Why is focus so important to college students? First off, it helps us fix one thing and complete it without hesitation. Concentration is a prerequisite for success: it distinguishes well-performing students from average ones. It has a direct impact on academic performance and productivity.
Yet, many factors can hinder our concentration: most often, we have to fight distractions. Besides, with a pile of tasks and responsibilities you have to handle, you might have trouble just finding the motivation to study. The lack of time and proper rest can cause frustration and stress.
If this ever happens to you, you can delegate some of your tasks and buy essay papers on PaperWriter online service. This way, you’ll be able to relax a bit or switch to self-improvement activities without worrying about your grades.
Take this free time you’ll get and consider investing it in working on your focus techniques. We’ve prepared a guide on how to do it with the help of apps. So, let’s dive right into the list and see how apps can be a great way to improve concentration.
What Kinds of Focus Apps Can You Use?
Depending on your preference, you can choose from four types of apps:
- blockers;
- time-based;
- music;
- clean screen.
Blockers temporarily block distracting sites that disturb you in your learning process. You can block social media or research websites.
Time-based ones use a timer that will keep you concentrated for a specific period and stop you from taking long unnecessary breaks.
Music-playing apps will help you relax and neutralize any background noises.
Lastly, a clean screen platform will allow you to work on only one task at a time. You won’t be able to do anything else unless you finish that specific responsibility first.
Different Ways Apps Can Help You Focus
Breaking a Big Task Into Smaller Ones
There are many apps out there you can use that have been shown to improve concentration. They can help you make your assignments less daunting and manage your workload more efficiently.
If you break a more extensive task into small parts, it’ll be easier for you to complete them one by one than staring at a blank page and not knowing where to start. After completing each piece, take a short break as a reward. This way, you’ll have more energy to do it right instead of trying to get rid of it as soon as possible. Regular breaks allow you to reset your brain, so if you feel like taking a walk or cooking a meal between study sessions, go for it!
Setting Timers
If you have a single task to complete and can’t put your mind to it, use this tip to help you overcome the burden. Determine a time span within which you will need to complete your assignment. Write down how many study sessions you want to have before finishing it.
Then, install an app that will lock your phone and let you use it only after the timer is up. But remember: don’t make your study sessions longer than one and a half hours since you will most likely get distracted by things surrounding you.
When the timer is up, you can take a 15-minute break and do what you like. After this short break, start your second study session, and so on until you get your task done. Many apps offer this and are a great way to keep you motivated and energized.
You can also incorporate the Pomodoro Technique. It is a popular time management method that revolves around focusing for 20 minutes and then taking five-minute breaks. Some online platforms have a color-coded countdown that will help you keep your focus.
Creating a Distraction-Free Space
If you like a scientific approach toward completing your goal and know music would help you do it, apps that feature Lo-Fi music are an excellent pick for you.
Researchers have proven that music can have a beneficial impact on one’s brain: it boosts motivation and concentration. If music doesn’t distract you and sets the right mood for you, melodies-oriented apps are a way to go! Find your favorite one and start your study session. You won’t be disappointed.
Blocking the Websites You Don’t Want to Waste Your Time On
You can find many website blockers that serve as productivity tools. First, make a list of sites that can potentially waste your time and distract you. Schedule the most convenient time for learning and turn a website blocker on without hesitation.
You can assign different days and spans for each website. This is a great way to help you limit the time spent on your social media and web browsing if it can hinder your studies.
Thus, you won’t waste your precious time scrolling; instead, you’ll be working and making the most of your productive hours.
How to Pick the Best App?
Before you decide which app is the best for you, you must determine what distractions occur most often when you’re trying to focus on your work.
If you spend most of your time on social media websites, then a clean screen or blocker app is a perfect option. But if random thoughts cause you to lose concentration, a music-playing app is a way to go. Want to intensify your focus for short periods? Try time-based apps.
To Wrap It Up
Losing focus is one of the main problems that students need to overcome. It can significantly impact their performance and even jeopardize their future careers. Luckily, with the fast pace of life and technologies developing every day, we can find a bunch of useful apps and tools that make time management easier.
If you want to improve your concentration and love apps for their simplicity and convenience, install the one that suits you the most and take advantage of its functionality. If you’re persistent enough, you’ll notice positive changes soon.
