These tips will help students, their parents, students, and everyone who studies — regardless of age.
First, you should be rethinking homework. How much time should be spent on homework based on grades?
Opinions on this matter may differ. But according to experts, you do not need to set homework in the first grade. And the execution of the homework should not take more time than listed here:
1.5 hours a day – for the 2-3 graders;
2 hours a day – for the 4th-5th graders;
2.5 hours a day – for the 6th-8th graders;
3.5 hours a day – for grade 9 and higher.
For comparison, the National Association of Education of the United States adheres to the Research Spotlight on Homework rule of 10 minutes: in each subsequent class, the task is spent 10 minutes more than in the previous one. So, the first-grader should meet in 10 minutes, the second-grader in 20. In the sixth grade, preparation for lessons takes 1 hour, and for the final — twelfth-2 hours.
Studies conducted in the United States show that even high school students are contraindicated to sit over textbooks for more than 2 hours. Academic performance does not increase from this, but fatigue accumulates, and with it, the desire to learn evaporates. Luckily, students can transcribe audio to text to make the studying process easier.
What Prevents You from Doing Your Homework Quickly
As a rule, the following factors slow down the process:
- the study program is too complex;
- inability to concentrate;
- inability to allocate time correctly;
- fatigue;
- lack of motivation.
The first point — when the program is too complex for a particular student-requires a serious review of the educational process. You may have to communicate with teachers, find tutors, or even transfer to an easier educational program.
Usually, the matter is still in the other four reasons. If you pay attention to them at the start of the school year, the chances of starting some important subject-and being among the chronically lagging — will be minimized.
How to Help Focus
1. Organize a Comfortable Workplace
Too high or low tabletop, uncomfortable fit, extraneous noise — all these little things irritate, reduce concentration, and generally have a bad effect on well-being.
Ideally, for homework, you need a separate desk located opposite the window. The chair should be stable and adjustable — to ensure maximum comfort and relieve the back. If your feet are not resting on the floor, but are dangling in the air, buy a special stand.
2. Clean Up Your Desk and Drawers
This is a necessary thing. First, the mess distracts attention. Secondly, more time is spent searching for the necessary items that should be at hand. After removing all the extra stuff, you can conveniently arrange notebooks, books, and everything you need to complete the task.
3. Put Down Your Mobile and Disconnect from Social Media
Nothing distracts from homework like messengers, mobile games, and other gifts of the smartphone. While preparing for classes, put your mobile phone as far away as possible and set the “Do not disturb” mode. Just in case, make a list of contacts who can get through even while preparing for a math test.
If you are doing a task on a computer, develop the habit of disconnecting from all social media.
4. Wear Comfortable Clothes
The less something presses, rubs, stabs and restricts movement, the more likely it is to focus on the main thing. In this case, on a homework assignment.
5. Play Classical Music
This advice is not suitable for everyone, but it’s worth a try. Some studies confirm that the classics promote concentration and assimilation of information.
However, not all classical music is equally useful for studying. Let classical music help. For example, symphony concerts with their rich sound and dynamics are more likely to distract from the primary task, but the piano works of Mozart, Poulenc, or Debussy can be a great background for lessons.
How to Allocate Time Correctly
1. Start Your Homework as Early as Possible
It is optimal to do everything immediately after classes-while the knowledge gained has not yet faded from memory.
2. Arrange the Tasks Based on Importance
There is always a task that can be postponed until tomorrow. And if there is a high risk that you still will not have time to do the entire volume today, it is better to devote more time to what is burning. For example, preparing for tomorrow’s test.
3. Start with the Most Difficult Tasks
The longer you sit on your homework, the lower your efficiency and concentration. This is understandable: fatigue gradually accumulates. It makes sense to start with difficult tasks: with a fresh head, you will be able to do them faster, then move on to something simpler. If you still struggle, you can contact an essay assistant for help with your essays.
4. Take Breaks
It would seem that there is a contradiction here: if you need to do something faster, why waste time on breaks? But research has repeatedly confirmed that after a pause, the ability to focus and work efficiency increase. This means that the task can be solved in a shorter time.
One of the key techniques of modern time management, the Pomodoro technique is based on this principle. The scheme “25 minutes of hard work — 5 minutes of rest” is also suitable for the educational process. The periods may be different, but the principle remains the same.
How to Relieve Fatigue?
1. Restore the Energy
After a hard school day, it is undesirable to sit down for lessons on an empty stomach. Because of the lack of energy, you will fall asleep over the book and wade through the tasks with the speed of a snail. A light snack and a sufficient amount of water will help to replenish the reserve of strength and nourish the brain.
2. Let Some Fresh Air In
Fatigue can be caused by a lack of fresh air and oxygen. It is good if the room constantly circulates fresh air. In cold weather, open the windows for at least 5 minutes every hour.
3. Move More Often
During breaks, be sure to get up from your chair, take a walk, or do a couple of exercises to warm up and relieve muscle tension.
How to Improve Motivation?
1. Do Not Forget About the Benefits of Homework
Its execution is not a useless and aimless pastime. Homework is necessary to consolidate knowledge, get new information, and feel more confident. If you remind yourself of the importance of what you are doing, the process is more lively.
With regular homework, many useful skills develop: from time management to self-education skills and the need to constantly learn something new.
2. Enjoy Your Breaks
Read all the text messages from your friends and chat a bit. Eat the candy. Or listen to your favorite soundtrack. Try to get the most out of the five-minute break.
3. Try to Do Without Help
In case of difficulties, there is always a temptation to seek help from parents or friends who are more knowledgeable in the subject. Independent work with unaccustomed people may take longer. Gradually you will be able to find the necessary information quickly and solve the tasks.
