Almost every student wants to know how to get better grades.
Today I’m going to share a simple tip to score higher on a test, and maybe even boost your test results up 20%.
Even if you’re not a student, you’ll find this exercise helps your concentration and focus no matter what you’re doing.
Does technology help or hinder learning?
We all want to feel connected, and especially during the recent pandemic, technology has been very helpful when it comes to socializing with friends and family.
But if you’re a student looking to get better grades or just someone who struggles to focus day-to-day, you’ll be better equipped to limit distractions and improve your memory when you understand how your brain responds to technology.
Learning new things is a great way to support your brain health at any stage in life, and there are always ways to improve learning, focus, and concentration.
Students who want to understand how to get better grades can learn to concentrate better. Once they see the results, they’ll probably be motivated to carry on these positive habits.
Students and Cell Phones
Most of us know by now that cell phones are distracting, and several recent reports support that cell phone use can negatively impact a student’s grades.
Even though technology can help all kinds of learning, when students have their phones out in the classroom, it can be problematic.
One particular study involved a big group of students divided into two, where one group was told to turn off their cell phones and leave them on the desk, and the other group was told to leave their phones outside of the room.
The people whose cell phone was in the other room performed 20% better on a test.
How do cell phones impact our concentration?
Research shows that even having a phone nearby can severely impact our concentration — here’s why.
The part of our brain which is responsible for sudden movement essentially stops our thought processes. When we get “alerted” to something, we are supposed to pay attention to it.
In terms of evolution, this would have served a survival purpose. A sound or a movement would alert us to danger and tell our brains to stop doing what we’re doing and attend to that more critical situation.
So, the notifications on our cell phones are designed to distract us!
Even the mere act of reaching for a phone can disrupt your thought process. You don’t need to “do” anything on your phone, but simply look at it and think about it, and our brains “move” there.
Another reason for our lowered concentration is simply that when we’re around technology, we’re more likely to multitask; if it’s not a cell phone, it might be Facebook or email that steals our attention.
For students, this might mean the difference between a passing or failing grade.
How to Limit Distractions When Working or Studying
In our technologically-saturated world, we all get distracted from time-to-time. This is entirely normal!
Whether you’re in the classroom and wondering how to get better grades, you’re a parent looking to support your child, or you’re simply a person who easily gets distracted by your cell phone, there are plenty of things you can do to improve your focus.
Some examples:
- Use ambient music or white noise when studying.
- Turn off your internet when studying or in a lecture and using a laptop to take notes.
- Use “distraction-free” modes when writing.
- Try moving to a different room or going to a coffee shop to study.
- Break big goals down into smaller goals and
- Plan a realistic study schedule that incorporates proper sleep and breaks
Get More Tips to Improve Your Brain Health
Whether your goal is understanding how to get better grades, learn a new language, or simply concentrate at work, the bottom line is that when our cell phones are “out of sight out of mind,” we have the best chance of meeting our learning goals.
Follow my Dose of Science blog and YouTube channel for more science-based tips to help you stay healthier and happier.
Enjoyed this article? You might like these too:
3 Foods That Sound Healthy But Have Too Much Hidden Added Sugar
A 5 Minute Solution To Help You Sleep
A Quick Tip To Manage Anxiety
