In a recent post, I talked about how to form good study habits.
Now, I want to give you some tools you can use to make sure that you are being productive during your study time and not being distracted by the web, social networks, online gaming, etc.
One of the first blog posts I ever did about the bar exam discussed eliminating distractions while you study for the bar exam.
Among the worst distractions are digital distractions, especially when you are using a computer-based bar prep program.
On the other hand, there are computer programs out there that will help you eliminate these distractions. Some will even force you to eliminate them.
Freedom
Freedom is a program for your MAC or PC that shuts off your access to the internet completely. You simply tell it how many minutes or hours you want without access to the internet, and you are blocked.
The only way you can get around the block is by rebooting your computer.
This is a great program so long as you don’t need access to streaming videos or online test preparation software.
You can get a free trial of Freedom or buy the program for $10.
Rescue Time
For those of you who just want to know where all your time went, you should try Rescue Time.
This free, web-based application tracks how you spend time using applications and various websites, including the uber-distracting Facebook and Twitter.
Once you are confronted with the true way you use (waste?) your time, you can no longer claim to be studying when your personal analytics show that you spent two hours on Facebook.
If you still can’t control yourself after being confronted with the evidence, you can get the paid version of Rescue Time and block the sites that distract you the most.
Anti-Social (for MAC only)
Anti-Social was created by the same people who made Freedom, but the Anti-Social program only turns off access to the top social networking sites, thereby eliminating the most distracting internet-based items out there.
By using Anti-Social, you can still stream your bar review lectures and use online bar prep services like Adaptibar, but cannot access all the online time-wasters.
This looks like a great program. Too bad it is not available for PC.
Free trial or $15 to purchase.
P.S. -- Want a FREE copy of my Bar Exam Mind audiobook?
You can get a free copy of my audiobook when you sign up for a free trial at Audible. Get the details by clicking here.
