Using the Pomodoro Technique

My last post on HTTPS last week turned out to be a lot more work than I thought it would be! Although I learned quite a bit, it was tough doing it throughout the day. I'm not going to shy away from large research based posts, but at least I'm now aware of the amount of work that it takes to concisely write about something like that!
Anyway onto this post, I have been heavily involved in finishing my dissertation for the past week, hence I haven’t had much time to write anything on here! Taking some of the things that I've learned I want to mention the study technique that I've used

I base my study technique on the fundamental principles of the Pomodoro Technique. In this method you divide your time up into 25 minute work slots which are then followed by a 5 minute rest period. For me this works perfectly, I find that 25 minutes is just the right amount of time to seriously hold my concentration and stay focussed on the task at hand. I stop myself from using any distractions like Facebook, emails or Blog reading during this time and have found it to be a highly effective method for getting work done.

During the rest periods I'll read my emails, fill up my water bottle (a vital study companion) or simply get up and away from my desk to stretch my legs. Once this is over I then return and continue to study for another 25 minutes.

My day is then spilt up into further 30 minute periods (25 + 5 minutes = 30 minutes) and I'll try and do say an hour and a half of my dissertation, break for some food, another hour and a half, break to do something different and then return to the work etc.

What I've found to be highly effective is if I actually plot this out on my Google Calendar with pop-up reminders:

I think that this helps keep me to time because it's almost like I have someone else telling me what to do and when, it's a psychological thing that gives me some abstraction between the timetable and myself

Of course this can br a fairly flimsy method if I'm having a day where I lack the will to really get into the work, this hasn’t happened yet nand I think this is because; I could technically break this routine at any point but I've developed my concentration and mental drive enough to prevent any procrastination. I just plug into my music and have my short, sharp bursts of concentration.

Obviously I wouldn't expect this routine to work for everyone, when my housemates tried it along with me they didn't enjoy it at all. The main reason was that they felt that it didn't give them enough time to "get into" a project. The breaks came to often and actually made thme lose focus.

For me the 30 minute sessions that the technique provides form the backbone of my routine. I then combine it with several other elements to help me stay focussed and productive during my days (I'll cover these in another post!).

It's important to remember that this is still very much a work in progress, although Pomodoro works as the backbone I am happy to continue refining my routine until I have something that suits me. This may never happen but I'm fine with this, my routines will have to change and adapt as my situation changes, by using and trialling different methods I can find what works and what doesn't work for me.
More information on the Pomodoro Technique can be found here.A great timing extension for chrome that I use is available here.