How to avoid distract... oh look, a puppy!

Digital devices

Daydreaming

Friends

Inside/outside not-so-amibent noises

Cleaning and organising

Out of sight, out of mind. If they aren’t needed for study, why keep

them around? Turn all digital devices completely off, shut them in another

room, put them on aeroplane or silent mode or give them to someone who agrees not to give them back until

you’ve done at least 1 hour of study.

Social media

You can either try to discipline

yourself by enjoying 5 minutes of

Facebook every hour, or you can

deactivate your accounts until

the end of semester. Next level:

take it to the extreme and get a

trustworthy friend or housemate

to change your password until the

semester is finished.

TV/gaming/movies/

music

Pets

While music can sometimes help to get

you into study mode, it can also be a

sneaky distraction! If you find yourself

accidentally typing the song lyrics into your

essay, it might be an idea to turn your iPod

off or listen to something instrumental.

You’ll nail your assignment in half the time

and let’s face it, it’s more important to

invest time in your future than the latest

episode of Game of Thrones.

Why not ask a friend or family member to ‘pet-sit’ your furry study buddy for a few hours while you complete your

assignment or study for a test to avoid feeling like you need to pat or walk them.

Save that nice long walk for your study break. They will miss you, but they’ll love the extra attention when you get back.

Family/housemates

Can’t get away from your family or

housemates? Check out our printable

door hangers – Do not disturb: study

ninja in progress. Don’t be afraid to

ask for some space to study. Everyone

will understand and if you still can’t get

peace and quiet, take your books on an

adventure to the library.

Oh, but I haven’t seen Jane/Edward since Monday and we’re only going for a quick

coffee… Let’s be honest: it’s never just ‘a quick coffee’! Let your friends know you’re studying and ask them not to

call, text, come over or distract you. Real friends will understand and give you the

space and time you need to study.

Reading

Discipline yourself – ‘I’ll get half

this assignment done then read

1 chapter of my novel as a study

break’. If you just can’t put your

book down, ask a family member

or friend to hide your book from

you and only give it back when

you have finished your assignment.

Try closing your curtains to stop the temptation of weather or people

watching. Buy a pair of noise-cancelling headphones to help eliminate surrounding

noises or put your headphones on and listen to some calming music.

What a beautiful day outside… oh look, a couple of clouds! That

one kind of looks like a bunny, and that one like a dinosaur. I’ve always

wanted a pet dinosaur, I would name him Rex… and on it goes.

Try to predict and remove potential distractions that may lead to

daydreaming when you study. Take frequent breaks to refresh your

mind and help avoid daydreaming.

Make use of your study breaks and do some cleaning, but don’t forget to set yourself a time limit! Time

flies when you’re avoiding study… even when you’re cleaning!

Share with us your best tactic to remove study distractions.

social.usq.edu.auCRICOS QLD 00244B NSW 02225M • TEQSA PRV12081 10.2.G 11.2014