How do you put down irrestistable smartphones and avoid being disturbed frequently during self-study? Recently, after learning from many sources, the School of Mathematical Science in Nankai University has established a Non-smartphone Study Room providing a pure environment for students who want to study with undivided attention.

“Non-smartphone Study Rooms” are seldom seen despite adequate study rooms on campus. Entering the School of Mathematical Science on weekends, it is easy to find the study room with a tag reading “Non-smartphone Study Room” attached to its door. In the front of the room sits a storage rack. Students can set their smartphones to mute on their own initiative and put them on the storage rack before hitting the books.

According to Xi Jingyuan, a counselor of the School of Mathematical Science, the “Non-smartphone Study Room” will be open from 8:00 a.m.to 10:00 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday. Volunteer administrators are responsible for its management. Anyone who studies in this study room shall undertake disciplined self-study, concentrating on studying without affecting others while jointly creating a good learning environment. To reduce the inconvenience caused to others, at any time during its operation, students can enter the study room, but they can only  leave in the last 10 minutes of each hour, excepting special circumstances.

Since its “opening” on March 13th, the study room has welcomed an increasing number of students. To encourage students to stop fiddling with smartphones and stay focused on their studies, once a month a student will be selected as the “Non-smartphone Learning Star” by the School based on their cumulative self-study and volunteer service time. Anyone elected will be awarded a book as a reward.

“The study room is an important place for students to study on campus. The purpose of introducing a ‘Non-smartphone Study Room’ is never to force students to hand in their smartphones, but rather to provide a quiet learning environment for them, where they can stay away from interruptions. We also hope students can gradually develop a habit of separating themselves from smartphones and websites and pay more attention to their studies.” said Wang Miao, Associate Dean of the School of Mathematical Science.

(Reported by Jingqiu Hao, photographed by Qiqi Zong, translated by Guangyu Zheng, edited by Daniel Stefan and JianjingYun)