How to Deal with Internet Distraction While Studying

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Ⅰ.  Introduction

 

Nowadays, with advanced technology, such as cell phones have become a daily necessity and can be the main factor that disturbs people’s concentration. Lai and Bower (2019), stated “Academic distraction is a primary concern for educators as the learning environment continually evolves.” Oftentimes, the unread messages and pop-up notifications on our cell phones can be very distracting while we are studying. If we cannot help but keep checking the messages or notifications on cell phones, it is likely for us to turn out that we fail to complete or carry out the schedules on time. Since internet distraction is one of the common problems in this era, this research paper will discuss internet distraction and propose possible solutions. To investigate how many people are suffering from internet distraction, we designed a questionnaire to gather college students’ opinions regarding this issue.

 

Ⅱ.  Problem

Many people find it difficult to focus on studying since they easily get distracted by many temptations around them (See fig.1). As an innovation for human communication, the mobile phone has brought many benefits into life. However, the convenience behind the smartphone—the internet, has also led to many negative impacts on humans. One of them is “distraction”. For those who are not proficient in self-discipline, the internet could be a very serious and damageable issue for them. In general, they have difficulty regulating themselves for the seduction of various applications and notifications, which will result in distraction and problems with concentrating.

 

 

 From the survey we conducted, it was found that 95.1% of respondents (see fig.1) claimed that they have a problem with phone distraction while doing things, studying. 30.8% stated they have serious problems coping with the issue, while 28.2% stated they may deal with it, and 26.9% remain neutral in this issue (see fig.2).  The above results are the same as those reported by Berry and Westfall (2015): “More than 80 percent students use their phone at least once per class and students generally believe this to be an acceptable practice.” From these results, we can see that internet distractions can be a common and serious problem for people. In the next paragraph, we will be discussing the practical solutions to it. To tackle this issue, we conducted a survey research by providing the following solutions, including putting away or switching off your cellphones while studying, setting time limits on your goals, and going to distraction-free places (see fig.3). In the following paragraphs, practical solutions will be discussed from the most effective to the least effective.

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(Figure 1: Do you find yourself having problems with distraction while studying?)

 

(Figure 2: Rate yourself from 1-5 on dealing with distraction.)

 

(Figure 3 : What is the most effective way among the opinions below to solve the distraction problem in your opinion?)

Ⅲ.  Evaluation of alternative solution 1

    

The first alternative solution is putting away or switching off cell phones. According to our survey, 47.6 percent of the respondents regarded “switching off cell phones” as the most effective way of coping with internet distraction. The reasons include “cell phones are the most distracting objects while they are studying or working”, “switching off cell phones is the most effective way since I cannot use the most distracting apps”, and “switching off cell phones will not be any annoying notification anymore”. It seems that since people are often distracted by the apps on cell phones and often check the information and messages on it, it may interrupt our concentration time. Therefore, switching off cell phones can be the most effective and quickest way to deal with distraction. However, the prerequisite is that people can ensure themselves not to use cell phones when studying. If they make up their mind to stop using cell phones when studying or working, the result still can be effective.

 

Ⅳ.  Evaluation of alternative solution 2

  The second solution is to go studying in distraction-free places (e.g., library, café…), which means to place oneself in an environment where it is quiet and with as few distractions as possible. According to our survey, 27 out of 82 participants had chosen the option “go working in distraction-free places” as the most effective way (among the three options we provided) to solve distraction problems while studying (see fig3). Among the reasons that were given by the 27 participants who chose “go studying in distraction-free places” in our survey, the surrounding is another key to focusing on studying despite quietness. According to UKessay(2018), setting up an environment could help one have better concentration, leaving our own room is a smart decision, since bed is related to sleeping. Whereas research of Moran, A. (2016) indicated that setting up a studying routine, which is going to a particular place for studying at a particular time everyday somehow helps our brain to get into the “mode” of  engaging into the task. We asked our participants to briefly explain the reason why they picked this option, environmental restrictions and influence from people surrounding them were the two most common explanations of their choice. From their point of view, they admitted that when they see people around them are studying in a hard-working way, they will have the will to study as seriously as them.

  

V.             Evaluation of alternative solution 3

  The last alternative solution is setting up a time limit for each goal. The survey result indicates that 43.9 percent considered this solution the least effective way. Some people claimed that setting goals and time limits helps them to focus on work, while other people said this approach is less available because the time limit can be recalled and is not compulsory. “A goal is the object or aim of an action, for example, to attain a specific standard of proficiency, usually within a specified time limit” (Locke and Latham, 2002, p.750) Although it may not be that useful, setting a goal with a time limit still can be helpful for some more self-regulated people. For them, having pressure with a time limit is effective and can help them focus on the goal.In addition, by setting time limits, our participants explain  that they might get nervous out of the lack of time, eventually leading to a decline in studying performance . Also, some reasoned that they could reset the limit all the time as it was set by themselves.

 

 

●  Recommendation and Conclusion

 

In summary, we provide 3 solutions in terms of solving distraction problems, including putting away or switching one’s cellphones while studying; setting time limits for one’s goals and going to distraction-free places while studying. Putting away one’s cell phone is considered to be the most effective; whereas, going to distraction-free places is ranked as second most effective; and setting time limits for one’s goal as least effective. In our opinion, putting away our cell phone is unarguably an important step if we want to kick off distractions while studying. However, including the method of setting a time limit and going to the library might result in an unexpectedly impressive outcome. To solve the distraction problem while studying, we suggest you could first, find yourself a most suitable and quiet place to study in; then, put away your phone to separate yourself from the biggest distraction; and set a time limit for finishing your task if you think it helps.

 

 

References

Berry, M. J., & Westfall, A. (2015). Dial D for distraction: The making and breaking of cell phone policies in the college classroom. College Teaching, 63(2), 62-71.

Moran, A. (2016). Helping students to concentrate while studying.

UKEssays. (2018). How To Improve Your Concentration English Language Essay. 

Lai, J. W., & Bower, M. (2019). How is the use of technology in education evaluated? A systematic review. Computers & Education, 133, 27-42.

Locke, E. A., & Latham, G. P. (2002). Building a practically useful theory of goal setting and task motivation: A 35-year odyssey. American psychologist, 57(9), 705.

 

Survey

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