Studying can be difficult these days. There are countless distractions that, when paired with an insufficient amount of motivation, make it impossible to get any work done. The 52/17 rule is a renowned method of accomplishing tasks, containing a generous time frame for maximum productivity while also allowing for frequent breaks.
Written by Maryan Shaker
How it Works
It’s difficult to be 100% productive without taking a break ever so often. With this technique, you would work for 52 minutes and then take a 17-minute break. After the break, you would return to 52 more minutes of work, and so on. This technique allows you to make the most of 52 minutes with the motivation of a prospective 17-minute break. You can try this out by using the timer on your phone or through a website like 52/17 - Interval Timer.
During your breaks, you can grab something to eat or drink, go for a small walk, or catch up with a friend. It is recommended you get moving and stay away from screens. Keeping yourself in a good mood by doing something you enjoy is the key to maintaining productivity.
Most importantly, try to stick to 17-minute breaks. Extending the time or skipping breaks altogether may throw off your entire rhythm. Although 52/17 is the recommended ratio, altering either the work time or break time to your preference is encouraged. If 17 minutes doesn’t work for you, try a different amount. As long as you are consistent and staying productive with this method, altering either the work period or break time by a few minutes should give you the same benefits of efficiency and productivity.
Setting specific times for doing work and taking breaks allows you to accomplish more. You're mentally training yourself that this selected interval of time is just to be productive, without constantly trying to take a peek at your phone. Knowing that you're going to have a designated time to do whatever you want allows you to eagerly focus on the task at hand.
Pomodoro vs. 52/17
In comparison to the Pomodoro Technique, which involves 25 minutes of work separated by 5-minute breaks, the 52/17 rule allows for more time to get into the groove of working. Some argue that 25 minutes is not actually enough time for a sufficient amount of in-depth work to be done. Although both techniques have been proven to increase productivity, it is ultimately up to you to decide which technique works best for you.
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