We are researching the study habits of high schoolers, in search of solutions that may improve their ability to focus.
Proto-Persona:
Name: SV (“the overachiever”)
Role: High School Student, Musician, Athletic Lifestyle
Goal/Motivation: Avoid stress (“I need to start a week early, otherwise I’m stressed”), be well-informed (“I get up two hours before class every morning so I have time to journal, plan my day, read the newspaper, and eat breakfast with my family”), have time for sports and piano (“[I’m in my junior year and] I only work like 1 hour a day outside of school”), be a good student (not based on a quote, but seemed very excited about learning and going to university soon and curious about the world)
Conflict: Says she keeps work and fun separate, like “I don’t go on my phone during a break because if I go to Instagram it’s game over.” But then also says she uses iPad to go to Youtube and Instagram “It’s one swipe away.” yet also send all her work emails from her iPad.
Attempts to Solve: Pretty good at it. Says she uses “willpower” not to go on iPad.
Setting Environment: Needs quiet (“can’t work when there is background music or when someone is trying to talk to me”), says she can’t even practice piano when someone is in the room, combo of “performance anxiety” and of being distracted by people
Tools: Variety of techniques used:
- Quiet, alone in her room
- Has clear idea of tasks that need to get done from morning journaling session
- Tells herself “I’ll do just 5 min of work” to overcome avoidance/procrastination
- Generally treats Youtube/Instagram as a reward. Once I finish, I feel accomplished.
- Doesn’t use phone during breaks, but just keeps thinking about problem.
- Plans ahead for the week so she can do a little bit everyday, still says “High pressure helps to start”, also notes
- When avoiding tasks, “1 side saying it is gonna take a lot of effort, the other side says you should get it done and you feel anxious”
Journey Map:
This is the daily journey for SV. As she’s quite focused already, it also focuses on “lighthouse learnings” (tools/insights that could help others if implemented, rather than just distractions/obstacles for SV). Especially read the “work” category for additional insights from our post-study interview; our study design may have influenced her experience of being able to focus…
I still thought it was important to have an overview of her entire day as it influences her “short” (1hr!) study window and as it puts thing in perspective at just a quick glance and may explain why she is able to focus so well… the structure of her day even in times where she isn’t trying to focus may be what forces her to plan ahead?
