Jordan Taylor
Professor Martinez
ENG 111: College Composition
15 March 2025
Reclaiming Attention in the Age of Overwhelm
Every day, college students confront an unprecedented volume of information competing for their focus. News alerts, social streams, email reminders, and algorithmic nudges fragment attention before classes even begin. Researchers argue that “the constant switching between tasks weakens students’ ability to sustain deeper concentration over time” (Franklin 42). While technology offers convenience, it also intensifies cognitive overload for students navigating academic demands. Understanding how attention, distraction, and mental bandwidth interact is essential for building effective learning strategies. This essay argues that improving attention is not simply a matter of willpower; rather, it requires intentional structures, mindful practices, and an environment that supports sustained learning.