How To Reduce and Manage Your Screen Time During University

For the iPhone users – does anyone else dread every Monday morning when Apple decides to so graciously ‘let us know’ our average time spent on our phone the previous week? Seriously, who decided to come up with this concept? ‘Cos it’s taking away from our DIGNITY!

If you’re anything like us, you’ll be traumatised seeing the notification pop up, it’s just a black and white realisation that you’re completely and utterly addicted to your phone.

How To Reduce Screen Time As A Student

Whilst studying at university, you’ll spend plenty of hours looking at a screen. Whether that be for completing deadlines, watching Netflix, or scouring the Internet for the latest student discount. Our lives are revolved around a screen, making it so difficult to reduce the time spent on them.

To help you out big time, we’ve come up with the 8 top ways how to limit phone usage during university. Stick by these 8 and watch your average screen time drop massively. PS you might also see some mental and physical health benefits – who’s joining us?

1. Lock Your Phone Away

As easy as it may sound, trying to lock your phone away whilst at university can be a difficult task (especially when the group chats popping about last night’s antics).

Nevertheless, as the saying suggests ‘out of sight, out of mind’. You’ll forget about it once it’s not there, so just pop it away whilst you’re working.

You could even set it to do not disturb, meaning only phone calls will send push notifications, no message will come through or social media pop up…bliss!

In the library or local cafe? Stash your phone away in your bag and try listening to some music to keep your mind off things. There are lots of distractions around you which will save the

2. Record Yourself Working

For all the potential vloggers out there, this one is for you! Try recording yourself whilst you study to stop you from going on your phone. As a camera will be on you, you kind of have to work – right?

We’ve even seen people going Live on Tiktok and Instagram, holding a ‘study with me’ sign. You do you, and the rest will work in your favour.

3. Delete Unnecessary Apps

Having a phone which is disorganised and full of old apps is a no go for us! Who really needs to see MyFitnessPal every morning tell me I haven’t logged my breakfast. No thank you.

Spend time clearing out what you don’t use, turning off notifications for silly apps and fingers crossed this will help in limiting screen time.

It’s kind of ironic that we’re telling you to spend time on your phone, to help reduce your screen time. The logic is there, but it just doesn’t make sense…

4. Keep Your Phone Out Of The Bedroom

You’ve probably heard of this one before, but having a routine in your student accommodation that doesn’t involve any screens is SO important. It’s even a well-known fact that the blue light emitted from your phone can affect your sleeping pattern – certainly not what you need if you’ve got a deadline at the end of the week!

Leave your charger in the kitchen and invest in an Alarm Clock! They’re not a thing of the past, y’know…

Want to go one step further? Implement screen-free zones in your house and prepare to focus on having quality time with those around you, rather than what someone else is putting all over social media.

5. Try The Pomodoro Method

Ever heard of the Pomodoro Technique? If not, let us enlighten you!

The Pomodoro Technique is a time management skill that’s designed to maximise your productivity. The theory splits up your studying into focused work sessions alongside small, regular breaks.

We know just how distracting having your phone next to you while you work is, so why not give it a try?

Step 1: Choose a task

Step 2: Set a 25-minute timer

Step 3: Put any distractions away and work on the task until the time is up

Step 4: Take a five-minute break

Step 5: And reset!

App developers have spent time creating apps to download so you can complete this, check out our favourite Focus To Do.

6. Make To Do Lists

To-do lists are a brilliant way to keep focused and know exactly what you need to do throughout the day.

According to a study published by professors Baumeister and Masicampo, while tasks we haven’t yet completed distract us, just having a plan in place to finish them can free us from anxiety. This demonstrates the importance of organisation and time management; you’re less likely to procrastinate on your phone if you have a step by step guide of everything you need to do!

Get your sticky notes out, grab a pen and write down your days’ routine! We do not want to see them in your phones’ notes app – ok?

7. Try Studying On Pen And Paper

Since the effects of the pandemic, most of university life is now plastered online. Whether that be online lectures, teams calls or virtual workspaces, it very rarely needs a physical piece of paper anymore.

If you’re looking to at spending time away from your screen, opt for studying with a pen and paper! It may not feel cool, or hip, to whip out a Pukka Pad, but it’ll sure help manage your screen time during university!

8. Set Limits On Your Phone

One of the biggest (and best) techniques out there for reducing screen time is by heading to the settings app and giving yourself app limits.

Certain apps on your phone are designed to make you want to come back more. You want a healthy relationship with your phone, so make sure to limit how much time you spend on them.

They say a good time limit is around two hours, but you can adjust this to fit your needs!

Once completed, you can track throughout the day how often you use other apps and visualise how much better it is for your digital wellbeing.

There we have it! 8 brilliant ways to manage your phone and screen time usage during university. Make sure to stick to these if you need help reducing your screen time average. Studying for university can be super hard, and using a phone can actually benefit you if done correctly. Check out the best apps to help you stay focused whilst studying and see if there’s any you fancy giving a go!

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