3 tips for using your smartphone wisely while you prepare for exams

Exams are just around the corner, and if you followed my advice last week you will have already crossed off almost half of the days on your 18-day plan.  With just 11 days until exams, you don’t have any time to waste.  If you didn’t make an 18-day plan, start fresh with a 11-day plan right now.  Remember, the whole point is to avoid that awful feeling of wishing that you had "just one more day" to study.  In any case, make sure you’re not harming your well-planned productivity by overusing your cellphone!

1.  Disable sound notifications

I used to instinctively reach for my phone every time I heard a notification only for fear of missing out (this is a thing, it’s called “FOMO”).  However, most of the time I would discover that I broke my concentration for uninteresting email marketing or boring Facebook notifications.  Nowadays, I’ve disabled most sound notifications so I’ll only be interrupted when someone actually calls me.  I also turn my phone facedown while I’m working so visual notifications won't distract me.

2.  Use airplane mode even when you’re not in an airplane

Enabling airplane mode will prevent you from receiving calls, texts and data.  This is a better option if you’re not familiar with your phone’s settings or you don’t want to fiddle around with them.  I enable airplane mode before I go to sleep every night because it will prevent interruptions, but it won't interfere with my morning alarm.

3.  Do not waste time playing games

Unless you’ve scheduled discretionary down-time into your plan, you shouldn’t waste any time playing games.  Kim Kardashian doesn’t care if you flunk your exams, and no one cares if you’re an A-lister.  (If you don’t know what I’m talking about see this.)

I won't wish you good luck on your exams because you won't need luck as long as you're well prepared!