how to finish homework on time

JLV College Counseling

10 powerful tips to complete your homework on time.

Posted on May 18, 2018 by Jessica Velasco

2. Have a Dedicated Study Area

To get any job done, you need to have an area created just for handling that matter. It’s the number one reason why most freelancers can’t get much work done if they work on their beds. Been there, done that. The area should be organized and conducive for you to deal with your homework.

3. Keep Away from Distractions

In this digital age, we can quickly access vast information, but it comes with the challenge of increased distractions. From getting notifications from your social media accounts to constantly be checking your email, it takes your focus away from your studies. Use apps that encourage concentration, e.g., StayFocusd. Switch off your phone and attend to the assignment.

4. Time Management

Set aside time each week to work on your homework. It should be when you are alert. Plan to use this set time, each day, to get any pending assignments done. Remember to prioritize by starting with the tasks that are due the soonest.

5. Start with The Toughest Assignment

We all have preferences. Sometimes you can’t wait to start the assignment, and other time, the thought of it could make you sick. Get the hardest assignment out of the way, first. When done, you will realize that the subsequent tasks are much easier to handle.

6. Break It Down

There will be a time when an assignment you love feels like it’s too much to handle. This dread may keep you from searching for the information that is needed. If it’s an essay, start with the outline. Break down the report into manageable parts and work on each, step by step.

7. Take Breaks

Just as you do when studying, you need to re-energize your brain and body. For most people, their concentration span is 45 minutes at most. Schedule the time to work, including breaks.

Work on the assignment for 45 minutes and takes breaks of 10 minutes, after each interval. You can do whatever during the breaks.

8. Create a Reward System

Having a reward system will motivate you to keep doing what you are doing. After working for two hours with the regular breaks, you can take a longer break. Or you could watch one more episode of your favorite show. The reward doesn’t have to be something huge; it could even be a piece of your favorite candy.

9. Don’t Multitask

Handle each task one at a time. Doing too much at the same time will lower your productivity. And thus, you will spend more time on a job and usually that time will be more than you would have needed.

10. Get Help

Work on the school work independently. When necessary, get assistance from tutors, peers, family members, friends, etc. When students hand in assignments that they feel good about, it increases their self-esteem and confidence.

You can also consider getting a study buddy. They keep you updated on any missed work, and could provide useful resources to help you in your studies.

Say no more to handing in your homework late or always finding it difficult to start on your assignments. Instead, adopt the tips outlined above.

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How to Finish Your Homework

Last Updated: July 11, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Emily Listmann, MA . Emily Listmann is a Private Tutor and Life Coach in Santa Cruz, California. In 2018, she founded Mindful & Well, a natural healing and wellness coaching service. She has worked as a Social Studies Teacher, Curriculum Coordinator, and an SAT Prep Teacher. She received her MA in Education from the Stanford Graduate School of Education in 2014. Emily also received her Wellness Coach Certificate from Cornell University and completed the Mindfulness Training by Mindful Schools. There are 16 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 283,866 times.

While studying can differ for different age groups, many of the things that get in the way are the same. Whether it's your environment or time management skills, it easy for things to discourage you from finishing your homework. With a little organization and help, your homework can become approachable.

Managing Your Time

Step 1 Set aside a specific time to do your homework.

For instance, try setting aside a time you know you can work well such as an hour or 2 before dinner, or if you're a night owl, after dinner.

Work in hour blocks, with 50 minutes spent studying and 10 minutes spent taking a break.
It can also be helpful to move around when you are taking your break, especially if you are working at a screen. Go for a walk outside to get your blood circulating and enjoy some fresh air.
You might also want to eat a healthy snack on your break to improve your focus. Avoid junk food and choose something like a handful of nuts, a piece of fruit, veggies, or a small portion of cottage cheese.

Identify which assignments are worth the most points for each class. Most likely these will take the longest to complete. [5] X Research source
Consider how long you have to do each project, and if possible, see when the assignment is introduced. Oftentimes, primary and secondary school classes do not have syllabi, so it might be harder to plan out an entire term, but if you are in college, you will most likely have a syllabus with at least a partial course schedule. Knowing how long you have to complete an assignment will help you prioritize which assignments to do first. You can also ask the teacher how long you have to complete an assignment. [6] X Research source

Use highlighters or stickers to mark which assignments are most important.
If you're using an online or mobile schedule, create alerts or notifications for the projects and any time-sensitive steps for those projects.

Step 5 Make sure to complete the most pressing assignments first.

Don't let a big project overshadow the smaller assignments you need to complete!

Step 6 Break down larger projects into manageable tasks.

Assignment outlines can help you visualize the necessary tasks to get the assignment done.

Creating a Productive Work Environment

Step 1 Find a comfortable, but not too comfortable, place to work.

A desk or table would be a better location than a couch or a bed.

Turn your phone off or on silent (not vibrate). It might be best to put the phone out of sight, or in another room while you work, as the temptation to text or get on social media can be as much of a distraction as actually using social media.
Use an app that blocks social media. There are plenty of applications out there that can help block social media and other distracting sites (such as shopping or gaming sites). [10] X Trustworthy Source Pew Research Center Nonpartisan thinktank conducting research and providing information on public opinion, demographic trends, and social trends Go to source

Use a white noise app to block out noise.
Use earplugs or noise-blocking earmuffs. [12] X Research source
Work in a quiet place, such as a library or a home office, if you have one.
Avoid listening to music while studying. Studies have shown that although listening to music while studying lowers overall performance, this does not affect everyone equally. [13] X Research source However listening to music before studying has been shown to improve performance on cognitive tasks. [14] X Research source

Step 4 Write down why you need to finish your homework.

Using Your Resources

Step 1 Ask your parents or peers for help.

If you're too afraid to ask a teacher during class, see if you can stay behind to ask your questions.

First, contact your school to see if there are any after-school tutoring programs. While not all primary and secondary schools offer tutoring, a vast majority of universities do. If your school does not offer tutoring, they may know of other resources for you to contact.
Then, contact your library to see if they offer any tutoring. [18] X Research source
In some areas, there may also be free community tutoring programs. Contact your local community center for more information.
There are plenty of private tutors out there as well, but they can be costly (ranging from $20 to $100 an hour). [19] X Research source You can find tutors online through a number of websites, such as Craigslist or Angie's list.

If you need to work at a library after school, ask your parents or search the web to find your local library.

Supercharge Your Studying with this Expert Series

Community Q&A

Reader Videos

Don't feel too stressed or you'll be doing less work than you actually can. Thanks Helpful 7 Not Helpful 3
Make sure you’re getting enough sleep. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 3
Maintain a healthy diet. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 3

Recommended time doing homework varies by age. The National PTA recommends about 10 minutes per grade level per night (30 minutes a night for the third grade). Thanks Helpful 9 Not Helpful 0
Some people may need additional help in order to focus on their homework and finish it. If you are struggling in school, ask your parents or teachers about what resources may be available, and seek out professional help or ask your parents to do so, if necessary. Thanks Helpful 29 Not Helpful 9
If you are under the age of thirteen, you may need to obtain your parents’ permission before downloading any computer applications. Thanks Helpful 30 Not Helpful 13

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↑ https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/power-habit-charles-duhigg
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↑ https://success.oregonstate.edu/learning/concentration
↑ https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2020/07/28/parenting-children-in-the-age-of-screens/
↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/homework.html/
↑ https://absn.northeastern.edu/blog/8-things-to-keep-in-your-at-home-study-space/
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