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<\/p>\nThere are times in every research student’s life when you’ve just got to buckle down and get $%*t done. When you need to go hard, distractions are your worst enemy. It’s so easy for one little Facebook check to lead you down a four-hour YouTube rabbit hole.<\/p>\n
Here are some free resources that can help you beat distractions and prime your mind for a day of quality, focused work.<\/p>\n
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Productivity timers<\/strong><\/p>\n Productivity timers work by reminding you to take short breaks in between work sessions. They are often structured around an optimal ‘schedule’ of work and break periods. The Pomodoro technique is a famous example – it prescribes 25 minutes of work followed by a 5 minute rest period. After 4 repetitions, you take a longer break.<\/p>\n There are loads of variations on this theme, so check out a few productivity timers to see what suits you best. You can find a list of options here<\/a>. Or, if you want to get started right now, try the Tomatoes <\/a>web-based Pomodoro timer.<\/p>\n Music & soundscapes<\/strong><\/p>\n A beautiful soundscape can help you to maintain a sense of calm and drown out distractions. Visit mynoise.net<\/a> for over 150 different customisable soundscapes. You can listen to the soothing sounds of a Japanese garden; an Irish coast; a primeval forest; rain on the roof; and much more. Some soundscapes are specifically engineered to block out noise and distractions. Plug in your headphones, browse, and enjoy.<\/p>\n Distraction-free writing tools<\/strong><\/p>\n If visual clutter on your screen distracts you, you might benefit from using a distraction-free writing tool. These typically minimise what’s in your field of vision as you write by providing writing interfaces that strip away unnecessary buttons and gizmos. Again, there are lots available and they’re all a bit different. Check out this list of options<\/a> to find something that suits you. Alternatively, you can turn Microsoft Word into a distraction-free writing tool by pressing Alt+v then \u201cu\u201d to enter full-screen mode. Hit Escape to return to your usual view.<\/p>\n