Test-prep season can feel like a never-ending marathon of exams and quizzes and essays. Students in middle or high school sometimes experience stress in trying to stay focused, avoid distractions, and somehow retain all that information.
Time Timer visual timers can change the way students of all ages tackle study time, especially when incorporating Pomodoro-style techniques.
Why Focus Is Hard (Especially When Studying)
Our brains naturally wander, especially when faced with long or stressful tasks. Even when the screen controls are on to prevent any sudden trips to YouTube or other digital distractions, the brain becomes its own producer of distractions. Procrastination can result.
However, focusing better doesn’t mean having to study for hours on end.
Taking regular breaks actually boosts your ability to learn and remember information. But not all breaks offer these benefits, as spending time on social media has been found to not actually give your mind a break.
When you study in focused intervals followed by short rests, you’re using the strategy “spaced repetition”, which strengthens memory.
That’s where the Pomodoro Technique and similar strategies come in.
What is the Pomodoro Technique?
It’s simple:
- Choose a task (e.g., study for a history test).
- Set a timer for 25 minutes (the length of one “Pomodoro”)
- Work only on that task until the timer rings.
- Take a five-minute break.
- After four Pomodoros, take a longer break (15–30 minutes).
You can tweak the times to match focus levels, but the idea is to create a rhythm: study, break, study, break.
Meet Time Timer: Your Secret Study Weapon
Most timers show just numbers counting down. Time Timer visual timer, with its patented elapsing disk, shows time disappearing. This simple design is surprisingly powerful.
The colored disk serves as an immediate visual cue for how much time is left—no need to mentally calculate how much time is left or constantly check your phone with all of its tempting distractions.
Time Timer visualizes the 25 minutes of a Pomodoro so that with just a quick glance you can stay focused and accountable.
Why Time Timer Works for Students
How to Create a Test-Prep Routine with Time Timer
Now let’s put it all together into a system that actually works. Here’s how to use Time Timer and Pomodoro-style strategies to prep for your next big test without burning out.
Step 1: Plan Out the Study Sessions
List topics and tasks to tackle, such as:
- Review biology flashcards
- Do algebra practice problems
- Memorize key dates and names for history
Break larger tasks into smaller, manageable chunks. If you are doing Pomodoros, each task should fit into a 25-minute session.
However, feel free to choose your own time chunk for studying. Our line of visual timers has all kinds of time ranges, so you can experiment as you see fit.
Step 2: Set Up Study Blocks
Use the Time Timer to block out your first session.
The key directive is to only focus on the task at hand. No multitasking or taking “mini-breaks” within this block—the break comes after.
Step 3: Take Intentional Breaks
When the timer goes off, take a 5-minute break—but make it a real break that is characterized by a lack of stimulation, rather than alternative “fun” stimulation like going online.
Stretching, a quick walk, meditating, or doing a breathing exercise are healthy breaks.
The idea is to clear one’s head so that the mind is able to process what it was just exposed to during the study session.
Step 4: Repeat and Reward
After the fourth session take a longer break.
Rest, grab a snack, or even reward yourself with a catnap.
The key is balance—study hard, break smart.
Real-Life Study Schedules with Time Timer
Below are a few sample study schedules to use depending on how much time is available.
One Hour
- 25 minutes: Study vocabulary
- 5 minutes: Break
- 25 minutes: Practice math problems
- 5 minutes: Break
2 Hours
- 25 minutes: Review history notes
- 5 minutes: Break
- 25 minutes: Flashcards for chemistry
- 5 minutes: Break
- 25 minutes: Memorize geometry postulates
- 5 minutes: Break
- 25 minutes: Quiz
- 15–30 minutes: Break
3–4 Hours
- 2 hours of Pomodoro blocks
- 30-minute break
- 2 more focused hours
- End the session with a reward
Tips to Stay on Track
- Use a Time Timer MOD visual timer or Time Timer PLUS, both are portable but fit readily onto desks and study spaces.
- Mute notifications: Switch on “Do Not Disturb”.
- Make it a habit – Using a Time Timer visual timer daily can habituate oneself to using it as a tool for getting focused.
- Set goals and rewards – Small prizes like snacks can help with motivation.
Need a time-management tool for study sessions? Check out Time Timer’s line of visual timers!