The Pomodoro Technique is a time management system that uses a timer to break work down into intervals, traditionally 25 minutes in length, separated by short breaks. It involves focusing intently on a task for 25 minutes, then taking a short break, and repeating this cycle four times before taking a longer break. Research has shown that taking breaks, spacing out study sessions, exercising lightly, and getting quality sleep can improve focus, creativity, learning, and memory retention.

1. THE POMODORO TECHNIQUE

2. WHAT IS THE POMODORO TECHNIQUE?
The Pomodoro Technique was developed by
a man named Francesco Cirillo in the 1980s
as a time-management system using a
tomato-shaped timer.

3. HOW DOES IT WORK?
It’s actually very simple. Find a timer (it doesn’t have to be tomato
shaped) and set it for 25 minutes. During these 25 minutes, you dedicate
yourself to a work focused and distraction free session.
Find yourself a nice quiet place with the least amount of distractions. It
may help to get yourself a set of noise-cancelling headphones and turn
your phone off or to airplane mode.

5. What should I do after the 25 minutes are up?
Great question! You treat yourself to a little break as a reward.
What should I do during this break?
Almost anything you want. The idea is to give yourself a
break that feels rewarding for about 5-10 minutes. Take a
shower, sit and enjoy a coffee or tea, play with your
hamster, or play some music . But be careful with sites
such as Facebook because it’s very easy to get carried
away on social media outlets.
How many times should I do this?
It is best to perform the Pomodoro Technique in a cycle of four. After
the fourth Pomodoro, give yourself a longer break. Maybe you could
get some light exercise such as a walk or swim, or what about getting
some sleep?

6. Speaking of exercise….
We all know that exercise is good for our health but did you know
that some light exercise is also a good creativity technique?
Dr. Marily Oppezzo a researcher at Stanford University
conducted a study in which she had students take a set of
creativity tests. The students then walked at a self-selected
pace on a treadmill. While walking, she had a set of
students repeat the creativity tests. She also had another
group of students repeat the creativity tests after walking. In
Dr. Oppezzo’s article published in The Journal of
Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and
Cognition, most of the students were able to increase their
creativity substantially.

7. NO SLEEP = BRAIN TOXINS
Did you mention sleep?
Actually, yes I did mention sleep. Everyone knows how important it is to
get a good night sleep to feel well rested the next morning. But did you
know, that sleep is also important to rid your brain of toxins?
While we sleep, cerebrospinal fluid in our brain works away at removing
harmful waste proteins that act as a toxin. Getting too little sleep makes
it difficult to think clearly.
As you are sleeping, your brain goes over what you have been
learning and helps strengthen the concepts in your brain.
If you are studying material just before going to sleep, it is more
likely you may dream about it. Dreaming about what you are
learning can help to consolidate what you are learning.

8. SPACED REPETITION
What is spaced Repetition?
Think of your brain as a muscle lifting weights. In order to make your
muscles bigger, you have to work them but also give them time to
rest and grow before you work them again.
Spaced Repetition is when you study a subject, for example in math or
science, and go back to it after a day and restudy the material. “
Why would I let a day wait in-between?
When you distribute your practice, a student may study for a history
test on Monday and study the material again on Wednesday.
Students seem to retain information longer when they distribute their
practice across time.

9. CREDITS
Gretchen Reynolds. (April 30, 2014). "Want to be More Creative? Take a Walk." The
New York Times.
John Hamilton. (October 17, 2013). "Brains Sweep Themselves Clean of Toxins During
Sleep." NPR All Things Considered.
Pam Harrison, (September 8, 2014), "Sleep on It: Sleep Consolidates Memory of New
Motor Task," Medscape.
Mind Tools, "The Pomodoro Technique® Staying Focused Throughout the Day,"
Colin Gerber "Memory Consolidation and Productivity Can Both Be
Improved by Taking Break," Quora, November, 2014.
Oakley, Barbara A. A Mind for Numbers: How to Excel at Math and Science (even If
You Flunked Algebra). New York: Jeremy P. Tarcher/Penguin, 2014. Web.
John Dunlosky, "Strengthening the Student Toolbox: Study Strategies to
Boost Learning," American Educator, Fall, 2013.

10. IMAGE CREDIT
Treadmill Clipart. Digital Image. www.dreamstime.com Wed. 27 Jan. 2015
Pomodoro Timer. Digital Image. Evgeny-goldin.com Tue. 26 Jan. 2015
Egg Timer. Digital Image. Promotionsonly.com.au Tue.26 Jan 2015
Dog Timer. Digital Image. Realsimple.com Tue.26 Jan 2015
Digital Sand Timers. Digital Image. Thegreenhead.com Tue.26 Jan 2015
Red Retro Look 60min Kitchen Timer. Digital Image. Bigkitchen.com Tue.26 Jan 2015
Owl Timer. Digital Image. Oranizeit.com Tue.26 Jan 2015
airplane-mode-off-shortcuts-create-windows-8-turn_on_airplane_mode. Digital Image.
Appsdirectories.com Tue. 26 Jan 2015
Red Beats. Digital Image. Compubras.com Tue. 26 Jan 2015