Success Coach Blog
Here we will publish blog posts about executive functioning and academic success written by our very own Success Coaches. You can find useful tactics and tidbits straight from the experts!
Time Chunking: The Pomodoro Technique
By Kate Bove
As a success coach, I've seen countless students struggle with time management and productivity. With the demands of academics, extracurricular activities, and personal commitments, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and scattered. However, there's a simple yet powerful time management tool that uses time chunking to make your study period feel less overwhelming: the Pomodoro Technique.
1. Set Clear Goals:
Before starting your study session, take a moment to focus on what you want to accomplish. Whether it's completing a reading assignment, writing a paper, or studying for an exam, having specific goals will give you a clear direction for your study session.
2. Break Your Work into Intervals:
Once you've established your goals, it's time to start The Pomodoro Technique. First, pick a study space that is best for you to study in. Optimize your study space by gathering all of your materials you need to complete your task. Maybe this is your computer if you are writing your essay or grabbing your textbook and a pencil for completing math homework.
Next, set a timer for 25 minutes and commit to focusing solely on your task during this time. Avoid distractions like social media, emails, or unrelated tasks.
3. Embrace the Breaks:
After completing the first 25 minutes, reward yourself with a short break, typically around 5 minutes. Use this time to stretch, grab a snack, or simply rest your mind. It's essential to give yourself permission to recharge before diving back into the next Pomodoro.
4. Repeat 3 more times:
Repeat the 25 minute study period and with 5 minute breaks in between. By the end of the fourth study period, you will have completed a 2 hour study period. After this last 25 minute study session, take a longer break lasting about 30 minutes. This longer break will allow you to take a proper rest after a 2 hour study period.
5. Adjust and Adapt:
While the traditional Pomodoro interval is 25 minutes, feel free to adjust it based on your preferences and concentration levels. Some students find that they're most productive with shorter intervals, while others prefer longer stretches of focused work. Experiment with different timings until you find what works best for you.
6. Celebrate Your Wins:
Finally, remember to celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. Each completed study period brings you one step closer to your goals and reinforces your commitment to productivity. Take pride in your progress and use it as motivation to keep pushing forward.
Welcome Back! Returning to School after a Break
By Dyna Arriaga
Returning to school after a long break can be overwhelming, especially if you don’t know how to begin reintroducing class and coursework back into your daily routine. Coming back to the classroom requires relearning time management skills, developing a personalized way to study, and, equally important, knowing where and how to ask for help! Everyone’s academic journey looks different and Loyola’s Student Academic Services is here to support yours. We’re here to help with the variety of outside responsibilities you may be juggling on top of school. To assist with this transition back to school, we’ve provided a list of resources that range from strategies on balancing work and school, tips on managing your courseload, to using online technology that you may be unfamiliar with. This list is intended to give you strategies to try as you begin building habits and a routine that works for your life and learning style!
General Tips for Returning Students:
- This article is a good place to start. These tips are about reintegrating back into college in a sustainable way that helps manage stress and prevent burn out!
- Article Overview:
-
- Embrace a Growth Mindset: “Embrace the belief that abilities can be developed through dedication and effort, and that setbacks are an inherent part of the learning process.”
- Set Realistic Goals (Try Success Coaching!)
- Establish Effective Time Management Strategies
- Seek Support Networks
- Leverage Available Resources
Balancing Work and School:
- These tips cover how to balance classes and homework while working a part-time or full-time job. Remember, it’s all about prioritizing and using your time wisely!
- Article Overview:
-
- Manage Your Time Effectively
- Determine When You Learn Best
- Make Online Learning a Habit
- Eliminate Distractions When Studying
- Incorporate Your Coursework into Your Everyday Work
- Communicate Openly with Your Employer
- Prioritize Self-Care
Time Management Tips:
- This article discusses effective time management strategies for college students. These tips will help you keep track of deadlines and plan ahead to give yourself enough time to work on assignments.
- Article Overview:
-
- Create a schedule
- Prioritize tasks
- Use a planner
- Avoid distractions
- Take breaks
- Ask for help
- This video covers 10 effective time management tips that can help balance working, commuting, family obligations, and building in social and self-care time
Navigating Technology:
These videos are tutorials on technology that you may be using for assignments, communication, and group projects
For one-on-one support for setting goals and improving your academic skills, the Tutoring Center also offers Success Coaching where you can sit down with a grad student and create a personalized plan and receive tips on how to build habits for achieving academic success. Schedule through Navigate for free!
Here we will publish blog posts about executive functioning and academic success written by our very own Success Coaches. You can find useful tactics and tidbits straight from the experts!
Time Chunking: The Pomodoro Technique
By Kate Bove
As a success coach, I've seen countless students struggle with time management and productivity. With the demands of academics, extracurricular activities, and personal commitments, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and scattered. However, there's a simple yet powerful time management tool that uses time chunking to make your study period feel less overwhelming: the Pomodoro Technique.
1. Set Clear Goals:
Before starting your study session, take a moment to focus on what you want to accomplish. Whether it's completing a reading assignment, writing a paper, or studying for an exam, having specific goals will give you a clear direction for your study session.
2. Break Your Work into Intervals:
Once you've established your goals, it's time to start The Pomodoro Technique. First, pick a study space that is best for you to study in. Optimize your study space by gathering all of your materials you need to complete your task. Maybe this is your computer if you are writing your essay or grabbing your textbook and a pencil for completing math homework.
Next, set a timer for 25 minutes and commit to focusing solely on your task during this time. Avoid distractions like social media, emails, or unrelated tasks.
3. Embrace the Breaks:
After completing the first 25 minutes, reward yourself with a short break, typically around 5 minutes. Use this time to stretch, grab a snack, or simply rest your mind. It's essential to give yourself permission to recharge before diving back into the next Pomodoro.
4. Repeat 3 more times:
Repeat the 25 minute study period and with 5 minute breaks in between. By the end of the fourth study period, you will have completed a 2 hour study period. After this last 25 minute study session, take a longer break lasting about 30 minutes. This longer break will allow you to take a proper rest after a 2 hour study period.
5. Adjust and Adapt:
While the traditional Pomodoro interval is 25 minutes, feel free to adjust it based on your preferences and concentration levels. Some students find that they're most productive with shorter intervals, while others prefer longer stretches of focused work. Experiment with different timings until you find what works best for you.
6. Celebrate Your Wins:
Finally, remember to celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. Each completed study period brings you one step closer to your goals and reinforces your commitment to productivity. Take pride in your progress and use it as motivation to keep pushing forward.
Welcome Back! Returning to School after a Break
By Dyna Arriaga
Returning to school after a long break can be overwhelming, especially if you don’t know how to begin reintroducing class and coursework back into your daily routine. Coming back to the classroom requires relearning time management skills, developing a personalized way to study, and, equally important, knowing where and how to ask for help! Everyone’s academic journey looks different and Loyola’s Student Academic Services is here to support yours. We’re here to help with the variety of outside responsibilities you may be juggling on top of school. To assist with this transition back to school, we’ve provided a list of resources that range from strategies on balancing work and school, tips on managing your courseload, to using online technology that you may be unfamiliar with. This list is intended to give you strategies to try as you begin building habits and a routine that works for your life and learning style!
General Tips for Returning Students:
- This article is a good place to start. These tips are about reintegrating back into college in a sustainable way that helps manage stress and prevent burn out!
- Article Overview:
-
- Embrace a Growth Mindset: “Embrace the belief that abilities can be developed through dedication and effort, and that setbacks are an inherent part of the learning process.”
- Set Realistic Goals (Try Success Coaching!)
- Establish Effective Time Management Strategies
- Seek Support Networks
- Leverage Available Resources
Balancing Work and School:
- These tips cover how to balance classes and homework while working a part-time or full-time job. Remember, it’s all about prioritizing and using your time wisely!
- Article Overview:
-
- Manage Your Time Effectively
- Determine When You Learn Best
- Make Online Learning a Habit
- Eliminate Distractions When Studying
- Incorporate Your Coursework into Your Everyday Work
- Communicate Openly with Your Employer
- Prioritize Self-Care
Time Management Tips:
- This article discusses effective time management strategies for college students. These tips will help you keep track of deadlines and plan ahead to give yourself enough time to work on assignments.
- Article Overview:
-
- Create a schedule
- Prioritize tasks
- Use a planner
- Avoid distractions
- Take breaks
- Ask for help
- This video covers 10 effective time management tips that can help balance working, commuting, family obligations, and building in social and self-care time
Navigating Technology:
These videos are tutorials on technology that you may be using for assignments, communication, and group projects
For one-on-one support for setting goals and improving your academic skills, the Tutoring Center also offers Success Coaching where you can sit down with a grad student and create a personalized plan and receive tips on how to build habits for achieving academic success. Schedule through Navigate for free!