How to avoid getting distracted while studying

Let's face it, studying feels like a chore for most of us, and we'd all like to avoid it if there weren't any consequences. Yet, when exam season rolls around, we students must find a way to keep ourselves focused and attentive at the study table. 

Here are a few things you can do to avoid getting distracted while studying.

Using a Pomodoro Timer

The Pomodoro Technique breaks up your study time into 25-minute segments, with five-minute intervals in between. It creates a psychological barrier to prevent you from getting distracted. Every time you turn on the timer, you essentially promise yourself to not do anything to break your flow for 25 minutes. After you're done, you reap the rewards of staying diligent by utilising that five-minute break for whatever you want. There are plenty of different versions of this simple yet effective technique, and apps are available to keep track of your time.

Disabling your social media

Taking a break from your socials is one of the most effective ways to keep yourself on track. When your social media is disabled, it keeps your brain from constantly craving that dopamine hit derived from social media and allows you to think about things other than what your friends are doing. I usually recommend you do this for a few weeks before your big exams and then re-enable your social media once they're over.

Listening to music

For some people, music can drown out distracting elements in your study environment and allow you to focus on the task at hand. It can also help boost your working memory and enhance your brain's cognitive tasks. Lo-fi music is a genre specifically made for this purpose. 

Getting adequate rest

It might seem tempting to forgo some rest time and get some work in, but working when you're tired makes it harder for you to hold your focus and hampers your concentration and ability to reason logically. Ultimately, you end up failing to pay attention to your study for an extended period and get distracted, and your productivity plummets. Thus, you must be well-rested before starting a study session. A short 10-minute power nap usually does the trick for most people.

Meditation

Sometimes, the elements distracting our study sessions aren't around us, but rather inside. A scurry of thoughts raging inside the depths of our minds can interrupt our flow of study and ultimately keep us distracted. Regular meditation can keep your mind calm and reduce your stress levels, allowing you to give your best whilst studying. 

References:

1. The Daily Star (March 1, 2023) Can lo-fi music actually help you study?

2. Columbia School of Professional Studies (May 10, 2021) How Meditation Can Help You Focus