Refocus: Phones are a huge distraction while doing homework and learning in school

Catalyst – a substance or event that causes change or speeds up a chemical reaction.

I quickly scribbled down the definition of catalyst in black pen, writing down definitions for my Honors Chemistry pre-lab at 10:30 on a Tuesday night.

I couldn’t focus. The lab was taking forever. Taking breaks every five minutes to check my texts and click through stories on Instagram wasn’t helping the process.

Phones are disastrously impacting students’ attention spans by providing easy access to countless social media apps that draw attention away from focusing on school tasks.

My desk was completely clear except for my lab notebook, calculator and pen. Oh, and my phone. Whenever I tried to think about the next chemistry definition, I just had to pick up my phone.

I put my phone in my desk drawer and closed it. I still couldn’t focus. What if someone was texting me?

Whenever I’m doing homework, I randomly pick up my phone. Even if there are no notifications, I still swipe through my home screen. It’s muscle memory. I know that I should put my phone in a different room or stop looking at it, but being away from it feels impossible.

My daily screen time average of 8 hours and 17 minutes makes it clear that my phone is a serious distraction.

In math class, I constantly wait for a break from learning about sinusoidal functions to check my phone. I’m only half-listening while my teacher is teaching.

I complain about the new phone policy — that phones must be out of sight during class time — but when I think back to my chem pre-lab, I know it’s for the better.

The University of Chicago Press explains that “available cognitive capacity” increases when your phone is put in a backpack instead of on your desk and reaches its peak when the phone is in another room.

I wouldn’t be surprised if test scores and even mental health improve after the policy is implemented.

It’s impossible to learn when your phone is within reach. No matter what I tell myself, I can’t even be fully present in a conversation if I have my phone.

I don’t feel like this with my MacBook — and that’s because I don’t have access to social media. I’m able to get my homework and assignments done in half the time it takes when my computer is on my desk instead of my phone.

Phones aren’t even a “learning tool” — they don’t add to what our laptops offer.

I always wonder why I can’t focus, but whenever I’m struggling with anything, whether writing essays for a summer program at Notre Dame or doing my next ELA project, I just stop trying and pick up my phone.

Put your phone in a different room when you’re doing your homework, or don’t carry it around while walking around your house.

The only way to regain the ability to concentrate on your work or even a simple conversation is to stop being near your phone. Every. Single. Second.

Phones need to stop being in your hands 24/7 and shouldn’t be a distraction from your work — they should only be used to unwind during downtime after you’ve finished the task at hand.