The truth is, when planning our schedule for a day or our study sessions before exams, most of us tend to fall victim to the planning fallacy. Sometimes procrastination takes over, or when we finally decide to study, Netflix releases new binge-worthy TV shows. The good news is that we may have a solution for you: the Pomodoro Technique.
When I was studying for final exams in my senior year of high school, I came across the term Pomodoro. Being a curious creature, I did some research and decided to try it myself. I use this technique when I need to concentrate during paper writing since I need to write a lot. The Pomodoro technique helps me with this.
The Pomodoro Technique, also known as the tomato timer, was developed in the late 1980s by a college student, Francesco Cirillo, who struggled to concentrate on his studies and complete his assignments.
The tomato technique is a famous time management trick that divides work time into 25-minute chunks for maximum productivity and concentration, allowing for 5-minute breaks between sessions. This technique is effective for someone who continuously works eight to ten hours a day, is easily distracted, is a procrastinator, or when studying for an exam, which is suitable for a high school or college student.
Step 1: Set a timer for 25 minutes.
It can be done using the clock app on your phone. However, I recommend using the Pomodoro Tracker website or the PomoDone App. The PomoDone App allows you to sign up with an email address and gives you a detailed daily report to review everything you have accomplished.
Step 2: Choose a task you want to work on.
Step 3: 25 minutes later, when the timer goes off, take a 5-minute break.
Step 4: Start the timer again and repeat.
Step 5: After 4 Pomodoros, take a 10-15 minute break.
Step 6: Repeat until the task is complete.
Because the secret to effective time management lies in thinking in tomatoes, as silly as it sounds, here are 3 reasons why this method seems to be practical and a game-changer:
Getting things done is problematic since our lives revolve around technology. There's always an urgent message that needs to be answered right away or the need to check Instagram quickly. Sometimes these little actions pile up and make you lose interest in your work, leading you to procrastinate
However, you can train your brain to minimize these distractions. The Pomodoro Technique helps your mind resist these interruptions because once the timer starts, you crave for completing the designated task during the session. In addition, eliminating distractions when you are working allows you to be more attentive. Furthermore, it has been scientifically proven that 25 minutes is the perfect period to help you avoid procrastination, be productive, and stay focused on whatever task you are tackling.
It is crucial to understand how much time it takes to complete a task. The Pomodoro technique will help you take responsibility for the work you have to do, as well as how you spend your time. At the end of each session, you have a precise measure of your time, allowing you to reflect and plan for the future more efficiently and accurately. Therefore, time management becomes more accessible.
You can also take a minute out of your break and write down everything you have completed in a productivity diary.
It is undeniable that, over a day, the likelihood of mental fatigue is higher. The approaching deadlines for exams or assignments can trigger our stress level, especially when we have not yet completed everything on our to-do list. While not all stressful situations can be avoided, Pomodoro can help lower our stress levels. In addition, this 25-minute technique is an excellent example of "getting more done by doing less." During the 25-minute study session, you will focus intensely on a single task, which means that with each session, you can accomplish much more without feeling exhausted. After the break timer goes off, you can do some stretching and hydrate. Adopting the Pomodoro technique ends up helping you study effectively and increase productivity.
Remember that each Pomodoro is dedicated to a task, and each break is an opportunity to reset and refocus your attention on what you should be working on. It helps keep your attention on that task at hand.
Have you ever wondered why the most successful people don't complain about burnout? Well, the secret elixir is to take a break.
It is unlikely to achieve maximum productivity by working continuously for many hours. Therefore, taking short breaks between sessions can help you refresh and recharge your energy, which will allow your brain to concentrate better for the next Pomodoro session.
During the break, it is suggested to do anything other than work and avoid screen time. Otherwise, you are defeating the technique's purpose.
I'm not going to lie. The Pomodoro Technique has elevated my study habits. Before using Pomodoro, I used to plan unrealistic to-do lists, and not accomplishing all the tasks made me feel unproductive and made me think I wasn't studying enough. However, since I started using Pomodoro, I feel much more consistent with my studies and revisions. The first few sessions were a little hard to keep up with, but things started to fall into place with a few more sessions, and I could stick to the 5-minute breaks. What encouraged me was the sound of the clock and the idea that I would be "rewarded" during break time.
In addition, I could plan my schedule better as I had a better sense of the time it took to accomplish a particular task. For example, when working on a math practice assignment, I interpreted the time needed as 3-4 Pomodoros (1 Pomodoro = 25 minutes). All in all, this tomato technique has improved my time management skills and increased my productivity. In addition, I have finally been able to achieve a stable schedule.
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