It’s no secret that gaming can be an extremely enjoyable and immersive experience. However, when it starts to interfere with your studies, it may be time to take a step back and evaluate your gaming habits.

It’s not uncommon for this to happen, and many students out there have unhealthy relationships with gaming. Here are five signs that may be the case with you, and whether gaming is getting in the way of your studies…

You’re spending too much time gaming

 If you’re spending more time gaming than studying, it’s likely time to cut back. While a few hours here and there may be manageable, if you’re playing for hours every day and not getting your work done, it’s probably time to curb your gaming habit.

Your grades are slipping

If you’re noticing a drop in your grades, it could be a sign that gaming is taking away from your study time. Take a look at how much time you’re spending gaming and how much time you’re spending studying. If the ratio is off, it may be time to cut back.

You feel guilty after gaming

If you feel guilty every time you finish a gaming session, it may be because you feel like you should have been studying instead. This is a clear sign that gaming is getting in the way of your studies.

You’re distracted during class

If you find yourself getting distracted in class because of your gaming habits, it’s time to address the issue. Talk to your teacher and find out if there are any steps you can take to stay focused.

You’re struggling to keep up with your workload

If you’re constantly behind on your assignments and struggling to stay caught up, it may be because gaming is taking away from your study time.

If you find that any of these signs are true for you, it’s time to take a step back and evaluate your gaming habits. It’s important to find a balance between gaming and studying, so you can enjoy the best of both worlds.

If that balance is broken, then it is perhaps time to start thinking about whether you have a problem with gaming. Addiction to gaming is becoming more and more prominent as access to technology improves, and many rehab centres are seeing more people arrive with behavioural addiction problems.

The signs above are signs of that, and if you think that could be you, speak out and get the help you need to get yourself and your studies back on track.