Difference between revisions of "Efficiently Get Your Homework Done"
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No one likes having to do homework. It can take hours out of your evening and often times it's all too easy to put it off in favor of other activities. But the reality is you have to get your homework done if you want to succeed in school. Staying on top of your assignments and learning how to work more efficiently will make getting your homework done less stressful and much more manageable. | No one likes having to do homework. It can take hours out of your evening and often times it's all too easy to put it off in favor of other activities. But the reality is you have to get your homework done if you want to succeed in school. Staying on top of your assignments and learning how to work more efficiently will make getting your homework done less stressful and much more manageable. | ||
| − | [[Category:Homework Skills]] | + | [[Category: Homework Skills]] |
== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
===Creating a Productive Study Environment=== | ===Creating a Productive Study Environment=== | ||
| − | #Turn off the TV and radio. Though it may seem like having these things on in the background will dull some of the boredom of doing your homework, they will actually make it more difficult to concentrate and your homework will ultimately take even longer to finish.<ref>http://kidshealth.org/en/teens/homework.html#</ref> | + | #Turn off the TV and radio. Though it may seem like having these things on in the background will dull some of the boredom of doing your homework, they will actually make it more difficult to concentrate and your homework will ultimately take even longer to finish.<ref name="rf1">http://kidshealth.org/en/teens/homework.html#</ref> |
#*An exception to this rule is soft white noise or classical music. | #*An exception to this rule is soft white noise or classical music. | ||
#*Some people still work better and more efficiently if they have complete silence. | #*Some people still work better and more efficiently if they have complete silence. | ||
| − | #Put away social media. Close any browser windows with email, Facebook or Twitter so you are not tempted to take frequent breaks to to check for updates.<ref>https://studyskills.com/students/homework-staying-focused-to-get-it-done-faster/</ref> | + | #Put away social media. Close any browser windows with email, Facebook or Twitter so you are not tempted to take frequent breaks to to check for updates.<ref name="rf2">https://studyskills.com/students/homework-staying-focused-to-get-it-done-faster/</ref> |
#*Turn of the alerts on your phone for social media apps. | #*Turn of the alerts on your phone for social media apps. | ||
| − | #*Applications like Focus Booster and StayFocused can eliminate clutter on your screen and temporarily block access to sites like YouTube and Instagram so you don't get distracted.<ref>http://www.pcworld.com/article/2048449/get-back-to-work-great-software-for-reducing-distractions.html</ref> | + | #*Applications like Focus Booster and StayFocused can eliminate clutter on your screen and temporarily block access to sites like YouTube and Instagram so you don't get distracted.<ref name="rf3">http://www.pcworld.com/article/2048449/get-back-to-work-great-software-for-reducing-distractions.html</ref> |
#Find somewhere free of distractions. A library or quiet room in your house is best. If you are the type of person who can focus with a bit of white noise in the background, a quiet cafe might be an option. Avoid loud crowded places like restaurants or bars. | #Find somewhere free of distractions. A library or quiet room in your house is best. If you are the type of person who can focus with a bit of white noise in the background, a quiet cafe might be an option. Avoid loud crowded places like restaurants or bars. | ||
| − | #Choose a place you can lay out all your materials. Find a large open table or desk where you can have your books open as well as a notebook and other materials spread out and easily accessible.<ref>http://scs.tamu.edu/?q=node/74</ref> | + | #Choose a place you can lay out all your materials. Find a large open table or desk where you can have your books open as well as a notebook and other materials spread out and easily accessible.<ref name="rf4">http://scs.tamu.edu/?q=node/74</ref> |
===Getting the Work Done=== | ===Getting the Work Done=== | ||
#Make a list. Write down what you need to get done and in what order you are going to do it. Sticking to this schedule will give you a greater feeling of control over your homework. | #Make a list. Write down what you need to get done and in what order you are going to do it. Sticking to this schedule will give you a greater feeling of control over your homework. | ||
#*List items starting with the most difficult. | #*List items starting with the most difficult. | ||
#*If you have one large assignment with multiple parts, break those down in their own list. | #*If you have one large assignment with multiple parts, break those down in their own list. | ||
| − | #Start with the hardest or most boring assignments. Your ability to concentrate will be highest when you first begin doing homework which should make these more difficult tasks take less time.<ref>http://www.ucc.vt.edu/academic_support_students/online_study_skills_workshops/improving_concentration_memory/index.html</ref> | + | #Start with the hardest or most boring assignments. Your ability to concentrate will be highest when you first begin doing homework which should make these more difficult tasks take less time.<ref name="rf5">http://www.ucc.vt.edu/academic_support_students/online_study_skills_workshops/improving_concentration_memory/index.html</ref> |
#*If you are having trouble getting started you might start with a couple of shorter assignments that you can easily cross off your list before tackling the more difficult or more boring work. | #*If you are having trouble getting started you might start with a couple of shorter assignments that you can easily cross off your list before tackling the more difficult or more boring work. | ||
#*If you find yourself running out of steam or getting distracted, try taking a break to work on one of your easier assignment. This way you're giving yourself a chance to recharge while still staying productive. | #*If you find yourself running out of steam or getting distracted, try taking a break to work on one of your easier assignment. This way you're giving yourself a chance to recharge while still staying productive. | ||
| − | #Read any chapter summaries or introductions. These will give you a good idea of what material is going to pop up and prepare you for what to look for as you read.<ref | + | #Read any chapter summaries or introductions. These will give you a good idea of what material is going to pop up and prepare you for what to look for as you read.<ref name="rf4" /> |
| − | #Read passages out loud. If you are the type of reader who feels like you always have to go back and reread sections or someone who finds their mind drifting in the middle of paragraphs, reading out loud can be a great way to stay focused on the material and increase your comprehension.<ref>http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/lrc/lr/PDF/concentration%20%28W%29.pdf</ref> | + | #Read passages out loud. If you are the type of reader who feels like you always have to go back and reread sections or someone who finds their mind drifting in the middle of paragraphs, reading out loud can be a great way to stay focused on the material and increase your comprehension.<ref name="rf6">http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/lrc/lr/PDF/concentration%20%28W%29.pdf</ref> |
#Write out an explanation. Rephrase passages or the steps to solving a problem in your own words to help your understand and memorize key concepts. | #Write out an explanation. Rephrase passages or the steps to solving a problem in your own words to help your understand and memorize key concepts. | ||
#*Imagine you are explaining it someone else. | #*Imagine you are explaining it someone else. | ||
| − | #Take notes in the margins. Have a pen or highlighter handy to note points that seem important.<ref>http://web.stanford.edu/dept/CTL/Student/studyskills/top11.pdf</ref> | + | #Take notes in the margins. Have a pen or highlighter handy to note points that seem important.<ref name="rf7">http://web.stanford.edu/dept/CTL/Student/studyskills/top11.pdf</ref> |
#Be an active reader. Make sure you are asking questions of the text rather than just trying to breeze through the reading. Consider the writer’s intent, organization, voice etc. | #Be an active reader. Make sure you are asking questions of the text rather than just trying to breeze through the reading. Consider the writer’s intent, organization, voice etc. | ||
| − | #Change chapter titles and headings into questions. For example Rudiments of Geological Mapping becomes What are the Rudiments of Geological Mapping? Now as you read you can be looking for the answers to this question.<ref | + | #Change chapter titles and headings into questions. For example Rudiments of Geological Mapping becomes What are the Rudiments of Geological Mapping? Now as you read you can be looking for the answers to this question.<ref name="rf4" /> |
| − | #Break longer assignments up into smaller tasks. If you have a hundred math problems to do, tell yourself you have to get twenty of them done in the next 30 or 40 minutes. If you have ten chapters to read in a novel, focus on getting through one or two at a time with brief breaks in between. <ref | + | #Break longer assignments up into smaller tasks. If you have a hundred math problems to do, tell yourself you have to get twenty of them done in the next 30 or 40 minutes. If you have ten chapters to read in a novel, focus on getting through one or two at a time with brief breaks in between. <ref name="rf2" /> |
===Managing Your Time=== | ===Managing Your Time=== | ||
| − | #Set goals. <ref | + | #Set goals. <ref name="rf7" /> Before you get started write down what you hope to accomplish. Is your goal to finish the outline for a paper? To complete the practice test at the end of the chapter in your math book? Be realistic about what you can get done while still challenging yourself. |
| − | #Give yourself rewards. Setting up small rewards for yourself can be a great motivator as long as you practice restraint and stick to your schedule. <ref>https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/mental-wealth/201206/10-tips-make-homework-time-less-painful</ref> | + | #Give yourself rewards. Setting up small rewards for yourself can be a great motivator as long as you practice restraint and stick to your schedule. <ref name="rf8">https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/mental-wealth/201206/10-tips-make-homework-time-less-painful</ref> |
#*Have a granola bar or some almonds as a snack. | #*Have a granola bar or some almonds as a snack. | ||
#*Listen to some music. | #*Listen to some music. | ||
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#Take short breaks. Sitting and focusing for a long period of time can be exhausting. Giving your brain and body a break will help you stay alert. Take a ten minute break every hour or so to get up, stretch, walk around or grab something to eat. | #Take short breaks. Sitting and focusing for a long period of time can be exhausting. Giving your brain and body a break will help you stay alert. Take a ten minute break every hour or so to get up, stretch, walk around or grab something to eat. | ||
#Set a timer. This can be a helpful way to get started. Tell yourself you need to work for a half an hour straight before you can do anything else. You can increase the time as you go to start training yourself to work for longer periods of time without a break. | #Set a timer. This can be a helpful way to get started. Tell yourself you need to work for a half an hour straight before you can do anything else. You can increase the time as you go to start training yourself to work for longer periods of time without a break. | ||
| − | #Don’t rely on too much coffee. Caffeine can make you more alert and help you stay awake, but too much can leave you jittery and anxious which will make getting your homework done even more difficult. Try to stick to one or two cups. <ref>http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/ss/slideshow-brain-foods-that-help-you-concentrate</ref> | + | #Don’t rely on too much coffee. Caffeine can make you more alert and help you stay awake, but too much can leave you jittery and anxious which will make getting your homework done even more difficult. Try to stick to one or two cups. <ref name="rf9">http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/ss/slideshow-brain-foods-that-help-you-concentrate</ref> |
| − | #Take full advantage of study hall. <ref>http://kidshealth.org/en/teens/homework.html</ref>Most high school students have study hall time. Use this to get as much of your homework done as you can so you won’t won’t have such a daunting amount when you get home. | + | #Take full advantage of study hall. <ref name="rf10">http://kidshealth.org/en/teens/homework.html</ref>Most high school students have study hall time. Use this to get as much of your homework done as you can so you won’t won’t have such a daunting amount when you get home. |
#*If you are in college, set time aside in between classes to visit the library or another quiet place. | #*If you are in college, set time aside in between classes to visit the library or another quiet place. | ||
#Avoid multitasking. Work one assignment at a time. See the assignment through to the end. | #Avoid multitasking. Work one assignment at a time. See the assignment through to the end. | ||
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#*Don’t try and cook or clean while doing your homework. | #*Don’t try and cook or clean while doing your homework. | ||
===Knowing When and How to Ask for Help=== | ===Knowing When and How to Ask for Help=== | ||
| − | #Make sure you’ve done all you can. Don’t just stop at a problem you don’t understand and immediately go out and ask for help. Instead, skip it and move on. You may discover the answer further into the homework. If not, you don’t want to burden someone with too many questions. Stick to the items you truly can’t work out yourself. <ref | + | #Make sure you’ve done all you can. Don’t just stop at a problem you don’t understand and immediately go out and ask for help. Instead, skip it and move on. You may discover the answer further into the homework. If not, you don’t want to burden someone with too many questions. Stick to the items you truly can’t work out yourself. <ref name="rf1" /> |
| − | #Don’t fall too far behind.<ref | + | #Don’t fall too far behind.<ref name="rf1" /> Sticking to your schedule will help you avoid a lot of needless stress |
#Get the email address or phone number of a few classmates. Reaching out to another student in class can be a great way to get a little extra help. | #Get the email address or phone number of a few classmates. Reaching out to another student in class can be a great way to get a little extra help. | ||
#*Make sure you contact them with specific questions. | #*Make sure you contact them with specific questions. | ||
