25-minute exam revision session with a stream and a timer, when you only have a few minutes

1 Before you start

• Turn off notifications for the next block, not just to silent.
• Decide that today's session does not have to be good. It has to happen.
• Take one slow breath before you press start, so the session has a beginning.
• Promise yourself you will not check anything until the timer ends, including "just quickly".
• Write down the one thing you are going to do, in a single sentence, before you start.

2 While the timer runs

• When you get an idea for something else, park it. Do not follow it.
• The first urge to stop usually arrives early. Sit through it once and the second one is quieter.
• If you are stuck, say the problem out loud. It changes what you can see.
• If you feel the urge to check something, write it on the paper beside you and keep going. Deal with the list afterwards.

3 When it ends

• Write down the question you could not answer, so it has somewhere to live.
• Write one line about where to start next time. Future you will be grateful.
• Have a drink of water before you check anything.

4What to put on

a stream — Running water with small variation. Softer than rain and less repetitive than a fan.