Focus session · exam revision · 45 min
Focus session for exam revision: 45 minutes, vinyl crackle, when the day has been loud
45 minutes of exam revision, with vinyl crackle and a note on what to do when you drift.
45:00
Press start. The timer keeps time so you do not have to look at a clock.
Take one breath that is slightly slower than the last one. That is enough to start. For days that were loud from the moment they started. We'll go through it in order, without much decoration.
1 Before you start
- Go to the toilet first. It sounds trivial until you are mid-sentence.
- Give yourself permission to stop when the timer ends, even mid-sentence.
- Decide what counts as done for this block. "Two pages" is better than "make progress".
- Let go of the version of this task you imagined doing perfectly.
- Close the door, or put headphones on, whichever signals "working" to the people around you.
2 While the timer runs
- Notice whether you are working or performing work. They look similar from the outside.
- It is fine to stare at the wall for a minute. That is often where the answer is.
- If you are bored, the boredom is usually the last thing before something clicks.
- If you are stuck, say the problem out loud. It changes what you can see.
3 When it ends
- Stand up and move for at least two minutes. The break is part of the method, not a reward.
- Have a drink of water before you check anything.
- Write one line about where to start next time. Future you will be grateful.
4What to put on
vinyl crackle — A thin layer of surface noise over nothing much. Just enough texture to stop the room feeling empty.
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