There are 24 hours in one day. 1440 minutes. 86 400 seconds. This feels like a lot of time, yet, at the end of the day, we always end up asking ourselves: “Where did the time go? Why do I always feel like I do not have enough time?” If these are questions that you find yourself asking, then you are not alone. Many students struggle with time management and staying focused. Introducing the Pomodoro Technique, a handy method of staying disciplined and increasing your productivity. 

The Pomodoro Technique involves working in short defined blocks of time, or pomodoros, while taking small breaks to help you remain motivated and productive. The Pomodoro Technique can be broken up into six steps: 

1. Spend the first 10 minutes of your morning planning your day. Determine the tasks most important to you and break them down into specific actions. This helps you understand what tasks you must get done and how you will accomplish those tasks.  
2. Once you know what to do, it is now time to focus and remove all distractions. You should avoid all social media by turning off your phone and any other electronics. It can take a significant amount of time to get back in flow once you are distracted. 
3. Now that you are focused, set your timer and start working. A typical pomodoro session is 25 minutes. It is important that you stay concentrated to the one task that you are trying to accomplish during this time.  
4. After a 25 minute session, take a 5 minute break. Now you can turn your phone back on. Take some time to move away from your work, relax, and then come back with a refreshed perspective. It is important to take breaks so you do not get drained. 
5. After you are done with the first pomodoro session, repeat this process to get a significant amount of work accomplished. One round of pomodoros is made up of four sessions. By completing a full round, you get more work done and maintain a sense of discipline.
6. Take a long break after completing one round (four pomodoros). This break should be between 15 and 30 minutes. Make sure to rejuvenate yourself: grab something to eat, take a walk, and relax. Then continue with your next pomodoro round to keep the ball rolling. 

By following these techniques, you can increase your efficiency and work smarter. See if you can use the Pomodoro Technique to elevate your productivity today!