This Tool Can Be A Lifeline for Advisors During the Busy Season

If you’re an academic advisor or student success coach, you know the chaos of registration season all too well: endless emails, nonstop appointments, back-to-back meetings, and a to-do list that seems to regenerate overnight.

When every task feels urgent, focus becomes a luxury.

That’s where the Pomodoro Technique comes in, a deceptively simple time-management method that can help you regain control of your day, one tomato at a time.

What Is the Pomodoro Technique?

Developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s, the Pomodoro Technique breaks work into focused intervals (typically 25 minutes) separated by short breaks. Cirillo used a kitchen timer shaped like a tomato, pomodoro in Italian, hence the name.

Here’s the basic rhythm:

• Choose one task to work on.

• Set a timer for 25 minutes and focus only on that task.

• When the timer rings, take a 5-minute break.

• After four rounds, take a longer break (15–30 minutes).

It sounds almost too easy, but it works because it honors how our brains actually function. Human focus naturally wanes after about 20–30 minutes. The short bursts keep motivation high while the breaks prevent mental fatigue. (Related Reading: The Secret to Success for First-Year Academic Advisors: The 70/20/10 Model)

Why It’s Perfect for Advising and Coaching Work

The Pomodoro Technique fits well with the unpredictable rhythm of academic advising thanks to its flexible structure.

• Tame the email monster. Dedicate one Pomodoro to triaging your inbox rather than constantly checking. You’ll spend less total time on email but with a sharper focus.

  
  

• Protect deep-focus time. Block two Pomodoros early in the morning for projects that require concentration.

  
  

• Recharge between appointments. Use the five-minute breaks intentionally: stretch, breathe, refill water, or take a short walk in your building. Those micro-pauses refresh your attention span and emotional patience.

  
  

• Build momentum. Tracking completed Pomodoros gives an instant sense of progress. Even during chaotic days, you can see tangible wins stack up.

How to Get Started

• Use a visible timer. Try Pomodoro apps, use your phone's built-in stopwatch, or go old-school with a physical timer.

  
  

• Plan Pomodoros by task type. Rather than use your focus time to jump around several tasks, focus on one task, such as emails, advising notes, or committee work.

  
  

• Communicate boundaries. If possible, let your colleagues know you need to focus on something for a bit. This could reduce some unexpected interruptions.

  
  

• Close your tabs. Turn off your email when you're focusing, so a notification doesn't pull you off task.

Why It Works So Well in Student-Success Roles

Advisors and coaches live in a constant blend of relational and administrative labor, each demanding different mental muscles. The Pomodoro Technique respects that balance: deep focus with built-in breaks for an emotional reset, and clear endpoints for an otherwise endless workflow. (Related Reading: The Part of Sense of Belonging Nobody Talks About)

By pacing your day with Pomodoros, you reclaim your sense of agency in a season that often feels uncontrollable. You’ll leave work less drained, more present, and ready to serve students at your best.