should i do my homework now or later

should i do my homework now or later

The Importance of Doing Homework

1. Benefits of Doing Homework

School and homework show students the important life lessons, such as how to read and communicate with others, that they will use as an adult. Homework also teaches students how to problem solve, think independently, and build an understanding and interest for the issues in our society. All skills that are vital to their success as they enter college, and later, the workforce. Homework also gives students a chance to practice and strengthen their class learning. Knowledge and memory are the crutches a person must lean on at first, but they will not serve very well without some strength of their own. Homework is practice, and practice makes perfect. Homework is beneficial because of the reinforcement it provides. A concept that is learned in class needs to be reinforced by practice at home, in order to fully understand it. This is true in the case of many mathematics courses. Most students will not catch everything the first time the teacher presents the material. A few days later at home they go to do their homework, and even though they are making mistakes on the assignment, the material is still fresh in their mind. This allows the student to recapture the material when it has been long forgotten. Without a chance to practice this material and meet the objectives related to it, the student will not move ahead. Most importantly, the objectives can only be met if the student has understood the material. Homework is practice and practice makes perfect. Teachers assign homework as a means to help students learn to prioritize and plan their time. This is good because it is preparing learners for the real world, where time management is a key issue. It also teaches students that learning doesn’t just take place in the classroom. Homework develops study habits and independent learning.

2. Consequences of Not Doing Homework

Conversely, not doing homework can lead to an unpreparedness in the subject the next day. When students are set a task to do for homework, it is likely to be discussed in class the following day. If the student has not completed the task, they may find the subject harder to understand because they have missed keys points taken from the homework. And in many cases, the teacher may reprimand the student for not doing the work, and it may also be a cause of detention for the student. At worst the child can be hit as a result of not doing the homework!

Homework is also a way for teachers to assess how the student is progressing. Teachers can monitor whether a student has understood the topic, by their performance in the homework. Homework is a good indicator of whether the teacher needs to explain more clearly what the subject entails. It can also display whether the student has understood the subject given. When set a task to do in the homework, it is easy to assess whether the student has copied the work, or worked on it themselves.

Firstly, doing homework is a way for the student to work independently. It allows the teacher to determine how the student is progressing in a certain subject compared to others. It also displays how well the student has understood the topic. Homework helps the student to understand and get used to the subjects that are taught in the classroom. It also helps students to develop a good study habit that will also be used in later life.

3. Strategies for Effective Homework Completion

A. Make a schedule: Enoch says that planning a specific time when your children sit down to do their homework – and sticking to it – is essential. Sunita Verma, a seventh and eighth-grade general science teacher at Kambrya College in Berwick, Australia, agrees. “It’s important for kids to have a routine,” she says. Depending on the child, the schedule can be strict or more relaxed. Some kids need a break right after school to get some exercise and have a snack. Others need to start homework while they are still in a school mode (i.e. before the distractions of TV, cell phones, etc. kick in). A. Work the plan: She also stresses the importance of working the plan with the kids, ensuring they do their homework independently, Verma says. “It’s not just a time when parents tell kids to go and do their homework.” B. Choose a homework spot: When creating the schedule, you and your child should select a spot that’s a good fit for both of you. Some kids work best in a quiet room alone, while others like to be in the midst of everything. A good homework spot will vary depending on the child and the family. Do homework at the same time every day, in the same place. This will prevent your kids from procrastinating. They will get in the habit of getting their homework done by sitting at the table. If they often use the computer for homework, it’s best for them to do it in a public space in your home. That way you can monitor their computer time and also verify that their work is school-related. This is imperative as kids this age need a lot of guidance to stay on task.

4. Tips for Managing Homework Time

Have a break before starting your homework. Try to exercise or play outside for at least 30 minutes before you start – you’ll be more focused. And make sure you take time to eat a healthy snack and do something enjoyable. Remember to take brain breaks – you will be more productive if you work 45 minutes and take a 15-minute break. During long breaks, do something you enjoy that will completely take your mind off of your schoolwork. And if your concentration and mood is fading, change your work environment.

Create a good study area with everything you need: a desk, a comfortable chair, good light, and in a quiet spot. Get rid of distractions. Let your family and friends know that this is your homework time, and ask that they not interrupt you during this time. Turn off your email and instant messaging, and put your phone on silent. If you need tunes to work, try classical music, or music without words.

Get a calendar or planner. Record all the assignments – you’ll be surprised at how much you can get done when you’re focused. A planner will also help you avoid the last-minute rush, when you are more likely to make mistakes.

Try to plan ahead. Estimate how long it will take to complete each assignment to see if you need to allow yourself more time. Make a list of all the different tasks you need to finish.

If possible, do your homework at the same time every day – right after school, or as soon as you get home. The more you get done in school, the less you have later. If you have after-school activities, decide on a specific time for homework such as after dinner. If you work best in the morning, start before lunch. Anytime is a good time to do homework.

5. Conclusion: Making the Right Decision

To ensure success in the future, considering the linked relationship between quality homework and academic achievement, the decision to do homework should be encouraged at a young age and is crucial in forming good study habits. As seen in the first section of this essay, Simon says, it’s a no-brainer. Helping young children to develop positive attitudes towards school and the prospect of homework ensures they will work towards a goal and can only be beneficial, provided they are not setting themselves up for an overtime of rote understanding and objectivism. It is important for the validity of future research that parents and teachers instill in children the necessity to do homework as well as the ability to work independently. Cognitive development and learning occur over a lifetime, students must realize they do have the tools to interpret complex tasks and achieve resolution on their own. Encouraging self-paced and self-directed learning should ultimately result in students taking up the challenge to find more than just right answers. Homework in all its forms can only add value to the student’s education and learning experience. High school and college students can identify more closely with the study which proves homework is preparation for future tasks. In understanding this, it is more likely they will apply themselves to the homework contemplating “How can I best get this done?” and set goals to achieve a higher quality of work. Following up on research methods proved by Simon into the effect of the teachers’ committed motivational style, students will be motivated to improve their abilities and attitudes towards their own homework and seek assignments that will present moderate challenge and higher interest. With the ultimate goal of improving abilities and learning new concepts, homework is the most effective.

It is clear that the most effective way to ensure students’ academic success is to help them form the habit of performing their homework. The value of homework has been debated for ages, oftentimes with kids and parents taking one side, teachers on the other. The purpose that homework serves is so varied, it’s a wonder that kids can get it done at all. Homework is utilized as an instrument to reinforce what students have learned in class, it is practice for upcoming tests, teaches responsibility and time management, and is necessary for learning and the retention of information. Despite all of the debate, homework has its rightful place in education and serves its purposes well.