Study Distractions Analysis
Concentration is the number one problem for many students. Frequently, the problem is one of
finding a place to study where there are no external distractions. External distractions are those
that originate outside the body such as telephone calls, visitors, and noises. Concentration may
be difficult when there are too many such distractions present. This checklist will help you
analyze distractions in the places you study.
List the three places where you usually study in the order you use them most.
A.____________________ B.____________________ C.___________________
Now circle the letter that applies to each of these places. T=True and F=False
| | PLACE A | PLACE B | PLACE C |
| 1. Other people often interrupt me when I study here. | T F | T F | T F |
| 2. Much of what I can see here reminds me of things
that don’t have anything to do with studying. | T F | T F | T F |
| 3. I can often hear the phone ringing when I study here. | T F | T F | T F |
| 4. I can often hear the radio or TV when I study here. | T F | T F | T F |
| 5. I think I take too many breaks when I study here. | T F | T F | T F |
| 6. I seem to be especially bothered by distractions
when I study here. | T F | T F | T F |
| 7. I usually don’t study here at a regular time each week. | T F | T F | T F |
| 8. My breaks tend to be too long when I study here. | T F | T F | T F |
| 9. I tend to start conversations with people when I
study here. | T F | T F | T F |
| 10. I spend time on the phone here that I should be
using for study. | T F | T F | T F |
| 11. Temperature conditions here are not very good. | T F | T F | T F |
| 12. Chair, table, and lighting arrangements here are not
very helpful for studying. | T F | T F | T F |
| 13. When I study here, I often am distracted by certain
individuals. | T F | T F | T F |
| 14. I don’t enjoy studying here. | T F | T F | T F |
Now total the checks in each column. | __ __ | __ __ | __ __ |
The column which has the most "FALSE" checks may be the least distracting place to study.
Try to plan your day so that you do much of your work there.
Time Management
Practice Exercise: Study Time without Distractions
- After identifying your distractions,
- develop and write down your plans for studying with fewer distractions
- and for sending signals to distracters that you are not to be disturbed.
AT SCHOOL
Potential distracters (human and physical):
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Actions against physical distractions:
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Signals to human distracters:
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
AT HOME
Potential distracters (human and physical):
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Signals to human distracters:
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Actions against physical distractions:
_____________________________________________________________________________
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