Difference between revisions of "Get Boring Homework Done"
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===Setting Up Your Environment=== | ===Setting Up Your Environment=== | ||
| − | #Organize your supplies. Before you can tackle any homework, you need to make sure that you have everything you need to finish the job. You can avoid needing to get up every few minutes by gathering all your supplies first.<ref>http://www.howtolearn.com/2011/09/best-homework-tips-to-cut-study-time-in-half/</ref> | + | #Organize your supplies. Before you can tackle any homework, you need to make sure that you have everything you need to finish the job. You can avoid needing to get up every few minutes by gathering all your supplies first.<ref name="rf1">http://www.howtolearn.com/2011/09/best-homework-tips-to-cut-study-time-in-half/</ref> |
#* Take out all of your homework from your school bag, including your agenda, if you use one. Go through each homework task and determine what supplies you will need. | #* Take out all of your homework from your school bag, including your agenda, if you use one. Go through each homework task and determine what supplies you will need. | ||
#* Gather all of your supplies and keep them in reach. | #* Gather all of your supplies and keep them in reach. | ||
#* Make sure you have lots of paper, extra writing utensils, a calculator or other tools, and any textbooks you may need. If you need to use a laptop or computer, make sure that is available to you. | #* Make sure you have lots of paper, extra writing utensils, a calculator or other tools, and any textbooks you may need. If you need to use a laptop or computer, make sure that is available to you. | ||
| − | #Limit distractions. It’s easy to get distracted when you’re doing homework, especially if you find the homework to be boring. Help yourself to stay focused by removing all distractions from your environment.<ref | + | #Limit distractions. It’s easy to get distracted when you’re doing homework, especially if you find the homework to be boring. Help yourself to stay focused by removing all distractions from your environment.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#* Put your phone away. Put it on silent and hide it in a drawer so you’re not tempted to check it. | #* Put your phone away. Put it on silent and hide it in a drawer so you’re not tempted to check it. | ||
#* If you need to use a computer but find you’re easily distracted by other websites, use an internet nanny to block sites, like social media, that you don’t need to visit. | #* If you need to use a computer but find you’re easily distracted by other websites, use an internet nanny to block sites, like social media, that you don’t need to visit. | ||
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#Warm up your brain. You may need to take some time to get your brain back into study mode, especially if you’re doing your homework after dinner. It’ll be easier to focus on boring homework if your brain is ready to work. | #Warm up your brain. You may need to take some time to get your brain back into study mode, especially if you’re doing your homework after dinner. It’ll be easier to focus on boring homework if your brain is ready to work. | ||
#* Reading is a great way to warm up your brain. Read a newspaper article that catches your eye, a chapter from your favorite book or a section of a magazine. | #* Reading is a great way to warm up your brain. Read a newspaper article that catches your eye, a chapter from your favorite book or a section of a magazine. | ||
| − | #Stick to a routine. When possible, homework should be done on a set schedule as part of a daily routine. Boring homework won’t seem as boring if you know that it’s homework time instead of struggling to find time to get to your homework.<ref>https://www.empoweringparents.com/article/the-homework-battle-how-to-get-children-to-do-homework/#</ref> | + | #Stick to a routine. When possible, homework should be done on a set schedule as part of a daily routine. Boring homework won’t seem as boring if you know that it’s homework time instead of struggling to find time to get to your homework.<ref name="rf2">https://www.empoweringparents.com/article/the-homework-battle-how-to-get-children-to-do-homework/#</ref> |
#* Find a routine that works best for you. You might prefer to tackle your homework as soon as you come home to get it out of the way or you might want to take 20 minutes to relax first and then start on your homework. Whatever routine works for you, it’s important that you stick to it. | #* Find a routine that works best for you. You might prefer to tackle your homework as soon as you come home to get it out of the way or you might want to take 20 minutes to relax first and then start on your homework. Whatever routine works for you, it’s important that you stick to it. | ||
#* Try to do your homework in the same place and at the same time each day so your routine becomes second nature. | #* Try to do your homework in the same place and at the same time each day so your routine becomes second nature. | ||
| − | #Create a plan for finishing your homework. Take a few moments to plan out how you are going to do your homework. By creating a plan, the workload will seem more manageable because you’ll know exactly what is coming next.<ref>http://kidshealth.org/en/teens/homework.html</ref> | + | #Create a plan for finishing your homework. Take a few moments to plan out how you are going to do your homework. By creating a plan, the workload will seem more manageable because you’ll know exactly what is coming next.<ref name="rf3">http://kidshealth.org/en/teens/homework.html</ref> |
#* Write your plan as a to do list. Once you finish a task, you can cross it off your list. | #* Write your plan as a to do list. Once you finish a task, you can cross it off your list. | ||
#* Schedule your homework into sections. It’s less overwhelming if your homework is comprised of small tasks instead of one huge project. | #* Schedule your homework into sections. It’s less overwhelming if your homework is comprised of small tasks instead of one huge project. | ||
#* Write your plan in the order you want to finish it. Make sure homework that is urgent is on top of the list. | #* Write your plan in the order you want to finish it. Make sure homework that is urgent is on top of the list. | ||
| − | #Take breaks. It’s important to give your mind and your body some rest time while doing your homework. You don’t want to burn out or get frustrated. Schedule your breaks so that you keep yourself fresh and alert.<ref>http://kidshealth.org/en/teens/homework.html#</ref> | + | #Take breaks. It’s important to give your mind and your body some rest time while doing your homework. You don’t want to burn out or get frustrated. Schedule your breaks so that you keep yourself fresh and alert.<ref name="rf4">http://kidshealth.org/en/teens/homework.html#</ref> |
| − | #* Try the Pomodoro Technique: Set a timer for 25 minutes and work without stopping until the timer goes off. Once it goes off, take a five minute break. Reset the timer for another 25 minutes and repeat. After three breaks short breaks, take a longer (15 - 30 minutes) break.<ref>http://cirillocompany.de/pages/pomodoro-technique</ref> | + | #* Try the Pomodoro Technique: Set a timer for 25 minutes and work without stopping until the timer goes off. Once it goes off, take a five minute break. Reset the timer for another 25 minutes and repeat. After three breaks short breaks, take a longer (15 - 30 minutes) break.<ref name="rf5">http://cirillocompany.de/pages/pomodoro-technique</ref> |
#* Use your break time wisely. Get yourself a snack, refill a glass of water, stretch or walk around. Try to get up from your desk so that it feels like you’re really taking a break from the work. | #* Use your break time wisely. Get yourself a snack, refill a glass of water, stretch or walk around. Try to get up from your desk so that it feels like you’re really taking a break from the work. | ||
| − | #Reward yourself. Homework can be hard work, especially if it’s boring and tough to get through. Treat yourself to little rewards as an incentive to push through and get it all done.<ref>http://www.northbendlibrary.com/tips-to-concentrate-on-boring-homework-assignments.php</ref> | + | #Reward yourself. Homework can be hard work, especially if it’s boring and tough to get through. Treat yourself to little rewards as an incentive to push through and get it all done.<ref name="rf6">http://www.northbendlibrary.com/tips-to-concentrate-on-boring-homework-assignments.php</ref> |
#* Set up a reward system so that you get a treat for reaching mini milestones. For example, you can leave a candy at the bottom of every second page to eat once you get there. | #* Set up a reward system so that you get a treat for reaching mini milestones. For example, you can leave a candy at the bottom of every second page to eat once you get there. | ||
#* Remember, rewards don’t always have to be candy. Get creative and think of other small treats you would enjoy as a reward for a job well done. | #* Remember, rewards don’t always have to be candy. Get creative and think of other small treats you would enjoy as a reward for a job well done. | ||
===Recruiting the People Around You=== | ===Recruiting the People Around You=== | ||
| − | #Ask for help when you need it. Don’t be afraid to reach out to the people around you and ask for help if you are struggling. Sometimes boring homework is actually homework that you find difficult. Take the time to ask for help.<ref | + | #Ask for help when you need it. Don’t be afraid to reach out to the people around you and ask for help if you are struggling. Sometimes boring homework is actually homework that you find difficult. Take the time to ask for help.<ref name="rf4" /> |
#* Help is available all around you. You can ask your teachers for help at school, your parents or siblings for help when you get home, or a classmate who might be able to explain the homework to you. | #* Help is available all around you. You can ask your teachers for help at school, your parents or siblings for help when you get home, or a classmate who might be able to explain the homework to you. | ||
#Get someone to check your work. It always helps to have a second pair of eyes go over your work and help check for any mistakes. Ask your parents or an older sibling to look over your homework before you put it away for the night. | #Get someone to check your work. It always helps to have a second pair of eyes go over your work and help check for any mistakes. Ask your parents or an older sibling to look over your homework before you put it away for the night. | ||
#* Your checker can also help keep you on track to getting your homework done. For example, if you ask your mom to check your homework at 8:00 PM, you are committing to having your homework finished by that time. | #* Your checker can also help keep you on track to getting your homework done. For example, if you ask your mom to check your homework at 8:00 PM, you are committing to having your homework finished by that time. | ||
| − | #Find a homework buddy. Sometimes the best way to get through boring homework is to do it with a friend. Find a classmate you can do your homework with to help keep each other motivated and on task.<ref | + | #Find a homework buddy. Sometimes the best way to get through boring homework is to do it with a friend. Find a classmate you can do your homework with to help keep each other motivated and on task.<ref name="rf6" /> |
#* For extra motivation, you could start a challenge with your homework buddy. For example, you could compete to see who can get the highest grade on the next test. | #* For extra motivation, you could start a challenge with your homework buddy. For example, you could compete to see who can get the highest grade on the next test. | ||
#* Be cautious when picking a homework buddy. You want to find someone who helps you focus and not someone who distracts you. | #* Be cautious when picking a homework buddy. You want to find someone who helps you focus and not someone who distracts you. | ||
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*Try listening to music while you do your homework. Some people enjoy having some background music while others find it distracting. Test out a few different styles of music to see if any work for you. | *Try listening to music while you do your homework. Some people enjoy having some background music while others find it distracting. Test out a few different styles of music to see if any work for you. | ||
*If possible, try to find a creative way to tackle boring homework. For example, if you have to write an essay on WWII, see if there is a documentary you can watch on the subject instead of just sticking to books. | *If possible, try to find a creative way to tackle boring homework. For example, if you have to write an essay on WWII, see if there is a documentary you can watch on the subject instead of just sticking to books. | ||
| − | *Remember why you’re doing homework. If you are really struggling to get through boring homework, keep your eye on the bigger picture. Think about what your teacher wants you to learn and what the purpose of the assignment is.<ref>http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/raising_happiness/post/how_to_get_kids_to_do_boring_but_necessary_tasks</ref> | + | *Remember why you’re doing homework. If you are really struggling to get through boring homework, keep your eye on the bigger picture. Think about what your teacher wants you to learn and what the purpose of the assignment is.<ref name="rf7">http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/raising_happiness/post/how_to_get_kids_to_do_boring_but_necessary_tasks</ref> |
== Warnings == | == Warnings == | ||
