How to Use the Pomodoro Method to Study More Efficiently

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You may have already heard of the Pomodoro technique-perhaps even here in Lifehacker-and perhaps already aware that this is a solid productivity hack. But applied in another way, I can actually be more than that: this technique is also an excellent study tool that can help you maximize your concentration and retention. It is tested in time, variable and at your disposal, that you want to do it older or call using an application.

What is the Pomodoro technique?

Although it has a sophisticated name, the technique itself is simple: if you have a great task to accomplish, you should break it into pieces and plan breaks to reward you between finishing bits. Planning is the key part: when you follow the classic Pomodoro model, you need to adjust an alarm for only 25 minutes and 25 minutes. So work for 25 minutes, and when the alarm is triggered, take a five-minute break, maybe to take a snack, fill your coffee or scroll through social media. When the five minutes are sold, go back to work. Do this again and again, but all the four cycles, give yourself a bigger break, up to half an hour.

In case something distracts you – whether your phone or another person – you have to reset your timer, so try to be direct and tell them that you are busy and that you can reconnect a little. Then put them until you get your five-minute break or even after the end of your task.

It works because you know you get this little reset once your 25 minutes have passed. You can throw yourself into the task knowing that there is a small treat that descends the pipeline. And while you are resting, your brain treats everything you just learned.

How to use Pomodoro to study

We generally discuss the Pomodoro technique in terms of professionally work, in particular when there is a large project that you must finish, but its origins come in fact from the academic sphere. The method was invented by Fancesco Cirillo, developer and entrepreneur, but he found it when he was a student. He is actually named for the small tomato timer that he used when he was studying. These methods are certainly still viable, but the popularity of its technique has also given rise to a cottage industry of specialized timers. On Amazon, you can get a specific timer in Pomodoro for less than $ 20. These offer different predefined time allowances, so you don’t have to stick to the 25 out of five model, but I will come back in a moment.

You can use this method to study for a test by breaking the content you need to consult. You go by chapter, by content or by “piece”, if you use the section method to divide your study charge (what you should be). It is a good way to stay on the task if you are easily distracted and divide your subjects will help you better remember. It is not ideal for fast jamming sessions, however, because you need at least two hours to get four “pomodoros”. Do it one day, you have a lot of time to devote to the study – and, of course, relaxing.

Variations of pomodoro that work to study

As indicated, the classic Pomodoro technique involves 25 minutes and five minutes of leave, but you don’t have to be as rigid – there is a reason why these Pomodor’s timers do not lock you at these intervals. Increment of twenty-five minutes worked for Cirillo and countless members after him, but they may not work for you. I recommend starting with the classic technique, but if you are not in a deep working state during these time blocks, you have to change things.

There is a lot of flexibility in the method, so do not hesitate to experiment. For example, a student invented “Animedoro” a few years ago. This approach is to work for longer intervals, about 40 to 60 minutes, then get 20 minutes to relax and do something you like, like watching an anime episode, which tends to last about 20 minutes. With a longer working time, you have a better chance of working in depth and concentrating, in addition to not being decorated when your timer is triggered suddenly.

Another approach is called Pomodoro 2.0 and this implies adding 15 minutes to your work period each time you return to your task, you therefore focus longer and when you go. You must always take breaks, of course, and you can also even go gradually.

Or maybe you prefer to work in fast gusts. You can try variations where you study for only 10 minutes before a short break, giving yourself a feeling of emergency when you try to see how many flash cards you can study at that time. The fact is that it depends on you: a period of work interspersed with breaks is the only central element of the method, and you can approach it in any useful ways. Keep in mind that you will get better results if you engage in a defined structure, even if it takes a while to adjust.

Pomodoro applications can help

I am a fan of these Pomodoro timer because they keep me out of my phone, which is a major distraction – it is a slippery slope to adjust an alarm to the verification of a notification, then to find myself in a reel hole 10 minutes of my allocated study time.

Again, the phone can be useful if you use it productively. Many focus timer applications can be used with the Pomodoro method and will even block other applications during the working time increments you define, or otherwise penalize to be distracted when you should concentrate. (If you need suggestions, I have already written on some of my favorites.)

There are also specific applications for Pomodoro – including my first choice, FocusPomo – which only exists to help you structure your study or your productivity time around the famous technique. If the use of the alarm of your phone seems to be risky and the purchase of a table timer off Amazon feels outdated, look in one of them.