The standard Pomodoro session is 25 minutes of work and 5 minutes of rest. But this doesn’t have to be the same for everyone or every subject. If you’re losing focus after 15 minutes, try shorter sessions. If you find that 25 minutes isn’t enough for a tough math problem, try 30 minutes of work before taking a break.

For reading-heavy subjects, shorter sessions might help you stay alert. For math or science problems that need more thinking time, a slightly longer session might work better. Experiment with different timings and see what feels right. Keep track of what works, and don’t be afraid to change your approach until you find the best fit for you.

Up Next: Even when you find a good rhythm, you might face challenges like procrastination or distractions. In the next post, we’ll learn how to overcome these common problems.

References:

• Brown, P. C., Roediger III, H. L., & McDaniel, M. A. (2014). Make It Stick.

• Cirillo, F. (2006). The Pomodoro Technique. Francesco Cirillo

• Dunlosky, J., Rawson, K. A., Marsh, E. J., Nathan, M. J., & Willingham, D. T. (2013). Improving Students’ Learning With Effective Learning Techniques.