How to Avoid Distractions during Study Hours?

ACIO

“You have an important test or exam, and it’s time to buckle down to study. So you sit down at your study table with determination and start studying your notes, but just after 15 minutes, a ping sounds from your phone. The new notification sound entices you to check your phone, and with a decision to just take a peek, you start scrolling through your news feed. Then before you know it, the whole day has gone by, and now it’s time to go to sleep.”

This situation resonates with almost 93% of the aspirants preparing for competitive exams like JEE and NEET. With all the technological advancements, distractions while studying have also increased.

On average, a college student gets enticed by smartphone-related distractions about 28 times each day. Study distractions are the top-most cause of poor preparation and bad results. To help students overcome study distractions, here we present complete information about how to avoid distractions while studying.

Cause of Study Distraction – Why do students get distracted?

Checking social media very frequently.
Receiving phone calls or text messages while studying.
Getting negative or weird thoughts while studying.
Not deciding on a subject or topic to study beforehand.
While studying, you feel a strong urge to eat or drink.

These include internal and external study distraction sources, which you can overcome by improving attention, preparation, and self-control.

Top ways to avoid distractions during Study Hours:

1. Set and stick to your schedule:

This is a no-brainer, but it’s worth mentioning that setting and following a study schedule will help you overcome procrastination and move forward. When you set a schedule, you’ll know the exact period for studying. Hence, other jobs and distractions can be handled before or after your study period. Committing to a study schedule will help you push the distraction away.

2. Define your daily study goals:

Writing out your daily study goals will help you stay on top of all you need to get done. Don’t allow yourself to spiral down the rabbit hole in determining what to study. Always decide ahead of time what subject/chapter/topic you’ll be studying and set a target for yourself to complete by the end of the day. Skipping that part will likely result in you squandering half of your time pondering where to begin. There is a good likelihood that you will put off studying as well. Setting goals will provide you with a clear picture of what needs to be accomplished in a day before retiring to your bed.

3. Mute/ switch off your phone:

Mobile phones are the biggest distraction source among students. With the implementation of online learning, students often find themselves blurring the lines between studying and scrolling through their social media accounts. To avoid that, always put your phone on silent mode and mute your notification while studying. If you are not using your phone for studies, switch it off during the study session. Moreover, if you are addicted to your phone, it is better to put your phone somewhere out of your reach, far away from where you study. You could also ask someone to keep it for you until your study session is over.

4. Find a perfect study spot:

Having a study space tailored to your requirements is one of the greatest methods to eliminate distractions when studying. Find a private, quiet, and distraction-free place to study. If you’re attempting to study in a shared space like a living room, kitchen, or even a park, or restaurant where people are talking and going about their day, even if they don’t mean to, they might be distracting. Whatever you prefer, indoors or outdoors, always find a quiet and comfortable place to study. And, after you’ve discovered your own study spot, make it evident to everyone who might try to distract you that you want to study and don’t want to be bothered.

5. Avoid multitasking:

Multitasking is the biggest myth. Some students believe that doing many tasks simultaneously allows them to learn more quickly. But the opposite is true. You will lose attention if you try multitasking, such as doing homework while watching TV or shopping online. Hence, it is recommended to focus on one activity at a time. While studying, concentrate entirely on your topic. Do not attempt to multitask because multitasking increases your chances of getting distracted.

6. Tune out the distractions:

Unwanted distractive noises are pretty hard to avoid. There’s no point in trying to study in your room when the loud noise of television or next-door construction work is messing with your concentration levels. To avoid that scenario, use noise-cancelling headphones, or you can play music while studying. Instrumental tones (classical, beats, jazz, hip-hop, etc.) might help you tune out the noise and focus on your studies. Remember that while music might help you shut out distractions, you don’t want to harm your hearing by turning your headphones up too loudly. Always keep your music volume at a safe level.

7. Close all the unwanted website tabs:

While studying on a laptop or mobile device, you are just one click away from getting lost in the varsity of the internet. While our computers and tablets are excellent productivity tools, let’s be honest: we’re always on Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube. Hours pass before you realise it, and your lessons are long gone! To resist the temptation, open only the necessary tabs, and close all the unwanted tabs (or switch off your WiFi if necessary) until you’ve completed your study session.

8. Schedule distractions:

This may seem counterintuitive, but allotting specific time to indulge in distractions will improve your study focus and concentration. Scheduling distractions will help you overcome the urge to give in to them while studying. You can also use them as rewards, allowing you to watch your favourite TV Show or movie.

These are some of the strategies that’ll help students to avoid distractions while studying. For more awesome tips and academic advice, get in touch with our experts.

How to Avoid Distractions during Study Hours?

Cause of Study Distraction – Why do students get distracted?