Ever since I returned from spring break, it’s been harder for me to sit down and do my work without any distractions. Switching my study spots between sitting on the living room couch, my desk, or the bar stools in the kitchen doesn’t quite do the job anymore. I’ve felt most productive outside my apartment, but even then I still can’t seem to put my phone down when working.
A couple of weeks ago I was browsing through my Youtube recommendations when I came across a video. It was a “study with me” video, but it wasn’t some YouTuber, it was Rory Gilmore. If you watched Gilmore Girls you know Rory spent three seasons studying hard–among other things–to be admitted into her dream ivy league school. I was convinced that Rory was qualified to become my next study partner although I’m not aiming for an ivy league, just aiming to turn my assignment in on time. This “study with Rory Gilmore” video featured quiet aesthetic/lofi music in the background, a video loop of Rory studying at her kitchen table, words of encouragement printed across the screen, and an occasional comment from Rory saying, “Who cares if I’m pretty if I fail my final.” Studying with music playing in my ear wasn’t new to me and neither was the concept of having someone on my screen studying alongside me. What stuck out to me was the video’s inclusion of a Pomodoro timer. I had never heard of Pomodoro. The word sounded strange. After some further digging, I learned that it was a time management technique and since then I’m only my most productive when using the Pomodoro technique.
What Is The Pomodoro Technique?
The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method where you use a timer for 25-minute work sessions and 5-minute breaks. Each round of this is called a Pomodoro and after completing your fourth Pomodoro, you give yourself a longer break: 15-30 minutes. The idea behind this technique is to keep focused by intensively working on a task for a short amount of time, giving your undivided attention for 25 minutes with no distractions, and being rewarded 5 minutes to stretch, grab a snack, or if you’re me, scroll through TikTok and Instagram on your phone.
Where Did It Come From?
The technique was developed in the late 1980s by an Italian university student named Francesco Cirillo, someone who was also struggling to focus on studying and completing assignments. He had a tomato-shaped kitchen timer and decided to use it to keep himself disciplined while studying. The word Pomodoro is the Italian word for tomato, hence the name of the Pomodoro technique.
How Is It Effective?
- It Gets You Started
Oftentimes a lot of procrastination comes from the idea of avoiding a difficult or time-consuming project. Starting is the hardest part of any task. With the Pomodoro method, it takes some of the pressure off by allowing you to work in intervals, rather than completing something all at once or not at all. According to todoist, studies have shown that shrinking whatever you’re putting off into a small step is more effective and less intimidating when making the first step to start. “For example, instead of sitting down to write a novel, sit down to write for 5 minutes” (“The Pomodoro Technique”). Breaking down large tasks and projects into something small is a lot easier to tackle and to get the motivation to begin. Additionally, working in 25-minute intervals keeps you focused on the task at hand, rather than feeling overwhelmed by the larger project. You’re taking it one Pomodoro at a time.
- Helps Avoid Distractions
No matter what environment I’m studying in I can easily grow distracted, especially when my phone is kept at my side. Too many times I pick up my phone and tell myself I’ll spend 5 minutes scrolling, just to realize 20 minutes have passed instead. Once I’m distracted it’s hard to regain focus or get back into that study mindset. The Pomodoro technique utilizes a timer, it helps cut any interruptions from staying on task. Each 5-minute break allows a chance for your brain to rest and reset to become focused again on your task.
How I Use This Technique
Whenever I study, I always have a Youtube video playing in the background. Whether it’s an academia music playlist, a lofi radio, a cute studying animation, an ASMR video of some of my favorite celebrities studying, or a zoom study session with them, all of these are motivators for me to get my work done. Discovering the Pomodoro technique and having Youtube channels cater to all of these things through creating study videos, with the Pomodoro timer, has only enhanced the studying experience for me. Although I tend to watch the videos where I can study with TV show characters like Rory Gilmore, Paris Geller, or Blair Waldorf, the study side of Youtube has endless videos containing music, no music, ASMR, no talking, celebrities, college students and more to explore your favorite way to study. Also, there’s always the option to pull out your phone and set a 25-minute timer for yourself: easy and quick.