The computer is a fiend – you have learned this all too well, have been led astray by its many possibilities. When you are meant to craft a simple paper, you are instead enamored by the virtual playground, the chats initiated by friends, the streams of music and films. Hours quickly pass and you have gained little knowledge of a topic. You’ve instead devoted yourself to enjoying the Internet. Writing, you’ve discovered, has been replaced to the avoidance of it.

This cannot continue – there are deadlines to meet and assignments to answer. You must refuse the ease of the computer and instead utilize it purely for research.

This is, of course, often believed to be impossible. There’s simply too much to do online (all of which is far more appealing than any dry topic); but writing without distractions can be achieved. It’s simply a matter of diligence and careful planning:

One: Schedule. Give yourself a specified amount of time to work on pages. During this block, don’t allow yourself to answer calls, scan channels, play games or do similar activities. Instead simply write.

Two: Create a proper space. Your bedroom is meant to be a retreat from the world. It’s therefore rarely suitable for research. It holds far too many pleasures and far too little urgency. If possible, create a separate space for your work – one without the collection of posters, photographs and bookmarked web pages.

Three: Reward yourself. Once a respectable amount of time has passed (more than mere minutes, the crafting of a singular sentence), give yourself a chance to relax. Take a break; move about your home; enjoy the – short – interlude. You will then be re-energized when you must return to writing.

It’s all too easy to distract yourself with the computer and the many surrounding interests. You must instead, however, distance yourself from these and simply focus on academia.

It is possible. It’s merely dependent on you.