Tag Archives: pomodoro

Focus & Finish

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Is time never on your side? Can’t seem to make headway with creating a conference poster or writing your thesis? Then the Radcliffe Science Library’s Focus & Finish sessions might be just the thing!

How does Focus & Finish Work?

The session is dedicated time to focus on your work based on the Pomodoro technique. We’ll set a timer for 25 minutes for you to get your head down and do some work. Then you’ll take a 5 minute break and repeat the process. The sessions are designed to provide a short break just when your concentration will be flagging.

Photograph of young woman staring at a laptop with library books in the background

What are the benefits?

  • You can have protected time in your diary to get your work finished.
  • Library staff are responsible for all the timing, so you don’t have to worry about scheduling, timing or breaks.
  • Snacks and drinks will be provided. That’s one less thing to worry about.
  • At the breaks you can network with other postgrads and get support.
Four women on sofa smiling and holfding paper cups

Quotes from attendees

Previously these sessions ran under the name Pomodoro and attendees had some fantastic feedback.

The only thing is the session ended and I wished it had been longer as it was great, I came away with a good amount of work done and feeling focused and motivated.

I really really enjoyed it and can’t wait to attend more. I wish I were always this focused during work hours!

This was my first session, and I found it incredibly useful! I would like to attend more (even weekly)…

Book your place

Focus & Finish sessions run during the first week of each month from February. Booking opens 6 weeks before the date of each session. If the sessions become more popular, we may offer more dates.

Book your place.

What are you going to get finished?

Focus Fix: Pomodoro Sessions for Science Researchers

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Photograph of woman staring at a laptop looking stressed biting down on a pecil so that it is out either side of her mouth.

Do you find it hard to focus on your thesis writing without interruptions? Procrastinating over finishing a conference poster? Never enough time to read that new paper? If you’re having issues like these a library pomodoro session might be just the thing for you!

What is a pomodoro session?

A pomodoro session is a study technique that aims to create protected, distraction free time for you to work. Many people find maintaining focus on a task for more than 25 – 30 minutes at a time challenging. In a pomodoro session, work is broken into 25-minute chunks, separated by 5-minute breaks. These 5-minute breaks allow your concentration to ‘reset’ meaning you can be more focused and productive across the session. Pomodoro sessions usually last between 2 – 3 hours.

Why is it called ‘Pomodoro’?

Photograph of a tomato shaped timer
Il pomodoro by Francesco Cirillo via Wikicommons CC BY-SA 3.0

The original creator of the pomodoro technique was Francesco Cirillo. He used a mechanical, tomato shaped kitchen timer. ‘Pomodoro’ is the Italian word for ‘tomato’.

Why do a pomodoro session at the library?

Photograph of several students in the RSL reading room.
Photograph by John Cairns.

All you need for a pomodoro session on your own is a quiet space and a timer. However, when doing pomodoro on your own, you can be more susceptible to distractions or not following the timings. In a library pomodoro, you will be working in a quiet group study area with other people. A librarian will run the session and manage the timing. Working around other people may help you stay motivated and focused. At the end of the library session, there is an opportunity for you to socialise with colleagues over free tea and coffee.

Top tips for getting the most out of pomodoro

  • Set a goal – decide what you want to achieve at the session before you come. Make a to-do list if you have several tasks.
  • Kill distractions – no phones, no e-mail or social media notifications and switch devices to ‘Do not disturb’ and silent mode.
  • Review – at the end of the pomodoro take a few minutes to review what you’ve achieved and update your to-do list.

You’ll find further tips on our guides: Getting the most out of a pomodoro and a Pomodoro etiquette.

Getting_the_most_out_of_a_pomodoro_sessionDownload
Pomodoro_Etiquette_GuideDownload

Where can I find more information about the Pomodoro technique?

  • YouTube Video from the Open University on the Pomodoro technique
  • Background information with further literature links from Derby University
  • Book ‘Pomodoro Technique Illustrated’ / Francesco Cirillo

Can I come to a pomodoro session at the library?

We are offering Pomodoro sessions in the first week of each month from July to December. You can book online using the link below. Booking opens 6 weeks before the date of each session. We offer a choice of 2 or 3-hour sessions.