Does the Pomodoro method mean anything to you? It is a work technique that allows you to be more efficient by playing on a limited concentration time. We explain the three main steps of this method that you will only have to adopt. Results guaranteed!
Learn effectively, optimize your working time, accomplish your goals, and become more efficient?
This is clearly every student's dream whether they are in college/high school or in university. However, sometimes, revision sessions turn into drama: wasted time, difficulty in assimilating concepts, concentration problems... To remedy this, there is a simple time management method: it is the Pomodoro working method. Are you interested ?
- What is the Pomodoro method
- The Pomodoro method, step by step
- How to adapt the Pomodoro method to your needs?
- What is the Pomodoro method?
1.1. The origins of the Pomodoro method 🔍
👉 First, a little historical point: the Pomodoro method was created in 1980 by Francesco Cirillo. 💡
At the time, this IT consultant noticed that his work time management was not optimal, because he lost his concentration quickly. To be more efficient, he therefore sought to subdivide his work periods into slots of 25 minutes of work (called sessions or pomodori) and 5 minutes of break. Why 25 minutes? This is the average duration of optimal concentration of the brain.
What are the desired results?
- be more focused ✅
- better memorisation ✅
- be more productive / Quicker ✅
- be better organised ✅
👉 But why call him Pomodoro? For the Italian LV2, pomodoro translates to tomato and refers to the initial instrument of this method: a timer, in the shape of a tomato!
1.2. The advantages of the Pomodoro method 💪
👉 First, small work sessions allow you to memorise better because your concentration remains optimal throughout your work.
👉 The second objective is to define downtime by planned breaks to avoid harmful interruptions and disturbance.
👉 Finally, organising your goals in this way allows you to fight procrastination.
👍 Results: you are more efficient throughout your work. You save time, you are more productive and better organised.
- The Pomodoro method, step by step
If you follow these few key steps, you will become an expert in this method. In short, you get good grades and organised and productive work sessions!
2.1. Define the tasks to be performed
To do list tiiiiime! The goal of the Pomodoro method is first of all to prioritise the tasks to be done. The method recommends listing what you need to do in your day, which allows you to visualise and organise your time.
👉 The Pomodoro method advises to do one task at a time and not to scatter. This way of working allows you to fully concentrate on one thing and not waste time (do you understand the importance of the to-do list now?). Hence the goal of dedicating a session to one task. For example, irregular verbs = a 25-minute work session.
When you have finished all the work sessions for the day, it is advisable to take stock of what you have accomplished. In this way, you remain attentive to your evolution, and you can plan new things for the next day.
2.2. Use a timer ⏰
The timer is the reference tool for this method. Of course, you can use your mobile phone by going to the timer application that you program for 25 minutes. Using the timer is crucial to tell you when to pause for the proper functioning of the Pomodoro method.
2.3. Work on the task at hand for 25 minutes ✏️
Has your timer started? Go! The idea is to focus on the selected task until the time runs out.
👉 A study time can, for example, correspond to a review sheet that you will have prepared nicely in advance.
👉 How do you do a 25-minute work session with our Oxford products?
- Thanks to the FLASH 2.0, I file most of my chapter of history. First, I reread my file and make sure to memorise the information.
- Then, I prepare quizzes on historical dates using FLASH 2.0 flash cards. How it works? On one side of the small card, you write a date and on the other the event associated with it. For example: on the front: the Second World War and on the back:1939-1945. All you have to do now is play “Questions for a Champion” without needing the announcer!
You can even do better by scanning the FLASH 2.0 on the SCRIBZEE application which we have already told you about. You can take them everywhere with you. In addition, the REVISION mode allows for a playful learning session (well maybe not a 25-minute session anyway! What?). The app will randomly spawn the face of a card. It's up to you to answer in your head and tap the screen to discover the answer. If you got it right, swipe the card to the right and if not to the left. In this way, the application will be able to better know your shortcomings and offer you more regularly the cards on which you stumble. Practical, right?
After 25 minutes, the timer sounds the end of your work session. You can proudly mark the task you just completed on your list with a ✅ and move on to the last step.
2.4. Give yourself a break from your work ⛱️
Yes, the Pomodoro working method is also a well-deserved break. For five minutes,
give yourself a break.
👉 To know: every four work sessions, give yourself a slightly longer break (15 or 20 minutes if you feel the need). In short, after two hours of studying, a longer break is necessary for your recovery.
- How to adapt the Pomodoro method to your needs?
You now have the initial rules of the Pomodoro method (hooray!). Now, it is essential that you appropriate the concept to optimize your experience. To adapt it is to best meet your needs. Through a few simple tips, you will be able to better understand your functioning in the face of work and this will allow you to be more productive.
3.1. Adapt the working time to your level
The first thing to do is to estimate the working time needed to complete your tasks. This element depends, in particular, on your level of studies: GCSE student, A Level student or university student? The goal is to adapt the work/break alternation in a relevant way.
👉 Concretely: if you are a A Level student, 25 minutes for a task may be too short. In this case, you can increase this working time to 30 or 35 minutes. Proportionally, estimate the break time you need to recharge your batteries. So, you can go from 5minutes to 10- or 15-minutes break depending on your study time.
The second thing to do is to identify your optimal concentration time. To do this, try25-minute sessions and see if you manage to stay focused until the end. If so, consider whether you need more time per session.
Be careful, dividing your work time is intended to make you more productive. Increasing the sessions therefore no longer makes sense if you can't concentrate until the timer rings.
3.2. How to properly pause between pomodori? 🤔
As you can see, the pause is essential in the Pomodoro method. Between each pomodori (work session), it is necessary to optimize the five or ten minutes you have to properly recharge your batteries for the rest of your work.
👉 Several possibilities are available to you:
- eat a snack
- enjoy a drink: make yourself a tea, a coffee, or a glass of water
- looking out the window
- listen to music
- breathe outside air
- stretch your legs
- read an article
- Exercise
Attention ❗ We do not advise you to use your mobile phone during these few minutes of break. You too, have you noticed that you have the impression of staying only 30 seconds on an application when in reality it's been 10 minutes? If you can't do this, I suggest you put your phone in airplane mode.
You can keep in mind that this break must have the objective of getting you out of your work bubble to decompress and allow you to concentrate optimally again.
Conclusion on the Pomodoro working method
You are now ready to adopt this learning technique. Let's recap? To do list in hand, you organise the tasks you have to accomplish. You set your timer for 25 minutes or more. You take breaks between each work session to help your brain recharge its batteries! After four periods, you increase the length of your break. Simple, right?
We wish you good reviews! Courage, you will get there! 😍