By Amelia Thyen
Try out these timer applications the next time you are struggling to focus while writing!
For me, the hardest part of writing an academic paper is getting my first ideas on a blank page. Even if I am excited to write the paper, I am passionate about my public health topic, and I have a few hours of my day set aside to work on the paper, I still struggle to find the motivation to start writing. Like many of my peers at BUSPH, I tend to be a perfectionist and always strive to write a perfect paper, starting with the first draft. Staring at a blank page is daunting, and it can sometimes be difficult for me to start the writing process for fear that this first draft won’t be perfect.
If you ever feel this way about writing, know that you are not alone!
One tip that a professor once taught me (shoutout Professor Godley!) is to set a timer for myself and see how much I can get out of my brain and onto the page in just that amount of time. By setting a timer, you give yourself the internal motivation needed to get some ideas down, and you also are able to schedule breaks so that you do not feel overwhelmed. You can start by simply setting a timer on your phone or cooking timer. There are also a few apps and websites that I have found to be extremely helpful for creating that extra push to get writing:
The first app that I use to help jumpstart my writing process is called Forest. Upon opening the app, you are prompted to choose an amount of time that you would like to focus for and choose the plant you would like to grow during that time. The plant that you choose will grow while you work, and it will die if you leave the app. I love the idea of growing virtual trees, and I also appreciate that it prevents me from opening up other distracting apps on my phone. If you are like me and can get distracted by scrolling through Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter, this app is for you!
I like to start with the shortest option, just 10 minutes, and use that time to open up the document where I will be writing, pull up the writing prompt and rubric from Blackboard, and open the BU Library website to easily start the research process. These 10 minutes allow me to transition into “writing mode” and prepare me to focus for an extended period of time. Once the 10-minute timer is done and I have grown my first tree, I like to set a longer timer and start getting my ideas on the page.
The maximum amount of time to set the timer is 120 minutes, but I find this to be unrealistic for my writing style. I like to set multiple 25-minute timers consecutively in a row, and after each timer goes off I get up and stretch, refill my water/coffee, or allow myself to briefly look at my phone for 5 minutes. Then, I set another 25-minute timer and grow my next plant. This app has helped me focus on writing, eliminate the distraction of my phone, and help me manage my time more efficiently. It costs $1.99 in the app store and is definitely worth it for all of the papers that it has motivated me to finish.
If you are someone who may not be as distracted on your phone, and you want your timer to be accessible from the computer where you are writing, there is a similar timer for web browsers called Promo Focus. This website allows you to set consecutive timers, and automatically schedules breaks in between your working time. You can set the length of time to work as well as the length of time for a break. You can also enable notifications on your web browser to allow the website to notify you when the timer is done. The website also displays how much time is left on the timer in the tab, so you don’t need to go to the actual page to check the time. Although you won’t be able to grow trees for your virtual forest, this website is a great free alternative to the Forest app and can also help motivate you to finish your writing assignments.
I highly suggest downloading Forest App and or using Promo Focus the next time you have a writing assignment. Public health writing is not easy, but with a little motivation from these timers, you may find it easier to finish your next assignment!
