Pomodoro Technique: Productivity Booster for Students

Even a small relevant change to your habits and lifestyle can skyrocket your productivity. And, Pomodoro Technique is one of such changes.

It’s a scientifically proven time management technique that tricks your mind to work more in less time.

If you’re like me, then you must always be searching for new online or offline tools and techniques that help you get more work done. I mean who doesn’t love to be productive, right?

And, whether you’re a working professional or a student — having an improved productivity setup is essential for you.

In this blog post, I will be explaining the popular Pomodoro Technique which can considerably boost your productivity as a student.

Here we go…

What is the Pomodoro Technique

Pomodoro Technique is a time-management technique that breaks down your work into intervals separated by short breaks with the help of a timer. It was developed by Francesco Cirillo in the 1980s.

Each interval is known as ‘Pomodoro’ which means ‘Tomato’ in Italian, and it is named so because Francesco Cirillo used to use a Tomato-shaped Timer as a university student.

How does the Pomodoro Technique Work?

Pomodoro Technique is one of the simplest productivity-boosting methods; you just need a timer in order to follow it.

Here’s how the division of work into intervals look like:

• Decide the tasks to do
• 25 minutes of non-stop working
• 5 minutes short break ⌛
• 25 minutes of non-stop working
• 5 minutes short break ⌛
• 25 minutes of non -stop working
• 5 minutes short break ⌛
• 25 minutes of non-stop working
• 15-30 minutes long break ⌛

And, then repeat.

You can do things like refilling your water bottle during the short breaks; and having a cup of coffee during the long breaks.

This video explains how the technique can be used to improve productivity:

If you’re distracted during the 25 minutes work interval; either you will have to stop the timer, or you need to avoid the distraction until the interval ends.

If you do want to avoid the distraction, then Cirillo suggests the following strategy:

• Inform: Inform the distracting person that you’re working on something important.
• Negotiate: Negotiate a time when you can get back to them.
• Schedule: Schedule the follow-up immediately.
• Call back: Call back the person when your Pomodoro is complete.

How to Get Started with the Pomodoro Technique ⏱️

As mentioned earlier, you only need a timer to take the benefit of the technique. You can use a physical timer or countdown clock, or a simple smartphone or computer app to get started.

Tools and Apps

Here’re some smartphone, computer and web apps for you to get started instantly:

1. Engross [Android]

Engross is available for Android. You can find out at what time you’re more focused than ever.

2. Marinara Timer [Web]

It’s a web app that doesn’t even require you to sign in — just open the website and start the timer. You can pin the tab so that it doesn’t get closed accidentally.

3. Pomofocus [Web]

It’s a very minimal and elegant looking web-app that lets you add all your tasks to the app itself. And, it comes in handy when using the timer.

4. PomoDoneApp [Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android]

It’s a cross-platform Pomodoro app that has an app available for almost all platforms including Linux, iOS, and Android.

5. Pomodoro Timer Online [Web]

Pomodoro Timer Online is probably the simplest and cleanest looking Pomodoro Timer out there. You do not need to download any app, it directly runs in your browser.

There are plenty of Pomodoro Apps available but these are some of the best, and, are easy and mostly free to use.

I regularly use the technique while writing articles (like this), and it helps me a lot.

Recommended: Productivity Tools for Students

Final Words

There are no concrete rules for boosting productivity, and there can’t be. If something works for me then it doesn’t mean it will work for you too — it’s all about personal preference.

However, there are higher chances that scientifically proven productivity-improving methods, like the Pomodoro Technique, will work for you.

If you’re a student then it becomes necessary to finish your assignments and tasks within time. And, this technique will definitely work for you.

Now, it’s up to you.

Do you think you will give this technique a try?

Let me know in the comments, right now.

Also, share the article with the people who you think might be interested in reading it.