Skip to Main Content

Student Success Resource Guide

This guide collects library and online resources that can help you study, focus, and decrease stress during finals.

Library Resources on Time Management

Student Case Study: Using the Pomodoro Technique to Study Effectively

In this TED Talk (5:00min) a student discusses how the Pomodoro technique for time management revolutionized how she studies.  If you would like to learn more about the Pomodoro technique and how to implement it for yourself, explore some of the resources below the video:

Distraction Blocking Apps

What Are Distraction Blocking Apps?

Sometimes the allure of TikTok, Reddit, Instagram, Discord, Steam, and other distracting websites can be too much to resist.  Cut the temptation with distraction blocking apps.  Distraction blocking apps block distracting websites and apps for a duration so you can get work done, allowing you to set up blocks for a set amount of time, set up re-occurring blocks, or set them to only block specific websites after you have used them for a specific amount of time.

Distraction Blocking Apps:

  • LeechBlock (Free)
    Robust web browser extension that works with Edge, Chrome, and Firefox/Mozilla.  It can be set to block specific distracting websites either for a set duration or for specific days and times.  You can also use it to set a daily "allowance" for websites before they are blocked. 
  • Stay Focused (Free)
    A simple to use Chrome extension that can be set to block specific distracting websites completely, or only allow a specific amount of time to use per day before they are blocked.
  • SelfControl (Free)
    Powerful and free distraction blocking app for Macintosh users.
  • Forest (Free)
    Forest aims to help you stay focused for shorter durations without blocking websites entirely.  Rather, when you schedule a block with Forest you plant a virtual tree which "grows" for the duration of your block.  Complete the block successfully, and your tree with grow.  Break the block, and your tree dies.  The app logs the total number of trees you grow, which will help you to track your success at staying focused over time.
  • Cold Turkey (Free/Paid)
    Powerful app that can schedule re-occuring blocks for programs, games, applications, and websites.  It also has time-management features that will let you know how much time you are spending doing different activities. The base application is free, but the time management features are paid.