INBDE Strategy: Pomodoro Technique

The Pomodoro Technique is a time management tool developed in the 1980s by an individual named Francesco Cirillo.  This tool uses a timer that breaks tasks into intervals or sessions, typically there are 25 minutes per session. The Pomodoro Technique is very useful in time management for studying, working, or any other task with time constraints. Below you will understand how a technique invited close to 40 years ago can be harnessed to ace your exam!

What is the Pomodoro Technique?

Six Main Objectives of the Pomodoro Technique:  

1. Find out how much effort and time a specific chapter or section of the study material will take
2. Prevent outside interruptions and distractions
3. Make an accurate estimate of the number of Pomodoros needed for a specific chapter or unit of material to complete for the day
4. Spend time for recap and review of the study material
5. Set a time table with the anticipated plan and goals for the day
6. Choose the final objective, based on the overall goal and efficiency to be obtained

Implementing this technique to the INBDE:

1. Choose a topic.
2. Divide studying into 25 minute sessions.
3. Set the timer for 25 minutes, you should try not to get distracted and focus on the task at hand until the timer rings.
4. After each session take a 5 minute break.
5. Once completing 4 sessions, you can have a longer break of 20 to 30 minutes.
6. For topics like Pharmacology, that take more than four Pomodoros, divide them into smaller, actionable sessions.
7. For simpler topics that take less than one Pomodoro, combine them with another topic.
8. If there is an unavoidable distraction that arises, you may take a short 5 minute break and then restart. However, in this case it is important to keep track of the interruptions and learn how to avoid them in the future.

The Pomodoro technique can help with time management and efficiency by: avoiding interruptions, improving your drive and motivation, decreasing work under pressure, and helping to meet deadlines without time constraints. We recommend trying this technique to aid in studying more efficiently, however at the end of the day, you should always stick with a study strategy that you are most comfortable with. Goodluck!