The Pomodoro Technique: Interval Studying

Study… 5-minute break… Study… 5-minute break.

The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method that aims for high productivity levels. This technique was developed by Francesco Cirillo in the 1980s as a way to maximize time and efficiency.

As a student who juggles between procrastination and productivity, the Pomodoro technique is great because its parameters require you to focus solely on one task for a set number of minutes and allows for a small break before returning to that task again. A classic Pomodoro is executed as follows:

1. Select one task to focus on.
2. Set timer for 25 minutes and focus solely on that task.
3. After 25 minutes, take a 5 minute break.
4. Repeat 2-3 until the fourth Pomodoro, or at 60 minutes.
5. After the fourth Pomodoro, or at 60 minutes, take a 20 minute break.

The idea behind the timer is that it instills a sense of urgency. It is inevitable that a person can toil away at small distractions whilst believing they “still have time” to do their work. Instead of having all day to finish x amount of tasks, you now only have 25 minutes to do so. The pressure of having to complete something within that time causes you to work more efficient and effectively.

The Pomodoro technique is cyclical. You work in short sprints, which ensures that you’re consistently productive. As you get to take regular, maintained short breaks, you don’t burn out and your motivation is bolstered.

So, what does Pomodoro mean for the average student?

If you’re faced with a large task or a series of tasks, try the Pomodoro technique. I found that when first attempting the Pomodoro technique, I thought that it would be counterintuitive to take so many breaks and do work in a smaller amount of time. I was used to sitting at Starbucks in the Marx Library for 7 hours to complete my work.

At first, it may seem unnatural. It didn’t feel right to stop every 25 minutes, and I had the urge to just continue even after the timer went off. However, I stuck to technique, out of desperation and frustration for an Organic Chemistry test that was coming up in a week. I found that as the cycle continued, I got used to the breaks. It was perfect for refilling a cup of coffee or for a stretch, and it was incredibly motivational. I found myself trying to get as much done in the 25 minutes, and at the end, I realized that I focused only on one task. As a seasoned multi-tasker, what would have taken 2-3 hours to complete, I was done by the end of one Pomodoro cycle. Then, the other minor tasks took even less time to complete.

So, what tools do you need for Pomodoro?

1. A timer app or Pomodoro app.
   • I wrote about some great apps, specifically Focus To-Do, to keep you on track and time yourself here.
2. A website blocker
   • Unless you’re strong-willed, get a website blocker so that you aren’t tempted to veer off from work or so pop-up notifications do not distract you.
3. A physical reminder or reward.
   • A basic psychology “hack” is giving yourself a reward once you finish 4 Pomodoros or once you finish the task. The positive reinforcement gives you motivation and drive to do more. Additionally, I found that after a series of Pomodoros or on a rather slow day, I can lose myself as the timer ticks and the numbers become senseless. So, a good physical reminder (like a check-box on your to-do list or a sticky note) can keep you grounded.

Something to note when utilizing Pomodoro: it is an indivisible amount of work. This means that, once you start a Pomodoro, you shouldn’t break the time or cycle to tend to distractions. For instance, you may have started the timer and a friend talks to you.

To deal with unwanted distractions beforehand and effectively manage your priorities, F. Cirillo suggests the “inform, negotiate and call back” strategy:

1. Inform the other (distracting) party that you’re working on something right now.
2. Negotiate a time when you can get back to them about the distracting issue in a timely manner.
3. Schedule that follow-up immediately.
4. Call back the other party when your Pomodoro is complete and you’re ready to tackle their issue

As you experiment with the Pomodoro technique, there are different time intervals that best fit everyone. The beauty with trying time management techniques is that you can alter the method to suit your style and needs.