In today's interconnected world, technology and education are inextricably linked. Whether it's the omnipresent iPhone or the indispensable laptop, modern students find themselves surrounded by a host of tools and gadgets. But with great power comes great responsibility. Students must learn how to keep technology helpful. These tools, if not utilized strategically, can become impediments instead of aids.
A few decades ago, eliminating distractions while studying meant finding a quiet room in the library. Today, students must think about their physical surroundings as well as their digital surroundings to achieve the ideal study environment. For example, a student working on a research paper faces just as many digital distractions as he does physically. A dog or a sibling can pull him off task, sure. But the incessant pinging of his cell phone is a much more likely culprit. Yes, the student could leave the cell phone in another room. That’s only the beginning of the distraction elimination process. The student’s laptop has built-in distractions. Googling the spelling of a word or locating a quote from an online database requires the discipline to avoid much more entertaining options. Therefore, managing technological distractions is just as important as eliminating physical ones. In this blog post, we explain the best practices for doing just that.
Crafting an Ideal Digital Study Environment
Just like organizing a physical study space requires strategic choices to enhance discipline, a student must organize digital environments to make good decision-making easier. A cluttered digital workspace can be as distracting and counterproductive as a messy desk. While a physical study space may necessitate clear surfaces and categorized materials, a digital environment needs streamlined folders, disciplined bookmarking, and judicious app selections.
A well-organized digital environment is analogous to a tidy study desk. It promotes clarity and focus. By categorizing apps into custom folders or employing minimalist launchers, students can metamorphose a chaotic device into a fine-tuned academic instrument, free from unnecessary distractions.
The omnipresence of notifications, pop-ups, and social media can lure students away from their primary tasks, making it imperative to employ tools that limit these distractions. Tools like app blockers, scheduled breaks, and digital well-being monitors can aid students in cultivating a focused digital study environment. Beyond the standard “Do Not Disturb” function, features like App Downtimes offer granular control. By silencing non-essential app notifications during dedicated study hours, students can immerse themselves in their work undisturbed.
Using Timers to Optimize Productivity
Sometimes, controlling digital distractions comes down to timing. More specifically, students must learn to manage their willpower in phases. It is challenging to stay focused in the world of digital distractions for hours on end. Continuously exerting mental effort in the expansive digital universe can be draining. Hence, it becomes critical for students to balance focused work with strategic breaks, ensuring they harness their cognitive resources optimally. That’s why structured breaks are a great way to manage digital distractions when studying at home.
Enter the Pomodoro Technique. This time management method, conceived by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s, has gained immense popularity among students and professionals worldwide. The premise is simple yet effective: Work with deep focus for a set period, typically twenty-five minutes, and then take a short break, usually five minutes. These intervals are called "pomodoros," named after the tomato-shaped kitchen timer Cirillo initially used. After completing four pomodoros, a more extended break of fifteen to thirty minutes is recommended.
This rhythmic work-break pattern aligns well with the human brain's natural attention spans and fatigue cycles. It ensures that individuals are working when their concentration is at its peak and resting before reaching the point of mental exhaustion. By utilizing the Pomodoro Technique, students can create an intentional barrier against the allure of digital distractions, anchoring their focus on the task at hand and maximizing productivity.
Position Matters: Engaging in Tech-Heavy Classrooms
Much of this blog post has been dedicated to minimizing distractions when students are studying at home. However, technology now holds an important place within the classroom. High school and college students, in particular, must learn to manage digital distractions during class.
In a technology-rich classroom setting, positioning oneself upfront can be a game-changer. Such strategic placement not only reduces external distractions but also ensures active participation and engagement. First, sitting in the front of the classroom makes a student’s screen much more visible. A student is unlikely to venture off task when he or she has an audience of classmates to provide accountability. Secondly, sitting in the front reduces the distractions caused by other students. We teach students to focus on what they can control in their environment. Classmates are uncontrollable distractions. If a classmate is off-task, it will likely draw the eyes of anyone in his or her vicinity. That’s why controlling where a student sits makes managing technological distractions much easier.
Students Don’t Have to Do It Alone
Managing distractions, staying organized, and keeping track of deadlines are crucial yet overlooked factors in academic success. Students don’t receive a grade directly for these skills, but how well or poorly they manage the school process indirectly determines their grades. That’s why we created an academic coaching company to help students master the four pillars of Executive Function: organization time management, learning skills, and impression management. Managing technological distractions is just one part of succeeding as a modern student. What about all the other skills students need to develop to reach their full potential?
We’re here to help! Illuminos offers one-on-one academic coaching to help students master the core competencies to succeed in school. Reach out today to learn more about our unique, research-driven program.