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Stay Accountable Through the Tracking ProgressĪfter each pomodoro, record what you accomplished. Doing this helps you to put thorough, quality work into each component, and you won’t be distracted in a later session by something you didn’t finish during an earlier session. While jumping into other tasks and getting a few things done at once may be tempting, try to stay focused on one task during each pomodoro. Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter! Avoid Multitasking This will help you feel like you’ve accomplished something at the end of the session, fueling your motivation to keep going.įor example, if your task is to write the introduction of an essay, a smaller goal within that could be to construct a thesis statement. You may not always complete a task during one pomodoro, but it’s a good idea to break up your task into small, achievable goals.
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Set Achievable Goals for Each Study Session Or perhaps you’re working on one big project (e.g., writing a dissertation) that you can break up into smaller tasks (e.g., researching your topic, writing the different sections of the essay, compiling a reference list). Maybe you have a section of reading to complete, a topic you need to research, and some homework assignments. Set the tasks in the order that you want to complete them. Identify Specific Tasks to Complete During Each Sessionīefore you start, line up the tasks you want to get done so you won’t waste time twiddling your thumbs. Setting your phone to airplane mode so you won’t be distracted by incoming texts or notifications is also a good idea. If you like to play music while you study, stick to music without lyrics. Choose a space that’s quiet and uncluttered and close the door so that pets or family members won’t disturb you. And repeat! Tips for Using the Pomodoro Techniqueīecause your goal is to stay focused, removing as many potential distractions as possible will help you have the most success with the Pomodoro Technique. After four pomodoros, take a longer break (15–30 minutes). Then, take a five-minute break before starting another session. When the timer goes off, mark down that you completed “one pomodoro” and jot down what you accomplished during that time. During that time, focus on one task (reading a chapter, working on an assignment, etc.). First, set a timer for 25 minutes (a tomato-shaped one is optional). Read on to learn more about how it works! How to Implement the Pomodoro Technique Since then, many have used his technique, and it’s been very effective in helping students stay focused and productive while studying.
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Francesco Cirillo, a university student, developed this technique in the late 1980s when he used a tomato-shaped kitchen timer to break up his study sessions.
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No, we don’t mean you have to eat lots of tomatoes (although you can do that, too). Do you struggle to stay focused while studying? The Pomodoro (meaning tomato in Italian) Technique might be the solution for you!
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