After a full day at school, most students are still not finished with their schoolwork. Generally, when they return to their homes or their dormitory rooms, they must complete additional assignments from their teachers. This is known as homework.
Homework is not a new phenomenon. And, most likely, it has always had fervent advocates and just as ardent opponents. There is strong evidence to support homework, especially for teenage students. For example, students with homework earn higher achievement scores than students without homework. And they outperform students who complete “homework” during in-class school time.
Homework also teaches other important skills such as personal initiative and how to complete tasks within a fixed period of time. It requires students to assume responsibility, think independently and balance the different demands on their time. Thus, a student who participates in sports or maintains an outside job must simultaneously carve out sufficient time for homework. Though not always easy, it is a vitally important to learn. And, the sooner the teen learns these skills the better. It will be invaluable when one is older and there are multiple demands on one’s time.
But there are many who oppose homework. Why? One reason is that it discriminates against those who come from families with less money or education. While the resources available at different schools may vary widely, at each individual school, students have a level playing field. They all have exposure to the same teachers, computers, and libraries. But outside school, teens come from different home environments. There are homes and dormitories with computers that are connected to the Internet and with parents or proctors who can assist with a host of problems. Obviously, not everyone is so fortunate. A teen who has no access to a home computer and no ability to log onto the Internet is at a clear disadvantage. Moreover, some teens have household chores and/or parents who have neither the time nor the ability to help them.
Nevertheless, the vast majority of teens who attend school are required to complete some homework. While it may be tempting to procrastinate and delay beginning your homework, that is not a good idea. One should keep up with his or her daily work. Teens should begin long-term projects as soon as possible. Of course, everyone knows someone who is able to wait until the last minute and still complete assignments that earn respectable grades. But, most likely, circumstances will eventually catch-up with that person. His computer may crash; there could be a terrible storm and his home loses electricity; he could become ill. There are numerous variables that might intervene. When teens have had a considerable amount of time to finish an assignment, it is always better to spend the last day reviewing—not preparing the first draft. If an adolescent has had two months to write a term paper, then the teacher will probably refuse his or her appeal for extra time. A teen’s inability to complete work in a timely manner will most likely be reflected in his or her grade.
So what are some of the methods that a teen may use to improve his or her homework skills? In the ideal world, a teen should have his or her personal workspace. At the very least, one should have a personal workspace. It should have a sufficient amount of space and adequate lighting. The supplies that are needed—such as pens, pencils, and paper—should be nearby. If these are located in another room, the teen will have reasons to be diverted.
Adolescents should try to limit the number of distractions. Some teens listen to music or watch TV while they study. They contend it enhances their ability to focus. That may be true for them, but it is certainly not true for everyone. The more difficult the assignment, the more likely that it will necessitate the teen’s full concentration. Background conversation from a radio talk show, TV program or vocal music is more distracting than instrumental music.
It may be helpful to create a daily and weekly homework schedule that is precise and realistic. Teens can note if it takes thirty minutes to finish a math homework, then budget thirty minutes of time; do not write fifteen minutes. One should list everything that will be coming due, such as a book report or term paper. Include all other activities including sports games and social events and time to practice a musical instrument. Allow a little down time. It is easier to coordinate one’s life when it appears on paper in black and white. Some teens ask their parents for help in time management. They may well have some valuable organizing strategies. Though parents may not be able to assist their teen with all of his or her classes, they may offer guidance with specific assignments.
One’s work should be neat, accurate and relatively easy to read. Most parents are happy to give an opinion on this matter. In all probability, messy work will lower an adolescent’s grade.
Before leaving school for the day, a teen could review his or her assignments. He or she should be certain to have all the books and materials needed to complete the work. Double-checking is not a bad idea. A return trip to school will waste time.
If an adolescent is unable to complete his or her homework in a reasonable amount of time, he or she should arrange to meet with the teacher. One should explain the concerns. The teacher may be able to provide some suggestions that could include individual tutoring. Or, maybe other classmates are also overwhelmed. It may be helpful to consult other members of the class. The teacher needs to hear from the students. Perhaps the workload should be reduced. In any case, without some form of intervention, the problems will probably not disappear on their own.
Many teens find to helpful to establish some type of system in which they reward themselves for every day that they keep to their schedule and complete all of their homework. Some have daily rewards and even more significant weekly ones. The daily ones could be something as small as a special snack; the weekly ones could be more memorable—getting together with a friend or attending a movie. These adolescents have an added incentive to sit down and do their homework.
It should be noted that some teens have a medical condition which may interfere with their ability to study. One of the most common problems is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD. In some cases, a physician may prescribe medication that is taken before beginning homework. These medications may improve the teen’s ability to concentrate, focus and effectively complete homework.
Related topics:
Academics, attention deficit disorder, intellectual development, jobs, learning disorders
