As college students, we all have had those moments where we cannot think clearly and, as a result, we get little to no work done. Knowing what distracts you is important so that you can either decrease, limit, or eliminate it from your mind.
1. Music: Just by listening to music, you can probably get distracted. You can be strolling through your favorite playlist or stations, which for some people can be addicting, and completely lose your train of thought. If you are doing your homework or studying, I recommend listening to some soft music or music with no lyrics that can better help you concentrate or tune out any other sounds in the background.
2. Environment: Going to college, you can make a lot of friends, and as a result, you may get tempted to spend more time with them than schoolwork. Also, constantly going to events on/off campus can make it difficult for you to concentrate on your schoolwork or even put you behind on some major projects.
3. Phone: We all enjoy using our phones 24/7. However, it is important to eliminate all electronic devices like your cellphones if they keep you from doing something important. Silencing your phone or putting it away is a good idea to stop yourself from looking at your text messages.
4. Finances: You can be so stressed out about your loans or money that you may owe that it can pose as a distraction for you. By managing how much you spend and making a budget plan, you can improve and even help relieve your anxiety.
5. Weekend Plans: Being a college student, you are exposed to new social opportunities and, as a result, you can be thinking about what you will do on your free Saturday night instead of your schoolwork. However, by making a weekly calendar filled with tasks you need to complete, you will know how busy you will be during the weekend and if going out will put you behind on any of your tasks. By doing this, you will be able to know whether you can go out partying or stay home.
6. Daydreaming. Not getting enough sleep can be a good reason why you cannot concentrate efficiently. Getting enough sleep is always important. For a typical college student, it is important to get more than six hours of sleep to help you be actively awake for your school day.
7. Relationships: Thinking about or having a relationship can increase your level of distractions. Not only are you thinking about your girlfriend/boyfriend, but you are neglecting your schoolwork.
8. Online/app games: This can make you waste countless of hours of your time without realizing it. It is important to limit your hours of gaming and your hours of doing something productive.
9. Streaming online: This is a big deal for many students. Like myself, I like to stream and see what my friends or family are up to, but being online too long can distract you from what you're doing. I recommend taking a 30-minute break after doing anything important and just check your social media for a couple of minutes before going back to work.
10. Food: I know for a fact that we all like to eat, but overeating or just thinking about food is not good for your mind. Eating regularly and knowing when you're hungry is important to help you stay concentrated and active for daily routines.
