You may not want to hear it, but your phone could very well be what’s standing between you and excellent grades. If you struggle to stay away from it while studying, I have a productivity hack that could transform your study routine.
1
Recording Time-Lapses Keeps Me Away From My Phone
As a student, you’ve probably organized all your textbooks and study materials, made your favorite drink, and sat down, fully motivated and prepared for an intensive study session—only to end up scrolling through your favorite social media apps for hours. A perfectly good day wasted, right? Unfortunately, I used to fall into this vicious cycle nearly every day, even with a solid weekly study plan in place.
While I’d often turn to dedicated app blockers like OffScreen, they weren’t always enough to keep me from giving in to distractions. That’s when I realized I needed to eliminate the distraction, my phone, entirely. Instead of locking it in a cupboard, I decided to prop it up on my desk and record a time-lapse of my study session.
Surprisingly, it kept me away from my phone for hours, and the act of recording made me feel accountable to stay on task.
2
Motivates Me to Keep Going Instead of Taking Breaks
Over the years, I’ve tried almost all the productivity methods people rave about, and all typically swear by taking breaks regularly. While I’m not denying the importance of breaks, taking one when you’re in the groove might not be the best idea, as it can disrupt your momentum.
Even if you feel groggy or worn out after focusing on the same task for too long and decide to take a break, using your phone during it is one of the worst mistakes you can make. Before you know it, you’ll find yourself stuck in the vicious cycle I mentioned earlier. That’s where I’ve found recording a time-lapse of myself comes in clutch.
Since I’m essentially documenting my progress on video, I often find myself wanting to study for longer stretches instead of pausing the video and starting a new one the next time I’d like to study. And even if I decide to take a break without starting a new video, I do so without reaching for my phone, which is a much better option.
What I typically do while recording a time-lapse is watch a pre-recorded or live “Study With Me” stream (another odd method I use to stay focused) that includes a timer and spans several hours. For example, in the time-lapse below, you can see me working on an assignment while tuning in to one of these streams.
Once the time for a break rolls around, I either continue studying if I’m not tired or take a short walk around the house or just freshen up instead of reaching for my phone, since I’d need to end my timelapse to do so! This helps me stay on track while also reminding me to take regular breaks.
3
Gives Me a Video to Reflect On and Share
Many people treat themselves to a sweet snack or an episode of their favorite Netflix show after a productive day. For me, the time-lapse of a successful study session becomes a reward in itself. Watching a sped-up video of my hard work gives me a sense of accomplishment and motivates me to keep going.
Sometimes, I like to create short daily recap videos as Instagram Reels or TikToks and share them with my friends. Snippets from my study time-lapses fit perfectly into these videos, and allow me to realistically show what I’ve been up to. Plus, they can inspire and motivate my friends to stick to their own goals.
The best part about this odd yet effective study hack is that you don’t need any additional equipment or apps. Most modern iPhones and Android phones come with a built-in time-lapse mode that works perfectly for this method. On an iPhone, simply open the Camera app and select the Time-Lapse mode.
On Android devices, you’ll typically find this feature in the Camera app under the More section, where additional shooting modes are listed. It may be labeled as Hyperlapse instead of time-lapse.
If your device doesn’t have a built-in time-lapse option, you can use a third-party time-lapse app or record a regular video and speed it up using an editing app of your choice.
You can also use a phone stand or tripod to prop your device up while recording to prevent shaky footage. I’d recommend experimenting with a few different angles to figure out what works best for you. Personally, I like positioning my camera to capture my desk and work without including myself in the frame.
This way, one added benefit is that the time-lapse records my laptop screen as well, which helps keep me accountable and prevents distractions like watching YouTube or Netflix mid-study session.
Recording a time-lapse for hours can drain your device’s battery, so be sure to charge it beforehand. You can also reduce the brightness to minimize battery drain during the recording.
While this method may not seem appealing at first, I highly recommend giving it a try at least once. You’ll likely only appreciate its effectiveness after watching your first time-lapse and reflecting on how productive (or not) your session was!
