Exam Special: The Pomodoro Technique

Imagine that in next 3 days, your annual exams will start and the first exam is on the subject of mathematics, which you hate from the core of your heart, you are also under tremendous pressure to perform well in the exams. However, as soon as you open your book to study in the morning, your smartphone starts beeping, indicating some messages in your WhatsApp. The urge to check the messages is so intense that you decide to delay the revision by 10 minutes, but once on the smartphone, you end up not only with WhatsApp but also checking Facebook, Instagram and your email account. Finally, when you keep your smartphone aside, you realize that you have actually spent one full hour on your smartphone instead of 10 minutes, now you decide to take up the revision of mathematics later in the afternoon. 

Procrastination is a  terrible habit for many students. The question here is why do some students prefer to procrastinate studies or revision even when they are under intense pressure to perform well in exams?

The answer to this question is very simple, they procrastinate any matter that makes them uncomfortable. Students usually don’t realize that the habit of procrastination is actually an addiction, which offers excitement and relief for a short duration, but nasty consequences in the long run. One scientific study has revealed that habitual procrastinators have higher stress level, poor health condition, lower academic grades and negative attitude towards life.  

Is there a ray of hope for these procrastinating students?

The answer to this question lies in  ‘Pomodoro Technique’. Pomodoro is an Italian word for tomato. Pomodoro technique was developed by Francesco Cirillo as a time management tool in 1980’s (Tomato shaped timer device). In this technique, you can set a timer for 25 minutes and put yourself toward doing 25 minutes of focused work or study. Once you are done with 25 minutes of a stint, take a break, reward yourself with whatever you like to do. A few Pomodoro sessions in a day can help you to meet your daily revision targets. Another advantage of using this technique is the ability to work under stress. Researchers have found that Pomodoro Technique creates a milder level of stress, which helps to work under more stressful situations later on in life.

This technique is equally helpful to all the working professionals, who are constantly bombarded with work tasks, tightly scheduled projects, lengthy to-do lists and constant emails. A determined use of this technique can help them to quickly complete the tasks on time and get things done in an effective manner.

After reading this article, don’t procrastinate trying this technique to some other day, try it now. All the Best!!!

– Prakash Prabhu
[ Mr.Prakash Prabhu works for The Manipal Group as a Senior HR Manager with over 15 years of corporate experience. He has been the lead writer and contributor to CHIRP magazine.(An intra-Manipal group monthly employee magazine) An avid reader who devours one book after another, Mr.Prabhu is also a certified handwriting analyst.]