Are you wondering how to improve your time management skills?

While sometimes it works to just sit down and work until something is finished, some subjects have a more open-ended goal. If studying within the dark ether of seemingly unending time seems overwhelming, the Pomodoro Technique is a simple solution. It is an effective time management strategy that helps break up your studying into manageable chunks.

Introducing: The Pomodoro Method

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The Pomodoro Technique Basics

Turn off/mute all distractions - this includes your phone!
Set a timer for 25 minutes.
Study REALLY hard until the timer goes off. If anything distracting comes up, write it down and address it on a break.
After the 25-minute work session, give yourself a checkmark and take a short break. 5 minutes is perfect.
Repeat this pattern until you have 4 checkmarks.
After the 4th study session, take a longer break: 20-30 minutes.
Repeat for as long as needed/manageable.

The Pomodoro Pattern

25 minutes study 5 minute break

25 minutes study 5 minutes break

25 minutes study 30 minutes break

Repeat

Why does this method work so well?

By setting a timer, it allows you to focus solely on the task at hand (studying - yay!) instead of getting distracted by other things that can waste your time. Not many things can’t wait for 30 minutes to be addressed, so it’s usually perfectly reasonable to wait until the end of the session to deal with whatever comes up.

It’s also difficult to focus intently for much longer than 20-30 minutes at a time. Fatigue will set in and your brain will struggle to focus. Shorter, intense sessions have the ability to be more efficient and will save you time in the long run.

This study model champions efficiency over long sessions, and therefore gives you the chance to accomplish more in less time. Who doesn’t want to do that?

Why is it called Pomodoro? What’s up with the tomato?

The technique was developed by Francesco Cirillo, an Italian scholar who used to use a tomato-shaped kitchen timer to organize his study sessions during university. I think that pretty much sums it up!

If you want to learn more about the Pomodoro technique, there are PLENTY of resources available. If you’d like to hear everything from the man who started it out, though, start with the book written by the man himself. While you’re there, pick up one of the classic tomato timers, and you’ll be all set!

Check out the official book on Amazon

or

Set yourself up for success with the original Tomato Kitchen Timer

If one book just isn’t enough, here’s another fantastic option to get you started:

Check out this illustrated guide to the Pomodoro Technique on Amazon

If you don’t like the idea of setting up timers manually, there are plenty of apps available to help you follow this technique. Here’s a list to get you started:

https://zapier.com/blog/best-pomodoro-apps/

OR if you just want simple simple simple, here’s a FREE website that lets you start the timers with just a click of a button:

https://tomato-timer.com

Want More Study Tips?

If you’re still looking for tips to get you through homeschooling, check out the A+ Academics at Home book linked below. I was once a new home learner myself, and I TOTALLY get the struggles that come along with it. It was one of the best learning experiences of my life, though, and it completely changed the way I view education. I want to help you on this journey to discover the excitement that comes with learning something on your own!

A+ Academics at Home - Finding Success Through Distance Learning

Click to Purchase

If you want to keep reading, here are some other articles you might find interesting:

Who is Nadya Corscadden?

Nadya holds an MA in Musical Theatre and is no stranger to the home learning scene. Having spent a good chunk of her younger years in distance education (and opting for some correspondence electives at university), she has accumulated many tricks to help maintain focus and inspiration. She has a passion for independent learning and wants to help anyone and everyone find their stride in this atmosphere whether it’s homeschooling or simply studying for that next big test!

She is also a triple threat singer, dancer and actress….and can’t wait until stages are alive again!

The Pomodoro Study Method - Everything You Need to Know