Homework: the basics
Sunday 18 April 2004
Homework is any kind of study exercise that you do after the home-time bell has rung.
Homework can take many forms:
- Writing essays
- Mathematical calculations
- Researching subjects
- Artistic challenges
- Watching educational TV shows
- Completing interactive activities on your computer at home
Keep up to date
Though homework can sometimes feel more like a chore than a pleasure, it's vital to keep up-to-date. Homework is often given out to make sure pupils understand a subject. So if you don't do your homework, you could fall behind in your work.
Don't be afraid to tell your teacher if you feel you're falling behind with your homework. If you're having genuine problems, your teacher will suggest different approaches and useful tips that can help put you back on the right track. You'll find that once your homework is sorted out, the sense of relief is amazing!
Feedback
If you aren't happy with the comments you receive for your work, always ask your teacher for advice. It might be a good idea to wait until the end of the lesson for a private one to one conversation.
Don't be afraid to ask 'What can I do differently?' or 'How can I improve?' Your teacher wants you to achieve the best results possible and will respect you all the more for asking.
For advice on how you might do better in your homework, the web is a great place to start. No matter what subject or level of study you're doing, the internet can help guide you. But remember, it won't give you the answers to all your questions. Particularly avoid sites that charge money to do your homework for you!
Although we can?t give you advice on how to tackle tricky maths or science questions, you can at least try to do the following during your homework:
- Try to do your homework in a few short bursts rather than one long session. Take a short break in between sessions and have a glass of water or something similar to drink.
- Make sure your surroundings are comfortable and there are no distractions. Try turning off the telly and make sure you're in a warm room.
- Try doing homework with a friend. You can bounce ideas off each other. But don't cheat and copy your friend's work!
For more homework tips, take a look at our list of recommended links.
