Your Phone Is Hurting Your Study Sessions, Even When It Is Face Down

The Brain Drain Study

In a 2017 study by Ward and colleagues at the University of Texas, people did tasks that required concentration with their phone either in another room, in their pocket or bag, or face down on the desk. Those with the phone in another room did best, even though nobody used their phone during the test. The researchers suggested that part of your attention goes into not checking the phone.

What Constant Checking Costs

Every glance at a notification breaks your train of thought. Getting back into deep focus takes time, and if you check every few minutes, you never fully get there. An hour of interrupted study can be worth far less than 30 minutes of focused work.

A Distraction-Free Setup

Monk Mode, Without the Extremes

"Monk mode" is a popular term for blocks of deep, distraction-free work. You do not need a week off the internet. Two or three phone-free blocks of 60 to 90 minutes a day add up to serious progress.

Use Breaks Well

Check messages during your planned breaks, not in the middle of a session. Even better, use breaks to move, stretch or get some daylight, and keep scrolling for the end of the day.

The Bottom Line

Make the distraction harder to reach than the work. Distance beats willpower.