Studying is one of the most important parts of student life, but it’s also one of the most difficult — especially if you don’t always have the discipline or desire to hit the books. That’s why it’s so necessary to do what you can to set yourself up for success whenever possible. When you make the effort to remove distractions and implement the right habits and tools, you’ll have a much better chance of hitting some solid study sessions.
How do I start studying smarter?
“Your body has a certain amount of energy and resources to allocate to biological processes, including brain power,” explains Dave Asprey, bestselling author of the book Smarter, Not Harder. “The first thing you can do is to remove friction and the things that are sucking your energy, like poor sleep, stress, or a diet full of toxins. This way you can free up energy for studying and being productive.”
From there, you’ll have the space to implement smart habits and practices that will make studying smarter easier —like tech and gear that’ll put you in the headspace to study. Studying is challenging enough as it is without all the obstacles modern students face when trying to get things done — but finding smart solutions and implementing habits and workflows that lessen the friction is well-worth putting in the effort for.
What do I need to study smarter?
“Whether it’s a dorm with paper-thin walls offering no escape from noisy neighbors, or endless distractions pulling your attention away from the books at a coffee shop, carving out effective study time can feel like battling a losing war at times,” says Michael Robert, tech experts and cyber security specialist at CyberArk. You’ll want to think about the pain points you experience when studying — what holds you back from getting into the zone or really focusing and how can you mitigate the issue with a smart piece of tech?
Here are some of the best tech essentials to get your started on studying smarter this semester:
If you find yourself getting pulled out of the zone due to noisy roommates or other distractions, block it all out with a good pair of noise-canceling headphones so you’re able to fully immerse yourself in your work without interruptions.
“Headphones create a peaceful oasis for your mind to delve deep into assignments without competing noises,” Robert says. “I also think comfort is key for long study sessions. Opt for memory foam ear cushions or padded headbands so you stay focused on your work, not on an aching neck or ears after hours of use. Wireless connectivity is the cherry on top — no one wants to deal with tangled wires when productivity is the goal.”
We’re quite fond of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra for the comfy and lightweight design but we also really like that these headphones offer a “Quiet Mode” option that blocks out any noise around you without the need to play audio.
If you need a solid pair of noise-canceling headphones but don’t want to spend a whole lot of money, then these could be a great option for staying within your budget. These over-ear headphones from heyday are wireless, but come with an included AUX cable so you can easily plug in if the battery wears out. Foam ear cushions keep things comfy for up to 25 hours in active noise-cancelling mode (or 40 hours without).
This tiny portable charger allows you to charge up to three devices at once while the 10,000mAh battery has enough juice to charge the average smartphone to 100 percent a full two times before having to be recharged itself.
The compact device can easily slip into your backpack or laptop case and also doubles as a wall charger, which means you can refuel your charger while simultaneously charging your devices. It also includes both USB-A and USB-C ports for added convenience.
These compact earbuds are reliable and one of the easiest to pair with an iPhone. We really like that AirPods are lightweight and subtle; you can get away with wearing them pretty much anywhere.
AirPods Pro offer great quality audio in a tiny package and very decent noise-canceling capabilities as well. You can easily pop in a single bud to listen to an audiobook while still being aware of your surroundings, but we also really like just how effective the noise-canceling is when wearing both earbuds while studying or reading.
It’s also worth noting that AirPods are equipped with “Find My” tracking, which will allow you to easily find your AirPods if you’ve accidentally misplaced them or left them behind somewhere.
“Along with headphones, a powerful laptop like the Apple MacBook Air is a student’s best friend these days,” says Robert. “The lightweight design allow maximum portability too for bouncing between classes, the library, and coffee shops as your schedule demands. A quality laptop means maintaining momentum no matter your location.”
The MacBook Air offers an impressive 18-hour battery life, which is incredibly important to factor in when you’re looking for something you can use in class without having to, you know, sit next to the wall in order to recharge your device.
The bright and spacious display also makes it easy to pull up all your notes on one screen in order to maximize your study time while the simple and intuitive UX makes it easy to get started using this laptop right out of the box.
“Adding light activity to studying sessions through an under-desk treadmill has also been shown to boost concentration and help cement information retention,” says Robert. “Personally, my own focus tends to flag if stationary for too long. Taking a stroll at a comfortable pace improves both circulation and mood, keeping me engaged for extended periods. It also doubles as a way to burn off anxious energy that may otherwise disrupt my train of thought.”
Since space tends to be limited for students, folding models like the Walking Pad are a great option due to the fact that they can be stored neatly when not in use. This option features two smooth wheels that allow you to easily roll it into place. We also really like that it has a very quiet motor that won’t disrupt downstairs neighbors or roommates.
The LED display makes it easy to track things like calories burnt, speed, and distance. We also really like that this option comes in an array of colors, including a super fun pink.
