In this world of dynamic settings and many distractions, managing time can be challenging when you’re studying. Steady focus and concentration are important for every task to not just be fulfilled but done so effectively. With smartphones in our hands, there are certain distractions, from countless notifications to watching entertaining videos. Everyone loses track of time, and so have I.
It is important to have discipline for maximum productivity in your life, whether for studying or work. Productivity is proportional to time, thus time management becomes essential. This is especially true for students, who get distracted by social apps very often when studying.
Nowadays, it’s easier to keep track of time with tech. The technology of today offers productivity applications that can help you stay focused and use your time best. For me, it has been a great help in not getting distracted during online learning. These apps help me to manage time, concentrate, stay organized, and make the most of my study sessions.
One other important thing to keep in check would be having an uninterrupted and reliable internet. Since these apps won’t work with one, you also can’t access online study materials. A bad connection may hinder your productive session and waste time. For this, you can check Optimum Internet for access to smooth internet speeds. You can contact their customer support for the best options. The great thing is if you’re a Spanish-speaking person, you have reps who converse in Spanish through Optimum servicio al cliente. Great, right? And with that hassle out of the way, your study sessions will go smoothly too.
So, learn about these 5 focus apps, set your own goals, stay motivated, and complete your tasks on time with productivity gains. Each of these has different features that can support your study sessions and boost productivity. Plus, these are also great for people who want to manage time while working from home. Read on!
1. Freedom
Availability: Windows, Android, iOS, macOS
Pricing: Free with limited features. For premium features: $3.50 per month or $40 per year.
Best for: Blocking distracting websites and various apps.
The Freedom app works by blocking various websites and apps across your devices which leads to reduced social media usage. Freedom app allows users to create a custom block list where they can add websites or apps that should be restricted for a specific time.
When users struggle with self-control for turning off an app, Freedom has a ‘lockdown’ option.
In this mode, users cannot edit their block lists, which helps them focus on their work. Freedom also offers focused sounds and music that help create a focused environment. The Pomodoro sessions are available for users to help manage time better.
This ensures a distraction-free environment that makes it easier for students to concentrate on their studies. It also adds a lasting session of productivity that will make the student feel better too.
2. Session
Availability: iOS, macOS, iPad (not available for Android)
Pricing: The basic version is free. For Premium version: $5/month or $40/year
Best for: Blocking apps, and websites, and for reviewing your progress.
The Session app helps minimize distractions with its app and website-blocking feature just like Freedom does. This app is a time management tool based on the Pomodoro timer. The Pomodoro technique works based on intervals that are usually 25 minutes. This helps retention and allows for rewards like a small snack break.
This app is a good option for students who take study breaks. This method helps to maintain focus and prevents exhaustion in students. It synchronizes everywhere on your iOS devices and saves your data on every server.
3. Forest
Availability: iOS, Android
Pricing: $3.99 on iOS, free on Android with ads.
Best for: Staying focused leads to good environmental health.
Forest is based on the unique principle of focusing on environmental friendliness. It helps users to stay off their phones by growing virtual trees while they study. It also motivates students to stay focused because whenever the user exits the app, the virtual tree stops growing. This app also has various in-app purchases for virtual tree growth, like Box of Sunshine Elixir.
Forest app teams have collaborated with a real tree-planting organization that allows users to contribute to restoring environmental health. It awards users virtual coins for focusing that are then used to plant real trees. This one is such an exhilarating experience that brings the best focus and a small reward system that feels fulfilling.
4. Todoist
Availability: iOS, Android, and Windows can be added to the browser and email too.
Pricing: Free for beginners, The Pro version is $48/yearly and the business version is $72/yearly.
Best for: For organizing and to-do lists
Todoist is designed for people with hectic schedules who want to create an organized and healthy routine for themselves. It is a task management app that helps students to organize their study sessions and to-do lists easily. In this app, students can create projects and set due dates.
It also helps students track their progress and manage their tasks according to their priorities. This app is a go-to choice for students who find it difficult to manage their assignments and deadlines or may forget about them.
5. Flora
Availability: iOS, Android, Chrome extension
Pricing: Free
Best for: Organizing to-do lists and building positive habits.
Flora is also an environmental-friendly app, similar to Forest. It allows users to focus through the gamification of planting virtual flowers and trees.
What makes Flora special is its feature of inviting friends to study together. It works by sharing tree life, and if any student decides to quit the app, that tree dies. This app also collaborates with plantation drives to plant trees in the real world, making your focus session rewarding.
Last Thoughts
The given apps are the go-to choice for students when it comes to focusing and managing time. These apps help build your willpower towards focusing and increase productivity. You can use the app’s block feature to restrict distracting websites and time-managing frameworks to organize to-do lists. This in turn keeps you motivated, which leads to an overall better academic performance.
