5 Tips for Distraction-Free Studying

Study

Stud´y (n): A setting of the mind or thoughts upon a subject; hence, application of mind to books, arts, or science, or to any subject, for the purpose of acquiring knowledge.

Study | Definition of Study by Webster's Online Dictionary (webster-dictionary.org)

For many of us, studying is no foreign concept. Initially when I think of studying, I think of college and graduate school, however, studying pertains to more than just learning something in school. We study things we find enjoyable, like learning a new hobby. No matter what it is you're studying for, finding the most effective way to study should always be the goal. There are many different ways to study, and everyone's ideal study method will likely be different.

Learning always came naturally to me. I barely studied in high school, and I could get away with bare-minimum studying in undergrad. However, I knew this was not going to be the case in PA school. In PA school, the amount of knowledge you are learning is like "drinking water from a fire hydrant." Meaning, instead of the steady, reliable trickle of water you usually drink from a water fountain, you are getting a HEAVY, steady stream of information all at once, all the time, with the feeling of never having time to catch your breath.

The best way to handle a high volume of information is to learn how to organize and process it. Then, once that is done, learn your best method of studying and stick to it.

For someone who didn't really study much or as efficiently as I should have up until grad school, I had to spend some time learning what worked best for me. No matter which study method I practiced, I found that setting yourself up to study is the KEY to success!

Today, I'd like to share with you the FIVE study tips I discovered in PA school that made me study more efficiently. Learning how to utilize your most valuable resource, time, to your advantage will allow you to cover more material, learn concepts quicker, and allow you to leave time in your schedule for other things without leaving you stressed.

1. Find a Distraction Free Area

I am one that gets easily distracted at home. Studying at home was difficult because I am a multi-tasker, and I always wanted to be doing something else while studying to "be more efficient". But the truth is, this ended up making me less efficient. I would sit at my desk (which was in my room), take one look at my hamper and think, "let me do some laundry while I study". I'd walk out to the washer/dryer upstairs, and on my way back down I would see dishes in the sink. I'd think "I'll do the dishes really quick". This train of tangential thoughts would continue until an hour has gone by and I realize I didn't study at all, and now I'm behind!

I found this distraction would take place anywhere I tried to study in my apartment. My roommates and I found out quickly we were more productive when we would go somewhere else to study. Common places we studied were the library, hotel lobby/lounge areas and cafes. I went to school in center city Philadelphia and didn't have a car. Our walk to/from where we were studying was a nice built in study break and way to get a little exercise in.

My most effective studying was always in these areas. And yes, when you're in a public space, there can be many other distractions around. I would bring my headphones, a packed lunch, everything I needed to study for that day, and start working on my 'To Study' list for the day. I would plan to be there for 4-5 hours, some days even longer. Most, if not all the time, I would be able to accomplish what I wanted to for that study session.

2. Make a Study Plan

Planning your study schedule will keep you organized and ensure you don't fall behind. There are many ways you can plan your studying. Some people prefer an hour-by-hour approach where I personally just made a list of the things I would accomplish within the time I allotted. Being able to check things off my list made me feel accomplished and kept me motivated to get everything done. I would plan my studying weekly, usually on Sunday for the upcoming week. The small details of when and how you make your study plan are up to you, and honestly, as long as it keeps you on track that is all that matters.

Along with planning your study schedule, I recommend planning your breaks. Doing this will help keep the distractions in the back of your mind at bay so you can focus on your work. Scheduling breaks throughout your study schedule will allow you to incorporate phone time, social media, a call to a parent, or even a quick trip to the grocery store without feeling guilty.

BONUS: Check out the templates I made for you in the FILES section of my blog to help you start planning your studying! You can access them with the short-cut below!

3. Use the Resources Available to You

This sounds pretty self-explanatory, but I will admit that early on in PA school, that first quarter I thought I had time to organize all of the information being thrown at me by myself. Quickly I learned that in order to not snowball behind in work, I would have to come up with a better system. Throughout grad school, a group consisting of myself, and 3 others would delegate different lectures to sift through the information and make an easy-on-the-eyes, colorful, yet concise chart that we would use to study. We would combine our lecture notes, PowerPoint material, and whatever book material for that topic we were responsible for. Then, instead of looking at 3 different sources for this information, we could study it together all in 1 place.

Do you work better alone or don't have a group of peers interested in making charts or other study resources? Other classmates may already have come up with a chart, anki-flash cards, or even a quizlet that you were planning to make anyway. Ask them if you can use it, too. Then, return the favor next time.

Additionally, use the charts, documents, and other resources from the classes above you. This DOES NOT mean asking them for test answers or asking for a paper that you want to plagiarize. This is asking for study tools they may have created or utilized (like flash cards) that could be passed down and re-used. Then, all you have to do is update any information that may be out-of-date, and in the end, will save a ton of time from starting from scratch on your own.

Lastly, use your mentor if you have one! This could be a peer in your cohort, your guidance counselor, or an assigned mentor who is a year or two above you in your program. Asking them for advice, how they handled studying, and what resources they found useful will take you a long way!

4. Use Tools to Help You Focus

There are many different tools to keep us on track. For me, the tools I needed to help me focus was: 1. putting my cell phone on 'do not disturb' or even airplane mode to ignore notifications and unimportant distractions, 2. headphones to allow me to listen to music to drown out distractions around me while studying, 3. packing my lunch with snacks to keep me at my study destination longer, 4. My study schedule to keep me on track.

Other things I've seen people use (that I do not use personally) is a physical barrier to keep them focused, such as a small safe with a timer that allows you to lock up possessions that distract you, or even the utilization of website-blocking apps/websites.

This will probably take some trial and error to figure out what tools will work for you. If you see a peer that seems like they are really focused, and always ahead in studying, ask them what they use.

Examples of blocking apps/websites:

- Freedom

- AppBlock

- SelfControl

Examples of timed-lock boxes:

5. Consistency

It takes time to develop a steady routine, but adding this consistently to your schedule will make these behaviors habit. Studying well every time you study will allow consistent results in your education, testing abilities, and overall performance.

If you find that something in your study routine is not working for you, try something else. Don't be afraid to try a different tool, method or resource. I know this may sound silly, but you do have to LEARN how to study in a way that is best for you, as everyone learns differently. Even if you want to, don't give up. There's a light at the end of the tunnel, whether it's the end of a test, end of a semester, or even graduation. Time goes by faster than you think, so plan ahead and use it wisely!

Happy studying, everyone!

XO,

Manny ❤️