It’s finals season! Having trouble focusing? Here are apps that can help you get away from websites that help you procrastinate.
Staying focused is hard when there are so many distractions. Social media, blogs, videos, websites, gaming apps…the list goes on. Sometimes you just need a little help to get you started on that final paper or exam you need to study for.
1. Self-Control
Self-Control is a Mac-only desktop application for students who can’t get off distracting websites and blogs. Can’t get off Buzzfeed? Are you just watching random trailers on YouTube? Still binging that show on Netflix? Download Self-Control for the sake of your grades this semester. Blacklist all the websites you frequent and set a timer. Once the timer starts, it will block you from those sites until the time is up—even if you delete the application or restart your computer. Eliminate those distractions and start focusing.
2. Forest
Can’t stop picking up your phone? Add Forest on to your phone for $1.99. Once you open the app, you can plant a tree and set a timer for how long you want to focus for. If you leave the app, your tree will die. The more focused you are, the bigger your forest will grow!
You can even plant tree with your friends, so all of you are focused at the same time. Plus, you can shame the ones that give up first. This is helpful to students who like having something to work towards, a reward for focusing. You can even track your phone usage and see how much time you’ve spent on it.
Forest even offers a Chrome extension so you stop surfing the web! You can also blacklist or whitelist certain websites if you do need the internet to get your work done. The Chrome extension is free! Also, the coins you earn on the app can go to real trees being planted. It’s a win-win.
3. StayFocusd
StayFocusd is a Chrome extension that helps students focus on the task at hand. It’s very similar to Self-Control, but you don’t need to be a Mac user. It has a lot of different functions that you can utilize. Instead of simply blocking all the sites, you can grant yourself an allotted amount of time to spend of those sites. Once it’s up, you’re locked out for the day. Of course, you can also go with the nuclear option and block all sites.
4. Noisli
Can’t concentrate because of all the noise in your dorm? Getting distracted by the music on Spotify? Use Noisli to aid your concentration. You can mix different natural sounds and create your perfect environment. Turn up the sound of the rain, lower the sound of people in a coffee shop, add a crackling fire to the mix… whatever works best for you! Maybe all you need is just some white noise to help you drown everything else out.
P.S. Noisli also has a Chrome extension!
5. Hocus Focus
It’s like magic! Hocus Focus helps you declutter your desktop with applications you’re not using so you can stay distraction-free and focus on the work you’re doing. If you’ve ever found yourself suddenly distracted flipping through apps you weren’t even using, then this is definitely an app that will come in handy for you.
Hope these applications come in handy for finals this year! Another helpful tip is just to put your phone on “Do not disturb” and store it out of reach. Out of sight, out of mind. Keep your mind on the task at hand!
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