Gadgets for studying and productivity

Instead of endlessly arguing about the benefits or dangers of gadgets, you just need to understand what opportunities they give us, and learn how to safely and effectively use them in your daily life. Especially during quarantine – the transition of education to online is inevitable.

We will tell you how to organize your own “technological environment”, which will help you remember and structure new information well, and what gadgets will help you study perfectly

Essential gadgets: smartphones, tablets, laptops

It is difficult to imagine the workspace of a modern student without a computer or laptop. For many teenagers, this is the main assistant in their studies and creativity. At our school, some students prefer to work with gadgets and in the classroom: instead of carrying heavy textbooks, they use teaching materials downloaded to the tablet. School teachers encourage students’ interest in new technologies and do not lag behind themselves: instead of regular presentations, they use modern video lessons and other media resources.

Many high school students like to prepare for the exams on tablets or smartphones. These devices are mobile and allow you to practice solving test tasks on the go. For example, you can solve exercises and tests online. The self-test allows you to understand which thematic blocks require repetition.

But do not forget that training with paper forms is also important, because now on the exam, the answers must be recorded in special forms. Filling out the forms incorrectly or inattentively can cost the graduate precious points. Therefore, we insist that students remember about the balance of online and offline classes.

Gadgets to help you focus

Research shows that constant shifting of attention negatively affects the cognitive ability of adolescents. But there are gadgets that are specially designed to help you concentrate and keep yourself out of unnecessary information.

It has been experimentally proven that the ability to concentrate is influenced by the level of ambient noise. If you have to prepare for class in noisy environments, you can buy active noise canceling headphones. These headphones pick up external noise and generate sound waves with the same amplitude, but with an inverted phase. When superimposed, such waves extinguish each other, as a result of which silence is “heard” in them.

If a student reads a lot from a computer, we would advise switching to electronic devices with electronic ink technology (e-ink). Firstly, the functionality of the e-book does not allow you to be distracted by the Internet or social networks. Secondly, the technology of electronic ink allows the eyes to be less tired during work, which is beneficial for the health of vision.

A simple tool to immerse yourself in a state of concentration is the famous Pomidorro timer. This is a time management technique that breaks up study or work tasks into 25-minute active phases called “tomatoes” that alternate with short breaks. For maximum efficiency, the creator of the method recommends using a mechanical timer so as not to be distracted by other gadgets, but there are a huge number of electronic applications based on the same principle. This technique can be useful for high school students and students who can accumulate many disparate tasks, one list of which can cause a state of panic or procrastination. For children of primary school age, this tool is not suitable: if they entered in a state of concentration, then it is better for them not to be distracted and stay in this productive mode as long as necessary.

The Law School Admission Test is one of the mandatory requirements when entering the legal specialties in the USA. Any book you practice will encourage you to prepare for LSAT by taking a practice test on a simulated test day. This means sitting down on a Saturday morning (or another day when you have three or four hours unscheduled) with a test booklet, answer sheet, pencil №2 and LSAT timer, and go to the test, section by section, stopping when the timer is buzzing .

Gadgets for vivacity, activity, health

The key to successful studies is not only hours spent in intensive study or purposeful preparation for exams, but also an active life full of different impressions, in which there is a place for various forms of physical activity and creativity.

Smartwatches and fitness bracelets will help keep track of the balance of intellectual and physical activity. Though we can’t deny the importance of a perfect-sized mattress, these gadgets are designed to track physical activity and sleep duration. Some models are designed specifically for children and teens and can motivate students to move more through a system of awards and badges for achieving specific goals.

To keep your brain working quickly and efficiently, you need to drink plenty of water. By installing an application on your smartphone that will remind you to drink a glass of water, and following its recommendations, you can memorize faster, stay active and vigorous longer.

There are certainly no “good” and “bad” gadgets, but the way we use them can make them useful or dangerous. It is important to consciously approach the work with electronic devices, understanding the benefits and risks of living in the “digital world”. The ability to balance your daily routine and fully take a break from working with gadgets is an important skill that is never too late to improve. It will bring you confidence and success in your studies, business and creative projects.