Are you a college student who finds it hard to get assignments finished in time? Do you wish that you had made time to study more? Many students face these situations because they have trouble managing their time and staying focused to complete their assignments.
However, there are ways to overcome this. Like so many other students, you may find that the Pomodoro Technique will help you to manage the time you set aside for studying more effectively.
Developed in 1999, this technique has proven very effective. But what is the Pomodoro Technique for studying?
In this article, we will show you what it is, how it works, and how beneficial it can be to your studies.
What is Pomodoro Technique for Studying?
The Pomodoro Technique was created in 1999 by a young Italian student, Francesco Cirillo.
This method involves using a time management system to carry out short, intense, and focused periods of study using a timer.
It is called the Pomodoro Technique because the timer that Francesco used was in the shape of a tomato, which in Italian is “pomodoro.”
Each study session should last 25 minutes, followed by a short break. You take a five-minute break before resetting the timer and studying for another 25 minutes.
Francesco found that when he broke up large study tasks into smaller timed ones, they became more manageable. He also found this way of studying a lot more effective.
But What Makes This Technique for Studying so Effective?
Here is why this method is so effective in helping to boost your productivity levels.
Makes it Easier to Get Things Started
Sometimes we all feel uncomfortable or unwilling to get started when faced with a big task. This is why we tend to put off things that we feel uncomfortable having to do.
You’ll find that breaking things down into smaller pieces makes the whole process easier to face – this way you aren’t taking on a big project all at once.
As you undertake each Pomodoro, you’ll focus more on what you are doing and you won’t feel so overwhelmed as you complete each part of the task one Pomodoro at a time.
Helps to Combat Distractions
How often have you found it hard to get back into the flow of things when you’ve been interrupted while doing something?
We could, of course, blame technology for this, but it is ourselves that we need to blame. We tend to pull ourselves away from what we should be focusing on.
Each time you get distracted, it doesn’t only mean less time for your studies, but it also makes it much harder to focus on what you are doing again. The problem is that even though you’ve gone back to your studies, it can take over 20 minutes before you begin to concentrate on the topic entirely.
The Pomodoro Technique makes it easier to resist any distractions as it helps to retrain your brain to focus more on what is important at the moment.
Each one of the Pomodoros requires you to focus on one task only at a time. After each one is completed, during the break, you get the opportunity to reset things and get your attention back on what you need to be working on.
How Does it Work?
Before you start using this method to help you with your studying, you need to get a timer. You can use the timer on your watch or your phone. There are some great apps are available that are specially designed for this type of studying technique.
You use the Pomodoro Technique as follows:
You need to decide what you want to accomplish and work out how long you need to study.
Once you’ve done this, break down the study session into Pomodoros. For each topic you need to study, it is best to separate the session into at least four Pomodoros with breaks between each.
Next, the kitchen timer, or the timer on your watch or phone, to 25 minutes and begin your studying.
It is essential that during these 25 minutes, you keep all distractions to a minimum. So if you find a thought popping into your head, write it down and return to studying immediately. If a friend calls, say you’ll call them back later.
As soon as the timer rings indicating that the 25 minutes have passed, take a short break. Ideally, these intermittent breaks should be between five and 10 minutes where you temporarily leave the studying and do something else.
Make sure that whatever you do during these five to 10-minute breaks is something you find relaxing.
After the break is done, repeat the Pomodoro until you have completed all the Pomodoros. After the fourth and final Pomodoro, it’s best to take an extended break of between 20 and 30 minutes.
If you happen to complete a task or specific topic before the Pomodoro is up, then use the time remaining to go over what you have learned or to get the material ready for your next Pomodoro.
How to Use The Pomodoro Time Management Method
Step 1
Before you begin studying, create a plan showing everything you want to accomplish in the available time. It is a good idea to write down all daily tasks as part of your study time on a “To-Do List.”
Use this plan as the central point for your study. On a piece of paper, write down what tasks you need to complete and in what order they should be completed. Also, make a note of how many Pomodoros will need to be undertaken to complete all the tasks.
Step 2
Set the Pomodoro timer so you carry out short, intense, and focused bursts of work related to one task. Twenty-five minutes usually is what most people opt for, but you can study for a shorter or longer period if you wish.
Step 3
Make sure to give the task you are working on your undivided attention as the physical timer ticks down. Avoid distractions at all costs.
Step 4
As soon as the time you set to study has finished, take a five-minute break, or a little longer if needed. This break time generally depends on how much overall time you choose to study during each Pomodoro interval.
Step 5
After the short break time is up, reset the simple timer and repeat steps 1 through 3.
What is Pomodoro Technique for Studying: Conclusion
As you will see, using the Pomodoro Technique will prove effective in helping you to complete those all-important study tasks.
Not only will you find that the Pomodoro Technique helps improve your performance and productivity levels, but it also helps to improve your concentration. By using this method, you’ll find yourself getting much more done without the same stress levels.
Try this method and let us know how you get on using this to develop more manageable tasks as part of your study routine.
