How To: Really focus
Students are more distracted than ever. It’s important to disabuse them of the notion that they can multitask. Multitasking is a myth and contributes to higher levels of stress than students are already feeling. Anything faculty can do to help them:
- put their phones away
- de-stress
- learn to really focus on one thing and only one thing for a period of time
will be beneficial not only for how they perform on their coursework but for their mental health. Below are tips to share with students on how to do that.
For Students
Tips for Deep Focus and Avoiding Multitasking
- Multitasking is a myth. You can do one thing and then another thing, but cannot do two things WELL at the same time. If your multitasking includes looking at Instagram, TiKTok and checking your text messages, you’re being encouraged to keep doing it because the part of the brain responsible for decision making and self regulation has a “novelty bias,” meaning it’s easily distracted and it feels good because it releases bursts of dopamine. So you keep doing it, thinking you’re actually accomplishing something.
- Switching frequently from one thing to another wastes mental energy.
- Those who shift tasks make 50% more errors and spend at least 50% more time on both tasks. Focusing on one thing at a time simply takes less time.
- Your brain is at its best when it is focused on one – and only one – task at a time.
- Stress exhausts the brain and makes it difficult to make smart decisions.
- All decisions require mental energy. Deciding whether to check your phone takes as much energy as deciding to stick with doing the assignment you just started.
- Try time-blocking with a technique such as Pomodoro, which limits the amount of time the brain is forced to focus. The idea is to give full focus to a particular task for short periods of time with breaks in between. For example: work for 25 minutes on a single task, give yourself a 5 minute break, work another 25 minutes, then give yourself a 15 minute break, and so on until each task is completed. Studies show you need to take a little break after learning something to allow it to become more fixed in memory. That’s why taking courses back to back is discouraged. (time but relevant to project)
- Find or create dedicated study space – and try a change of scenery if working if your room is too distracting. Research shows that learning something in the same place over time improves memory. Drinking the same thing every time you’re studying the same subject also helps!
- Use technology for good, but also practice self awareness around it: If you use Google calendar, use the reminder function. Let Canvas send you notifications with deadlines. Try a Pomodoro app for breaking up time. BUT if you find that having your phone nearby when you’re studying is just a constant distractor, try putting it in your bag or in another room so you’re not tempted to check texts while you’re studying.
If you’re struggling
- Talk to your professor- go to their office hours
- Use the University Learning Center