Guide · High school

Beat the phone trap: 50/10 exam blocks that outperform doomscrolling

Swap one hour of scrolling for one hour of structured focus: 50/10 deep block, a real break, then a 25/5 recall block—camera optional, accountability included.

Start a 50 / 10 exam block Solo prep in Zen Join a peer study room

Finding

Phones hurt focus

72% of U.S. high school teachers call phone distraction a major problem (Pew Research Center, June 2024).

Finding

Structured blocks sustain effort

Paced-learning studies show 45–60 minute bounded sessions with breaks maintain performance better than open-ended study during exam prep.

Finding

Movement breaks reduce fatigue

School active-break trials report better engagement and less fatigue when brief movement is built in.

One-hour flow

Copy this block stack

Block 1: 50 / 10

Deep work on hardest exam topic; write your target in the intent bar.

Break: 5–10 min

Stand, stretch, quick walk—no phone scroll.

Block 2: 25 / 5

Recall: 10–15 questions or one essay outline; mark misses to review tomorrow.

Keep phones out of the way

Put your phone in another room or bag; leave chat open on your laptop only.
Use the intent bar to set a goal before each block; it reduces the urge to check notifications.
Breaks are for movement and water, not scrolling—return before the next start tone.

FAQ

Why 50/10 then 25/5?

The longer block tackles heavy material while fresh; the shorter block cements recall. Research on paced sessions shows bounded lengths preserve effort better than “study until done.”

Do cameras have to be on?

No. Camera-optional rooms still deliver social accountability through presence pills and chat check-ins.

How do I keep my phone away?

Place it out of reach, face-down, or in another room. The shared timer and chat reduce the urge to check it.