This market serves as a commitment device for my 2026 academic progress. In the comments of my last study market, @Quroe made a remark about tax codes. It indeed feels like I'm creating a tax code for an economy of one. My primary goal was to create a system that is flexible and comfortable to run for the entire year. To achieve this, I have ditched "all-or-nothing" perfectionism in favor of a protocol designed to bend, so that it doesn't break. Some may read this as either too hard, or too lenient, with too many exemptions. Keep in mind that it is tailored to my personal capacities, not a universal standard. Nevertheless it's a very high bar for me. Adhering to such a system for a full year is an unlikely feat.

1. VOLUME REQUIREMENTS

I must achieve the following "Net Studying" time per day:

• Baseline Goal: 180 minutes (timer-tracked).

• Measurement: Real-time tracking via timer.

• Status: The "Goal" is dynamic. It can be increased by penalties or decreased by exemptions (see below).

2. QUALITY STANDARDS

Not all studying is equal. I must adhere to strict definitions of valid time:

• Active Output Quota: At least 60 minutes of the daily total must be Production-Oriented.

  • Included: Drafting legal opinions (incl. research/reading during drafting), Flashcards (Creation/Review), case solving, practice exams, interactive seminars.

  • Excluded: Generic reading, watching lectures, standard note-taking.

  • Exception: on Health Tier 1&2, when Heat Protocol applies, exam date ±2 days.

• The "Engagement Rule": Passive inputs (reading/recordings) count 1:1 only if accompanied by active processing (e.g., taking notes, reading to and discussing with AI). Purely passive consumption is banned (counts as 0 minutes).

  • Exception: on Health Tier 1&2, exam date ±2 days.

3. PUNCTUALITY PROTOCOLS

• Target Start: The first study block must begin by 10:00 AM and last for at least 60 minutes.

• Penalty: If late, +1 minute is added to the Daily Goal for every minute of delay (Max Cap: +60 min).

• Exception: Penalty is waived if an external appointment is scheduled before 12:00 PM, on Health Tier 1&2, exam date ±2 days.

4. BANKING MECHANISM

To prevent failure during hard weeks, I operate a "Time Bank".

• Earn: Minutes worked above the specific daily goal are banked.

• Spend: Banked minutes may be used to reduce the daily goal and/or cover the "Active Output Quota" skipping fee.

• Active Output Buyout: I may deduct 30 extra banked minutes to waive the "Active Output Quota" for that day. Skipping an entire day thus costs 210 minutes.

• Constraints:

  • No upper limit on banking. Minutes carry over to follow-up markets.

  • NO banking allowed on "Health Tier" days, unless work is deadline-forced, due within 2 weeks.

5. EXEMPTION ALLOWANCE

On these days, the daily goal is set to 0 minutes.

• Wildcards: 30 days total (Use for any reason).

• Calendar: Public Holidays (11 total), Dec 24, Dec 27, my birthday, close families birthdays (4 total).

• Exam Buffer: 2 days after an exam; two days after a submission deadline; 7 days after the last major deadline/exam of the semester.

6. CONTINGENCIES

These protocols adjust the Daily Goal based on external factors. Deductions stack until the goal reaches 0.

• Health Tier 1: Insomnia (<5.5h sleep) or functional disorder (comparable impact).

  • Effect: Goal reduces to 90 mins. Late Penalty, Engagement Rule & Active Output Quota are WAIVED.

• Health Tier 2: Acute illness requiring bed rest.

  • Effect: Goal reduces to 0 mins.

• Heat Protocol: Triggered if daily max forecast (DWD) for my city is ≥ 28°C.

  • Formula: Goal = 180 mins - [10 mins × (Forecast - 27)].

  • Effect: Active Output Quota is WAIVED.

• Major Obligations Protocol: Triggered by non-recreational and mandatory external commitments.

  • Calculation: For every full 30 minutes of obligation beyond 3h, deduct 30 minutes from the study target.

7. RECOVERY PROCEDURES

Applies only following an Exemption, Wildcard, or Health Tier day.

• After 1 Day Off: Goal 150 mins (Target Start 10:30) → Returns to Standard.

• After 2+ Days Off: Goal 90 mins (Start 11:00) → 150 mins (Start 10:30) → Returns to Standard.

8. RESOLUTION CRITERIA

• Reporting: Honor System.

• Resolution: YES if I maintain a non-negative balance until Dec 31, 2026. NO if I fail a daily goal and have insufficient Bank/Wildcards to cover the deficit.

• Changes: Rules will not be changed mid-year to make the protocol easier. "Bugfixes" (clarifications/friction reduction) are permitted.

I will not trade on this market.

Thanks for participating. ❤️