How to Remove Distractions and Get the Most Out of Your Study Time

Colossians 3:23-24 ESV / 203 helpful votes

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

        Have you ever been trying to intently studying your school work, then suddenly fall into a day dream? Subconsciously staring out the window, fiddling with items on your desk, thinking about something way off topic, or even worse; wasting away your precious study time on the Internet. I have been there myself, multiple times. I know, at my house at least, there are more than several distractions, which waver my focus. It's important as homeschoolers, to remove distractions of our home while working, so we don't find ourselves wasting away our day, and not finishing what was expected to be completed. Here are some steps I hope are helpful to everyone.

1. Find a quiet place to work. 

     I have five siblings total. There is constant noise in my house, whether it be the baby screaming in the bedroom, Curious George playing in the living room, or my sister and mother discussing something which may be interesting to me in the kitchen, there are noise distractions everywhere. To get away from these, I suggest getting into a room separate from the TV, all other noisy things (and people (-: ) and shutting the door (with your parents permission, of course.) If this still doesn't work, I have heard earplugs work nicely.

2. Clear and Organize Your Workspace

     A cluttered and disorganized workspace is not only distracting, but also extremely hindering to the productiveness of your work. To make your desk clutter and distraction-free, keep only have what is helpful to your studying on the desk. Picture frames, piggy-banks, magazines, and picturesque calendars may make your desk look more homely, but these can steal your attention.

3. Turn Off Electronics

     Put your phone on silent and if you don't need it for studying, disable your Internet. Hand your iPod, DS, and video games over to your accountable parent, until your next free-time. This may hurt, but a rule in my house, is no electronics until the work is done. This rule is extremely helpful when trying to remove electronic distractions, during school days.

4. Close the Curtain

     Although natural light can be refreshing, an open window can be a gateway to distraction. Any movement could get your attention, a car passing by, a beautiful bird landing in your yard, a lady walking a dog, or your siblings playing outside. To remove these potential focus-killers, just close the curtain.

5. Take Breaks

     If you work 5 hours straight, of course you are going to have problems focusing! Every once in awhile, take a 5 to 10 minute break. Get a glass of water, go outside, pray and read your Bible, ask your mom if you could do a chore for her, or play a quick game of tag with your younger siblings. 

6. Get Good Sleep, Eat Right, and Get Dressed in the Morning

     Many things can hinder focus, if we stay up too late, eat junk food, and stay in our pajamas all day (what homeschooler hasn't done this before?) We aren't going to get as much done as we would have if we went to bed early, ate a healthy breakfast, dressed in regular clothes, and started our school early.

7. Pray Before Starting

 Last but not least, I recommend praying before you start studying. Pray that God will give you focus, to learn what He wants you to learn, to make the most of the day He has given you, and bring glory to Him. God answers prayers. 

I hope this article will be helpful to you, in the everyday process of homeschooling. I pray that it will help to make your days free of distractions from your work, and that it will aid you in making the most of the time God has given you.

Happy Studying!

Hannah

Do you have any other ways to keep distractions away? Please comment below, with your thoughts!