Essay writing can feel like a real grind at times, but there’s plenty of things you can do to change that. To give you some food for thought, we’ve compiled a list of 9 distractions that you can easily remove. You may not be experiencing all of them, but even just getting rid of 3 will make all the difference to your final grade.
Your phone buzzing every couple of minutes
Phones are with us night and day these days, but that’s not a good thing when you should be focusing on your essay. Texts and app alerts are so common that our instinct has been to check them instantly for fear of missing out. You might think it was only 10 seconds, but it’ll break your concentration for a good couple of minutes.
Putting your phone on silent in your pocket won’t work, as the temptation to check it will still be there. Leave it in a separate room so you can’t see or hear it, and you’ll find you get loads more done.
Loud music that gets you too excited
Listening to music is a great idea, but you need to be playing the right stuff. Pounding electronic music or rock might seem like a good way to pass the time because you enjoy it, but that’s not what you’re aiming to do. Getting excited and happy won’t make you write any better.
Classical music is the best option as it will keep you calm as the deadline looms, and it’ll also stimulate the creative side of your brain. Ideal if you want to find the words you need to go up an entire grade.
Staring at the clock
Deadlines can feel like they’re a lifetime away, and then if by magic it’s the night before and you’ve not done anything. Staring at the clock might feel like what you want to do, but it’s not something that will help you out in any way. Focus on your laptop, keep thinking about how good it will feel when you submit, and take pride in doing the best possible job you can.
Busy communal areas
Working in a quiet room with the door closed will seem pretty boring. There’s nothing to look at, no people watching to do, and you’re so far away from the lively hustle and bustle of campus that you don’t know what’s going on. All of this is a good thing! Working in a room or a quiet study space is the best way to stop yourself from getting distracted.
Trying to work outside when the sun is shining
The sun comes out, and the students all come out. It seems to be the way no matter whether you’re in high school or college, but it’s just not a good idea. Working at a desk in a well lit room is always the best option. Take your breaks outside, but leave the work in the library or your room.
Not getting enough sleep the night before
A lot of people get to the early hours of the morning and decide they need to Get Academic Help. Whilst there are plenty of experts out there that really know their stuff, none of them ever got anything done right by being heavily sleep deprived. Get well rested, and remember that it’s the quality of your work that counts, not how long you stayed up trying to do it.
Trying to write on an empty stomach
One of the main distractions can be the need to eat. If you find that you’re starving hungry at your desk, then your mind will naturally start to wander, and your concentration levels will evaporate. Take plenty of breaks, and eat light energy boosting foods that don’t make you feel lethargic.
Working with a classmate who never stops talking
It can be great to work alongside a classmate, but you shouldn’t pick just anyone. If you’re sat next to someone who’s messing around on YouTube and then trying to drag you away every few minutes, you just won’t get anything done. Either work with someone just like you, or work solo. At the end of the day it’s your grade that’s the important thing.
Working on the couch in front of the TV The final common distraction is the obsession many students have with trying to work on the couch. Lying down on your laptop with the TV on is never a good idea. You won’t feel like you’re really working (because you’re not) and you won’t get anywhere as much done as you would if you were sat at your desk for half the time.
