Studying involves a lot of working with information. A successful student is the one who is constantly learning something new and transforms it into knowledge. But aren’t we all like this in the present-day world? We are overwhelmed by the information that is available through a range of media: television, magazines and newspapers, journals, blogs, social networks, or ads that we see while browsing the web or going for a cup of coffee to that place across the street. What’s more, we are obsessed with keeping up with the world.
So how do we concentrate on some pieces of information, ignore others, and still remain well-read students and interesting people?
The Problem of Information Overflow
The problem is not new. James G. Miller, a mental health researcher, wrote in 1962 that the amount of information published annually since 1800 increased twice every 20 years. That’s not the end of it. In 2014, psychologist Daniel Levitin estimated that, just over the last 10 years, people produced 10 times more information than throughout the entire human history before that.
The total amount of bits out there is far larger than we are capable of digesting. In fact, people can overdose on information just like on drugs. Trying to exceed your brain’s capabilities will result in the inability to concentrate and decrease in productivity.
Dealing with Information
Psychologists and communication researchers have been studying the possible ways to cope with information overflow for decades now. James G. Miller drafted seven techniques which people use when working with information. They vary from ignoring it completely to skimming through it and processing only information at the top of the priority list. All of them are aimed at avoiding multitasking, which (according to Glenn Wilson) does more damage to memory and concentration abilities than marijuana. Below are some common tips on working with information blended with Miller’s techniques.
- Start a day with filtering. When you need to write a paper, limit yourself to the particular sources of information which will help you find the useful information. You can open a couple of articles related to your subject and close all the other tabs that will distract you. You might bear in mind that blocking information sources will not be as effective as restricting oneself from the biggest distractors voluntarily.
- Start with doing the most important tasks early in the morning when your glucose level is the highest. You will be able to process complex information much better.
- Define the most distracting media and schedule them for a particular time during the day. This can be especially helpful if you check your email compulsively.
- Do not spend more time than needed on specific tasks. If you need to research a topic, plan it first and estimate the optimal amount of time you need to cover each aspect. If you are spending more time in the process, you are overdosing yourself.
- Reset your brain from time to time. Distract yourself from the constant flow of information with the help of daydreaming or meditation.
Balancing between Well-informed and Productive
When our activity requires dealing with large amounts of information, it is important to find balance between being well-informed and productive. There are too many bits of data in the world which we cannot process in our lifetime. Not to overload our brains, we need to practice different techniques and strategies when managing information. Prioritizing, skimming, and taking breaks are the most important tips to follow, but the ultimate advice is maintaining self-control and voluntarily avoiding distractions.