Learn Like A Pro

Question 1

Pomodoro sessions give your brain ?

Answer 1

Practice thinking in FOCUS mode without disruption

Question 2

How do the short breaks in the Pomodoro technique help learning?

Answer 2

Shifting our mind to DIFFUSE mode gives the mind a chance to transfer what we have just learned to long term memory.

Question 3

What makes the Pomodoro Technique so effective?

Answer 3

1. Short bursts of FOCUSED thinking give the brain practice in focusing without disruption.
2. Bursts of FOCUSED mode interleaved with short breaks in DIFFUSE mode allow the brain to work longer without tiring.
3. DIFFUSE mode breaks allow the mind to transfer what we have just learned to long-term memory, clearing our FOCUS for new learning.
4. Using the Pomodoro Technique teaches focus on learning as a process of putting in certain amounts of dedicated time, rather than the end goal or outcome.

Question 4

How does the Pomodoro Technique help prevent procrastination?

Answer 4

1. Keeps us focused long enough for the “pain in the brain” of thinking about something we don’t want to do to diminish.
2. It’s much easier to commit and recommit ourselves to short bursts of dedicated activity than to seemingly endless sessions.
3. Anticipation of reward keeps motivation up.

Question 5

When studying new material, you should spend part of the Pomodoro segment doing what?

Answer 5

Looking away from what you’re studying and trying to recall what you just learned.

Question 6

What should you not do during the breaks between Pomodoros?

Answer 6

Engage in activities that require focus mode thinking, such as make phone calls, texting, web surfing, gaming, reading

Question 7

What should you do during the breaks between Pomodoros?

Answer 7

Allow your mind to enter diffuse mode. Mindless activities like daydreaming, routine tasks and chores that you can do while your mind wanders.

Question 8

What is attention residue?

Answer 8

Attention residue is leftover attention form your previous task that means your attention isn’t fully focused on the new task.

Question 9

What causes attention residue?

Answer 9

Multitasking and frequent task switching.

Question 10

Why can multitasking and frequent task switching be a bad idea?

Answer 10

They greatly increase distraction, increases errors, slows work, diminishes learning and causes forgetting.

Question 11

What are the best places to study?

Answer 11

Places where distractions are eliminated or minimized.

Question 12

What is a ready to-resume-plan?

Answer 12

A conscious mental or written note, made when work is interrupted, of where you are in your current task and how you’ll return to that task.

Question 13

How does a ready-to-resume plan reduce attention residue?

Answer 13

It provides a sense of temporary completeness that allows you to fully engage in the interrupting task and allows you to return to the original task more easily.

Question 14

What is cognitive exhaustion?

Answer 14

When specific areas of the brain tire from use, just a muscles tire from exercise.

Question 15

How can you prevent cognitive exhaustion?

Answer 15

Take frequent, 5-10 minute breaks involving complete mental relaxation doing nothing at all or taking a brief nap.

Question 16

How many hours per day should you study in college?

Answer 16

2-8 hours per weekday (in addition to classes). A students average 6-8 hrs. per day.

Question 17

Why are breaks that involve something physical a good idea?

Answer 17

• When you’re moving around part of your mind can enter diffuse mode.
• Movement and exercise themselves are helpful for the learning process.

Question 18

What happens when we think about something we don’t like to do?

Answer 18

Minor feelings of discomfort occur, actual “pains in the brain”. Counter intuitively, the pain dissipates once we get started on the task.