When you’re getting ready for a big exam, it can feel like you have a mountain of work ahead—hundreds of pages to read, math problems to solve, or science facts to remember. Many students try to handle this by studying for hours without stopping, often late into the night. But this “cramming” can leave you feeling exhausted, stressed, and less able to remember what you learned.

The Pomodoro Method is different. It’s a simple way to study smarter, not harder, by using short, focused “study sprints” and planned breaks. This method was created by Francesco Cirillo in the 1980s and was named after the tomato-shaped timer he used. Here’s how it usually works:

1. Set a Timer for 25 Minutes: Pick one thing to work on, like reading a chapter or doing a set of practice problems. Focus only on that task until the timer rings. Try not to check your phone or let your mind wander.

2. Take a 5-Minute Break: When the timer goes off, stop working. Stand up, stretch, get a drink of water—anything that helps you feel refreshed.

3. Repeat the Cycle: After four rounds of 25-minute work sessions and 5-minute breaks, give yourself a longer break of about 15–20 minutes.

Unlike cramming for hours, these shorter, more focused sessions help keep your brain energized. Knowing that a break is coming soon makes it easier to stay motivated. These short “study sprints” also turn your work into manageable steps, making it less scary and helping you feel more confident and in control.

Up Next: In the next post, we’ll explore why our brains work better in short, focused bursts rather than in long, endless study sessions.

References:

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

• Brown, P. C., Roediger III, H. L., & McDaniel, M. A. (2014). Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning. The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press.

• Allen, D., Williams, M., & Wallace, M. (2018). Getting Things Done for Teens: Take Control of Your Life in a Distracting World. Penguin Books.