What is the Pomodoro Technique?
It is a time management method created by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s, when he was a university student. The name comes from the tomato-shaped kitchen timer he used. Instead of trying to study for hours in a row, you work in short blocks of full focus separated by breaks.
- Pick one specific task (for example, «exercises 1 to 5 of chapter 3»).
- Set the timer for 25 minutes and work with no interruptions: no phone, no social media.
- When it rings, take a 5-minute break. Stand up, drink some water, look away from the screen.
- After every four pomodoros, take a longer 15 to 30-minute break.
Why it helps you study
- It beats procrastination: committing to 25 minutes is much easier than committing to «the whole afternoon».
- It makes effort visible: counting pomodoros tells you how much you actually studied, not how long you sat in front of your notes.
- It protects your attention: when a distraction pops up, write it down and deal with it in the break.
Frequently asked questions
Does it have to be 25 minutes?
No. For deep work (coding, long problem sets) many people prefer 45 or 50-minute blocks with 10-minute breaks. Change it in Settings.
Does it keep counting if I switch tabs?
Yes. The timer is based on the real clock, so it stays accurate even if the browser slows down the tab. The tab title shows the countdown.
What if I get interrupted?
In the original method an interrupted pomodoro does not count: you reset it. Press «Reset» and start again when you can focus.