Studying Online;Succeeding through Distance Learning at University

Avoiding distractions 207 
QUICK TIP: Get an app to block distractions so that you can 
focus on your studies. 
PracTical TiPs 
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Establish routines. 
If you set up (and stick to) regular routines 
for things like checking emails and social media accounts, your 
brain will not trigger constant checking. This will help prevent 
you from being distracted. Check your emails once in the morn-
ing and once in the evening, and that should be enough. Also, 
you won’t miss out if you check your social media once a day. 
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Use time blocking. 
You can stay much more focused on your 
work if you block out periods of time to do specifc tasks. You 
might spend the mornings doing reading, for instance, and the 
afternoons writing. When you block out timeslots in your calen-
dar for specifc activities, you become more productive. Plus, you 
avoid trying to multitask as you know the other tasks will get 
done as they are in the diary. 
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Study in short bursts. 
Study for short periods of time, around 
25 minutes long. Using The Pomodoro Technique® will allow 
you to study effciently and avoid distractions as you can “save” 
the potential interruptions until after the 25-minute study 
session. 
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Switch off notifcations. 
You don’t need to be notifed of every 
email or social media post. Switch off notifcations on your phone 
and on your computer, except for the ones that are sent by the 
university which are essential. 
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Use background music. 
Get some fast-paced instrumental music 
and listen to it through noise-cancelling headphones while you 
are studying. You will fnd studying more enjoyable, and you will 
not be interrupted by your family. They may try, but you won’t 
hear them. Also, listening to instrumental music helps with your 
memory capacity. 
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