How to Write Amounts in Words on Checks and Invoices
A guide to writing money amounts in words on checks, invoices and contracts — in English and Arabic — with cents and sub-units, the “only” format and worked examples.
You sit down to study, open the book, and five minutes later you're scrolling your phone. An hour passes with little done, and guilt and stress set in. If that sounds familiar, you're not alone — and the problem isn't intelligence, it's how you manage time and attention. The Pomodoro Technique is one of the simplest and most effective ways to break the cycle.
What is the Pomodoro Technique?
Created by Italian student Francesco Cirillo in the 1980s, it's built on a simple idea: work with full focus for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. Each work block is a “pomodoro”. After four, take a longer 15–30-minute break.
Why it works
- Beats procrastination: “I'll study for just 25 minutes” is far easier for your brain than “I'll finish the whole chapter”.
- Protects focus: knowing a break is minutes away makes it easier to ignore your phone.
- Fights fatigue: regular breaks give your brain time to consolidate information.
- Makes progress visible: counting completed pomodoros builds momentum.
How to start today
- Write small tasks: instead of “review physics”, write “solve 10 problems from chapter 3”.
- Remove distractions: put your phone in another room or turn on focus mode, and close unneeded tabs.
- Start the timer: open the Pomodoro Timer and press “Start”.
- Work until it rings: if an unrelated thought pops up, jot it down and get straight back.
- Take a real break: stand, stretch, drink water, look away from screens. No social media!
- Repeat: after four rounds, take a long break.
Handling interruptions
If someone interrupts, kindly ask them to wait until the round ends — 25 minutes at most. If it's urgent, stop and restart the pomodoro later; the rule is that a pomodoro can't be split.
A suggested exam-day schedule
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 08:00 – 10:00 | 4 pomodoros on your hardest subject (when your mind is freshest) |
| 10:00 – 10:30 | Long break and a light snack |
| 10:30 – 12:30 | 4 pomodoros of practice problems and past papers |
| 12:30 – 14:30 | Lunch and rest |
| 14:30 – 16:30 | 4 pomodoros on a second subject |
| Evening | 2–3 pomodoros of light review, then enough sleep |
Use the Countdown Timer to see how long remains until each exam, and spread subjects across the remaining days by difficulty and weight.
More tips for smarter studying
- Active recall: after each pomodoro, close the book and write what you remember — far more powerful than rereading.
- Spaced repetition: review after one day, three days and a week to lock information into long-term memory.
- Sleep isn't optional: your brain consolidates learning during sleep; all-nighters before exams do more harm than good.
- Write your own summaries: and check their length with the Word Counter if there's a limit.
When results arrive, work out your grades with the GPA Calculator. Good luck with your exams!