How to resist distraction as a student: tips for better focus

As students, we’re often given the advice to learn how to focus.

This may seem like simple advice to follow, but it’s much easier said than done, especially when there are so many distractions around us that can derail our best intentions towards studying or work.

Here are ways you can resist distraction as a student and stay focused on what you’re doing.

1) Understand whyL you’re struggling

It’s hard to focus, especially when you’re studying or doing homework.

You might feel like you’re the only one who can’t stop themselves from procrastinating, wasting time on social media, or getting distracted by other tasks.

However, there are many reasons why it is difficult for people to stay on task and finish what they started.

Lack of sleep, stress, anxiety, and depression may all be contributing factors in your inability to focus.

Once you have identified the issue(s) causing your lack of attention, then you can start looking into ways that will help you overcome them.

2) Set realistic goals

Be sure that your goals are not too big and overwhelming in order to give yourself the best chance of achieving them.

Break things down into smaller, more manageable tasks and you will be less likely to get distracted by other, less important tasks.

For example, instead of making it your goal to read 4 books this semester, make it your goal just to read one book per week.

You can always increase your reading speed or number of books if you find it easy enough.

If there is something specific that you need to do, such as homework or studying for an exam, keep your planning materials handy so that they are easy to access when needed.

Keeping these materials close by also helps prevent forgetfulness when it’s time to study/do work (e.g., Where did I put my assignment?).

3) Change your environment

One of the best ways to reduce distractions and stay focused is by changing your environment.

By going somewhere less populated with fewer things vying for your attention, you’ll be more able to focus on what’s important.

Some places you might try include:

-A library -The park -Your bedroom -A coffee shop (without wifi)

1) A library hours are generally not an issue since they’re open late at night. Plus, in general libraries are quiet enough that there won’t be too many other people around distracting you from studying.

It may even help to pack up your food beforehand so that it doesn’t interfere with your concentration.

Remember that noise canceling headphones can also work wonders in some settings!

4) Take regular breaks

Taking regular breaks can help you stay focused and productive. A study by the University of Illinois found that people who took short, regular breaks during the day were more productive than those who worked straight through.

The study also found that people who took these types of breaks had lower levels of tension and stress, which can reduce the risk of serious health problems like heart disease and diabetes.

Find a balance between sitting in front of your computer screen all day and taking time away from it every hour or so.

Give yourself permission to take time off from work occasionally—even if it’s just five minutes at a time—to eat lunch with friends, listen to music or just stretch your legs.

5) Get enough sleep

Sleep is one of the most important things you can do as a student.

Research has shown that getting enough sleep can boost your memory, improve your grades, and even help you perform better at work. Sleep deprivation can also lead to anxiety and depression.

Take care of yourself by getting the amount of sleep that is right for you.

A good place to start is by following the National Sleep Foundation’s recommendation of seven hours per night for adults ages 18-64.

6) Limit your screen time

Limit your screen time by turning off notifications on your phone and closing social media tabs.

Try the Pomodoro Technique, which involves setting alarms on your phone or computer timer and working in 25-minute blocks.

Focus on one task at a time, and take five minute breaks every hour where you can do anything but work.

If you find it hard to stay focused when studying, try creating an environment with as little noise and distraction as possible.

At home this could mean listening to music while studying; if you’re in public, bring earplugs or noise cancelling headphones so that you can study without worrying about loud conversations around you.

7) Set a daily schedule

A lot of students find that they cannot concentrate on their work when they are trying the other distractions around them.

There are a few different things you can do to combat this.

One is setting a daily schedule. This will help you stay focused and get your work done without the temptation of checking your phone or surfing the web.

If you have trouble staying organized, try using an app like Todoist or Omnifocus to keep track of your tasks.

The best thing about these apps is that they offer features like auto completion, which means if you set up your task correctly with the correct date and time it will automatically add it to your list for the day.

Another option is to just start writing down all of your thoughts in a notepad before going back and organizing them later on.

It may seem less effective than other techniques but it does help many people manage their time more effectively than if they were constantly distracted by social media or email notifications.

9) reward yourself

Get up from your desk and take five minutes of alone time.

Reward yourself with five minutes of TV after an hour of work or study, for example. If you’re really struggling, reward yourself with fifteen minutes of TV instead.

You’ll need to refocus after the break, but it’s worth it in the long run. Distractions should be avoided at all costs, so don’t give into them without a good reason.

Reward yourself with five minutes of TV after an hour of work or study, for example. If you’re really struggling, reward yourself with fifteen minutes of TV instead.