Living in the 21st century with technology at its best and changes taking place everyday, means that the number of distractions has also increased compared to a few decades ago. Many students struggle only because they cannot devote enough time to studies and spend more time doing less productive tasks.
It is easier to study when one is focused as focus increases our grasping and retaining power. Self-control is one of the key elements that are required in order to do anything productive. If we want to be more focused, we must decide on our priorities and be aware of our shortcomings. We must set our goals right and work towards achieving them.
One of the ways we can be more focused is by eliminating the distractions around us. Some of the most common distractions faced by students everywhere are:
Social media
Internet
Online Streaming and TV
The Environment
How to eliminate these distractions?
Social Media and the Internet
Social media has its own pros and cons. Though it provides such a huge audience to those who want to share their work, it is also one of the things which distract the teens the most. While studying, it is advisable to leave your phone in a different room from the one you are studying in or switch it off as this reduces the chances of you scrolling through different social media platforms or making random google searches about your interests. If you’re using your phone, for any research or for your online classes, temporarily logging out of your social media accounts would help you focus more.
Movies and TV
No one is a stranger to online streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime. With online streaming, gone are the days where you had to wait for more than a few days or a week for the next episode. Due to this new feature and our ever growing curiosity, we often find ourselves binge watching a whole season or series. Television and online streaming services provide quality content for entertainment but can be very distracting when we don’t practise self control. One way to avoid getting stuck in this cycle is setting a particular time period for leisure and entertainment and sticking to it.
The Environment
The environment we study in plays a key role in keeping us focused. It is difficult to concentrate when there is excess noise and talking around you. Therefore, choose a place that is peaceful and gives you privacy. Make sure that it prevents people from interrupting your study time. It is efficient to use a study table or any other table and chair instead of a comfy armchair or your bed which will only help you drift back to sleep.
A timetable is one of the best forms of time management. It can help you organize your studies and keep track of your assignments. However, there are people who find it difficult to stick to a schedule (this group includes me as well). Such people can opt for a different method which I like to call ‘Track List’. This list is basically a record of all the productive things that you have done throughout the day. When you have more tasks such as learning a new science chapter, completing assignments, learning to play a new song, writing a blog, etc. written in your Track List; you tend to feel better about yourself and this helps you push yourself the next day to complete even more tasks and spend more time doing what will better your skills and academics.
Focus and strong will power together make a person a better learner and a wiser human being. So believe in yourself and be the best version of yourself to make yourself happier.
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Nathania Baptista is a grade 11 student at Loyola Higher Secondary School, Goa. Maths is one of her favourite subjects. She enjoys singing, playing instruments like the violin and the ukulele and writing during her free time. She hopes to pursue a career in Science.
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