Beat procrastination with this smart technique: study smarter, not longer!
Are you tired of long study sessions that leave you feeling drained and overwhelmed? It's time to introduce you to a game-changing study technique: the Pomodoro Technique. (Pomodoro is Italian for tomato!)
The creator of the Pomodoro Technique has sold more than 2 million books around the world explaining this time management technique and its effectiveness.
This method is all about maximising your focus and productivity while giving your brain the breaks it deserves. Let's dive in and learn how you can supercharge your study sessions.
You should try the Pomodoro Technique if you...
Get distracted easily
Find it hard to focus when faced with a large amount of work
Have lots of open-ended work that could take unlimited amounts of time (e.g., studying for an exam)
Want to get more out of your day
What is the Pomodoro Technique?
Named after the tomato-shaped kitchen timer that its creator used, the Pomodoro Technique is a time management method that splits your study time into focused intervals followed by short breaks.
Here's how it works:
Step 1. Choose a Task: Decide on the task you want to tackle. It could be reading a chapter, solving math problems, or writing an essay.
Step 2. Set the Timer: Set a timer for 25 minutes (this is one Pomodoro). During this time, focus solely on your chosen task. No distractions allowed!
Step 3. Work Intensely: Dive into your task and give it your undivided attention. This focused burst of effort is incredibly effective.
Step 4. Take a Break: When the timer rings, take a 5-minute break. Stretch, grab a snack, or simply relax. Let your mind recharge.
Step 5. Repeat and Rest: After completing 4 Pomodoros, take a longer break of about 15-30 minutes. This is your chance to recharge before diving back in.
Tips for Success:
Eliminate Distractions: During your Pomodoro, put away your phone, close unnecessary tabs, and create a distraction-free zone.
Break down complex projects: If a task requires more than 4 Pomodoros, break down larger tasks into smaller, more achievable chunks. This keeps you motivated as you complete each one.
Lump small tasks together: Combine small tasks into 1 Pomodoro. Example, “Read pages 80-84 of Maths textbook”, “email tutor about an exam question” and “Read blog post on Pomodoro technique” can go together into 1 Pomodoro.
Celebrate Progress: After completing a Pomodoro or a study session, reward yourself with a treat or a quick activity you enjoy. Positive reinforcement can boost your motivation!
Why does it work?
By splitting your study time into small, manageable chunks, you'll find it so much easier to maintain your concentration. Plus, those short breaks prevent burnout and keep your brain working at its optimal power.
Makes it easy to get started
Studies have shown that procrastination is not because of laziness or a lack of self-discipline. Instead, we procrastinate to avoid negative feelings. It doesn’t feel good to face a mountain of work with no idea where to start. To avoid this discomfort, we turn to our phones and TikTok to hide away just a little bit longer.
Fortunately, research has shown that an effective way to break free from the avoidance cycle: reduce whatever you're procrastinating from down to a small, unintimidating first step.
For example, instead of sitting down to do all your homework for the night, make your first Pomodoro something like “Do the first 2 pages of my Maths homework”. Don't worry about the rest of the homework— just take it 1 Pomodoro at a time.
Eliminating distractions
Since you will be pouring all your focus into 1 Pomodoro, you will be training your brain to focus on the task at hand for those 25 minutes. Your brain won’t be as tempted to get distracted as it’s relatively easy to concentrate for only 25 minutes, rather than trying to stay focussed for 5 hours!
Conclusion
The Pomodoro Technique is a great hack for boosting your productivity and making your study sessions more effective. By dividing your time into short, focused work and rest periods, you'll find yourself getting more done, in less time. So, give it a try! Grab a timer, choose your task, and get started on your first Pomodoro. Your brain will thank you for it!
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