There’s the classic trope, the distracted kid chewing gum and not paying attention. But could it be that chewing gum can actually help with concentration?
Mars’ EXTRA® gum, in collaboration with KRC Research, has unveiled intriguing results from a survey centered on students’ study and homework habits. The findings suggest an unexpected ally in students’ battle for focus: chewing gum!
The Quest for Better Focus
The contemporary student faces many challenges, not least among them being the struggle for sustained concentration. With ever-present digital distractions and shifting schedules, keeping one’s focus sharp is a daunting task. Some findings from the Extra/KRC study:
Key Findings
- A Common Dilemma: A significant 66% of high school students find it challenging to maintain focus on homework, showcasing a widespread issue.
- Distraction Overload: It’s alarming that 74% of students find themselves distracted within just 30 minutes of engaging with homework. Even more startling? 40% find their attention waning in a mere 10 minutes.
- Late Night Study Sessions: Many students are burning the midnight oil. 60% tackle their homework post 6 PM, and 20% of the older cohort (high school seniors) are engrossed in their assignments even after 9 PM. However, 65% of students admit that concentrating during these late hours is a challenge.
- The Challenge of Assistance: It seems that age-old adage, “parent knows best”, doesn’t apply to homework for many. Nearly half (49%) of older high school students (ages 15-17) feel that their parents are out of depth when it comes to aiding them in their studies.
- Strength in Numbers: A striking 75% of students opine that having a study buddy makes focusing easier. In seeking help, most students would approach their parents first (64%), followed by the internet (60%), and then their peers (46%). Yet, AI-based tools like ChatGPT are still gaining traction, with only 12% of students considering them for academic aid.
Chewing Over Solutions – Can gum actually help with focus?
Possibly the most unexpected and interesting finding was the strong correlation between chewing gum and improved focus. An impressive 69% of high school students admitted to using gum as a tool to enhance concentration. The act of chewing gum is favored during homework sessions at home (65%), study periods (65%), in class (60%), and interestingly, even during video gaming sessions, particularly among males (49%).
Conclusion
While the reasons for gum’s role in enhancing focus might be an area for further research – whether it’s the rhythmic motion, the mild stimulation, or some other factor – what’s evident is that students are seeking and finding novel methods to maintain concentration. As the back-to-school season approaches, students, educators, and parents might all consider stocking up on that age-old classroom contraband, gum, and witness its potential benefits firsthand.
