Study Skills

Tools for focussing

Study Skills

Tools for focussing

Study Skills

Tools for focussing

A man leans against a window and looks down at his phone.

Summary

Keeping up with materials for your studies can be overwhelming, but many tools are available to help you get organised, deal with distractions, and find your calm.

Summary

Keeping up with materials for your studies can be overwhelming, but many tools are available to help you get organised, deal with distractions, and find your calm.

Read this article

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Tools you may already have

Your computer or phone may have options to help you stay focussed.

On your computer, Windows has Focus Assist, and macOS has Focus and Screen Time. These built-in options enable you to reduce distractions and streamline your working environment.

On your phone, Android has Digital Wellbeing, and iOS has Focus and Screen Time, helping you to restrict access to distracting apps and control notifications so you can stay on task.

Our favourite free tools

A Soft Murmur provides you with options to mix ambient noise that suits you, from singing bowls to nature sounds, to a coffee shop soundscape. You can save custom mixes or set timers for sounds to start or end. You can also find ambient noise mixes through Spotify or Apple Music.

Forest helps you to stay focussed by rewarding you with creating a flourishing forest as you work. It also includes a Pomodoro timer option (see Mastering Time Management: Pomodoro technique)

Paid-for tools

Freedom blocks digital distractions with powerful multi-device control of your Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, or Chrome device to stop distracting websites and apps from interfering with your focus.

Read this article

1.5

Tools you may already have

Your computer or phone may have options to help you stay focussed.

On your computer, Windows has Focus Assist, and macOS has Focus and Screen Time. These built-in options enable you to reduce distractions and streamline your working environment.

On your phone, Android has Digital Wellbeing, and iOS has Focus and Screen Time, helping you to restrict access to distracting apps and control notifications so you can stay on task.

Our favourite free tools

A Soft Murmur provides you with options to mix ambient noise that suits you, from singing bowls to nature sounds, to a coffee shop soundscape. You can save custom mixes or set timers for sounds to start or end. You can also find ambient noise mixes through Spotify or Apple Music.

Forest helps you to stay focussed by rewarding you with creating a flourishing forest as you work. It also includes a Pomodoro timer option (see Mastering Time Management: Pomodoro technique)

Paid-for tools

Freedom blocks digital distractions with powerful multi-device control of your Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, or Chrome device to stop distracting websites and apps from interfering with your focus.

Written by Amy Back

Written by Amy Back

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Summary

Keeping up with materials for your studies can be overwhelming, but many tools are available to help you get organised, deal with distractions, and find your calm.

Read this article

Keeping up with materials for your studies can be overwhelming, but many tools are available to help you get organised, deal with distractions, and find your calm.

Tools you may already have

Your computer or phone may have options to help you stay focussed.

On your computer, Windows has Focus Assist, and macOS has Focus and Screen Time. These built-in options enable you to reduce distractions and streamline your working environment.

On your phone, Android has Digital Wellbeing, and iOS has Focus and Screen Time, helping you to restrict access to distracting apps and control notifications so you can stay on task.

Our favourite free tools

A Soft Murmur provides you with options to mix ambient noise that suits you, from singing bowls to nature sounds, to a coffee shop soundscape. You can save custom mixes or set timers for sounds to start or end. You can also find ambient noise mixes through Spotify or Apple Music.

Forest helps you to stay focussed by rewarding you with creating a flourishing forest as you work. It also includes a Pomodoro timer option (see Mastering Time Management: Pomodoro technique)

Paid-for tools

Freedom blocks digital distractions with powerful multi-device control of your Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, or Chrome device to stop distracting websites and apps from interfering with your focus.

Written by Amy Back

Amy has experience supporting placement students in industry, and as an Assistive Technology Trainer within the DSA. They are passionate about students getting the most out of their assistive technology, informed by their work with students and their own experiences of ADHD and Dyslexia.

Written by Amy Back

Amy has experience supporting placement students in industry, and as an Assistive Technology Trainer within the DSA. They are passionate about students getting the most out of their assistive technology, informed by their work with students and their own experiences of ADHD and Dyslexia.