Distractions

Distractions are around us all the time and it isn't until we are trying to concentrate that we realise how distracting they really are. It's currently exam week at my school and so I am learning first-hand just how distracting things can be and so today I just want to talk about the different types of distractions and how to best overcome them. It is obvious that it isn't easy to avoid distractions but you can limit your exposure to them.

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In our world it is no secret that there are a myriad of distractions around us. Even the tiniest things can be the most distracting. Who's ever tried studying when someone has the television on loud down the other end of the house? Who has ever tried studying while their annoying siblings put incredibly loud music on down the other end and your parents say nothing? All these things are distractions and keep us from doing what we need to. Distractions can turn a ten minute task into the slowest hour of your life. Distractions can ruin your careful planning and preparation. The worst part is when you're in a test and you're 'friend' won't stop tapping his (or her) pens on the table like he's some wannabe drummer. Do you know how hard it is to concentrate when this is going on? It's even harder just to stop yourself from walking over there and snapping all their stationary. These are all very annoying distractions and can have negative consequences on the quality of our work and our performance in stressful situations (such as tests or exams).

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Distractions can be incredibly annoying but some of them can be overcome. If you're trying to study and all you can hear is the television then try and move as far away as you can, within reason, and shut the doors between you and the television. It is very important not to be able to actually see the television or you'll just end up watching it. If you can still hear the television just tell the person and if they don't listen to you then you'll just have to put up with it. The same can be said about the music except if it's your brother. Feel free to give him a whack over the head. If he's the nicest brother/person in the whole world then don't though. For test or exam situations you will most likely know before you go in who the person who does that is and so try and get a seat as far away from them as possible. Also if they are a person who likes to talk during tests and exams (I'm getting this all from the one person) then do not share a desk with them because during a VCE exam they can take your paper off you as well as that person's, even if you weren't talking because the people running the exam won't know that. So the simple thing is if you can't avoid the distraction just get as far away as possible from it within reason. Distractions really are annoying though so don't go psycho if it happens to you (unless its your brother)!

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May the odds be ever in your favour (and good luck with exams), see you tomorrow!