You sit down to revise, check a message, then go back to your notebook without realising where you’d left off. Or you work for ages without a break and end up rereading the same line. A timer can help you set a start, an end and a goal for your revision session.
The Pomodoro Technique, developed by Francesco Cirillo, organises work into periods of concentration and breaks. In its classic form, it uses 25-minute intervals, usually followed by a five-minute break, then a longer break after several [1] cycles.
Start with a task you recognise
«Revising physics» is too vague to guide a session. Instead, write: «Understand Exercise 3 and do it again without looking at the answers». Choose the necessary materials, close any unnecessary tabs and start the timer.
During the session, keep a sheet of paper next to you. If you think of something else you need to do, jot it down in a few words and then get back to the exercise. You can have a look at the list during the break.
For science lessons, try 50 minutes followed by a 10-minute break
A maths or physics problem may take time to read, sketch out and work through. You could try a 50-minute block followed by a 10-minute break. This is a suggested adaptation, not the traditional Pomodoro format, nor is it an ideal duration proven to work for all pupils.
If you start to feel tired after twenty minutes, cut it short. If you’re working on a simple vocabulary question, 25 minutes may well be enough. Choose a pace that allows you to stay focused and check your answers.
Group the blocks by subject
Switching from maths to philosophy and then to chemistry every twenty-five minutes can make you lose your train of thought. You can use two sections for the same subject: the first for researching, and the second for checking your work and trying a question again.
Then move on to the next subject if your timetable allows. The aim is to minimise unnecessary changes, not to spend the whole day on your favourite subject.
Take a break that actually feels like a break
Get up, have a drink of water, look out of the window or go for a short walk. If you open an app that you find hard to put down, your break might end up lasting longer than you expected. You could keep your phone out of reach and use a simple timer.
If your class is on your phone, download what you need before the session and turn off notifications where possible. The aim is to make it easier to concentrate, not to expect you to have perfect self-control.
An example of a free morning before the A-levels
At 9 am, work on a maths exercise for 50 minutes. Take a ten-minute break. At 10 am, mark the work, explain any mistakes and redo one question during a second session. Then take a longer break.
At 11.20 am, set aside a 25-minute block for language or philosophy, followed by a five-minute break. A final block can be used to write a paragraph or to revise a few key concepts. The afternoon is up to you to organise, depending on your energy levels and other commitments: this morning’s session does not mean you have to spend the whole day revising.
When the timekeeper should not be in charge of the session
To get the full experience of the Baccalaureate exam, please stick to the time limit and conditions of the exam. You cannot accurately replicate the exam by pausing the paper every twenty-five minutes for a break of your own choosing.
If you’re stuck on a concept, the timer is no substitute for an explanation. Make a note of your question, go back to the lesson or ask for help. At the end, focus on what you’ve understood, not on the number of cycles you’ve completed.
This evening, try doing just one block of work with a specific aim in mind. If you need a tutor to help you get past a particular stage, contact Elite Academy, stating your year group and the subject in question.
→ See also: A-level revision timetable: your 30-day study plan · Feeling demotivated? What to do when you don’t feel like revising any more
