Pomodoro Virtual Study Sessions – Spring 2021: How It Works

(March 2nd, 3rd, 9th, 10th, 16th, 17th, 23rd, 24th, 30th and 31st)

General Questions? 
Please complete this Questions for the Law Library? form.

Faculty Research Question?
Please complete our Faculty Request form.

Student Research Question?
Please complete our Student Research Request form. 

MacMillan Library Virtual Research Services (January 4, 2021 - May 14, 2021):

          Monday - Friday: 9am - 5pm

MacMillan Library Building Hours (January 19, 2021 - May 14, 2021)

Monday - Thursday: 8am - 9pm
Friday: 8am - 6:30pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Noon - 6pm

Virtual Reference Desk (Zoom Meeting ID: 930-5184-4067) 
Monday - Thursday: 10am - 4pm
Friday: 10am - 2pm
Saturday - Sunday: Closed

This session is about individual study in a group setting and DOES NOT require any engagement with anyone in the session.   Feel free to join and leave the Zoom meeting as often as you like.

We have a theory that there is a certain energy and motivation that comes from studying in a group.  Since we cannot offer group study in our library's physical space due to the pandemic, we thought we would try to support group study in our virtual space.  But, we know you are tired of zoom.  Therefore, these sessions are designed to require minimal engagement.  We'll focus on the timer, you focus on the study.

Join Zoom Meeting

(March 2nd, 3rd, 9th, 10th, 16th, 17th, 23rd, 24th, 30th and 31st)

1. Engagement Not Required

When you join our Zoom Session, we will provide a link in the chat to this guide so you can orient yourself to the goals and etiquette of our Virtual Pomodoro Study Sessions.  We will announce the start of each Pomodoro Session and break period.  During the breaks, you are encouraged to turn off your camera, get up, walk around, and disconnect from the work.  

2. Come and Go As You Please

You are invited to join as few or as many Pomodoro sessions as you choose.  For best results, once a Pomodoro has started, it is beneficial to work through the full 25 minutes.  Even if it's going poorly, there is still merit and achievement in sticking it out.

3. Cameras are Optional - But Highly Encouraged

We think there is benefit to literally seeing other people working with you.  In this disconnected and isolating time, we think we each may be able to gain some benefit and connection by simply leaving our cameras on.  Of course, we understand if that is just too much.  We promise not to judge if you decide to turn your camera off.

Join Zoom Meeting

A Pomodoro is indivisible.  A Pomodoro can't be interrupted.  It marks 25 minutes of pure work.  A Pomodoro can't be split up: there is no such thing as half a Pomodoro or a quarter of a Pomodoro.  See "Dealing with Interruptions" if your Pomodoro is interrupted. 

When the Pomodoro Rings, stop working.  When the Pomodoro rings, mark an X on a piece of paper and stop working for 3 - 5 minutes.  The Pomodoro ring signals that the current activity is definitely (though temporarily) finished.  You are not allowed to keep on working "for just a few minutes" even if you are convinced that in those few minutes you could complete the task at hand. 

Disconnect from your work during the break.  The 3 - 5 minute break gives you the time you need to disconnect from your work.  This allows your mind to assimilate what's been learned in the last 25 minutes and also give you a chance to do something good for your health, which will help you do your best during your next Pomodoro.  During the break, you can stand up and walk around the room, have a drink of water, etc.  Do not engage in anything that requires significant mental effort.  

Every four  Pomodoros, take a longer break.  Every four Pomodoro, stop the activity you're working on and take a longer break, from 15 to 30 minutes.  This 15 - 30 minute break provides an ideal opportunity to tidy your workspace, go get some coffee, listen to voice mails or simply rest and do breathing exercises or take a walk.  The important thing is not to do anything complex; otherwise your mind won't be able to reorganize and intergrate what you've learned, and as a result, you won't be able to give the next Pomodoro your best effort. 

If the Pomodoro begins, it has to ring.  If you finish a task while the Pomodoro is still ticking, use the remaining portion of the Pomodoro to review or repeat what you've done, make small improvements and note what you've learned until the Pomodoro Rings.  If you finish the activity in the first five minutes of the Pomodoro, and feel the task was actually finished during the previous Pomodoro and revision wouldn't be worthwhile, as an exception to the rule, the current Pomodoro doesn't have to be included in your Pomodoro count for the day.