You sit down to study. Two minutes later, a WhatsApp, then a YouTube notification, and somehow you’re deep into a reel marathon. It happens to the best of us. Screens are everywhere and they’re not going anywhere. The real challenge is how to manage screen time for studies without losing your focus or your mind.
Let’s be clear, screens aren’t the enemy. In fact, your classes, assignments, notes, and even doubts often live on a screen. But there’s a fine line between using your phone or laptop to study and letting it distract you every five minutes.
Most students don’t realise how much time they lose to screens. They sit down to study but get stuck in an endless cycle of checking notifications during break or scrolling through just one more reel. Hence, a 15-minute break becomes an hour. This isn’t just a time issue, it affects how the brain works too.
In a country where students face high academic expectations, such screen time will have long-term consequences.
Another thing that should be understood is that not all screen time is terrible. It is important to know the difference between good and bad screen time. Watching lectures, reading digital textbooks or reference books, using educational apps are examples of useful screen time. Some examples of unproductive screen time include social media scrolling, binge watching, constantly checking notifications.
Here are simple and effective strategies that students can apply daily:
1. Create a Study Schedule with Breaks: Plan when you will have screen-based study sessions and when you will have without. It will be good to include short breaks after every 45-60 minutes. A method like the Pomodoro Technique can help prevent digital fatigue.
2. Turn Off Non-Essential Notifications: Constant alerts from messaging or social media apps break concentration. Use ‘Do Not Disturb’, ‘Focus Mode’ features during study hours or disconnect your phone from using internet.
3. Use Apps That Block Distractions: There are many apps that help you stay focused during study time like Forest, Freedom, or Stay Focused. They can block distracting sites and apps during your study time
4. Switch to Paper: Reading from textbooks or writing notes in books reduces screen time and improves memory retention.
5. Follow the 20-20-20 Rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This will reduce eyestrain during long study sessions.
6. Limit Screen Use Before Sleep: It is important to not look at screens at least an hour before bedtime. This will improve sleep quality, directly affecting focus and learning.
When you manage your screen time well, you will notice that you have:
Learning to manage screen time for studies is now a key skill for every student. It’s not about strict rules, it’s about building habits that support your learning without letting technology overwhelm you. Start with one or two strategies. With consistency, they’ll become part of your daily rhythm and over time, you’ll feel the difference in your concentration, health, and academic results.
