Homework Timer
The assignment isn't getting smaller. Give it 25 minutes and watch it shrink.
Tasks
The hardest part of homework is the ten seconds before starting. A homework timer shrinks the commitment to something your brain will accept: not 'do the problem set,' just 'work on it for 25 minutes.' Once you are three problems in, momentum usually does the rest.
Add tonight's assignments as tasks, estimate how many pomodoros each needs, and the timer shows your estimated finish time — turning 'this will take forever' into 'done by 8:40.'
Beat the procrastination loop
Procrastination feeds on vagueness and open-endedness: no clear start, no visible end. The timer supplies both. The countdown makes the session finite, the break is always minutes away, and every completed pomodoro is a small, real win that makes the next one easier to start.
Phone out of reach, one assignment at a time, and let the lofi player or rain sounds cover the household noise. If a distraction pops into your head, jot it in the task list and deal with it on the break.
For parents and younger students
The Pomodoro structure works well for homework supervision without hovering: agree on the number of pomodoros, not the hours. 'Three focused pomodoros on math' is checkable and finite, where 'do your homework' invites negotiation. Shorter 15 minute sprints (one tap in Settings) suit younger students' attention spans better.
Frequently asked questions
How do I stop procrastinating on homework?
Shrink the start: commit to one 25 minute timer on one assignment, phone in another room. Starting is the bottleneck — a small, finite commitment gets you past it, and momentum tends to carry on from there.
How long should a homework session be?
25 minute focus blocks with 5 minute breaks suit most homework. Drop to 15 minute sprints if starting is hard or for younger students; stretch to 50/10 for essays and big projects.
Is it better to do homework with or without music?
Lyric-free sound — lofi, rain, white noise — helps most people block out distractions. Music with lyrics tends to interfere with reading and writing tasks. The built-in mixer lets you test what works for you.