🏁 Productivity
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Sep 2, 2024
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5 min read
Being a student in 2024 has become a challenging mission. With outings, distractions, and various stimulations, how can you find time to settle down and concentrate to study effectively and pass your exams? Maybe you didn't realize it until now, but your work environment is much more important than it seems.
Today, you've decided to focus on what can be considered a "good study environment," meaning a space without distractions and temptations. It's easier said than done, knowing that most students live in limited spaces that serve multiple functions: living, entertainment, resting, and... working!
Don't worry, we'll help you manage everything to lighten your mental load and ensure you can prepare for your new school year or exams with peace of mind.
The Importance of a Distraction-Free Study Environment
When you start working, you ask your brain for a considerable effort. Generally calibrated to do the minimum, thinking requires costly calculations. Each of these efforts demands a significant dose of energy (which is not unlimited).
When you are in an overloaded, poorly optimized environment full of distractions, you ask your brain for extra effort. In addition to thinking and producing something, you constantly ask it to fight against something. As mentioned before, this demands more energy, which is not an inexhaustible resource.
That's why, when you are in an environment full of entertainment and distractions, you find it harder to concentrate, things don't progress, and you get irritated more quickly. You overwork your brain.
Get organized and declutter
Before diving into a drastic cleaning and organization plan without really knowing where or how to start, you need to identify the sources of distractions. These can be categorized into two main types: internal and external.
🌪️ External Distractions
You probably know what these are. But just in case, let us explain. External distractions directly concern your physical workspace. Even if at first glance, some things don’t seem distracting, they can still occupy part of your mind without you realizing it.
Examples include ambient noise (conversations, traffic, construction, neighbors, or even background music, videos, TV, radios), clutter (items lying around, crowded space, too many visual stimuli…), and electronic devices (phone, TV, computer, tablet…).
🧠 Internal Distractions
The brain is disturbed by the slightest thought. For it, this is a kind of escape route to avoid effort. That’s why it’s important to get into a work mindset, to clear your mind before starting, to avoid and reduce distracting thoughts. For example: stress, anxiety, multitasking, hunger, or fatigue.
Don’t start working if you’re exhausted and hungry. Your brain will only think about one thing: eating, and will be very irritated because of the lack of sleep.
Create a Distraction-Free Workspace
Now that we've established the importance of decluttering and what to tackle, let's look at how to create this optimal workspace. Being a student often means living on a tight budget. That's why we won't suggest expensive solutions at every turn!
📍 Step 1: Choose the "right" place
Home is not necessarily the best option. While it is often the most convenient, as it is where you spend most of your time and feel comfortable, it is also your comfort zone filled with everything you love and enjoy. It’s better to find a more neutral place that promotes a work-friendly, calm, and comfortable atmosphere. For example: libraries, certain cafés, co-working spaces… This can be essential when you are too easily distracted. Leaving your refuge to go to a place where you can only do one thing: work!
🔊 Step 2: Master the Sound Environment
If visual distractions are strong, auditory ones are just as powerful! We are not all sensitive in the same way, but here are some tips to be less affected: you can use noise reduction solutions (earbuds, headphones…) or listen to classical music or white noise. These sounds prevent disturbances from changes in tones (between different songs), catchy lyrics, etc. Additionally, they help the brain enter a phase of intense concentration.
🧹 Step 3: Organize Your Workspace
Nothing is worse than starting work at a cluttered, messy, or dirty desk. Take some time to tidy up and clean before you begin. Keep only the essentials on your desk: a notebook, a pencil, and your work tool.
Ideally, if you don't need a computer, revert to physical and non-distracting tools. A paper notebook won't send you notifications!
🔒 Step 4: Block and Reduce Digital Distractions
When you start working, you need to clearly mark the change to send the right signals to your brain. If you use your computer for work, close all unnecessary windows and open only those you truly need. Don't leave messages or streaming sites open—too tempting!
The same goes for your phone! Cut out distractions and other temptations to optimize your focus. You can use the free Jomo app, available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
With Jomo, you can set up temporary blocking sessions. Use the template "Deep Focus", select all non-essential apps and sites (streaming, social media, etc.), choose a suitable duration initially (e.g., 30 minutes), and block them!
[VISUEL APP]
🎯 Step 5: One Session = One Goal
Don't start with 4500 different tasks and a mountain of things to do. You definitely won't get there, and you'll end up discouraged or even disappointed. And what's worse than these feelings to make you want to start again later?
"Clarity about what matters provides clarity about what does not." — Cal Newport
Instead, you can set "S.M.A.R.T" goals. No need to dive into an endless to-do list; use this method to focus on what you need to do, ensuring you're capable, have the time, and can actually accomplish it!
Here's how to define SMART goals:
Specific: The goal should be clear and precise. Instead of saying "I want to get in shape," say "I want to run 5 km without stopping."
Measurable: You should be able to measure your progress. For example, "I want to lose 5 kg in 3 months" is measurable.
Ambitious but Achievable: The goal should be ambitious but doable. It should push you to exceed without being out of reach. For example, "I want to increase my sales by 20% in 6 months" is a good balance between ambition and realism.
Realistic: The goal should be realistic considering your resources and situation. For example, "I want to read 10 books in 2 months" is realistic if you have free time.
Time-bound: There should be a deadline for achieving the goal. For example, "I want to learn the basics of programming in 6 months."
For example, you want to work on a Spanish assignment:
Goal: Improve my Spanish skills.
Specific: I want to improve my Spanish level to have a fluent conversation.
Measurable: I want to reach a B2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Ambitious but Achievable: I will take an online course and practice with a language partner twice a week.
Realistic: I have 3 hours a week to devote to learning Spanish.
Time-bound: I want to reach this level in 12 months.
With these simple methods, you’ll be at your best for this academic year, able to concentrate and create a true work environment free from distractions! Remember: minimize your phone and computer usage, and if necessary, block unnecessary websites and apps. Feel free to download Jomo for free.
