Why Homework Matters

Why Homework Matters In high school, you think of homework as a big mass of stuff that you have to do on an everyday basis, usually. I am going to do my homework when I get home this afternoon. You never made me do my homework, which is why I couldn't get any job that required any education. You don't ask me to do my homework or to be home at a decent hour. Your reward can be anything that motivates you. Maybe it’s hanging out with your best friend or an extra ten minutes of video game time. As long as you’re choosing something that makes homework worth doing, you’ll be successful. “There is no way they can give me more homework,” she reasons. Others were eager to approach school officials. But at least one parent didn’t agree, and forwarded the whole exchange to the teacher in question. Every parent I know in New York City comments on how much homework their children have. These lamentations are a ritual whenever we are gathered around kitchen islands talking about our kids’ schools. But the truth is, most people only have one or two major roadblocks that are keeping them from getting their homework done well and on time. link Permalink It might be more of a college thing. If you feel like you’re being pulled in a million directions at once, you’re not alone. Recent research has found that stressâ€"and more severe stress-related conditions like anxiety and depressionâ€"are a major problem for high school students. In fact, one study from the American Psychological Association found that during the school year, students’ stress levels are higher than those of the adults around them. If you’re a life-long procrastinator, you might find that changing the habit is harder than you expected. In that case, you might try using procrastination to your advantage! Scroll down to find your core problem area to learn more about how you can start to address it. If your answers were mostly Bs, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is time management. Sometimes it feels like everything is standing between you and getting your homework done. For example, if you’ve been struggling to get your homework done at home, try spending an extra hour in the library after school instead. The change of scenery can limit your distractions and give you the energy you need to get your work done. Prioritizing your to-do list helps you visualize which items need your immediate attention, and which items you can leave for later. A prioritized to-do list ensures that you’re spending your time efficiently and effectively, which helps you make room in your schedule for homework. So even though you might really want to start making decorations for Homecoming , you’ll know that finishing your reading log is more important. If you just can’t seem to stop doing your work at the last minute, try setting your own due dates for assignments that range from a day to a week before the assignment is actually due. If you’re having trouble getting yourself to start your homework ahead of time, it may be a good idea to call in reinforcements. Find a friend or classmate you can trust and explain to them that you’re trying to change your homework habits. Ask them if they’d be willing to text you to make sure you’re doing your homework and check in with you once a week to see if you’re meeting your anti-procrastination goals. And the beautiful thing is that if you really commit to it, it won’t take that much more time than you’re spending right now. She has told me she feels that the many hours of homework in middle school have prepared her well. Not even the best students can focus for hours on end without breaking concentration. If your assignment is taking longer than an hour or so, give your brain a little 5 minute break every half hour to keep you sharp. “Sure,” you might say, “but homework is homework. How can I do it differently than I’m already doing it? ” So here’s a couple of tips that I’ve learned for doing your homework the right way. Because putting off doing homework is a common problem, there are lots of good tactics for addressing procrastination. Keep reading for our three expert tips that will get your homework habits back on track in no time. Merriam Webster defines “procrastinate” as “to put off intentionally and habitually.” In other words, procrastination is when you choose to do something at the last minute on a regular basis. Now that you’ve identified why you’re having a hard time getting your homework done, we can help you figure out how to fix it!