The Pomodoro Technique: How To Study When You Aren’t Sure Where To Begin

The volume of content to revise as the academic year draws to a close is enough to give people heart palpitations. You might be stumped at where to begin, especially if you’ve got multiple subjects to study for.

Introducing the Pomodoro Technique! Procrastinators are in agreement that this technique is the perfect way to study and actually get things done, even when you aren’t sure where to begin. In short, the Pomodoro Technique is a system that helps you to take a big task and break it down into smaller chunks. You’ll be more productive, which will help you to feel more on top of things, and ultimately get more studying done!

What is the Pomodoro Technique?

The Pomodoro Technique is a popular time management system that encourages people to work with the time they have instead of against it! Who would’ve thought the secret to getting better at time management is… thinking in tomatoes rather than hours? (Pomodoro is Italian for tomato).

This method was developed by Francesco Cirillo, who wrote, “I discovered that you could learn how to improve your effectiveness and be better able to estimate how long a task will take to complete by recording how you utilise your time.”

Using this method, you will break your study days into 25-minute chunks, each one followed by a five-minute break. This interval is referred to as a pomodoro. After four pomodoros, you take a longer break of about 15 to 30 minutes. The breaks are essential because they promote sustained concentration and help to fight off mental fatigue.

How does the Pomodoro Technique work?

In its simplest form, the Pomodoro Technique looks like this:

✏️ Pick a task

⏳ Set a 25-minute timer

👩‍💻 Work on your task until the time is up

☕ Take a 5-minute break

🌳 Every 4 pomodoros, take a longer 15 - 30-minute break

The rules

To get the most out of the Pomodoro Technique, there are three rules that will help you to get the most out of each pomodoro:

1. Break down complex projects - Some tasks require more than four pomodoros, so these will need to be divided into smaller, actionable steps. This will make it much easier to see progress!
2. Small tasks go together - Any task that will take less time than one pomodoro should be combined with another small task.
3. Once a pomodoro is set, it must ring - These intervals of time are set and can’t be broken or interrupted, even to check social media, emails, or texts. If an idea, task, or request comes up, take note of it and then come back to it later!

How to implement the Pomodoro Technique

Now that you know how it works, and you’re ready to tackle your list of topics to revise and study, here are some helpful and practical ways you can implement the Pomodoro Technique:

1. Gather all the items you need - A timer (try this digital version or buy Cirillo’s tomato timer) and sheets of paper (alternatively, use the Notes app on your laptop or phone).
2. Create an ‘Inventory List’ - This will be your list of all the subjects you are studying for, broken down into smaller tasks. Create your own lists or use Cirillo’s templates.
3. Start with the most important tasks - Using your ‘Inventory List,’ plan your day or week ahead of time, aiming to begin with the high-priority tasks. When planning, be realistic about what you can achieve in each pomodoro!
4. Do one task at a time - During your pomodoro, focus on only one task, without allowing yourself to get distracted (serial multitaskers, this will take some practice).
5. Take breaks - One of the keys to a successful day of pomodoros is to utilise your breaks, so don’t ignore the timer when it goes off! Use your longer breaks to get outside, breathe in some fresh air and cure that burnt-out feeling most of us have towards the end of the day.
6. Keep a daily record - As you complete tasks, tick them off your ‘Inventory List,’ keeping a daily record of what you’ve achieved. Take note of any distractions and interruptions, including those you choose (such as checking your phone) and those out of your control (like a family member popping in to check on you). Try Focus Keeper, Todoist, or Trello to help you keep track.

Aim for consistency, not perfection

As with everything, when you’re trying something new, don’t beat yourself up if you don’t get it right immediately. Each pomodoro is a fresh chance to reevaluate your goals, encourage yourself to focus and eliminate distractions. The more you experiment with the Pomodoro Technique, the more familiar you will become with how long each task actually takes.

Here is an example of how you could plan out a Physical Sciences study day, with tomato emojis representing how many pomodoros to allocate:

Go through biological terminology 🍅🍅

Practice all Physical Sciences diagrams for Paper 1 🍅🍅🍅

Revise all Reproduction notes 🍅🍅

Take a practice test 🍅🍅🍅

Breaking down your study to-do list into smaller, actionable tasks, is much easier than sitting down to study with no plan in place! The Pomodoro Technique will help you to focus on the task at hand, without distractions. You’ll soon find that thinking in tomatoes is just more fun!

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