When finals approach, I often find myself procrastinating by looking up productivity advice, rationalizing that if I use their techniques, I’ll make up the time I’ve wasted. The one that always proves useful, at least for me, is Pomodoro, based on a kitchen timer. You work for 25 minutes, hear the buzz, and take either a 5 or 10 minute break. It’s low tech, but it’s simple, and sometimes, knowing you’re under short-term pressure can be more helpful than the usual anxiety of completing a larger project.
