Study Mode

This guide helps students set up NextDNS Blocker for effective studying with minimal distractions.

Overview

Goal: Create distraction-free study environment

Strategy:

Block all social media during study hours
Allow educational resources
Scheduled breaks to prevent burnout
Quick panic mode for exam periods

Configuration

Complete Example

{
  "version": "1.0",
  "settings": {
    "timezone": "America/New_York",
    "editor": null
  },
  "blocklist": [
    {
      "domain": "reddit.com",
      "description": "Social media - study killer",
      "unblock_delay": "4h",
      "schedule": {
        "available_hours": [
          {
            "days": ["monday", "tuesday", "wednesday", "thursday", "friday"],
            "time_ranges": [
              {"start": "12:00", "end": "13:00"},
              {"start": "18:00", "end": "20:00"}
            ]
          },
          {
            "days": ["saturday", "sunday"],
            "time_ranges": [
              {"start": "12:00", "end": "22:00"}
            ]
          }
        ]
      }
    },
    {
      "domain": "twitter.com",
      "description": "Social media",
      "unblock_delay": "4h",
      "schedule": {
        "available_hours": [
          {
            "days": ["saturday", "sunday"],
            "time_ranges": [
              {"start": "14:00", "end": "20:00"}
            ]
          }
        ]
      }
    },
    {
      "domain": "instagram.com",
      "description": "Social media - high distraction",
      "unblock_delay": "4h",
      "schedule": {
        "available_hours": [
          {
            "days": ["saturday", "sunday"],
            "time_ranges": [
              {"start": "14:00", "end": "18:00"}
            ]
          }
        ]
      }
    },
    {
      "domain": "tiktok.com",
      "description": "Maximum time sink",
      "unblock_delay": "24h",
      "schedule": {
        "available_hours": [
          {
            "days": ["saturday"],
            "time_ranges": [
              {"start": "15:00", "end": "18:00"}
            ]
          }
        ]
      }
    },
    {
      "domain": "youtube.com",
      "description": "Video streaming - limited",
      "unblock_delay": "30m",
      "schedule": {
        "available_hours": [
          {
            "days": ["monday", "tuesday", "wednesday", "thursday", "friday"],
            "time_ranges": [
              {"start": "19:00", "end": "21:00"}
            ]
          },
          {
            "days": ["saturday", "sunday"],
            "time_ranges": [
              {"start": "10:00", "end": "22:00"}
            ]
          }
        ]
      }
    },
    {
      "domain": "netflix.com",
      "description": "Streaming - weekends",
      "unblock_delay": "4h",
      "schedule": {
        "available_hours": [
          {
            "days": ["friday"],
            "time_ranges": [
              {"start": "20:00", "end": "23:00"}
            ]
          },
          {
            "days": ["saturday", "sunday"],
            "time_ranges": [
              {"start": "14:00", "end": "22:00"}
            ]
          }
        ]
      }
    },
    {
      "domain": "discord.com",
      "description": "Chat - after study",
      "unblock_delay": "30m",
      "schedule": {
        "available_hours": [
          {
            "days": ["monday", "tuesday", "wednesday", "thursday", "friday"],
            "time_ranges": [
              {"start": "17:00", "end": "21:00"}
            ]
          },
          {
            "days": ["saturday", "sunday"],
            "time_ranges": [
              {"start": "10:00", "end": "22:00"}
            ]
          }
        ]
      }
    },
    {
      "domain": "twitch.tv",
      "description": "Game streaming",
      "unblock_delay": "4h",
      "schedule": {
        "available_hours": [
          {
            "days": ["saturday", "sunday"],
            "time_ranges": [
              {"start": "15:00", "end": "20:00"}
            ]
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  ],
  "allowlist": [
    {
      "domain": "wikipedia.org",
      "description": "Research"
    },
    {
      "domain": "khanacademy.org",
      "description": "Learning"
    },
    {
      "domain": "coursera.org",
      "description": "Courses"
    },
    {
      "domain": "edx.org",
      "description": "Courses"
    },
    {
      "domain": "quizlet.com",
      "description": "Flashcards"
    },
    {
      "domain": "wolframalpha.com",
      "description": "Math help"
    },
    {
      "domain": "docs.google.com",
      "description": "School work"
    },
    {
      "domain": "classroom.google.com",
      "description": "School"
    },
    {
      "domain": "canvas.instructure.com",
      "description": "School LMS"
    }
  ]
}

Study Schedule Design

Typical Weekday

06:00 ─────────────────────────────────────────────── 23:00
  │ MORNING │ SCHOOL │ STUDY │ BREAK │ STUDY │ FREE │
  │ BLOCKED │   ---  │BLOCKED│ALLOWED│BLOCKED│ALLOW │
  └─────────┴────────┴───────┴───────┴───────┴──────┘
    06-08     08-15    15-17   17-18   18-19   19-21

Weekend

09:00 ─────────────────────────────────────────────── 23:00
  │ MORNING STUDY │    FREE TIME    │ EVENING │
  │    BLOCKED    │     ALLOWED     │  FREE   │
  └───────────────┴─────────────────┴─────────┘
       09-12           12-22           22-23

Exam Mode

During Exam Periods

Use panic mode for extended focus:

# 3-hour study session
nextdns-blocker panic 180

# Full day study
nextdns-blocker panic 8h

# Extend if needed
nextdns-blocker panic extend 60

Pre-Exam Configuration

Temporarily increase restrictions:

// Edit TikTok entry during exams
{
  "domain": "tiktok.com",
  "unblock_delay": "never",  // Change from "24h"
  "schedule": null           // Change to always blocked
}

Remember to revert after exams!

Pomodoro Technique Integration

25-Minute Focus Sessions

For Pomodoro-style studying:

Focus session: Sites blocked
5-min break: Quick check allowed
Repeat 4x
Long break: Full access

Quick Break Access

During short breaks, you can temporarily allow a specific site:

# Allow site temporarily
nextdns-blocker allow reddit.com
# After your break, remove it:
nextdns-blocker disallow reddit.com

Subject-Specific Adjustments

YouTube for Learning

If you use YouTube for educational content:

{
  "domain": "youtube.com",
  "description": "Educational videos allowed",
  "unblock_delay": "0",  // Quick access for learning
  "schedule": {
    "available_hours": [
      // Include study hours
      {
        "days": ["monday", "tuesday", "wednesday", "thursday", "friday"],
        "time_ranges": [
          {"start": "15:00", "end": "17:00"},  // Study time
          {"start": "19:00", "end": "21:00"}   // Evening
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
}

Reddit for Specific Subjects

Some subreddits are educational (r/learnpython, r/askscience):

# Temporary allowlist for research
nextdns-blocker allow reddit.com
# Remember to remove after
nextdns-blocker disallow reddit.com

Building Study Habits

Start Easy

Week 1-2: Light restrictions

"unblock_delay": "0"

Increase Gradually

Week 3-4: Add friction

"unblock_delay": "30m"

Full Commitment

Week 5+: Serious restrictions

"unblock_delay": "4h"

Group Study

Scheduled Study Sessions

When studying with friends online:

// Discord for group study
{
  "domain": "discord.com",
  "schedule": {
    "available_hours": [
      // Include study session times
      {
        "days": ["tuesday", "thursday"],
        "time_ranges": [
          {"start": "19:00", "end": "21:00"}
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
}

Emergency Academic Access

Need Blocked Site for Assignment

Options:

Wait for scheduled time (builds discipline)

Add to allowlist temporarily:

nextdns-blocker allow specific-site.com
# After done:
nextdns-blocker disallow specific-site.com

Tips for Success

Environment Matters

Combine with:

Physical phone out of reach
Dedicated study space
Background music/focus sounds

Track Progress

Review weekly:

How many times did you request unblocks?
Which sites caused most temptation?
Are study hours effective?

Reward Yourself

Weekend access is your reward:

Complete weekday study → enjoy weekend freedom
Stay consistent → consider relaxing restrictions

Accountability

Share with study buddy:

Enable Discord notifications
Check in on each other’s progress
Celebrate successful study weeks