Psychologist teaches technique to study better- The Pomodoro Technique

Nowadays, I have noticed that the site’s readers and my patients have shown an increasing interest in studying, broadening their horizons, taking courses, colleges, postgraduate courses. The proof is that the most accessed texts on the site are our Free Online Psychology Course and the text in which we talk about how distance courses and faculties of Federal Universities work.

See here – Online and free: Courses and colleges for free on the Internet

See also – Course 100 Study Techniques

So today I’m going to teach you a fantastic technique to help everyone study better. The technique is called Pomodoro.

Francesco Cirillo, at the end of the 1980s, created this technique that is time management, that is, it helps us to control, measure and use time in our favor. pomodoro comes from pomodori, in Italian, tomato. The name came from the time controller, in the shape of a tomato, as shown in the figure below:

The advantage of the Technique is its simplicity:

Choose an activity to do, such as studying a subject or subject.

– Divide the time for the activity into 25-minute time slots.

Every 25 minutes, take a short break of 5 minutes. Return for another 25 minutes. After completing another 25 minutes of activity, take another break of another 5 minutes. Return to activity for another 25 minutes. Another 5 minute break. And finally another 25 minutes. Then take a longer break, 15 to 25 minutes.

So summarizing:

1) Time – 25 minutes. 5 minute break

2) Time – 25 minutes. 5 minute break

3) Time – 25 minutes. 5 minute break

4) Time – 25 minutes. 15-25 minute break

The essence of the Pomodoro Technique is to divide a large task, such as studying a book, creating a project, writing a text, a dissertation or thesis, into small periods of work, with a break time. This break time is stretched to 15 to 25 minutes after 4 breaks.

Steps to Schedule an Activity

For the Technique to be used in its entirety, we must first establish objectives to be achieved, divide the time into 4 periods of time, with the consequent marking of its conclusion.

In the planning phase of the objectives, one possibility is to think about the activities to be carried out on the day. To do so, write down everything that has to be done – today – on paper, such as studying a chapter, writing a review, making a file (day-to-day activities can also be included, such as clean the house).

In the realization phase, in 4 times of 25 minutes, write down the conclusion of each part or passage also on a piece of paper. Thus, you will be feeling that you are doing what you have to do, bringing a good feeling of accomplishment. While carrying out the activity, the important thing is to avoid any kind of distraction. During each 25-minute time, you can turn off your cell phone, internet, television so that your mind is fully focused, attentive to what you are doing. During the 5-minute rest periods, you can take a look at social networks, cell phone messages or watch a little TV, but remember that in 5 minutes you will have to return for another period of activity.

If you work or study on your computer, it can be useful to use extensions for Google Chrome that prohibit you from accessing certain sites that are great for distracting us (such as facebook, twitter, youtube) for a period of 25 minutes.

Use this Chrome Extension – Strict Pomodoro

It’s great because this type of extension actually serves as the pomodoro clock, marking the times of activity and times of rest and reminding you of it.

Conclusion

Each person has a pace for completing an activity. Many manage to remain attentive and active on a task for hours, without resting or getting distracted. However, most of us end up realizing that a task that is too long (such as writing a final paper, dissertation or thesis, studying all the books in a contest, etc.) is too big, boring and tiring.

For this reason, the creator of the Pomodoro Technique, Francesco Cirillo, created this form of time management. By dividing a task into small, smaller activities, we feel that the goal is not so grand and we are more confident that we will be able to finish the accomplishment, every 25 minutes.

It is very pleasant to note that we have done, on the current day, several activities. It might also be interesting to leave the 5-minute breaks for things we like to do, like listening to music during the break, having a chocolate, calling someone. However, we must be careful not to lose focus. After the break, you need to come back for another 25 minutes.

The Pomodoro Technique is therefore an excellent technique to study more and study better. I recommend!

See also – Course 100 Study Techniques

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