How to Deal with High School Homework: Tips for Freshmen

How to Deal with High School Homework: Tips for Freshmen

High school is a time for change- with new teachers, classmates, subjects, interests, activities, and homework. For freshmen, managing homework can be difficult at first, but it becomes more manageable with time and the right strategies. Mastering a strategy or plan to get your homework done efficiently is extremely rewarding and can help you become more disciplined. 

Get Organized from the Beginning 

One thing that incoming students learn too late is that homework can pile up fast if you’re not organized. Be sure to use some kind of planner, whether it is a physical or digital one. Each type has its own strengths and weaknesses. For instance, a physical planner helps you remember tasks easier since you have to handwrite everything, but with a digital planner you can set up reminders and move tasks around easier. If you’re interested in becoming more organized, you can check out my post from a few weeks ago titled “How to Stay Organized in High School: Tips for Freshmen”. Being organized helps improve your productivity and it means that you are less likely to cram for tests or forget assignments. It saves you time, reduces stress and anxiety, and makes your life easier in general.

Create a Consistent Routine

The brain usually welcomes and relishes patterns and routines because it can reduce thinking and automate tasks based on certain cues. By doing your homework at a certain time and places each day, you are building a habit that your brain will learn to enjoy. When your brain has a set plan, homework becomes a normal part of your day rather than an unsavory task you have to force yourself to do. When creating a routine, make sure to keep it simple, flexible, and manageable. For example, if your school ends at 4 pm, you could take a break for half an hour, do your homework for the next couple of hours, and then study for however long you need to afterwards. By having a flexible routine such as this one, you can adjust it to stay aligned with your goals and other tasks or responsibilities you may have. Additionally, be sure to also include frequent breaks or downtime to avoid getting burnout. Be persistent and patient when creating new routines because your brain will need to take some time to get used to it.

Stay Ahead

One thing I’ve learned this year from being a freshman is that having absolutely no homework is an amazing feeling to return home with. If possible, finish your homework in school during lunch or break times and relish that feeling. When you’re caught catching up on old assignments or hurrying to finish one that is due soon, you’re always going to feel like you’re steps behind. Aiming to stay ahead is your best option because it gives you control over your learning schedule and gives you more time to do what you actually enjoy. If you can’t start on your work the day it’s assigned, at least try to look at what topic your work is on or check if there is something you will have to study about or complete before beginning. Also, taking a few minutes to plan out your week every Sunday will also benefit you greatly. This will allow you to create a plan or schedule based on the assignments, tests, and activities for the upcoming week. 

Try to Have as Much Fun as You Can With It

Know that homework doesn’t have to be boring and dull. Any task becomes what you make of it. If you force it to become enjoyable, it will be enjoyable. For instance, you can form a study group with your friends or do your homework at a different place each day. I know that in the beginning I said to do your homework at the same time and place everyday, but if you get bored of your environment easily or you just want to explore areas around your neighborhood while getting work done, this is an excellent way to do so. Also, if it doesn’t distract you, you can try to listen to new songs or playlists while you study.

Actually Getting Started

Now, getting started isn’t going to be easy, but it’s something all students have to do, especially for those who haven’t started getting organized and figuring out the methods that work for them. And one thing I’ve learned this year is that staying comfortable with the same decision or excuse that you’ve made for the past while isn’t going to help you get where you want to go at all. Change is supposed to be uncomfortable, and you are never going to feel like you’re “ready” until you actually start. And by “actually starting” I don’t mean having this full on 24 hour routine. What I mean is start with studying or doing something productive everyday, then build on it. To start, you don’t even need to know what your plan is because you can figure it out as you go if you need to. Also, know that it is never too late to start, even if you’re a senior in college. Everyone’s life runs on a different schedule and no matter where you are you can try again. So hopefully this little pep talk helps someone start something they’ve been meaning to do- you’ve got this!

**All the images have been created by Microsoft Copilot**