3.3 How to manage distractions

Here are a few tips for managing distractions that you might try.

• Stay away from your phone (and social media, emails, etc.) when you need to concentrate. Put the device in another room for a while, or switch it to airplane mode.
• Your concentration will improve if you can train your brain to refrain from attending to distractions for longer and longer periods.
• Keep your workspace tidy.
• Link study to small rewards (e.g. a piece of chocolate, an outing, or anything else) to build positive associations.
• Break up tasks into small, manageable units.
• Consider when your most productive time of day is (when you feel most energetic and focused). Remember to work in blocks of time.
• If all else fails, try a distraction-free zone! Take yourself away from your usual environment and go the library (or even a coffee shop if the noise levels are manageable for you) and take what you need to complete your work. Work for an hour, and take stock of your progress. Don’t be surprised if you find that you’ve completed several hours’ work compared to what you’d typically manage in your own space, just because you are free from the usual distractions.