Distraction.
We all know it. We all love it. It's that old pal that lures us away from studying
for that exam. It's that website that
absorbs 3 hours of our time when we're trying to research a paper. It's that thing that leads to sleepless night and OUCH
grades on our work. If only we had had more time!
** note,
this blog has taken a week to complete because I keep getting, you guessed it,
DISTRACTED!!
1.
Time of day. Learn when
the best time of the day is best for you to study and easiest to focus. My best
time is early morning or late at night, but it’s different from person to
person. Find a good, quiet place for yourself. If you want to study in your
dorm, take note of when it's the calmest and the fewest people will be around
to distract you.
2.
Avoid the internet and
your cell phone. It’s best just to turn off the computer (or at least the
internet) and put your cell phone in a drawer to avoid temptation.
3.
Write by hand, redraw
figures, or read in depth. The more senses you can involve, the more likely
you’ll be able to hold your attention.
4.
Have everything you need
(including snacks) nearby. This will keep you from moseying over to the
fridge…and to the tv…and to your roommate….etc.
5.
Find a good study spot.
Avoid lots of people, noise, televisions and other things that might detract
your attention.
6.
Develop realistic goals.
Think about how much you want to have accomplished in 30 minutes or an hour and
then get to work on making those goals happen.
7.
Take a break! Every
hour, try to take 10 minutes to get up, walk around, text your friend, etc. to
release that built up desire to be doing something else. As long as you keep
reminding yourself that you can do whatever is nagging the back of your mind
after your hour stint, it should help you build endurance.
8.
Work in groups of 4 or
less. Anymore, and the likelihood that studying will become socializing
increases. Working in small groups allows you to have someone to discuss
concepts to check for understanding and develop learning hooks with one
another.
9.
Work out. Increasing
blood flow to the brain by doing a little cardio can help improve one’s brain
function. This is one of the best things for a non-medicated ADD person.
10. Caffeine. Although this
is a bit controversial, caffeine is a stimulant that may boost your brain’s
function. However, too much may cause you to get the jitters, so be cautious of
your intake. For a person with ADD or ADHD, caffeine will actually calm his or
her mind down to allow them to focus on one thing at a time.
