Library Service Blog

Study along and get an hour of focused work done!

Sometimes it can be difficult to sit down and focus on our work. This might be because we've have had a busy day and are still thinking about the things we need to do later or that we have a lot of time but no motivation. Whatever the reason we have created this deep focus session recording to help you. 

The idea is to start the video when you want to get some work done and to study alongside Nick (me!). There is a guided introduction to help you get focused, a break in the middle and a short debrief at at the end but a lot of the video is just me getting on with work. It sounds like an odd concept but I first tried this approach a while ago in a live session and it really helped so we wanted to create a similar opportunity that can be accessed at any time. If people find it helpful we will look to produce more videos of different lengths. 

The recording lasts for 65 minutes and is structured as follows:

• An introduction to the session including a breathing activity, a short journaling activity and goal setting 
• 25 minutes of silent study
• Guided desk stretches and a comfort break 
• 25 minutes of silent study
• An end of session debrief.

If you decide not to use the video you may still find some of the techniques helpful

The journaling activity (focused pages) in the introduction is especially helpful for clearing your mind after a busy day and simply involves writing or typing continuously about what you are thinking about, without pausing, for a few minutes to help get any thoughts or concerns out of your mind.

Breaking your piece of work into small achievable tasks can make large pieces of work feel much more manageable. The Skills Team offer a Planning and Structuring Assignments webinar with lots of helpful tips for doing this.

The model of working in 25 minute bursts comes from the Pomadoro technique. Pomadoro means tomato in Spanish and the technique was first done with a tomato shaped kitchen timer, hence the name. Although the model is based in 25 minute chunks you can adjust this to whatever works for you as long as it is not too long (perhaps a maximum of one hour) and you take regular breaks. 

However you chose to study, don't forget the Skills Centre and Studiosity

Whatever your level of study or subject, all students can benefit from these two brilliant services:

The Skills Centre offers inclusive academic skills development to all students at Hallam through a range of online webinars, 1-1 appointments (online and in person) and digital resources. 

Studiosity is a free online writing feedback and live chat service, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year available to all students.