A Series from the UConn School of Business
Outsmart Your Distractions

Are your thoughts easily interrupted? Read on for strategies that help you study smarter and stay focused.

  • Stay Focused: Be proactive to navigate distracting times especially when sitting in a lecture as this is important time to be retaining learned information and ask questions to better understand the course

  • Train Your Brain: Helping your mind recognize when focus is necessary is a skill that will be needed throughout college and your working life
Stay Focused
  • Know what you need to take notes on.
  • Review the lecture topic and related reading to give you an idea of what to listen for during your lecture.
  • Preparing ahead of time will help you to pay attention more actively when looking for key things to write down

  • Participate!
  • You aren't the only one with a question and when the professor answers it will cause them to slow the pace of the lecture. A quick pause or pace change may help you retain information.

  • Mark up your notes.
  • If you are confused or need more information about something covered in class, create a marking system so you can trace places for follow up after the lecture.
Use Your Phone To Gamify Your Focus
This app is a gamified focus-timer, habit tracker and to-do list all in one so you’re covered on all bases here. When you want to focus on completing a goal (like finishing that big thing you’ve been putting off for weeks), you plant a little tree and the longer you keep away from your phone, the more it grows. What makes this one even better is that Flora has partnered with Trees.org which means actual trees are planted in Africa when you use the app.
To learn more about other apps that can help you focus click here!
Train Your Brain
Create A Better Study Space

  • Color Coding Your Class Supplies: Help signal your brain that you are moving from one topic to the next.

  • Find Your Light: Natural light (sitting by a window or even outside if possible) simulates serotonin production and improves your mood!

  • Support Yourself: Sit up with good posture in furniture that supports your back. It's hard to concentrate when your back or neck hurt.

  • Keep Separate Spaces: Don't work where you rest! It confuses the brain. Separate spaces, or at least facing a different direction than you do when you are resting, creates clear boundaries.
Need Music, But Get Distracted By Lyrics?
Questions? Do you have a suggestion for academic resources that will help students while engaging in learning?

Email laila.chaoui@uconn.edu.