this recording to listen to while working out, going to the grocery store, walking to class or even before you go to bed. If you are an auditory learner, this will be especially helpful and can allow you to absorb the information more efficiently.