Guide 5 - Study timerA study timer that makes you want to keep going
By the Focus98 team · Updated
Study in timed sessions, rest in planned breaks, and watch the hours add up, while a 1998 PC on your screen gets better every time you finish.
How to stay focused while studying
- Decide what this session is for before you start, and only that: "chapter 4 questions", not "biology".
- Put distracting apps out of reach for the length of the session. Even a phone face down on the desk pulls at your attention.
- Work in rounds with breaks, not one long slog. Short breaks leave you less tired; take a longer one every few rounds.
- Keep a record. Seeing the hours add up is its own motivation.
- Give yourself something to look forward to at the end of each session.
What Focus98 gives you
- Timed sessions from 15 to 120 minutes, split into rounds with short and long breaks.
- Tasks and tags: name what you're studying, tag it (study, reading, work), and see where your time went.
- A daily goal (two hours to start, set it in Settings) and statistics for today, the week, the last 30 days and all time.
- An activity log of every session.
- App blocking while you study, set the way you like it.
- Study with friends in a Focus Group, and compare focus time on the leaderboard.
Why a retro PC?
Because a reward you can see works better than a number. Every session pays credits; credits buy a faster processor, a modem, a sound card, music and wallpapers; save enough and the whole desktop moves up an era. Skip the work to scroll instead, and the PC slows down until you look after it.
Tip Start the session before you open your notes. The hardest part of studying is the first two minutes.
Questions and answers
What is the best study timer?
One you'll actually use. Look for timed rounds with breaks, a way to keep apps out of the way, and a reason to come back tomorrow.
Is there a free study app with no ads?
Focus98's whole Focus 98 era is free with no ads.
Can I see how long I studied?
Yes: Statistics shows today, this week, the last 30 days and all time, and the Activity Log lists every session.
Sources
- Ward et al. (2017), Brain Drain, Journal of the Association for Consumer Research
- Albulescu et al. (2022), micro-breaks meta-analysis, PLOS One
More guides
- Pomodoro timer
- App blocker for Android
- A Forest alternative
- Body doubling with friends
- Digital minimalism
- Defrag, the game
- A 90s desktop on your phone
See also: all features
Guide 5 Study timerFocus98 User's Guide