How to Beat Distractions While Learning at Home
There are about 1.7 million students enrolled in online college programs, according to Postsecondary Education Factbook. Additionally, approximately 1.5 million students were home-schooled in the late 2000s. There are benefits to learning at home, such as the comfort of learning in a friendly environment, but there are also some downsides, including the multitude of distractions you must beat at home, including the television, family members and the telephone.
Instructions
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Choose a room where you'll do your studying that is as isolated from the rest of your home as possible. If possible, pick a room that does not have a television. Do not study in a room where you commonly participate in recreational activities at home; it will be more difficult to concentrate.
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Play music in the background if you're not comfortable with complete silence in the room. Choose instrumentals and songs that will not encourage you to sing along, as this will distract you from your purpose.
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Talk to each of your family members or roommates. Let them know you are enrolled in a home-learning program and will be studying or "attending" online or home-schooling classes for a certain block of time at home. Ask each person to leave you alone and keep their conversations and activities at a low level during this time.
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Place a sign on the door outside of the room where you choose to do your work so your family members will know that you are in school.
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Mute or shut off the television in the room if one is present--the television makes it more difficult to learn and concentrate on your studies. Turn off your home phone and cell phone, just as if you were in a classroom.
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Do your work in segments and take frequent breaks. The Pomodoro Technique, a popular study and work method that was created by Francesco Cirillo, suggests that you do your work in 25-minute increments, then take a five-minute break.
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Tips & Warnings
If you still can't achieve the peace and quiet you need when learning at home, purchase a mini laptop for your work and visit the library or a coffee shop. Bring head phones and play stimulating or soft music so you can focus on your work and not others around you.
