If you are someone who is easily distracted while studying, the Pomodoro Technique may be for you. When you are working on your firefighter promotional exam prep next, give this study method a try to see if it increases your focus and decreases distractions. 

The Pomodoro Technique Explained

The Pomodoro Technique is not a study method, but a time management method that breaks your study or work time into set increments of time followed by a short break to keep you focused on your studying and help minimize distractions. Each chunk of time is referred to as a pomodoro. This method of time management was created by Francesco Cirillo in the 80’s because he struggled to complete his own assignments in college. 

How to Implement the Pomodoro Technique

Before you begin your study session, figure out what you are going to work on that day. It is important that you know what you want to focus on so you don’t waste time trying to figure it out. Once you have your study plan set a timer for 25 minutes and begin. When you are in your 25 minute study block do not do anything other than the task you set out to do. Avoid starting something new or getting distracted or procrastinating with other tasks. Once the timer goes off, take a 5 minute break. Make it a productive one, eat a snack, take a walk or so on. Avoid things like social media on your break that will tempt you to make your break longer. Then just repeat the process until your designated study time is over. 

If you are planning to study for several hours you need to allow yourself a longer break once you hit the four hour point. Your brain needs time to process all of the information that it is learning. The Pomodoro Technique works for basically anything, if you are working on a home project, doing work at your job and so on, you don’t have to limit it to studying for your firefighter promotional exam. 

Why it Works

The Pomodoro Technique works because if you actually follow the no distractions, no switching tasks rule you will be more productive with time. Studying in 25 minute blocks allows you to see how you are using your time and figure out how to become more productive. Hopefully once you use the Pomodoro Technique a few times you will be more mindful of how you are using your study time and will be able to make any necessary changes to make your study sessions more productive for yourself. You can even make it a challenge for yourself to see what you are capable of accomplishing in that 25 minute time period, as long as you aren’t racing through material and are still actually learning. In addition, giving yourself regular forced breaks from looking at books and computer screens allows your brain to rest and process all of the new information it is receiving. Giving your brain and body a break is so important to keep from feeling overwhelmed and even burnt out which is important with the amount of material you will need to cover for your firefighter promotional exam. 

The Takeaway

The Pomodoro Technique may just be the time management tool you need to help you stay focused as you study for your firefighter promotional exam. It is so easy to get distracted while you study, or even study for too long and start to feel burnout, so get yourself a timer and set yourself up for success during your next study session.