TIP 2: Turn off the Phone, the TV, and the iPod

This may seem obvious, but the first step to focusing on your writing is to eliminate distractions. Don’t watch TV or listen to music when you should be devoting your mental energy to writing. Turn off your cell phone, and don’t take calls during essay writing time. The same goes for checking email, Facebook, and other online distractions. Restrict yourself to your word processor and your research during work time.