A major problem students have is using their time effectively. Students are fond of procrastinating. Even college professors procrastinate. To become a successful person, you should ask yourself how to overcome this time-wasting affliction. College life is the best time to learn some time management techniques and implement them into your life. The first thing you should do is to utilize a technique for managing your time, such as the Pomodoro Technique.
The Pomodoro Technique is a unique time-based method for completing your work. If you have a major project or complex assignment, what might you do? When you sit down in front of a blank screen, you may find yourself surfing the Internet instead of working. Or you may work for an hour, but when you go to the kitchen for a snack, you might be distracted by other activities and abandon your schoolwork. Being productive for a long period of time is really challenging, as humans are not programmed for it. However, the reality is that you must trick your brain so that you can complete your work in a timely fashion.
What You Need
All you need is a timer or a cell phone app with a timer component. You can also use software or apps on a computer.
How It Works
First, understand that it is easy to get distracted and to waste time. It is also hard to focus for a long period of time. So, break your task down into small steps. Determine how much time you need to complete the first step or two. Try to get as close as possible to between 15 and 25 minutes. Set your timer. Then, complete those steps before the timer goes off. When the timer goes off, you may give yourself a 5 to 10 minute break for looking at Facebook, checking your email, etc. You should also set your timer for your break so that you know when it has ended.
How to Do It
- Make a to-do list and notes on what you must accomplish or complete. Be sure to prioritize. If something is urgent, place it first. Also, if several tasks can be completed in a very short time, complete them first. That will help you to feel successful.
- Set your timer to 25 minutes.
- Begin working on your task in a diligent fashion.
- When the timer sounds, take a break for 3-5 minutes.
- Then, go back to work.
- When you complete 4 Pomodoro, take a break for 20 minutes or longer.
You can set any amount of time for the working session. If your task is very difficult, decrease the time to 15 minutes or less. When you are writing a difficult essay, just experiment with timed sessions and find the most effective time interval.
Anyone who needs to make their time more effective: students, entrepreneurs, professors and any ambitious individual! You can print the infographic to keep in mind how to use the Pomodoro Technique.
