Befriending Texts: Retaining Deep Focus in the Digital World

Picking up a novel in our free time seems to get harder and harder. Sometimes even reading a 15 page article for a seminar seems to be cumbersome. Distractions on the other hand, loom in the foreground, especially if we are reading digitally.

The solution then becomes “don’t read digitally”. But how do we not? Creating print-outs for all reading is environmentally inconsiderate. Buying every book is too expensive, even if it is second-hand. Libraries are helpful, but one cannot annotate directly on library books. Digital reading is also more accessible for readers with different auditory, visual, and learning requirements. Therefore, switching completely to paperback is not feasible, and is an inaccessible option for many.

Therefore, an important task becomes solving the problem of reading in a world of distractions – whether it be reading digitally or in print. Let us attempt to parse this problem and produce realistic and easily implementable solutions.

Set up an ideal environment

Whether it is a critical essay for History class, or a fantasy book you are intrigued by, concentration and immersion are equally important. While reading, text replaces visuals, provoking us to form our own mental images in our mind’s eye.

With distractions and preoccupations, it can often be the case that we get through a whole page of a book without really having read it

With distractions and preoccupations, it can often be the case that we get through a whole page of a book without really having read it. In these situations, it is important to eliminate external distractions such as notifications and alerts.

A step up from that can be putting on ambient music to drown out background noise, or being in an environment that fosters and encourages concentration, such as a library. On campus, the quiet and silent zones in the Library are ideal. If you prefer ambience, consider spaces like the woods adjacent to Bluebell and Rootes accommodation, or the steps leading up to the Mezzanine floor in the Faculty of Arts Building.

Take accountability and set goals

Tagging along with a friend who has similar goals can help hold you accountable. Discussing goals beforehand can help everyone stay on task, while taking much-needed coffee (and gossip) breaks. Post-reading, you can also have discussions and summarise what you read and absorbed.

Keeping trackers or using platforms like Goodreads can also help boost accountability and motivation. When used in conjunction with targets (for example, deciding to read a minimum twenty-five pages or ninety minutes a day), this can make reading rewarding.

Consider alternate methods to boost concentration

Audiobooks can be an excellent alternative for long novels assigned for English lessons. News and article sites may have audio-versions too. With student plans, subscriptions to platforms such as Audible may be more affordable or could be perused using a free trial. As a person with poor vision, reading books with a font size of nine becomes a strenuous task, for which audiobooks are an outstanding alternative. Furthermore, you can save on time through audiobooks as these can also allow multi-tasking – be it exercise, cooking, or cleaning your room. However, it is important to consider that audiobooks may not allow annotation and could lead to a passive experience. Here, following along with the book can be beneficial.

Another method from personal experience can be reading aloud. Sometimes when I struggle with concentration and absorption, I find a quiet corner at home and read aloud.

This allows me to sound out the words and hear back what I am reading

This allows me to sound out the words and hear back what I am reading. If you are self-conscious (or if you are living in shared accommodation), just try to keep a low-voice, and pretend like you are rehearsing for an audition! Reading aloud can be additionally beneficial while reading creative works, helping readers to listen to alliterative echoes, or absorb the effects of iambic pentameter. Reading, then, begins to flow – becoming more appealing and enjoyable as you understand more.

Underline and annotate

Sit with a pencil or open markup tools on your software. To have more fun with annotation, you could switch it up with colour coding, decorative tapes, and sticky notes. Do not be afraid to add any quips to what you read – if a paragraph in a romance book seems too cliché, or an essayist’s opinions enrage you, be honest. To take it up a notch, compare this to other texts or indeed, other mediums (films, art, plays, music). Reading comparatively is believed to be a sign of true immersion and focus.

To conclude, what is perhaps the most important about immersive and focussed reading is a connection. Yes, reading 50 or 75 books a year is great. Getting through difficult articles in an under an hour is exemplary. What is arguably more important, though, is knowing the text, as if it is your best friend (or your worst enemy). That can perhaps only be achieved through full immersion and no distractions. So, work with yourself, keep your phone on silent and delve into the world of words.