Focus on Homework

Focusing on homework can be very difficult, especially if an assignment is difficult or simply not interesting. Whatever the reason, it is hard to keep yourself focused on the task at hand. However, there are strategies that can help you focus on your homework successfully. This article addresses how to make a homework action plan, set aside a homework area, and complete your homework.

Steps

Making A Homework Action Plan

  1. Write down all of your assignments in your notebook or planner. This way you will have a list of what you need to complete.[1]
    • Before leaving school, make sure you understand the assignment.
    • Ask your teacher for clarification about what you are supposed to do, when the assignment is due, and how it will be graded.
    • Ask how long each assignment should take, so you can plan to budget your time.
  2. Prioritize your assignments. Tasks which are worth a higher percentage of your grade or that are more challenging should be completed first.[1]
    • Look at your assignment list.
    • Rank each assignment in terms of importance.
    • Plan out how much time you need to spend on your homework for the evening.
    • Decide in what order you will complete your assignments.
  3. Plan your time. Most students have between 1 to 3 hours of homework every evening and often finish their homework when they get home. [1]
    • If you have after-school activities in the late afternoon, you will need to set aside a different time.
    • Plan to sit down and start your homework at a specific time. Budget enough time for each assignment.
    • Plan to take a 5 minute break between major assignments. Most people can't concentrate for hours and hours on end.

Setting Aside A Work Area

  1. Choose a study area with good lighting. You will need to be able to see well and well lit places will be best for concentration.
    • A brightly lit room with a window (open the window for fresh air)
    • Have any homework supplies set aside in a bin or basket in this area. Things like pens, pencils, paper etc. should be readily accessible.
    • Dimly lit rooms are not good choices for a homework area.
    • Without good lighting you are likely to be tempted to fall asleep or have a wandering focus.
  2. Pick an area that has a table or desk. It doesn't have to be very large, but just big enough for your computer and study materials.[1]
    • Make sure you have a good, supportive chair to sit on.
    • Avoid sitting on a bed or soft sofa. These are not ideal surfaces to work on.
    • Make sure your chair doesn't hurt your back or shoulders when you sit for long periods.
  3. Make sure your study space is free of distractions. You should avoid any room that has a TV, other people making noise, electronics, phones, or other noises.
    • Turn off any social media before you sit down to work in your study area.
    • Make sure you can't hear or see TVs.
    • Turn off your cell phone.
    • If you need a computer to work, close any other open applications or tabs on the computer.
    • Avoid working in an area where other people are likely to be making noise, like a living room or kitchen.
    • You can play music in the background if it will help to drown out other annoying noises that will distract you. Stick to something neutral like classical music so you aren't tempted to listen too closely. Try not to use music with lyrics.
  4. Bring a snack and drink with you into your study space. You will be less tempted to leave your space to get these items if you already have them at hand.[1]
    • Having a snack with you can help you avoid distraction from being hungry.
    • Keep your snacks light and healthy. Junk food is not a good choice when you are studying or doing homework.
    • Keep a bottle or glass of water with you in case you get thirsty.

Maintaining Focus

  1. Turn off any electronics. You won't want any of these to distract you.[1]
    • Log out of any social networks such as Snapchat, Tumblr, or Instagram.
    • Turn off any instant messengers on your phone.
    • Turn off your computer, unless you need it for your homework.
    • Keep your cell phone turned off or in another room when you work.
  2. Tell your family you are working. They will help to make sure they don't distract you.[1]
    • If you have younger siblings, ask your parents to make sure they don't bother you as you do your work.
    • Make sure you tell them how long you plan on working.
    • Keep your parents informed on what your assignments are and if you are struggling in a particular subject.
  3. Choose to work at time when you will focus best. Most people have a time of day that works best.[1]
    • If you are tired and distracted late in the evening or right after dinner, that might not be the best time to work.
    • You may have to experiment with this by trying different times to see when you concentrate best.
    • Many students find that if they take a short break when they get home from school and then start working in the late afternoon, they can complete their work early before they are too tired or distracted.
    • Work in 30 minute to 1 hour intervals. You will need to take a couple of minutes as a break in between assignments to avoid distraction.

Completing Your Homework

  1. Look at your homework plan. Review each assignment and see if you need to make any adjustments to the time or order of assignments.[1]
    • You should complete the most difficult tasks first.
    • You are more likely to concentrate well at first, with your attention wandering towards the end of your homework time.
    • Later, when you are more tired, you can do easier assignments.
    • Keep your homework list accessible while you are working.
  2. Ask an adult or classmate for help if you get stuck. Make sure it is not someone who will distract you from finishing your assignment.[1]
    • Everyone gets stuck from time to time on a difficult problem or task when they are doing homework.
    • Calling a classmate briefly or asking someone for help can assist you in avoiding becoming frustrated.
    • When you are frustrated, it is more likely that you will become distracted and procrastinate on your homework.
  3. Cross off your assignments as you complete them. This will help you feel accomplished.[1]
    • This will help you visualize where you are in terms of how much work you need to get done.
    • It will help you budget your time as you work. If an assignment took longer than expected, you can adjust your time as you go.
    • Make sure you do the assignments in the order you have decided. Don't be tempted to do something easy right away, as you will need to devote better concentration to harder assignments.

Tips

  • Keep your work space clear.
  • Have a drink and healthy snack near you so you don't get feel tempted to get up to get them.
  • Log out of all social networks, e.g. Tumblr, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. Its best to just disconnect WiFi!
  • Let your family know that you are doing your homework. If there are younger siblings in the house, you might want to get some earplugs, or put them down for a nap.
  • Work at a desk or table and use a comfortable chair.
  • Start your homework at a time when you focus best.
  • Keep the window open for fresh air.
  • Turn off your computer and any other distracting electronics. This will help you focus.
  • Don't choose a place where you're laying down, this can make you sleepy.
  • If you know you'll be tempted to turn on your phone and go on it, ask one of your parents to keep it until you're finished doing your homework.
  • Take a minute before you start to get a snack, but make sure not to "get distracted"!
  • If using Android, download the "Time Limit Lock" app which locks your screen for a set amount of time, and which cannot be unlocked until the time runs out.
  • Give yourself a few breaks to walk around. A little exercise can be refreshing, just make sure it doesn't distract you.
  • If you constantly feel bored or don't have proper motivation, try timing yourself. It will give you a reason to keep going and trying your best.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 http://kidshealth.org/teen/school_jobs/school/homework.html#
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