Finding My Rhythm: The Real Talk About Balancing Work and Studies as an International Student

The "Empty Desk" Confession

Let’s be honest. Have you ever sat down at 7:00 PM with a coffee, a clean notebook, and a "vibe" playlist, only to realize it’s now 11:00 PM and you’ve only written three sentences?

​We call it "studying," but it’s actually a performance. We perform the act of being a student while our brains are actually a thousand miles away, scrolling through a mental TikTok feed. You aren't lazy; you’re just suffering from Attention Fragmentation.

​In this guide, we aren't talking about "study tips." We are talking about The Flow State. It’s the secret weapon of world-class chess players, surgeons, and coders. When you hit Flow, your brain stops fighting you and starts working for you.

​Story 1: My "Fake Study" Wake-Up Call

​Three years ago, I had a Final Exam in Macroeconomics. I "studied" for twelve hours straight. I sat in the library, my laptop was open, and I felt like a martyr. I was the person everyone saw and thought, "Wow, Bitty is a machine." But here is the truth: I failed that exam.

​When I looked back at that 12-hour session, I realized I hadn't been studying. I had been "Pseudo-Working." I was checking my email every 10 minutes. I was choosing the perfect Lo-Fi track. I was "researching" things on Wikipedia that had nothing to do with the exam. I was busy, but I wasn't deep. My brain was like a lightbulb—spreading light everywhere but burning nothing. I realized then that Time \neq Results. Concentration is the multiplier.

​1. The Biological Price of "Just One Check"

​You think checking a WhatsApp notification takes 5 seconds. Science says it takes 23 minutes for your brain to fully refocus.

​Every time you switch your focus, your brain leaves behind a "residue." This connects back to what we discussed in my post on Digital Dementia, where we saw how constant switching physically weakens our neural pathways. If you are studying Biology but quickly check a meme, half of your brain is still thinking about that meme while you try to read about mitochondria.

​Story 2: The First Time I Felt the "Vortex"

​I finally discovered "Flow" by accident. It wasn't during schoolwork; it was when I was learning to edit photos. I sat down at 10:00 AM. I had no phone nearby. No music with lyrics. Just me and the screen.

​When I finally looked up, it was 2:00 PM. I hadn't felt hungry. I hadn't felt tired. I felt like I had been in a "tunnel of light" where my hands moved before my brain even told them to. This is The Flow State. Once you experience it, you realize that 60 minutes in this zone is worth 10 hours of distracted "library sitting." My work wasn't just faster; it was better. It was art.

​2. Designing Your "Focus Sanctuary"

​Your environment is a silent coach. If you study in bed, your brain thinks "sleep." If you study at the kitchen table, your brain thinks "food."

​To trigger Flow, you need a Specific Anchor:

• ​The Scent Trigger: Light a specific candle or use an essential oil only when you are doing Deep Work.
• ​The Sound Wall: Use "Brown Noise." Unlike music, these frequencies fill the gaps in your hearing so your brain doesn't get distracted by the hum of the fridge.

​Story 3: A Day in the Life of a "Deep Worker"

​People ask me how I run Learn With Bitty while staying on top of my studies. Here is my secret: I only "work" for 3 hours a day.

​I wake up, and before I touch my phone (this is crucial!), I go to my designated "Deep Desk." I set a timer for 90 minutes. I do my hardest task—the one I’m most scared of.

• ​9:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Total blackout. No internet. Just deep thinking.
• ​10:30 AM: I walk. I don't look at a screen. I look at the sky.
• ​11:00 AM - 12:30 PM: Second sprint.

​By noon, I have done more "real" work than most people do in a week. I have the rest of the day to relax, eat the Brain Foods I mentioned in my last post, and actually enjoy my life.

​3. The 90-Minute Ultradian Sprint

​Forget the Pomodoro technique. 25 minutes isn't enough time to reach Deep Flow. It takes about 20 minutes just to get your "brain gears" turning. By the time you hit your stride, the Pomodoro timer tells you to stop.

​Instead, we use Ultradian Rhythms. Our brains operate in 90-minute waves of high energy followed by 20-minute crashes.

1. ​0–20 mins: The "Ramp Up" (It feels hard).
2. ​20–80 mins: The "Flow Zone" (Time disappears).
3. ​80–90 mins: The "Fade Out."

The Final Word: You Are Not a Machine​Productivity isn't about doing more things; it’s about doing the right things with 100% of your soul. Stop trying to be "busy" and start being "Deep."

What’s your "Pseudo-Work" trap?

We’ve all been there—sitting at the desk but actually scrolling through a mental fog. My biggest trap was the "Perfect Playlist" search. What’s yours? Is it the phone, the snacks, or just staring at the wall? Drop a comment below and let’s talk about how we’re going to break the cycle this week. I’ll be replying to every single one!

Update: Deep work is impossible if your browser is a mess. Read my latest guide on The Tab Tax to learn how to clean your digital workspace for maximum focus."