College can become really tough when you’re trying to juggle your scores, part-time jobs, and private life.
The majority of college students get distracted easily, especially when it comes to some serious project due soon.
All these Instagram messages, Facebook newsfeeds, and phone calls become a real disaster when you need to be focused and have a clear mind.
According to the research “The distracted student mind – enhancing its focus and attention” performed by Larry D. Rosen, every undergrad gets “distracted for at least 5 out of every 15 minutes they set aside to study.”
As a result, the reason for not being able to focus on college assignments is associated with social media notifications.
With so many messages, comments, and likes, it can be too hard to focus and stay that way.
However, impossible is nothing.
Here are some tips to learn How to Avoid Distractions at College and Stay Focused on Your Assignment:
- Break complex projects into bite-size chunks.
- Create a to-do list to get organized with it.
- Use your favorite tunes to cut down noise.
- Get yourself some rewards to enjoy your accomplishments.
- Keep social media tabs to a minimum.
- Organize an inspiring work zone.
- Choose the best environment for effective studying.
Table of Contents
Update To-Do Lists Regularly
Juggling many assignments and deadlines at college can be overwhelming.
When you’re busy with college writing assignments, reports, and presentations, it’s easy to forget about the other tasks on the list.
You can help yourself manage your time and deal with deadlines more effectively with a solid schedule.
You definitely know when you’re most productive.
Make sure to set enough time to get the homework done and focus on extracurricular activities as well.
Purchase a nice planner or get a digital calendar to keep track of all of your assignments, lectures, seminars, and other events.
If you like the process of writing things down using a pen and highlighters, you’re welcome to use paper planners.
They say that the simple process of writing something on a piece of paper will enhance your memory and focus.
If you choose to use the digital planner, it will give you an opportunity to sync your college program across all the gadgets that you use and set regular reminders.
Clear Your Desk and Choose the Right Place to Study
Some undergrads study best with some TV or radio background noise, while you may need complete silence when writing or read a novel for Literature class.
It is important to get to know what learning style works best for you, and what atmosphere you find yourself most productive in.
Do you think, you can work best listening to the sound of silence?
Or, perhaps, you find yourself more inspired to get that research paper done at the campus café with ambient noise?
It is recommended to try various places to find out where your inspiration kicks in.
If you decide to stay at home, make sure your desk is not covered with piles of books and papers.
Is your laptop framed with loads of sticky notes?
If that’s the case, it’s the right time to get organized.
If your workplace is messy, you’re not going to get the job done on time.
Check your desk and computer.
Make certain you have only the essentials at hand.
A clean desk and monitor will reduce your anxiety over the workload and boost your motivation to work productively.
Break Down Complex Tasks into Smaller Chunks
If procrastination is your worst enemy in the world of academics, try to save the day by breaking a complex project into bite-size chunks.
It is easy to find the right motivation to do something if you have to deal with small tasks instead of trying to accomplish complex and large ones.
If you’re having tough times getting papers done or studying for a test, ensure to break up your projects into smaller tasks to deal with each more efficiently.
Is also a good idea to give yourself a 10 or 15-minute break for each 40-60 minutes of work that you accomplish.
Lock Down Your Computer
The very moment you open up your laptop, you get to deal with loads of distractions.
All the Facebook messages, Instagram stories, and WhatsApp notifications turn the process of work into a never-ending story.
In order to avoid that, make sure to use apps like Rescue Time.
You will see what exactly you usually waste your time on.
Besides, you can use a range of apps like Offtime or Flipd to block distracting websites for a certain period of time.
Buy Headphones
If you’re studying in a noisy environment, it is recommended to purchase noise-canceling headphones.
At the same time, listening to some of your favorite tunes through earbuds will help you cut off distracting noises like fellow students talking too loudly or coffee machines working.
At the same time, if you choose to listen to the songs, the lyrics can turn out to be distracting as well.
It is better to give your preference to instrumental or classical music to keep your focus.
Use the Pomodoro Technique
If you need to split your study session into small parts that are easier to manage, make sure to try Pomodoro Technique.
All you have to do is to choose a single task to focus on, set a timer, work on your assignments until the timer rings, and then enjoy your break.
The users are welcome to decide what time frames they would like to work within.
However, the standard time range is 25 minutes on one task.
When you hear the timer ringing, make sure to take a 5-minute break.
Then you will have 3 or 4 cycles of work and take a 25-30 minute break.
This simple method helps college students avoid burnout and stay motivated and focused on an assignment.
If you are frustrated with how much time it takes to write a book review or finish any other work for university on time, or you just find yourself distracting all the time, make sure to use the tips given above.
Keep in mind that every college student gets distracted more often than not.
So, instead of being too hard on yourself, do your best to study in an inspiring environment that allows you to succeed academically.
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