Study timer
Pomodoro-style study sessions with a planner that splits your revision into blocks you can actually finish.
How to study with a Pomodoro timer
- Make the list first. Break revision into tasks that fit in one to three blocks: “20 practice questions on quadratics”, not “maths”. The planner above can do this for you.
- One block, one task. Phone face down or in another room. If you remember something else, write it down.
- End each block by testing yourself. Use the last two minutes to write down what you just learned without looking. Retrieval practice like this is one of the best-supported study techniques in learning research (see the review by Dunlosky and colleagues, 2013).
- Mix subjects across the day. Switching topics between blocks (interleaving) feels harder but tends to help you remember more than doing one topic for hours.
- Revisit old material. Put a short review block at the end of the session, and review again in a few days (spaced practice).
Which study rhythm to pick
| Rhythm | Use it when |
|---|---|
| 25 / 5 | You’re starting a subject you dread, doing flashcards, or it’s late and you’re tired. |
| 45 / 15 | Reading-heavy revision, essay drafting, lecture review. |
| 50 / 10 | Problem sets and past papers where you need to stay in the zone. See the 50/10 rule. |
| 50 / 20 | You need a reward to get through: the Animedoro method. |
The study timer keeps its own interval settings (so your “study” rhythm can differ from your “work” rhythm on the main timer), but tasks and stats are shared.
Questions
What is the best study timer method?
For most students, 25 minutes of study and a 5-minute break is the easiest place to start, especially for subjects you are avoiding. Once you can sit through 25 minutes comfortably, try 45/15 or 50/10 for essays, problem sets and revision that need longer warm-up.
How long should I study before taking a break?
Somewhere between 25 and 50 minutes suits most people. Longer than about 90 minutes without a break and attention usually drops off. Short, regular breaks also give you natural checkpoints to test yourself on what you just covered.
What should I do during study breaks?
Move and rest your eyes: stand up, stretch, get water, look out of a window. Avoid starting a video or social feed in a 5-minute break; it rarely stays 5 minutes. Save that for a long break.
How does the AI study planner work?
You describe what you need to get through and how much time you have. The planner works out how many focus blocks fit and suggests what to do in each one, in order. It runs on a language model through Vercel AI Gateway, sees only the text you type, and nothing is stored. You can add the resulting tasks to your task list with one tap.
Can I study with music?
Many people do. Research on music while studying is mixed: instrumental music at low volume bothers most people less than music with lyrics, especially for reading. If you use music, put it in another tab; Focus25 doesn’t play background audio so it won’t clash.