Below are some resources and tools that can help you with time management and staying focused on your academic work.

Multitasking is a Myth

Basically, it is a misconception that we can multitask - we can't. Please read this article for more information about why multitasking is a myth.

Think of the analogy of driving. All the things that impair our driving ability - texting, talking on the phone or with others, lack of sleep, etc. - also impair our learning during class and during studying. Getting distracted with your laptop or phone during class may not only hurt your performance, but others around you in class.

As a college student, your job during class and during studying is to learn and understand the material. You have to focus on that job just the same as you need to focus when you drive or perform other cognitively demanding tasks.

Pomodoro Technique

You're often going to be given homework assignments and projects that take a good bit of time and effort. It's very difficult to maintain concentration for long periods of times - so don't fool yourself that you can effectively complete all your homework or reading or writing in one sitting or in one cram session.

One technique that can help is to break up your task into short increments - say 25 minutes, 15 minutes, or whatever you are comfortable with. Set a timer for 25 or however many minutes, and then work on a single task for that period of time, with no distractions. Turn off your TV, close your browser tabs, silence your phone, and find a quiet place. Just do as much as you can get done on that one task in that time period. When the timer goes off, take a 5 minute break and reward yourself! Go for a walk, eat a snack, catch up on your messages, etc. Then set the timer again to start another session. Repeat until you have finished the task!

This is called the Pomodoro Technique. See this video explaining it further:

Here are some free Pomodoro timers and related apps that you could use on your computer or phone. Try some of them out to see which one you like the best:

Pomodoro web-based timers:

Pomodoro and Time Management Chrome browser extensions:

Strick Workflow
Stay Focusd

Pomodoro mobile apps:

PomoToDo - works on all devices - combines a Pomodoro timer with a To Do list

Time Tracking Tools

This may seem a bit extreme, but you may find this helpful at least for a while. These time tracking tools track everything you do on your laptop and phone, so that you can visually see how much time you might not be using effectively for your school work. For example, how much time do you spend on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram every day? These tools will tell you, as well as what times of the day and what days of the week you are more or less productive. Take what you learn from them and make some adjustments to improve your productivity.

RescueTime - install on phone, chrome, and desktop to track the amount of time you spend doing things like facebook, video games, etc.
ManicTime - another tool that keeps track of everything you do

Other Apps to Boost Your Concentration

Here also are 19 other apps to boost your concentration and help you focus while studying.