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What are tips to avoid distractions?
I am not very socially outgoing, but I have a hard time doing #homework and #essays when I have a fun #book and plenty to read that is not in relation to my classes. I need to find a way to #stop reading so much and start #focusing on my #school
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13 answers
Updated
Kristin’s Answer
Hi Nicole!
I completely understand! I'm in graduate school right now as an adult, and I'm always distracted by things I'd rather be doing (or know I need to be doing). The best way for me to stay away from distractions, is I made my desk at home my workspace. So when I sit down to start doing homework, I don't have any of my scrapbooking or other items around me. I somewhat designated it as my work room. I usually put on classical music, because I have noticed that my brain will focus more when I listen to it (I also noticed I retain a bit more of it). Finally...I give myself a goal (or a reward) for doing my work. So if I need to do research for a paper, I would promise myself I'd find at least 7 sources I would want to use, before I would pick up a book or work on my scrapbook. It helps me to move through the process, and then when I finish, I get to the reward, and I feel like I earned it.
Hope this helps!
Kristin
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Sri Athithya Kruth’s Answer
I'll give you 2 tips for this:
- The Pomodoro technique - This technique, which means 'tomato' is some language(maybe Italian, anyway, not all that relevant) is pretty simple - set a timer for 20 minutes, switch off all devices, turn off every possible source of distraction, and that's it! Concentrate for the 20 minutes, relax for 10, and rinse and repeat as needed.
- The Rule of Serendipity - Find out the smallest thing you need to do to start your task, and do that and only that first. Then move onto the next smallest task, and so on. This will actually work as it'll help you slowly, yet steadily move ahead with the material.
I hope this has helped you. These techniques have helped me too, over my time as a college student, which was last year, and they continue to do so as I learn newer things.
Sri Athithya Kruth recommends the following next steps:
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Himanshu’s Answer
Staying focused 24x7 is a very tough task to do. To keep yourself focussed on the job at hand, be it studying or any other thing, you need to have some sort of driving force which will propell you forward to do it sincerely and dedicatedly.
So first of all, you yourself realise and find out that sole purpose of studying and keep remembering it all the time, it might sound philosophical but it's effective.
Next, make a list of all the things that distract you while you study, be it your cell phone, your laptop, your surroundings, your sibling, anything. Then deal with it, like shift to a comfortable and calm room without your phone or laptop and start studying!
But in the end you will have to realize that no one/nothing can distract you if you're determined to achieve your goal.
Hope this helps, all the best.
So first of all, you yourself realise and find out that sole purpose of studying and keep remembering it all the time, it might sound philosophical but it's effective.
Next, make a list of all the things that distract you while you study, be it your cell phone, your laptop, your surroundings, your sibling, anything. Then deal with it, like shift to a comfortable and calm room without your phone or laptop and start studying!
But in the end you will have to realize that no one/nothing can distract you if you're determined to achieve your goal.
Hope this helps, all the best.
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Padmapriya’s Answer
Distractions can be internal as well as external, so start by looking within. If you're all over the place, ask yourself what's really going on. What do you need to be working on in your life?
All successful leaders are great planners; they make lists for every major and minor objective. When a task comes your way, spend some time thinking about how you will accomplish it. Write down every step necessary from start to finish, with a timeline (even if it's a rough one). There is a saying that every 10 minutes you spend on planning saves an hour in execution.
Some of the biggest sources of distraction come from email, social media, and cell phones. If you want real focus, take yourself offline until you've accomplished what you need to do. One of the keys to doing great work is to know when to take a break. When you start to feel distracted, take a break, and then reassess and refocus yourself.
Become an early bird..
All successful leaders are great planners; they make lists for every major and minor objective. When a task comes your way, spend some time thinking about how you will accomplish it. Write down every step necessary from start to finish, with a timeline (even if it's a rough one). There is a saying that every 10 minutes you spend on planning saves an hour in execution.
Some of the biggest sources of distraction come from email, social media, and cell phones. If you want real focus, take yourself offline until you've accomplished what you need to do. One of the keys to doing great work is to know when to take a break. When you start to feel distracted, take a break, and then reassess and refocus yourself.
Become an early bird..
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Preethi’s Answer
Totally understand your point. Look at it this way -- if you focus, study and good grades, you will get into a good college that will determine your future. So keep that in mind and work hard towards it. If you love reading, you can always do it over the long breaks that school offers you and once you are well settled in life, you can follow your dreams. The difficult part is to get your act together in school and college to make sure you are moving towards the long term goal. So see if you can force yourself to stay focused with the goal of pursuing your dreams in future
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Denise’s Answer
Nicole, you recognize that you are easily distracted and that is the first step to finding a solution. Of course, we all would rather do things that we enjoy, but there are always other things that have to be done as well, like homework and essays.
I recently went through this. I was having difficulty with an advanced learning program that took me months to complete. The following helped with my focus.
Set aside designated time every night.
Work in a designated study space void of distractions.
Turn off your phone alerts.
Let your friends and family know that this time is dedicated to study.
When you complete the homework or essay, reward yourself with a book or treat.
I know in time you will be more efficient with the work that you have to do and will gain extra free time to read those books that you love.
Happy learning!
I recently went through this. I was having difficulty with an advanced learning program that took me months to complete. The following helped with my focus.
Set aside designated time every night.
Work in a designated study space void of distractions.
Turn off your phone alerts.
Let your friends and family know that this time is dedicated to study.
When you complete the homework or essay, reward yourself with a book or treat.
I know in time you will be more efficient with the work that you have to do and will gain extra free time to read those books that you love.
Happy learning!
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Sheila’s Answer
Hi Nicole:
Thank you for your question. We all have distractions from time to time. Here are a few items to help you with minimizing distractions. Best of luck to you!
• Create a To-Do List
• Set a Daily Goal
• Stop Multitasking
• Silence your Phone
• Put your Phone out of Sight
• Use a Focus App
• Listen to Music
• Put on Headphones
• Close your Room Door
• Turn off Notifications
~ Sheila
Avoiding Distractions • https://sereneapp.com/how-to-avoid-distractions-and-stay-focused/
Focus App • https://www.ventureharbour.com/best-productivity-apps-macos/
Thank you for your question. We all have distractions from time to time. Here are a few items to help you with minimizing distractions. Best of luck to you!
• Create a To-Do List
• Set a Daily Goal
• Stop Multitasking
• Silence your Phone
• Put your Phone out of Sight
• Use a Focus App
• Listen to Music
• Put on Headphones
• Close your Room Door
• Turn off Notifications
~ Sheila
Sheila recommends the following next steps:
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Taylor’s Answer
Hello!
1. Out of sight out of mind - if the distractions are physical (ex: phone) then put it in another room while you need to focus
2. Time block - if you tell yourself you'll focus for 30 minutes straight and then take a break to enjoy something, you'll be far more motivated to crank out your work!
3. Remember to take those breaks - I highly do not recommend working straight for more than an hour. Your brain needs breaks!
4. Get enough sleep, exercise and nutrition to ensure your brain is working optimally
5. Gather a support system - have parents, friends, spouses, colleges, etc. hold you accountable for your goals
Hope this is helpful!
1. Out of sight out of mind - if the distractions are physical (ex: phone) then put it in another room while you need to focus
2. Time block - if you tell yourself you'll focus for 30 minutes straight and then take a break to enjoy something, you'll be far more motivated to crank out your work!
3. Remember to take those breaks - I highly do not recommend working straight for more than an hour. Your brain needs breaks!
4. Get enough sleep, exercise and nutrition to ensure your brain is working optimally
5. Gather a support system - have parents, friends, spouses, colleges, etc. hold you accountable for your goals
Hope this is helpful!
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Jeremiah’s Answer
I find that a good practice is creating a schedule with what I need to do. I add specific time bounds that includes some free time to keep me on task.
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Cheryl’s Answer
Great Question and you have already set yourself up for success by identifying the issue of staying focused. Take an inventory of the items that are distracting your from getting your assignments done; remove them from your study area until you have completed your assignments. In the world of social media this is extremely hard, but will be worth it when you earn top grades. Organize list of small tasks that need to get done to complete larger assignments; engage others to help if needed to finish.
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Nalin’s Answer
Studies have proven that using the Pomodoro technique has had a lot of benefits-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomodoro_Technique.
This maybe something you'd like to consider?
This maybe something you'd like to consider?
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E’s Answer
There are some great phone applications out there that block all notifications and access to your phones for the designated period of time you are looking to focus. My son was using one called "Forest" since he was like 10 years old and he's still using it all through high school . It's a kind of game and it's helped him alot.
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Rachel’s Answer
Prioritize what you have to get done. Make a list of things that you have to do, order it by what is most important and what has to get done first, and then organize it by what you are most excited to do. Try to start out with something that you are excited by, and then when that is done, you'll be energized and move onto something that is less exciting. You'll already be in the right mindset so you can shift between things that energize you and things that drain you and that should allow for you to keep moving!