Study Smarter Not Harder!

Summary

How do you currently study?

How can you best utilize the Pomodoro method?

Why does this method work?

Is this method for you?

Your Study Routine

??We either dread the time we have to study or just put up with it because we know it is beneficial. If you are not a part of this group and like studying, without a doubt, you are an alien and not from this planet. So, if you are one of the tiny aliens among us, this article is not for you.?

Returning the focus to regular people who find any type of study a chore. Are you making time to revise and getting stuck on one page for an hour? Or do you have the best intentions to be productive and then quit after 5 minutes? Well, this used to be me. When I should have been studying, I was always on my phone, scrolling through Instagram or watching YouTube videos. My issue was that I always heard my peers say they studied for?four or more hours straight. Therefore, I began to think there was only one way to learn, the "marathon approach." To be successful at reviewing the information, I had to lock myself in my room for hours and pour myself over all of my notes. If you have a similar opinion as I did, we have something else in common; we are both very wrong. There is another method I started using that I still use to this day. It is the method I am using right now to write this article. Let's consider it.

Pomodoro Technique

??The purpose of this study method is simply to increase productivity and time management. Many of you have probably been using some variation of this technique without realizing it. Essentially,?you spend a period being productive, followed by a period of rest. You can implement this technique by following these five easy steps.

1. Pick A Task?

Here is where you decide what to learn or study. This can be homework, a revision for a test, or an assignment. Now step 1 is complete.

2. Set Your Timer

??Secondly, you must set the time you plan to be engaged in the task. This technique is only successful if you are entirely focused on your job. As mentioned earlier, my issue was also remaining focused, so do not feel discouraged if, at first, you cannot last the full 25 minutes. Therefore if necessary, you may have to do like me and put your phone on airplane mode. Maybe you should go a step further and listen to some study or focused music on YouTube in the background. The most important thing is to make an environment conducive to deep concentration. The most common period for focusing on the task is 25 minutes, but this can be adjusted if you can concentrate for more extended periods. After this time has elapsed with you being productive, you now proceed to the next step.

3. Overview?

??Now you will review what you have in your allotted time for productivity. Hopefully, you are somewhat impressed with what you have accomplished. If not, you will have further opportunities to put forth a better effort.

??I would quickly note what I did versus what I did poorly. The list of things I did wrong was much longer than the other side. However, with enough time and effort, that changed entirely, and the same can be true for you too.

?Think of ways you can be more efficient. The game's name is to improve and use your focus time. Thus, write down some pointers at the end of each session, so you will be more successful the next time.

4. Take A Break

??Now it is time for my and definitely your favourite part of this technique, a rest. The standard time allotted for this rest in this technique is 5 minutes. However, if you feel you can better utilise 10 minutes or some other period, adjust it accordingly. Just note that if you set aside too much time for rest, this technique will have the opposite effect and decrease your productivity. Hence, the maximum time I would prescribe for a break is 15 minutes. Any more than this, you would be getting into such dangerous territory. Suddenly this time will be over, and that is okay. The purpose of this break is just to give your brain a short break, keep your energy levels up and combat a short attention span. Now there is only one more thing to do.

5. Rinse And Repeat

??The only thing left to do is repeat Steps 1 to 4 for a total of four times. After, you can take an extended break and try to go for another four rounds. However, if you have done a good amount of work, you can call it quits there.

Interested in trying this technique? Try it out for yourself.

Why Does This Method Work?

??The first reason is that it breaks down what seems like a challenging task into smaller, more achievable chunks. This makes it less intimidating and daunting to start and makes you feel more confident that you can accomplish the task.

??Secondly, the Pomodoro technique decreases the mental exhaustion that usually comes with doing the study are other tasks. Taking that 5 to 15-minute break, though small, is very effective. It allows your brain to reset and go into the next session with more energy. Think of it like running a marathon, but you can rest after each mile. It would be much less taxing on your body. The same is true for this.?

?Thirdly, it rewards hard work. If you study for extremely long hours, you may get discouraged and ask what is the point. However, using this technique, you are able to encourage and motivate yourself with something as simple as a 5-minute break.

??Finally, it increases the quality of work you create. You may ask how? Because time expires quickly, you will find yourself trying to be as productive as possible. I feel like that timer moves so soon, so I am motivated to do as much as possible.

How To Know If This Is For You?

??The Pomodoro Technique can increase anyone's productivity, not just not students trying to study. So let us examine a few situations where this technique would be ideal.

• Persons doing a repetitive task like studying, coding or writing
• If you have a concise attention span
• For anyone who has been diagnosed with ADHD, it can be handy
• Those who are chronic procrastinators

?Now you have the knowledge, apply it to the most productive versions of yourselves. Knowledge without application is useless. So, I am looking forward to your response in the weeks to come as you make better use of your time as Study Smarter Not Harder.

Author - Jared Thompson