| How to Take Care of Baby Water Turtles Posted: 27 Jan 2017 04:00 PM PST Aquatic turtles spend their time swimming and eating in water or basking on land. They can be beautiful, entertaining pets, but especially as hatchlings, they require proper care if they are to survive and thrive. To keep your baby turtle healthy and happy, you'll need to provide the proper habitat, feed it the right foods, and keep its tank clean so as to prevent disease. EditSetting Up the Turtle's Habitat - Get a large aquarium. You'll want a rectangular or square glass aquarium that is the right sized for your turtle when full grown, which will mean plenty of room for swimming, as well as space for a rock or shelf where the turtle can get all the way out of the water.[1] The bigger the tank the better, but be sure to meet the minimum size requirements:[2][3]
- 30 gallons minimum for turtles between 4 and 6 inches in length
- 55 gallons for turtles between 6 and 8 inches
- 75-125 gallons for adults over 8 inches
- Minimum length: 3-4 times the length of the turtle
- Minimum width: 2 times the turtle's length
- Minimum height: 1.5-2 times the length of the turtle, plus 8-12 inches above the highest spot it can reach in the tank
- Place a water heater in the tank. Turtle's cannot regulate their own body temperature, so you will need to keep their water at the appropriate temperature for them by installing a water heater. Most baby turtles will need water between 78° and 82° F, though you should check here to find the care sheet for your turtle type.[4]
- Make sure the heater covering is plastic or metal, not glass, which turtles may break.
- Consider using two heaters to heat the water more uniformly and in case one malfunctions.
- Check the water temperature regularly with a thermometer.
- Be sure the heater is powerful enough:
- 75 watts for a 20 gallon tank
- 150 watts for 40 gallons
- 250 watts for 65 gallons
- 300 watts for 75 gallons.
- Install a UVB light and a basking light. Turtle's need UVB light to synthesize vitamin D. They need basking lights for warmth because they are cold blooded, meaning they cannot regulate their own temperature.[5] You will need to install artificial lights to provide UVB (ultraviolet light B) as well as warmth.[6]
- UVB Lamps – Come in compact and tubular. Use the 2.5% or 5% UVB lamp – aka Tropical UVB or Swamp UVB lamps. Desert lamps are too powerful. Place the lamp 12 inches from the water for a 2.5% lamp and 18 inches for a 5% lamp.
- Basking light – These are normal incandescent or halogen bulbs. The type of lamp does not matter so much as making sure it is the right distance to heat the basking area properly. For baby turtles, the center of the basking area should be close to 95° F, with the edges cooler. Use a thermometer to be sure the temperature is correct.
- Timer – You will need to turn off the lights 12 hours a day to mimic the natural cycle of light and day. Consider getting a light timer to do this for you.
- WARNING: Never look directly into the turtle light, as this can damage your eyes. Place it at an angle such that the bulb is not visible to people sitting in the room.
- Place a metal screen over the top of the tank. The screen will protect your turtles from things falling into the tank. It is very important, since UVB bulbs will sometimes explode, particularly if splashed with water, and the glass can hurt your turtle. Make sure the screen is metal, since UVB light cannot penetrate glass or plastic.
- Provide a land area where your turtle can get completely out of the water. This can be a log, rock, or floating turtle dock. Make sure there is a slope so your turtle can crawl out of the water onto it, and make sure it is big enough:[7]
- The land area should take up about 25% of the surface area of the tank.
- It should be 1.5 times the length of the turtle and it should be solid enough to not to break.
- The top of the tank should be 10-12 inches above the land to prevent your turtle from escaping.
- Keep the water the right depth. For baby turtles, the water in the tank should be at least one inch deeper than the width of your turtle's shell. This will allow them to swim freely.[8] As your turtle grows, you can provide deeper water.
- Use a filter to reduce how often you need to change the water. Turtles are messier than fish; they pee and poop a lot. Without a water filter, you'll need to change your turtle's water daily to avoid disease. With a filter, you'll still need to change some of the water every 2-5 days and replace all the water every 10-14 days.[9] There are special turtle tank filters, but you can also use a fish tank filter so long as you make sure to get one that is rated for 3 to 4 times the volume of your tank. Otherwise, it won't be able to keep up with your turtle's mess.[10] There are several types of filter:[11][12]
 - An internal aquarium filter – These filters, which usually attach to the side of the tank via suction cups, are too small to be the primary filter for tanks over 20 gallons. However, you can use them in larger tanks to help circulate the water.
- A canister filter – The best filters for turtle tanks, they usually mount under the tank and provide great filtration, often using an ultraviolet light sterilizer to kill bacteria and algae. Again, you'll want to get one rated for 3 to 4 times the volume of your tank. Check here for a review of the most common filters.
- Hang-on-back (HOB) filters – These filters are designed to be set close to the water in a fish tank. Because water is lower in a turtle tank than a fish tank, you will need a filter cutout – i.e. a place where the glass is cut lower than the rest of the top of the tank – for these filters to function properly in a turtle tank. Again, you'll need one rated for 3 to 4 times the volume of your tank.
- Under gravel filters (UGFs) – Reverse flow UGFs pump water up through the gravel at the bottom of the tank, allowing bacteria in the gravel to help filter it. For maximum effectiveness, they should be used with a gravel substrate of 2 inches of rounded pea gravel. Unfortunately, they will not filter large food particles, meaning these must be netted out regularly, and cleaning them is more difficult since they are under the gravel.[13]
- Aerate the water with an air pump or air stone. Keeping your water oxygenated will discourage the growth of the anaerobic bacteria that make the tank dirty and endanger your little turtle's health.[14]
EditAdding Plants to the Habitat - Consider using artificial plants. While plants do provide some benefits like removing nitrates from the water, they are mostly decorative. With artificial plants, you will not have to worry about your turtle eating them or the plant dying.
- Include a substrate if you are going to have live plants. The substrate is the sand, gravel, or soil that covers the bottom of the tank. It is not necessary, and indeed will make cleaning the tank much harder. A simple painted bottom will do. However, if you are going to add rooted plants or want a more natural look, consider these substrates:[15]
- Fine sand – Use fine grained sand, like that for children's sand boxes. It is great for softshell turtles that like to dig in it. However, many turtle owners find it hard to clean.
- Aquarium gravel – A poor plant substrate, its use is mostly ornamental. Be sure to use gravel that is large enough that your turtle can't eat it.
- Fluorite – A porous clay gravel, fluorite is the best choice if you are going to add rooted plants to your tank. It will make the water muddy when you first add it. Several days of filtering should clear the water.
- Add plants to the aquarium. Plants are not necessary, but some feel that a more natural environment makes for less stress on your baby turtle. Also, aquatic plants will help keep your tank clean by consuming pollutants and competing for the carbon dioxide that algae needs to grow. Just make sure you pick the right plants to match your turtle species:[16]
 - Anacharis – Grows well in low light and inhibits algae growth. Good for mud/musk turtles. Plant-eating aquatic turtles like sliders, cooters, and painted turtles will destroy it.
- Java Fern – A hardy, low-light plant with tough leaves that turtles usually will not eat.
- Java Moss – A hardy, low-light moss that turtles usually don't eat.
- Hornwort – A fine-leafed branching plant that grows in floating mats. It tolerates low light and grows quickly enough to survive alongside sliders, cooters, and painted turtles, though they will eat some of it.
- Red Ludwigia – A tough plant that turtles don't eat, though they may uproot it from the substrate where it is planted. Requires additional light (2 watts/gallon). Good for small turtles like mud, musk, and painted.
- Anubias species – They are tough, low-light plants that turtles will not eat.
- Cryptocoryne species – These plants are low light tolerant and hardy, but must be planted in substrate and do not respond well to uprooting. They work best with smaller turtles in large enclosures.
- Aponogeton ulvaceus – This plant tolerates low life, is durable, and will not be eaten by turtles. It can grow in plain gravel substrate.
- Create a good environment for your plants. Plants need nutrients, light, and (usually) a place to put down roots. To give your plants the best chance to thrive:[17]
- If you use plants that need a substrate, try one of the clay gravels like laterite or fluorite. They provide plant nutrition with less mess.
- Add light or choose low-light plants. Most plants need 2-3 watts per gallon of water in the tank, while most aquarium lights provide on 1 watt. You can add more artificial light, but don't put your turtle tank in a window, as this will overheat the tank and promote algae growth.
- If your plants do poorly, consider adding an aquatic plant fertilizer, which you can purchase at your pet store.
EditFeeding Your Baby Turtle - Feed your turtle daily. Baby turtles require lots of food to grow. Give them all the food they want and dispose of leftovers. They also take a lot of time to eat. Give them 30 minutes to several hours.
- Be sure to put their food in the water. Aquatic turtles must be in water to swallow.[18]
- Consider feeding your baby turtle in a separate container of water. This will help keep their tank clean of food debris. If you feed your turtle in its tank, you will need to do your best to scoop out the food debris afterwards.[19]
- Add just enough water to cover the turtle.
- Use water from the tank so it is the same temperature and does not shock the turtle.
- Give them 30 minutes to several hours to eat.
- Pat the turtle dry when returning it to the main tank in order to remove any food debris.
- Offer a variety of foods to hatchlings. While turtle food contains all the necessary nutrients for your baby turtles, a well-balanced, varied diet is the best way to ensure your turtles are healthy.[20] In addition, it may be hard to get your hatchling to eat at all, so provide variety until you find something he will eat. Foods appropriate for hatchlings include:[21]
- Flake and pellet foods – You can find varieties specifically for baby turtles at your pet store. They have all the necessary vitamins and nutrients for your baby turtle.
- Turtle sticks – Good for baby and adult turtles.
- Live blackworms, crickets, and mealworms (especially good, as baby turtles are attracted to movement)
- Expand the variety as your baby turtle grows. Once your baby turtle is a few months old, you can expand the variety of his diet. Check here for the appropriate foods for your species of turtle. In addition to the turtle food and live insects above, appropriate foods typically include:[22]
- Waxworms and small roaches
- Small fish or shrimp
- Cooked eggs with shells
- Fruit (halved grapes, apple, melon, strawberries)
- Vegetables (kale, spinach, romaine, but no iceberg lettuce or cabbage)
- Be aware that newly hatched turtles may not eat for a week or more. They will live off the yolk from their eggs. Offer them food, but do not be overly worried if they do not eat.
- Make sure the water in your tank is warm enough if your turtle is not eating after a few weeks. Turtles will not eat or digest their food if they are too cold. Use a water heater to bring the water to the correct temperature for your turtle.[23]
- Leave your turtle alone to eat. Many turtle will not eat if watched. If your turtle is not eating, leave it alone with its food.[24]
EditKeeping Your Turtle's Tank Clean - Clean as you go. This will make for a healthier environment for your baby turtle and allow you to go longer between big cleans.[25]
- Aquatic turtles have to eat in the water because they can't produce saliva. Unfortunately, leftover food quickly decays and makes for a messy tank. Use a net to clean up any leftovers when your turtle is done.
- Use a siphon-type aquarium vacuum to clean the substrate (i.e. the rocks or gravel at the bottom of the tank) every 4 or 5 days. Use a squeeze-bulb to start the siphon and put the hose end in a bucket below the tank. Gravity keep the water flowing from the tank to the bucket.
- For added efficiency, you can use your siphoning as a partial water change. Just be sure you siphon off enough water (see below) and replace what you have removed.
- Clean or replace the filter media regularly. The media inside your filter is what strains out dirt, uneaten food, and poop. If it is a sponge, you'll need to clean it weekly by rinsing it with water. Do not use soap. You can clean foam filters as well, or if you are using filter floss, polyfill stuffing, or charcoal replace it weekly. Filters are full of germs, so be sure to:[26]
- Unplug your filter before working on it.
- Work away from food and places where food is prepared.
- Wear gloves or avoid cleaning your filter when you have cuts or scrapes on your hands.
- Clean your arms and hands with soap and water after cleaning the filter.
- Remove and wash any clothes that get splashed with filter water.
- Change the water regularly. Even if you have a filter, you'll still need to change the water regularly to prevent the build-up of small particles and nitrates. Though you may need to change the water more frequently if you feel it is too dirty, here are some general guidelines:[27]
- Small Tanks (30 gallons or less) – Change 20% of the water every 2 days. Replace all water every 10-12 days.
- Medium to Large Tanks (30 gallons or more) – Change 50% of the water every 5 days. Replace all water every 12-14 days.
- For high quality, high capacity external filters – Change 50% of the water every 7 days. Replace all water every 17-19 days.
- Test your water to make sure you are changing it often enough. Especially in the early days, you'll want to pay close attention to your turtle's water to ensure it staying clean.[28]
- A strong smell or change in water color means a full water change and tank cleaning are needed.
- The water pH, which measures acidity/alkalinity, should be between 5.5 and 7. Acquire a pH testing kit at your pet store and test your water every 4 days for the first month or so to be sure you are maintaining the proper pH levels.
- Clean and disinfect the tank when you change out all the water. You can push this to once every 45 days or so, so long as you add solutions that help to disinfect the water and are safe for your turtle (available at most pet stores). Otherwise, you'll want to disinfect the tank more regularly to keep your turtle healthy.[29] If you have living plants rooted in substrate, you will not be able to do a full cleaning. In this case, you will want to monitor the water quality more closely to be sure your turtle is healthy.
- Gather the appropriate supplies for cleaning and disinfecting. You'll want to set up your cleaning supplies in advance, and do it somewhere away from food preparation areas. Be sure to use a turtle-safe disinfectant from your pet store, or make your own from bleach, using ½ cup bleach to 1 gallon of water.[30] Other supplies include:[31]
- Sponges
- Scrapers (like a putty knife)
- Bowls for soapy water and for rinse water
- Paper towels
- Trash bags
- A spray bottle or bowl of disinfectant solution and a bowl of rinse water.
- A large receptacle for soaking artificial plants, rocks, and your turtle's land area
- Clean the tank thoroughly. You will first need to remove your turtle and place him in a separate area. A bucket with enough water from his tank to cover him will work fine. You will then need to clean the tank, land area, substrate, and any other surfaces (i.e. the water heater). Use a tub or bathroom sink, not your kitchen sink, to avoid contamination.[32]
- Unplug and remove all electrical devices: water heater, filter, lamp, etc.
- Clean the surfaces of underwater electrical devices with soapy water and disinfectant spray. Rinse thoroughly.
- Remove the land feature. Clean it with soap and water and let it soak in disinfectant for 10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly afterwards.
- Remove the substrate. Clean it in soapy water and let it soak in disinfectant for 10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly afterwards.
- Clean the tank with soapy water and a sponge. Fill with disinfectant (1 part bleach to 9 parts water) and let it sit for 10 minutes. Empty and rinse thoroughly.
- Replace everything in the tank. Make sure the water is at the correct temperature before returning your turtle to his tank.
- Be sure to wear gloves or to wash your hands thoroughly afterwards to avoid contracting diseases like salmonella.
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations
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| How to Make a Calming Down Corner Posted: 27 Jan 2017 08:00 AM PST Remaining calm becomes difficult when people are flooded with emotions or stimuli. Calming down corners provide a safe place to relax and process upsetting events. They also teach important self-calming skills that are useful for people who have autism, sensory issues, anxiety, or anger issues. Even neurotypicals can benefit from the ability to take a break. EditCreating the Corner - Set aside a corner in the building. Pick a place that will be quiet, with little activity from people passing through. Barriers (walls, plants, furniture) that block off parts of the room are especially helpful.
- Make the area comfortable. Pillows, blankets, weighted blankets, stuffed animals, beanbag chairs, and soft rugs all make the place feel more relaxing.
- Find ways to minimize sensory input. Try a radio with a white noise CD, chairs with large backs to block the view, curtains, and other ways to isolate the corner.
- Some people like to curl up underneath or behind objects. Try creating a makeshift tent, or using furniture in unconventional ways.
- Add a few sensory tools. This could involve...
- Audio: a radio with soothing nature sounds or instrumental music
- Visual: Drawings with the user's favorite color, snow globes, photo albums, blankets/pillows in calming colors
- Tactile: Fidget toys with various textures, and soft stuffed animals or pillows
- Olfactory/Gustatory: Lollipops, hard candies, candles, sweet-smelling lotions or soaps, chewy toys or jewelry
- Proprioceptive:[1] Weighted blankets, beanbags, deep pressure vests,[2] brushes, lotion
- Place some basic activities in the corner. This provides something to do while calming down. Examples include books, sketchbooks, stim toys, coloring books, puzzles, logic games, et cetera. Take special interests into account when choosing activities.
- Try out the corner when you aren't stressed. Sit in the corner for 20 minutes before bedtime, and see if you have enough activities to keep you occupied. Try to imagine what you might need or want when you are stressed.
- Remember that when you need to use the corner, you may be too stressed or overloaded to grab additional activities. The corner should have enough to keep you occupied at any given time.
EditTeach Family Members About the Corner - Explain the basic purpose of the corner. If you're autistic, explain what sensory overload is, or show them an article or two. Emphasize the need for limited sensory stimuli during recovery.
- Ask them not to interact with you when you are using the corner. Disruptions, however well-meaning, only worsen sensory overload and distress. Explain that they should only interrupt you with urgent matters (e.g. an appointment in ten minutes), and save other things for later (e.g. the cool rock your sister found in the backyard). For minor questions, such as what you want for supper, they should choose for you.
- Ask them to avoid making noise nearby when you are in the corner. For example, if the corner is next to the master bedroom, it would be a bad time for your mother to start rearranging the bedroom furniture or watch a TV show with the fuck bitches get money volume up high.
- Come up with a plan for when you need to use the corner. Should you choose a code word to say that you need the corner? If you are autistic and become nonverbal, can you develop a hand signal to indicate that?
- Tell them you're happy to interact after you're done using the corner. This helps them understand that it isn't personal; you're just overwhelmed at the time and are open to hearing from them later.
EditTeaching Children to Use the Corner - Take the child aside and show them the corner. Explain that this corner is a place you put together just for them, and that it is there for them whenever they are feeling overwhelmed or upset. Make it clear that they can go there whenever they want.
- Accustom your child to the idea of the corner. Depending on the individual child, it may take time for them to understand the concept. Here are some ways to help your child understand:
- Allow your child to explore the corner when they are feeling calm. Keep it open-ended, and let them play with the toys.
- Talk about meltdown management with your child. Explain that going to the corner can help them feel better.
- Use social stories to demonstrate correct use of the corner.
- When the child appears upset or overwhelmed, quietly ask if they would like to use the calming down corner. If the child says yes, lead them to it. Once the child is accustomed to the corner, they will usually agree to go if they are upset, or even decide on their own that they need to use it.
- Remember that the calming down corner is not a time-out or punishment, but a voluntary opportunity to take a break and calm down.
- When the child is in the corner, give them quiet time. Avoid talking to them or making noise nearby. Leave the room if the child is old enough to be alone, and read a book or magazine on the other side of the room if not. If ambient noise cannot be helped, turn up the white noise in the corner.
- Let the child leave the corner when they are ready. Congratulate them on using the corner so calmly, and ask if they are feeling better now. Then talk about any problems that preceded the incident, and resume the day.
- If other people aren't understanding or accommodating of your needs, try showing them articles. Reading this article, or one of the related wikiHows, may help them understand why you need quiet.
- Don't push children who seem confused or reluctant about the corner. They will come to it once they understand and feel ready.
- Enforce the calmness of the calm down corner. If other people are disrupting the quiet, firmly tell them to stop, and dole out punishments if need be. Teach children that it is not okay to bother the person in the corner.
- If you would like, you could also play music or audiobooks. Some school libraries loan Playaways, which are IPod-like devices with an entire unabridged book.
- Don't locate the corner in a room that gets a lot of traffic, or next to a room that is frequently noisy. This will make it unpleasant to use and much less effective.
- Never use the calming down corner as a punishment for children. They will associate it with negative feelings and stop wanting to use it. The corner should always be peaceful and voluntary.
- Be wary of fire hazards. Don't place flammable papers or blankets near a heater, and candles should be used only under adult supervision.
- If you have an autistic child at risk for eloping, it's especially important that you keep the corner a quiet, calm place where they can escape. If it's not peaceful, then they may leave the house in order to try to find somewhere quieter, and they could get lost.
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations
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| How to Effectively Use Internet Time Posted: 27 Jan 2017 12:00 AM PST The Internet is a tremendously useful tool, but can easily become a black hole for productivity. In today's world, many people need to use the Internet daily for work, school, or as a means of connecting with friends and family, but we also frequently find ourselves using it distractedly, without intention or purpose. While for most people it's not realistic to try to avoid the Internet altogether, it's entirely possible to manage our habits in a way that allows us to use the time we do spend online more effectively. EditBecoming Aware of Your Existing Internet Habits - Create an Internet activity log. If you find yourself wondering "Where does all the time go?", this is a great way to find out. For one week, write down everything you do while using the Internet. What websites you visit, how much time you spend on each, how often you refresh or update pages, each time you click on an embedded link, etc. Often our worst Internet time-wasting habits are things we do mindlessly.[1]
- Make sure you include the time you spend using the network on your smart phone or other hand-held device. For people with on-the-go lifestyles, this is often where we clock in most of our Internet hours!
- Identify your problem areas. Checking our email or refreshing our Twitter feed every five minutes is an impulse that keeps us from being able to focus on longer tasks. If the paper we're researching begins to feel frustrating or boring, it seems harmless to take a 10-second break in order to see if something more exciting is going on in another window. The problem, though, is that all these little breaks, plus the time it takes us to refocus our attention as it shifts back and forth, really add up. Particular habits will vary from person to person, but some examples might include:
- Do you check your email fifty times in a day?
- Perhaps you spend an appalling amount of time on celebrity gossip blogs or websites?
- Maybe you keep yourself logged in to Google Chat or Facebook Messenger when you're doing other things, and find you are frequently interrupted by friends looking to chat?
- Or maybe you find that after thirty minutes of concentrating hard on something, you get a sudden intense "craving" to see if anyone new has "liked" your new Facebook profile picture, and then just get sucked into your newsfeed for an hour or more?
-
- Get acquainted with your dopamine. It might seem like your friend is being hyperbolic when she says something like "I'm totally addicted to my iPhone!", but there's actual science behind this. Technology dependence actually changes the way our brains work, very similar to the changes a brain undergoes in the instance of drug, alcohol, or gambling addictions.
- The culprit is a chemical in our brain called dopamine, which controls our moods, motivation, and sense of reward.
- Every time you hear the bloop of your Facebook messenger, a little surge of dopamine is released in your brain, which is what triggers the urge to check it.
- Dopamine addiction is an endless cycle. The brief "high" is caused by the anticipation, the uncertainty of the unknown. Who could the message be from? Usually the urge to find out is greater than the satisfaction we feel once we've actually seen the message, which leaves us feeling a little low, and eager for another dopamine boost.
- While technology dependence is becoming increasingly common in today's world, we don't have to be slaves to our dopamine receptors. With a little mindfulness and dedication, we can train ourselves to resist this eternally unsatisfying, unproductive loop. [2]
- Resolve to make necessary changes. For many people, unlearning preexisting habits can be difficult, especially at first.
- Recognize that most of these changes are going to require restricting yourself things that bring you comfort or pleasure.
- It's not uncommon to even experience mild withdrawal symptoms when we begin to alter our Internet behaviors in this way, due to the decrease in dopamine production.
- Keep in mind that this transitional discomfort is temporary, and that you are on your way to being a happier, healthier, and more productive person. [3]
EditGetting Prepared - Organize your workstation. It's amazing how much space we free up in our brains just by having a workspace free of visual distractions. If there's a pile of papers begging to be organized, or dirty dishes scattered around, it's going to be more difficult to focus on the task at hand. Try to keep your desk (or other work area) free of everything but current projects and whatever items you use every day.
- Organize your computer desktop. Make sure to keep your files organized into folders, rather that splattered all over your screen, and bookmark websites you use frequently. This will save you a lot of time when it comes to searching for things you need, and will keep you from being distracted by something that catches your eye in the searching process. [4]
- Make a list of what you need to do on the Internet before you open your browser. Is there a song you've been meaning to listen to? Do you need to read some restaurant reviews to figure out where to bring your mom for her birthday? Do you need to need to research costs for a home-improvement project?
- This is something you should be doing throughout the day, every day, as things pop into your head.
- Keeping an Internet to-do list will give you a clearer sense of purpose, and remind you of your long-term time-management goals.
- Determine what time of day you are most productive. Some people are most alert first thing in the morning, others don't reach their peak until the middle of the night. If you have some flexibility in your daily schedule, try to plan your Internet time for when you are most likely to be awake, energized, and thinking clearly.
- Plan to do more with less. Internet efficacy is going to mean something different to everyone, depending on career, interests, and other lifestyle factors. Some people need to be logged on all day long for their jobs, while others primarily use the Internet in the evenings as a way to unwind.
- While the specific time-management goals will vary from person to person, everyone should be aiming to simultaneously accomplish more while also spending less time online.
EditImplementing Changes - Minimize your screen time. In other words, simply aiming to spend less time on the Internet in general is a good start. While it may seem counter-intuitive, we tend to be more productive when we have a shorter window in which to get something done.
- Avoid multitasking. While it might seem like it's more productive to do two or three things at once, it can actually slow us down in the long run, as we're not able to give our full attention to any one thing. It might be tempting to switch back and forth between Internet tasks in order to keep things interesting, but try to stick to your Internet to do list, finishing each thing before you move on to the next.
- Do what you can while offline. If you need to read something longer than a page, such as an article or proposal, see if you can download it, and read it with your browser closed. If you need to write a long email reply, try composing it in Microsoft Word.
- This will further minimize distractions, by preventing you from going down hyperlink rabbit holes, or protecting you from the bloops or dings of email notifications as they inevitably trickle in.
- Restrict the time you spend on social networking websites. This is something you're going to want to be tough with yourself about, as these websites are not only black holes for productivity, but also very addictive.
- If you remember, dopamine thrives on anticipation and the unknown, and social networking sites are never static, always changing as people update their statuses, add photos, "like" things. And nothing is actually ever as interesting or fulfilling as we think it might be.
- If you must visit sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc., do so with great awareness, and give yourself a strict time limit. Try using a kitchen timer to keep yourself on track.
- It's important to actually sign off of and close these websites, rather than just opening a new tab or window on top of them. The easier something is to access, the more tempting it is.
- Reckon with your email. Try checking your email just three times daily: once in the morning, once around lunch time, and once in the evening. Your email, while necessary, can be as bad for time-management as social networking sites if you are constantly refreshing or checking it incessantly.
- Make sure to trash, archive, or respond to every new email in each sitting. This will not only save you time in the long run, but will give you a sense of accomplishment as you stay on top of your correspondences.
- Look outside of yourself for help with self-control. If you are having trouble abiding by the restrictions you've set for yourself, you're not the only one! A majority of people find it challenging to efficiently managing their Internet time. So many people, in fact, there are a bunch of free or cheap downloadable applications out there to help you with just this. Here are just a few examples:
 - RescueTime keeps you from being able to access certain websites for a certain amount of time. Let's say you're working on a paper about different types of cloud formations; you'll be able to access Google, and the National Weather Service website that it directs you to, but you can block Gmail, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Buzzfeed, or any other website that might tempt you to lose your focus. It also keeps track of your daily Internet habits for you, letting you know how much time you spend on email, on Skype, on wikiHow, etc. There are many other Internet-blocking applications available, all with slightly different parameters or additional features. Find one that works well for you!
- The Email Game turns plowing through your email into a timed game. You earn points the faster you can clear your inbox!
- Pocket allows you to save websites you come across for viewing at a more convenient time. Maybe you're reading an article that includes and enticing hyperlinked article. You can save this link, or anything else, to look at later.
- focus@will is an application that uses brain science and soothing music to help increase your attention span and productivity, which will decrease the impulse to seek easy distractions. [5]
- Consider getting rid of your Internet at home. While this might seem like an extreme measure for some, it will absolutely force you to plan out the majority of your Internet usage, inherently making more productive use of your Internet time. If you're struggling a lot with self-control, this might be something to look into. [6]
- Having to use the Internet with other people around also has the potential to make you more aware of your bad habits. You'll be less likely to unconsciously browse your way over to your recent ex-boyfriend's Facebook page if you're sitting in the window of a café where anyone who walks past can see your laptop screen, for instance.
- If you want to experiment with this idea but aren't ready to make the full-blown commitment of canceling your internet service, try stashing your router at a friend's house for a few days.
- Or if you live with a roommate or spouse who's not amenable to the idea of going Internet-free, have them them change wifi password.
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