Getting distracted when studying short courses online or from a textbook is almost an inevitability, and it’s something that happens to everyone at some point. But just how much we get distracted can be managed because when you don’t, you end up impacting your progress.
So, to help you in this regard, we will be covering five of the biggest procrastination pitfalls you are likely to face, along with how to avoid repeating them yourself. We’ll then finish up by telling you about engaging video-based courses that make learning a cinch!
If you’re ready, let’s get started on those tips…
Pitfall #1 - Taking Long Phone-Related Bathroom Breaks
During your study session, you’re going to need to take a bathroom break, but when you do, we’d recommend leaving your phone behind. Why? We all take our phones to the toilet these days, but what that means is you’re taking care of business and then…ping! You’ve got a notification!
“Oh no, my crops are ready to harvest in SimFarmer!” Next, you get a message telling you that Rebecca has had her turn in Words With Friends. Before you know it, you've become engrossed in all that your mobile applications offer, and you've forgotten about studying. So keep it strictly business in the bathroom.
Pitfall #2 - Getting Waylaid by Messages
You might think that telling everyone on Facebook that you’re studying is enough to let people know to leave you alone for a while, right? However, this won’t protect you from unexpected emails or SMS messages.
As well as stopping yourself from getting distracted from finding out why Sarah’s relationship status has changed, it would help if you backed that up by logging out of email and your social media profiles. Let’s be honest; if it’s essential, people will ring you, so cut yourself off from the online world while you’re working through your short courses online.
According to the Sensis Social Media Report, a survey done yearly, Facebook users spent on average, 16.64 minutes on the service each time they used it in the past year.
End the time-waste cycle and log out now.
Pitfall #3 - Getting Distracted by Desk Organising
Like most of us, your desk or study area probably has a layer of assorted clutter where your books and laptop should be. So it’s only natural to straighten up your desk, replace the stray books on the shelf where they belong, and empty the overflowing bin.
However, you might end up in tidying-up mode if you do it for too long and no longer in a study mode. So, while a clear desk is essential, stay focussed on what you’re doing - studying to achieve the goals set down in your career counselling!
Like Robert Brault once said - "I am never five minutes into stripping the clutter from my life before I start running into the clutter that is my life."
Pitfall #4 - Allowing That Cup of Tea or Coffee Distract You
Nothing gets you excited to study quite like a hit of caffeine! Studies have shown that caffeine improves reaction time and logical reasoning increases memory, and helps boost memory consolidation.
So, of course, when the time comes, pop the kettle on and have a brew!
However, while it boils, be careful not to get distracted by wanting to create an extravagant snack to go along with your cuppa! Forget about wasting time trying to make a cake or baking up a batch of brownies. If it involves more than opening a pack of biscuits or grabbing a piece of fruit - save it for later.
Instead, keep studying until you deserve a 5-minute break to make a sandwich or a piece of toast, or wait until you’re done for the day if you plan to make a proper meal.
Pitfall #5 - Not Staying On Topic When Researching Wikipedia
If you come across something in your studies that you don’t fully understand, you should probably look it up on Wikipedia. It’s a site that knows absolutely everything about everything, ever!
Though while you’re researching - make sure you stay on your article! There’s a theory that you can get from anyone's Wikipedia page to any other completely unrelated page by clicking six or fewer links.
There are even Wikipedia-related games you can play. They're fun - but it’s a great waste of time, so save it for when you’ve finished studying for the day! So stick to what's relevant, and stay focused on the task at hand. You'll be finished sooner and free to waste time on all the fascinating articles you like.
Avoid Distraction With Immersive Video Short Courses Online
As we can see, there’s an awful lot that can distract you away from your studying, but when you engage in video-based short courses online from OCA, you get an experience that it’s hard to pull yourself away from! Highly stimulating and created with the help of top industry experts, our CPD-approved training makes learning easier.
If you’d like to know more about this, visit us today at www.onlinecoursesaustralia.edu.au, where you’ll also see details of our flexible payment options that make our courses even more affordable. Alternatively, to speak to us about anything else before enrolment, call us today on 1300 611 404, and we’ll do our utmost to assist.
- Studying Online
