Where to anchor sessionsUse dedicated tracks for interview prep, coding drills, and writing/reading tasks.Separate silent deep-work rooms from discussion-heavy recap rooms.Keep room descriptions explicit so people join the right format quickly.
Scheduling realityMorning block (7:00-9:00 AM PT): strongest deep-focus slot.Lunch block (12:00-1:30 PM PT): quick execution/review loop.Evening block (6:00-8:30 PM PT): overlap for mixed professional schedules.
Host prompts that workKickoff prompt: What is your shipped output this cycle?Midpoint prompt: Is your scope still realistic?Wrap prompt: Post one artifact and one follow-up task.
0-5 min: setup and intentOpen the room, silence distractions, and write one measurable goal for TOEFL practice.
5-30 min: first focus sprintRun a shared timer and stay in one task only. Keep chat for blockers, not multitasking.
35-60 min: second sprint and recapFinish one concrete deliverable, share a quick recap, and queue the next block.
Morning launch in San FranciscoUse one short sprint for your hardest cognitive task before inbox and notifications accumulate.
Late-afternoon rescue in San FranciscoRun a focused block to recover stalled tasks and prevent evening overload.
Night consolidation in San FranciscoWrap with review + planning so tomorrow starts with a clear first action.
Is this useful for complete beginners?Yes. Start with one tiny measurable outcome and one full cycle before adding complexity.
Should I change room formats often?No. Run at least two cycles in one format, then switch only if task fit is clearly poor.
How do I avoid passive studying in this setup?Use retrieval prompts and explicit outputs in each block rather than rereading.
What is the minimum viable session outcome?One completed deliverable plus a written first step for the next session.