You probably have a smartphone, laptop, or tablet that you use every day. Well, those devices are not only for entertainment but also help us study smarter and concentrate better.
Technology is an excellent tool for helping us improve how we study, focus, and do other things that are important for our health and well-being.
Use technology to your advantage by treating it as a tool, not an all-consuming activity. According to recent news reports, a few US universities might block TikTok on their campuses.
Though we will not get into the ethics of the move, this is a wake-up call for you if you have spent most of your screen time mindlessly scrolling. It’s time you used your devices and apps to help you ace your courses and plan more productive study sessions.
Here are some ways that managing technology can help you ace your courses by utilizing your time efficiently and concentrating better.
- Use Smart Digital Resources
If your textbooks are too long or hard to understand, look for help from reliable online learning resources. You might understand some ideas better if you learn them in small pieces or see them in pictures.
We all learn at different paces and have a diverse range of doubts. There might be doubts and queries that require specific answers. In such situations, use reliable resources like SweetStudy’s service to make sure there are no unanswered questions in your mind. Always start your assignments and projects on time so you can go over any closing queries and doubts that may come to your mind after perusing your finished work.
You must complement your classroom materials with eLearning inputs. Online quizzes and discussions on student forums can help you benchmark yourself with global standards.
- Block Focus Time
Set up your phone, laptop, and tablet to not receive notifications during the time blocked as “focus time” in your digital schedule. If you have a smartwatch, ensure it is on “do not disturb” mode during “focus time.”
Place your phone in a basket or box. Next, remove this container from wherever it is, such as a table or countertop. Then take it and place it somewhere far away, like in another room.
Use a physical alarm clock to set your alarms. Take help from an IOT device with Bluetooth to play music or white noise if it helps you relax while studying. You can also program it to transfer calls to you but no other notifications.
- Alternate Breaks and Focus Blocks
Taking breaks in between studying is important for concentration and productivity. Use the Pomodoro technique to study smarter and concentrate better by creating 25-minute chunks of time for focused work in between breaks of 2 to 5 minutes each. Use a website to set your Pomodoro alarms if you keep your phone outside.
The Pomodoro Technique, invented by Francesco Cirillo, was thus named after the timer he used in 1987 to set his alarms for breaks. The timer was shaped like a tomato, called Pomodoro in Italian, his native language.
Keeping track of how long each session lasts helps keep you accountable while giving yourself short breaks gives your brain time to process what you just learned. Cirillo obtained the 25 minutes of focus time after a lot of trial and error, and we recommend you start with 25 minutes too.
- Wearables Can Regulate Sleep & Exercise Regimen
Wearable technology is a great way to monitor your health and well-being. These devices can help you track your sleep patterns, fitness, and stress levels. Globally, the wearable tech market was estimated to be valued at $52.14 billion in 2021 by Grand View Research.
This market is projected to grow at a CAGR of nearly 15% from 2022 to 2030. With many players in this space offering products at different price points, you will surely have many options that suit your budget and requirements.
If you have a wearable device like a smartwatch that monitors your heart rate, then there are some exciting benefits for students who want to use it in their studies. Tracking your heart rate can improve your concentration levels when studying. This is because high concentration levels will release fewer stress hormones into the body. This means less distraction caused by worrying.
Make healthy choices for improving sleep and increasing productivity during the day. Your wearable will monitor your sleep patterns and assist you in better managing your sleep schedule. Sleep is a crucial part of a healthy lifestyle. Sleep deprivation can lead to poor performance, memory loss, and weight gain.
- Create Subliminal Reminders on Device Screens
Creating subliminal reminders on devices and screens is a great way to help you focus better and be more mindful throughout your day. Here’s how.
- Use apps to remind you to do your daily chores and free up your mental bandwidth for your more important things
- Create reminders on your computer desktop background image that are relevant to what you’re working on at the time
- Set up digital calendars with relevant prompts
Now, you have all the tools to improve your study habits and concentration skills. Remember, technology is only one part of this equation, but it can be a valuable tool for helping you stay focused on your work. With these techniques in hand, it’s easy to implement them wherever you go.
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