As a student, you’ve probably been through the ordeal of being distracted and unable to focus when studying. Some of the reasons that cause distractions are internal and others are external. Overcoming distractions, whether internal or external, is not that hard if you train yourself well.

Internal distractions are usually related to anxiety, stress, overthinking and overwhelmed feelings, let alone the physiological and physical states of your body. These symptoms are pretty normal among teenagers, especially if you’re an international student studying away from home. On the other hand, external distractions are usually loud noises or unhealthy studying environments.

How to avoid distractions while studying? 

1. Give Yourself a Break

Taking a break every now and then is a great way to let your mind effectively process the information you study. Cut yourself some slack although you might feel like there’s no time to waste or that all the odds are against you. To be able to block inner distractions, you need to take a break every half an hour. Even closing your eyes for a few minutes could be helpful. Some resort to taking a walk or socializing with a friend for 10 minutes.

2. Avoid Technology Distractions

We know it’s hard for you to disconnect from Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and all the social media, but being disconnected is essential to maintain your focus. Technology is only good when used right. You can use a mobile app that mutes notifications while you’re studying. Stay Focused is a good Android app that you can use. If you study on a MAC, you can use Apps like Self-control or Cold Turkey for windows.

You can also read our 7 Must-Have Student Mobile Apps blog article and you can learn about focusing for a longer period of time from here.

3. Study with a Group

Studying in groups has its pros and cons, and distraction is actually one of the disadvantages. However, you could masterfully make sure that the conversation doesn’t radically shift into something other than the project or the lesson at hand. Sometimes studying with someone motivates you to study for longer hours or makes it worthwhile to study well and finish to have some fun later after.

You can learn more about the pros and cons of studying in groups from this blog.

4. Listen to Music

Yes, music. Listening to musical pieces helps your body relaxes and silences your inner worries. If you prefer songs, go for it, but make sure you listen to songs in a language other than the one your study materials are in. This tactic helps you focus more because you won’t get your brain to mix what you’re reading with what you’re listening to. If you don’t know how to study when you have a noisy roommate, this is a great way to stay focused.