What you鈥檒l set up (10鈥�15 min): a 25/5 or 50/10 focus timer, an iPhone Study Focus or Android Do Not Disturb 鈥� Study mode, and a weekday schedule (4鈥�6 PM is a great default).

Step 1 鈥� Choose your focus rhythm

  • Getting started / lower energy: 25 minutes work + 5 minutes break (classic Pomodoro).
  • Deep work: 50 minutes work + 10 minutes break (fewer context switches).

Create a 2鈥�3 block plan (e.g., 50/10/50). List exactly what you鈥檒l do in each block.

鈥淧omodoro-style focus timer showing 25:00 with study plan checklist.
Use a simple timer + a tiny plan for each block.

Step 2 鈥� Turn on iPhone Study Focus (or skip to Android)

  1. Settings 鈫� Focus 鈫� + 鈫� Study.
  2. Allowed People: Favorites + Advisors.
  3. Allowed Apps: Gmail (Important), Calendar, Brightspace.
  4. Home/Lock Screen: Hide badges, Dim Lock Screen.
  5. Schedule: Weekdays, 4:00鈥�6:00 PM (adjust to taste).
iPhone-style Focus鈥擲tudy screen with allowed contacts/apps and a weekday 4鈥�6 PM schedule.
iOS: Study Focus with an allow-list and a weekday schedule.

Step 3 鈥� Set Android Do Not Disturb (Study)

  1. Settings 鈫� Notifications 鈫� Do Not Disturb.
  2. Priority only: People (Favorites/Family) and Apps (Gmail Important, Calendar, Brightspace).
  3. Schedule: Weekdays, 4:00鈥�6:00 PM.
  4. Lock screen: Hide notifications.
Android Do Not Disturb鈥擲tudy screen with priority notifications and weekday schedule.
Android: Priority notifications only during your study window.

Step 4 鈥� Block the usual suspects (optional)

  • Chrome: Install a site blocker and add your top 3 distractions.
  • Phone: Move social apps to a separate screen or offload during exams.

Keep it humane: You can allow messages from roommates/family and Brightspace alerts. The goal is fewer interruptions, not zero contact.

Use this 2脳/day routine

  1. Start: Switch on Focus 鈫� run one 25/5 or 50/10 block.
  2. Mid: Quick check of Brightspace/Gmail (2鈥�3 minutes) for urgent items.
  3. Finish: Jot next steps for tomorrow; turn Focus off.

Need help? Book a Focus setup session

Questions about allow-lists or scheduling? Bring your phone鈥攚e鈥檒l tailor it in a few minutes.