Tried to 'study smarter not harder' with a Pomodoro app and it backfired hard

I set my phone timer for 25 minutes of focus and 5 minute breaks (standard stuff). After 3 hours I realized I had spent more time adjusting the timer settings and picking playlist background noise than actually reading my textbook. I ended up getting through only 4 pages of my biology chapter when I normally do 15 in that time. Has anyone else found that the 'system' becomes its own distraction?

2 comments

2 Comments

hannah2401h ago

Oh man, this is SO me. I downloaded a fancy focus app once and spent like two hours tweaking the background noise settings (trying to find the perfect rain sound) and customizing the timer colors. By the time I actually started studying I was already tired of looking at my phone. And then every time the timer went off for a break I'd grab my phone and get lost in notifications instead of stretching or whatever you're supposed to do. I ended up just ditching the whole system and going back to my old way of blocking out an hour with my textbook and a physical notebook. Sometimes the simplest method really is the best, you know?

xenan648m ago

Spent two hours tweaking the rain sound"?? That is literally me too but I can't believe you spent that long. I spent like 45 minutes once trying to get the perfect thunderstorm loop and even then I wasn't happy with it. The worst part is I totally get what you mean about getting tired of your phone before you even start. I'll set up my focus app, pick my sound, adjust the timer for exactly 25 minutes, then look at the clock and realize I just wasted half my study time messing around with settings. And the break thing is so true too. I always tell myself I'm just going to check one quick thing during the break and then suddenly I'm scrolling for 15 minutes. I swear those apps are designed to keep you on your phone instead of helping you focus.