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Answers to Readers' Questions on Getting Good Grades
Zip through Homework
The following 4 comments and questions have been sent in. They are listed according to date.
List of first 10 items
- I am falling behind in my homework assignments
- Still gets distracted when doing homework
- Why can't kids just sit down and do their homework?
- Disagree with zipping through homework
I am falling behind in my homework assignments
Question
May 9, 2010
Hello, I am a student from a good school, but a strict one. I have gone through months of devoting my weekly nights to homework. Now I am falling behind on three assignments even though I sometimes get 6 hours of sleep. Every time I do my homework, I seem to be worried about the quality of it. Is there any skill that I have been missing?
- USA
19690
Answer
The purpose of homework is to assure you understand the subject material. Some teachers simply verify that you have done the homework, while others grade the homework and include it as part of your final grade.
If you are not graded on your homework, you just need to make sure you understand the material and get good grades in your tests. But if the teacher grades the homework, then there is the worry that it is correct.
You don't want to fall behind on your homework, because then it is too difficult to catch up and all your grades suffer.
If you are worried about the quality of your homework, you may be too careful and spending more time checking it over than you need to spend.
When you get your assignments, look over what you have to do and allocate the time you can spend on each assignment that evening. For easy assignments and those that are not as important (such as in classes where you know you will get a good grade), you can allocate less time. Also, there are times during the day where you can do some of the easy assignments, so you will have more time for the difficult ones.
If you give yourself a certain amount of time to do an assignment, make sure you follow the schedule. Sometimes you may have to rush through to finish. It is often better to have lower quality than to be late or turning it in incomplete.
Make note of time you spend on things not related to homework. Often students will talk on the phone or watch television during some of their homework time and then run out of time to do the work.
Try to get enough sleep to be effective the next day. Getting 6 hours of sleep should only be done in emergencies.
I hope these ideas help you get your work done better. Best wishes for top grades in school.
Still gets distracted when doing homework
Question
March 2, 2010
Hi. I'm a 6th grade student... and as you probably guessed, I'm not fond of doing homework. I tried the tips you gave, but I ended up getting EVEN MORE distracted, knowing I want to get it done to do something. Then I leave the work behind and have fun. Then I have to finish my work in the middle of the night or early in the morning... I know this is somewhat laziness, but I'm trying my hardest not to get distracted, but I have so many things on my mind. The more I think about not getting distracted, the more I get distracted. Please help?
Lauren - Canada
19318
Answer
When you say you are not fond of doing homework, you are reinforcing that thought in your mind, causing you to be even less fond of it than before. Try thinking positively about homework. Think in terms of being anxious to do it, so that you will get the rewards from its completion. Those rewards are being able to go out, getting better grades and having a sense of satisfaction that you completed a difficult task.
Some students motivate themselves by having some candy or a treat after they finish their work. However, there are others who only want instant gratification. So they eat the candy before they finish or even before they start. Try not to be someone who wants instant gratification.
The big thing about doing homework is to set a good time to do it, where you will not be distracted. If you are an early-riser, there is nothing wrong with doing your homework in the morning, provided you have enough time for it. In fact, some students work better under pressure like that. They often also do better in tests, because tests put kids under pressure.
You are on the right track by trying not to be distracted and in getting your work done. That is a sign of a future champion. You just need to experiment to find the right method and schedule that will work for you.
Best wishes in getting your homework done and in getting top grades.
Why can't kids just sit down and do their homework?
Question
October 1, 2009
My question is how come kids just can't sit down and do their work right and not try to rush,and yeah sometimes you want to but you should think which is more important school work or playing all the time. I have two children and they are both in elementary school and I know that they want to go outside but I tell them you have to do homework first. Please email back.
Hope - USA
18421
Answer
It is only natural for children to want to play instead of doing their homework. You need to find the best time for them to do their homework. They probably need a little time after school to unwind with some playtime. But after that, you can pick a time for them to do the work. It could be after supper or maybe sometimes before they eat.
The best thing is to get them used to doing their homework at a specific time, with no interruptions from phone calls, television or friends. With elementary school children, it might be good to sit with them for a little time to help them get started.
It is worthwhile to try to find out from their teacher how much time is expected for the kids to work on their homework. This can give you a rule of thumb to know how long they need to study.
The main idea for "zipping through homework" is for the children to get the work done and not to doodle around with distractions. The reward for finishing the work is going out to play.
Best wishes with helping your children get good study habits.
Disagree with zipping through homework
Question
July 1, 2008
With all due respect, Mr. Kurtus, your advice to "zip through the homework" is ill advised.. In my 20 years as a tutor, the majority of students I have seen, rush through their homework causing untold damage in their later years.
Sheila - USA
16163
Answer
The point I am trying to make is that the students study effectively and efficiently. I certainly don't feel they should rush through their homework. The idea is that if they turn off the television, not spend time on the telephone and concentrate on their work, the time spent on homework will be drastically reduced. In that way, they can "zip" through it and yet have time for fun afterwards.
Note that in the article, I emphasize doing homework instead of skipping it. I emphasize working intensely and rapidly, instead of doodling and daydreaming. And I also encourage using special homework skills to increase their effectiveness.
But I appreciate your comments and concerns. Students that rush through their work are so anxious to finish that they are careless and do not really concentrate.
Best wishes in your tutoring. It provides a good service to help students improve their understanding and grades.
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