Avoiding distractions while studying
This seems to be one of the most common and frustrating problem while studying. Sure, staying connected with your friends and the world around you is important, but it becomes troublesome when it gets in the way of your studying. Not only that, there are so many things going on around us, and they seem infinitely more interesting when we get around to studying. Here I’ve listed a few tips to avoid distractions while studying; you do not have to try all of these, and I’m not saying they’re 100% effective, but they’re worth a shot.
Keep. Your phone. Away.
There is literally no more direct way to say this. The closer you are to your phone, the more likely are your fingers to itch when you receive a notification. Studies even show that keeping your phone in a different room (or somewhere else where you cannot see or hear it) actually greatly increases your concentration. I say from experience that this is very true, as you are more focused on the task at hand. If you think you can manage checking notifications and studying, you’re wrong. It’s not easy for the brain to switch so quickly between different tasks which are highly visually and mentally demanding, so you’ll find yourself thinking about that Instagram caption more than what’s good for you, especially while studying.
Lo-fi music is best
I mean, it was created for this purpose. I’d actually suggest not listening music while studying, but if that’s what works for you or you are in a noisy place where even the slightest of disturbance causes you to lose focus, lo-fi music is best. This may be known as ‘reading music’ in some places and websites. It usually has a slow, calm beat and no lyrics. No lyrics are really important, whatever music you’re listening to. They keep your mind from straying (no, listening to music in a language you don’t understand won’t work, because there’s still change in the lyrics and music). Finally, I wouldn’t suggest listening to any music which is staccato or has sharp note changes.
Don’t do something intense right before studying
This includes listening to loud and intense music, watching a movie or an episode of a show, or playing video games (light video games such as Colour Switch are okay, but only before your study session begins). This reduces chances of your mind straying to the activity you just did. Instead, you can go for a walk, make yourself a snack, or clean your room a little.
Study actively
This is, by far, how I’ve managed to keep my distractions to the minimum. Make notes, use flashcards, do practice questions, quiz yourself, anything works as long as you’re not simply moving your eves across the page. I often find myself reading and re-reading the same line multiple times because I simply cannot focus. So, I always try to read actively, such as reading from the point of view of note-taking (what I’m going to write down and what information isn’t the most important) or as if I’m preparing to answer a question, or even thinking the possible questions which could come from a particular topic (this works less effectively but I only use it as a last resort or for tougher topics). Not only does this make your brain absorb information more readily, it prepares you for situations in the examination.
