College Student Study Distractions
Text Messaging, Sudoku, Facebook, and Other Procrastination Pitfalls
Jan 7, 2008
There's no doubt about it, students-- some of your classes are so mind-numbingly boring that it's painful. College students have always felt this way. Chances are, that agonizingly dull 80-year-old physics professor made his students suffer just as much 50 years ago.
Students have always been bored, and they've always found ways to block out a professor's lecture or to procrastinate on their homework. However, there's a big difference between the bored students of yesteryear and the Generation Y college students of today. These days, the number of technologically-advanced and tempting ways that students can ignore their academic obligations have skyrocketed!
So with so many fun ways to avoid your work, how can a student be expected to pay attention? Learning how to pay attention in such a technologically-rich environment is not an easy task, even for the best students. But the thing is, if you're going to succeed in school, you need to learn how to resist temptation and pay attention. Unless you plan to pull an all-night study session every time you have an exam or essay assignment, you're going to have to learn how to sit down and do your work, no matter what.
So what are these weapons of mass procrastination that are keeping students from paying attention? Here's a breakdown of the distractions your average student today has to cope with-- and some advice for students on how to resist these temptations.
The Cell Phone
This revolutionary communication device has become a major professor pet peeve, because students just can't seem to keep their hands off of them! Of course, text messaging is the main culprit. After all, it's hard to imagine that your professor's lecture is more interesting than what you friends have to say. Unfortunately, you really can't pay full attention to your professor and your cell phone at the same time. Don't overestimate your multitasking skills.
So how does a student resist this mobile source of entertainment? There's not much you can do other than turn off your phone. Put it in a location where you can't get at it easily during class, like at the very bottom of your backpack.
MySpace and Facebook
Let's see. Should you start that 100-page reading on medieval Russia? Or should you check your Facebook? Does the reading even have a chance? After all, you could be tagging yourself in pictures from last week's party, or taking a TV quiz, or checking up on that kid you dated in fourth grade.
To combat Facebook and MySpace addiction, try enforcing some rules on yourself. Limit the amount of time you allow yourself to use your account. Perhaps you can use a Facebook visit as a reward for finishing that long reading assignment. If you really can't resist, consider disabling your account during finals week and other busy times.
Instant Messenger
IM is an especially insidious procrastination tool because it can interrupt you while you work on your computer. You may be fully engrossed in completing a paper, but when your sister IMs you with some juicy news, how can you resist? As more students start taking laptops to class, IM also is becoming a classroom distraction. It's just like text messaging, only even more tempting because you don't have to cut conversations short for fear that the teacher will see you texting.
If you can't resist IM, consider disabling it altogether. If someone really needs to reach you, they can call, email, or text you, or hey, even knock on your door.
Television
This old-school distraction is more tempting than ever, now that there's zillions of channels. Fortunately, you can reduce the temptation of television by recording your favorite shows and watching when you have time. If you don't have TiVo or a similar DVR device, buy yourself a VCR (or dig one out of your parent's attic).
MMORPGs and Other Video Games
Games provide a healthy break from the realities of college life, but only if you use them in moderation. Will they turn you into a homicidal maniac, as the TV news would have you believe? No, probably not. Are they potentially addictive and a huge source of procrastination? Of course. If you're going to play, try imposing a time limit on yourself, and stay away from games during finals.
Sudoku
Ah, Sudoku, the low-tech addiction. It's kind of funny that in an era of laptop computers and BlackBerrys and all these other high-tech gadgets, students spend so much time buried in these pen-and-paper logic puzzles. Unfortunately, Sudoku falls into the category of Portable Things that are More Interesting than the Professor, so it's tempting to sneak a peak at your numbers when you're supposed to be taking notes. Throw your Sudoku book in your backpack with your cell phone and pay attention.
None of these innovations are bad things in and of themselves-- in fact, quite the opposite. Today's college students are lucky to attend school in an era where so many communication tools and other innovations are available. However, as a student, you need to avoid getting so distracted by all these fabulous toys that you fail to meet your academic goals.
Stop by for more helpful articles on study skills for college students and time management.
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