Actually Doing Homework

[Elliot B.]

Hello!

 

I wanted to know what you guys' tactics are/or were for doing homework & not getting distracted. Homework is always at the bottom of my list, & I usually get it done the morning before it's due (11PM-3AM), which is very unhealthy sleep wise. I know that I have to do it, but there's so many better things I could be doing to fit homework into my schedule. Ever since 6th grade (I'm now in 8th), I've became more & more of a procrastinator. How can I fix that? What do (or did you do if you're finished with school) to make sure you got all of your homework done? Thanks in advance...now I'm off to do my homework.

[Abreo]

Are you in middle school or high school? I can never remember what age goes where. If you're in middle school just fuck it, it doesn't matter. High school, well it only matters if you have actual academic goals that you can focus on. Really, unless you're like me you won't get any work done unless you have some serious long term goals. I never had any academic goals so I didn't accomplish jack in high school (well I became a distinguished AP scholar or some shit but that still doesn't mean I didn't nearly flunk every class) Now I'm in college, I still don't have any academic goals so I put very little effort into it but oddly enough my grades have improved a lot.

 

So yeah, if you have goals, focus on them. I could never focus on arbitrary goals like "oh I want to get an A in this class for the hell of it" so try to make it something different, something meaningful and maybe that'll help you get your homework done earlier. (You can focus on your goal of sleeping. Everybody likes sleeping. It's fun)

[Elliot B.]

I'm in the last year of Middle School...making goals sounds like a swell idea.

[Contradiction]

I do get distracted. Very easily, in fact. And I maintain all 'A's (or at least did this semester).

For me, the best option is to stay away from the computer as long as possible. And to do a ton of work during off hours. I don't have any mastermind plan.

[Elliot B.]

That's true, the computer is a giant distraction.

[TimeladyKelsey]

Unfortunately, I'm the type of person who hands things in late... so, I can't be much help here... Good luck though (:

[Elliot B.]

Haha, thanks for the luck! :)

[Tasha B]

Just do it as soon as you get it. I know people always say that but honestly, i try to do that and it really works!! I always do my favourite first though haha, my Latin translations get done the first study period i have after they are set :D

But also don't underestimate the importance and effectiveness of taking regular breaks, i'm guessing you don't get much work in 6th grade but take a ten minute break every 20 minutes, for older people i'd say a 10 minute break every 45 minutes (what i do) but i guess you don't really get much work. :P

Also don't take for granted the amount of work you get now, i'm doing at least three hours of extra work every week day and even more on the weekends so please, just take the time to enjoy being younger and do what you like. If you start slipping behind now, they'll kick you into place even harder when you move up a few grades :P

[Elliot B.]

Hmm, breaks sounds like a perfect idea. That's what I did today while doing homework, actually.

[Jayde]

For me the trick is that I look at assignments and all I can think is "Holy s*** that's a lot of work!" Then I get overwhelmed and find myself on youtube or the nerdfighters chat almost before I know what's happening. The simplest solution for this is breaking it down into small chunks and doing each chunk, then taking a timed break before doing the next chunk. Surely you can do X number of paragraphs in your paper or X number of math problems in one go right? Then reward yourself with a few minutes of something you enjoy.

 

Timers also work, sometimes the break I plan to take ends up being three hours and then nothing has gotten done at all, so I'm totally screwed. So I set an alarm that is basically my signal for GET BACK TO WORK IDJIT! I am somewhat self depreciating, lol.

 

If the internet is a problem for you, get some Chrome/Firefox/whatever-browser-you're-using applications that have little "this page has been open for X number of minutes" indicators or the like so you can keep track of what time you're wasting.

[Elliot B.]

I have a browser thing, I guess I'll start taking breaks. Thanks Jayde! :)

[Laurann]

I have the same problem.

 

What I try to do is when I come home say, okay I won't go on the computer until after 8pm. I never really watch TV but I'd say no TV or computer until then. So then I usually get pretty bored and doing homework doesn't seem like a bad option.

 

I had exams last year and I had to do my homework every day I'd get home and write out what I needed to do each day and then tick them off. Switching off the laptop and putting it on the ground also helped.

[Rachel Boyd]

I do the timer stuff as well, not just for homework but for a lot of things like chores too. There's actually a name for this technique, the Pomodoro Technique, which basically just means set a timer for 25 minutes, and really focus on whatever it is you're doing, take a 5 minute break to goof off and do whatever else, repeat. There are all sorts of simple apps for computers, or just use a kitchen/phone/misc timer.

It seems like it works pretty well - funny how much can get done in under half an hour if you're actually focused. :)