LPT: If you have trouble concentrating while reading and studying in a silent or noisy place, have a random anime running in the background.

Since many universities are back in session, I figured I would share one of my favorite tips that I use for studying.

If you are anything like me, and have trouble concentrating in complete silence, put on an anime of your choice while reading a book or taking notes or writing papers. The video and sounds provide a distraction from other white noises, such as people talking in a library which easily breaks my focus, since I can clearly understand what they are saying unless it is not English. And this takes my focus away from the task at hand.

The talking in Japanese is not distracting since it is basically incoherent noise for those of us that do not speak the language, and the images moving on the screen provide a secondary stimulation that is easily filtered out by not looking at the screen and instead focusing on the textbook or your notes. Somehow this keeps my eyes focused on reading the text, and is a really helpful way to stay in the zone while trying to read thoughtfully and not passively.

I have found that this is extremely helpful for people like me who are easily distracted by hearing people talk, which can easily be heard over your own thoughts on whatever you are reading or writing, so the show provides a perfect way to drown out any other potential distractions with the added benefit of not breaking your concentration further. Give it a try! Hope this helps people who are distracted easily when sitting in a library or in a noisy dorm!