homework help

Things to Look After Before Starting on Your Homework

by Dec 30, 2016Homework Help

Students often struggle to do their homework because they are not equipped with the tools that they need in order to complete it quickly and efficiently. It is not just a bad attitude and a reluctance to work hard. Their progress is impeded by numerous other obstacles like distractions, a lack of resources, bad study habits and a lack of motivation.

In order to help you overcome these obstacles, here are some simple tips to follow before you start working on your homework assignments:

  1. Have a plan:
  • Always have a homework plan. If you know you have homework assignments to complete, plan ahead so that you can work all your activities around it. Make it a priority and try to utilize any free time you have.
  • It is a good idea to come up with a timetable for your assignments or a homework schedule to keep track of when assignments are distributed and when they are due. You can use a planner to keep track of other such details. Good planning ensures that you never forget about an assignment or miss a deadline.
  • Once you have a set schedule, look up your homework topic in advance in order to gauge the degree of difficulty it poses. This will help you make a realistic estimate of the amount of time, effort and resources you will need in order to complete it.
  • Remember to give yourself more time to finish difficult assignments. Don’t just wing it and try to finish your homework without any planning. You work will look poorly researched and incoherent. Instead, plan out your work clearly before you begin to put it down on paper.
  1. Decide upon a study method:
  • Once you have considered your homework topic, you can decide upon the method you will use in order to tackle your assignment.
  • Big assignments are best broken down into smaller manageable chunks while short assignments may be completed in one go.
  • Think about how you’re feeling at the moment. If you are feeling excessively restless, you may need to take more breaks than usual.
  • Some students are unable to focus for extended periods of time while others find it difficult to refocus after a short break. You need to find a method that optimizes your effort and improves your retentive capabilities.
  • Perhaps you’re in the mood to read out loud or write notes instead of reading. Find the study method that best suits the nature of your assignment and your personal preferences. For instance, a long assignment must be planned and prepared in advance with multiple drafts. However, a shorter assignment may be completed quickly if you write, read and review every bit as you progress.
  1. Find a comfortable workspace:
  • You must have a designated study spot to work on all your homework assignments. It cannot be in the middle of a drawing room or a kitchen with a TV blaring in the background. It must be a quiet and secluded spot, free from all distractions.
  • It is advisable to stick to one place because students are encouraged to develop an attachment to their workspaces. It encourages them to associate productivity with the workspace automatically.
  • Avoid studying on the bed or the couch as it may be too comfortable and make you sleepy instead of productive. Your best bet would a comfortable desk and chair in your bedroom or your study. If you don’t have that kind of space at home you can always use the library.
  • However, if you do have a spot at home to call your own, personalize it in order to make it more comfortable, warm and inviting. Hang up your timetable in a prominent place and organize your resources. Just ensure that you don’t personalize it to such an extent that it becomes a distraction.
  1. Organize your resources:
  • It can be very distracting if you have to leave your desk every five minutes for a book, some stationery or a snack. Organize everything you need and keep it within arm’s length near your workspace.
  • Conduct your research before starting on your assignment so that you have all your reference material with you.
  • Ensure that you have access to the internet or work in a library so that you don’t run into any trouble looking for material, just in case you need it.
  • Keep your class notes up to date if you intend to refer to them.
  • Keep all stationery equipment close at hand so that you don’t have hunt for a pen or a stray eraser.
  • Maintain your workspace by keeping it tidy at all times so that you never mix up your assignments or lose important resources.
  • Stock up on snacks and refreshments so that you don’t have to get up for a glass of water or an apple unless you want to stretch your legs on a break.
  1. Remove all sources of distraction:
  • Remove all sources of distraction before sitting down to do your homework.
  • Pick a spot that is away from the TV and the music system.
  • Let your family members know that you are busy so that they are less likely to interrupt you.
  • Even if you enjoy the company, it is not a good idea to study in kitchen or at the dining table. Family areas like that can be noisy and the constant chatter and the background noise may hinder your productivity.
  • Unplug from all gadgets and put them away in drawer while you study. Don’t answer phone calls or respond to text messages while you’re studying.
  • If you’re working on your laptop, sign out of all social media sites so that you are not tempted to respond to instant notifications.
  • Once you have turned you have turned your workspace into a distraction-free zone, you can start working on your homework in peace.
  1. Get into a productive mindset:
  • Sometimes it’s difficult to students to focus because they haven’t gotten enough rest or because they are just not in the right frame of mind to focus.
  • Instead of taking breaks in between your work, you should prepare for this from the get-go.
  • Homework is a daily affair, so plan to work on it when you are feeling most productive. For some people that may be early in the morning, for others, it could be after a rejuvenating shower or late in the evening after a snack.
  • Find ways to calm your mind and focus on the task at hand before beginning to work on your assignment. You can meditate, listen to some instrumental music, stretch or just take a short walk before you begin.
  • Consciously take your mind off of the thoughts whirring in your mind at focus solely on the homework before you begin.
  1. Motivate yourself:
  • Most students have a very hard time motivating themselves to work on their homework assignments. If you are having trouble at school try to understand How to develop a good working relationship with your teacher and find the support you need from your teachers.
  • Set small homework goals and assign rewards to each goal before you begin so that you are motivated to keep going. You can reward yourself with a break or a snack or assign bigger rewards like a trip to the movies if you accomplish bigger tasks.
  • Think about all the enjoyable things you will get to do after you complete your homework in order to push yourself to get through the work quickly and efficiently.
  • Try to motivate yourself by thinking about the benefits of doing your homework. If that doesn’t work, try some negative reinforcement and keep in mind the consequences of not doing your homework.
  • If possible, try to enlist the help of a study partner or a study group. You will feel less isolated and may even look forward to working on your assignments with company.

With these great tips in mind, you will be completely prepared to tackle any homework assignments that come your way.