POMODORO

"Shilpa, have you finished writing your assignment? You're in grade 10, and I don't see you spending much time with your books anymore," mother asks Shilpa.

 

"Mummy, actually I was learning to prove a theorem all these time and I thought of taking a break of 5 minutes."

 

"But, I notice you've been on Instagram for half an hour. Who are you chatting with?"

 

"Oh, no… I'm coming, mum. "Please let me finish watching this reel."

*****

Dear children, have you ever taken a "5-minute break" that turned into a 2-hour session of browsing on social media? Or do you spend hours studying and end up with little to show for it? Then maybe it's time to change things up and start using the tried-and-true Pomodoro study method!

 

The Pomodoro Technique is a time-management method that has been shown to increase productivity and improve study habits. Let me explain.

 

The Pomodoro technique consists of a 25-minute studying or writing session followed by a 5-10-minute break. You use these 25 minutes for pure, undistracted work in which you remain completely engaged to the task at hand. Once your 25 minutes are up, you can take a 5 to 10-minute break. You then repeat this four times before taking a considerably longer break (during which you can exercise, meditate, browse Facebook, see WhatsApp status, or take a nap).

Sounds good, right? It might sound better if especially if you're struggling to begin studying that intimidating chapter of solving quadratic equations or trying to memorize the year of any event that comes in history.

One of the most crucial components of implementing the Pomodoro Technique is determining the most effective time intervals for you.     Everyone has a unique manner of studying and working. Some people prefer shorter times than the traditional 25-minute work interval and conduct 20-minute study/work, whereas others prefer extended deep study/work intervals. Of course, this also applies to your break time intervals. So we recommend that you try the Pomodoro Technique to identify your golden ratio. After you've decided which time intervals to attempt first, it's time to select your timer.

 

Pomodoro Study Method:

Prioritize tasks and break them into Pomodoro sessions (also known as Pomodoro). Minimize the distractions and then set your timer for 25 minutes (or your desired interval). Start studying or working by focusing on just one task for every Pomodoro. After the timer goes off, take a 5-minute rest (or the interval you set). Repeat for 3-4 Pomodoro Sessions, and then take a 20-30 minute break.

It's that simple! However, there are many factors to consider when studying, and to address them all, you may want to incorporate these tips into your study sessions to get the most out of this tried-and-true study method:

Combine minor tasks into a single study/work session to avoid distractions and maintain attention.

Don’t delay your sessions after the timer goes off: Whether you've finished a study/work interval or taken a break, one of the most important aspects of this strategy is time management with a timer.

Prepare a distraction-free study/work environment: The technique's main purpose is to allow you to focus on and think about one subject at a time without distraction. Creating an environment free of distractions is the greatest approach to ensure you can stay completely focused. To accomplish this, you can tidy your desk, get rid of anything that is not relevant to study/work, turn your phone to mute and put it away, and keep some coffee or water on hand so you don't have to interrupt your work if you become thirsty.

Split major tasks into Pomodoro to avoid feeling pressured to complete a job in a set time frame, which is not the goal of the approach.

Use the number of Pomodoro to track your progress and avoid stress. Don't focus on the big picture while working on it; instead, concentrate on the present moment and how effectively you're studying/working.

This technique enhances motivation. Let me tell you, motivation is a widely misunderstood notion. You normally think of motivation as something you need before you start doing something, yet this couldn't be further from the truth. Motivation comes after you have finished even the smallest amount of work. Even if you don't feel like it, sitting down and studying/working for just 25 minutes is something everybody can do.

Prevents Burnout: Do you know that burnout is often caused by a lack of breaks and excessive workload? The Pomodoro Technique addresses this issue by taking numerous breaks between work sessions to relax and prepare for the next session.

The Pomodoro Technique promotes productivity by breaking down work into manageable periods, reducing procrastination and increasing focus. This leads to more work completed in less time.

The Pomodoro Technique improves memory by taking small breaks that help the brain comprehend and retain information, resulting in better memorization.

Pomodoro improves Time Management: By setting defined goals and deadlines for each Pomodoro the student finds it easier to managing the time wisely and thereby prioritizing his work.

Not only that- the Pomodoro Technique can benefit individuals with ADHD (Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, one of the most common mental disorders affecting children. Children feel difficult to focus on something) by helping them manage their day, eliminate distractions, and increase focus. To make larger activities more approachable, it splits them into smaller, more manageable chunks. The built-in pauses also help when you start to lose focus by allowing you to get out of your brain, which can help you release pent-up energy and focus more effectively.