Is it time to ditch homework?
Wednesday 5 October 2005
If you go to school, homework is a fact of life, but n2k reader Liz Ball reckons it's time it got the push.
She tells n2k why she won't let it take over her life.
"School - some love it, and some hate it. No intelligent person can deny it is useful to some extent, yet no interesting person can claim it's the most exciting place to be.
It's a chore
I really don't enjoy school. I never have, and I probably never will. I mean, there are a couple of lessons I enjoy, like drama, IT, and I love writing stories in English. I see most of school as a chore, something I only do because I have to, and something I am very keen to escape from.
I like to keep my school life and my social life very separate. My social life is the fun, free time I spend doing what I want, the parts of my life I think of, when asked to think of my life.
Primary colours
In primary school, I was so much more carefree. I would be at school in the day, and in the evening, I could do whatever I wanted, it seemed I had plenty long enough to do that, and I would have nothing to worry about all night.
Then I got to secondary school. When I went home, I wanted to block it all out of my mind and have fun - but I couldn't. I had homework to do! Some days I had 5 half-hour pieces. I spent most of my spare time after doing school work! How could this happen?
A day in my life
I wake up, at stupid o'clock; too tired to concentrate on anything, and try to get ready for school. When I get to school, I'm bombarded with work, work, and more work. I finally get to go home, but whenever I try to watch TV or go on the internet there's a nagging thought in the back of my mind telling me to do my homework.
So, after any fun I could have had is long dead, I slave away at tedious homework for two hours. I have dinner, have a very short amount of time to myself then go to bed and wait for the exact same day to start all over again.
I spend at least 35 hours a week doing school work, and that is more than enough for me. It cannot take over my life. If I get to be Prime Minister I will make homework completely optional."
n2k says: Do you agree with Liz? Do you have too much homework or do you reckon it's no big deal? Get in touch with your opinions and we'll print the best ones.
