Homework can be a major source of stress for many students. Whether it’s to prepare for a big exam or catching up on a deadline for a project, it’s almost impossible to avoid the stress that comes with it.
If you’ve landed on this post, it means you’re looking for effective ways to help you or your child stay focused on the task at hand. But how exactly can you find a healthy balance between assignments and family commitments (among many other things)?
A badly executed homework routine can lead to poor in-class performance and grades. This makes it more important to learn how to manage homework stress. Following are 5 expert tips to help you or your young one create a smooth and stress-free after-class routine.
Create a friendly study and homework space.
Set a boundary and create a space at home to help you or your kids fall into a homework routine – and then stick to it. The adage, “if you build it, they will come”, couldn’t ring more true for this situation. Creating a welcoming space where you can do your homework in peace allows you to get used to a daily routine that allows you to complete tasks without unnecessary complications.
Limit your gaming and TV screen time.
Setting limits to a child’s screen time can help them get more organized and not have them whining, “Just five more minutes, please!”.
It’s important to be strict and firm about this rule. Make sure to have a routine or schedule in place after school or online classes. Consider creating an afternoon routine chart for you or your child. For instance, you can treat yourself to a healthy snack after school, do your assignments, and then finish some household chores. Only when you’ve completed tasks from your afternoon routine can you or your kid enjoy a bit of screen time.
Even as the child gets older, it’s all the more important to get them involved with household chores. Not only does it teach them effective time management, it also teaches them to be responsible with simple, everyday tasks.
Keep homework supplies within reach.
You might not have noticed this, but kids spend 5 minutes or more looking for a pencil or other supplies they need to get started with homework. This doesn’t include getting into all sorts of distractions during their search.
Keeping assignment essentials handy and well-stocked helps cut down the time we spend preparing for and doing homework. This in turn, eases the stress that often comes after a long day at school or online classes.
As mentioned earlier, it pays to have a simple homework station at home, complete with all the materials needed to get assignments done on time. Set up an organizer or a file cabinet where you can place all school-related paperwork, as well as school supplies like pencils, erasers, crayons, highlighters, sticky notes, rulers, etc.
Make sure to keep these in one place, located right next to the table or work desk where you or your child do homework. That way, you know where to find everything you need for your assignment or school project.
Consider getting homework help.
There may come a time when a child would struggle to complete homework. It could be because they’re not confident to tackle a subject they’re weak at, or they’re not motivated enough to finish the task.
If you’re concerned about their performance or how far behind they are with their lessons, they may benefit from getting homework help for subjects they’re not doing well in. This could also be an area you, as a parent or guardian, might not be able to help them with. I know, we’ve all been in this situation before, and a good online tutor or homework helper can fix this problem and get your child back on track.
For example, if the student is having difficulties writing essays or any paper assignment, they can greatly benefit from websites that offer the best essay writing service reviews and sources for homework help. Here, you can find reliable academic help services and get an expert to provide you with model papers – learning materials or references that will guide you in improving your writing skills or give you an idea of how a topic should be tackled. Better yet, you can hire an online tutor who can guide and improve your child’s confidence when it comes to their studies.
Getting homework or tutoring help doesn’t mean your child is cheating their way to academic success. This simply means they need extra time and hands to help them get a better understanding of what they’ve been learning at school. This leads to improved grades and confidence, allowing the child to be more motivated to learn and complete their schoolwork.
Get plenty of rest and sleep.
Nowadays, students are overloaded with too much homework and school projects that many of them suffer from study burnout.
You can’t expect a child to be ready to work on their assignments the moment they get home from school. Make sure to set aside time for them to do something that they enjoy. This could be a fun activity at home or extracurricular activities they can enjoy with family or friends. On top of getting much-needed exercise, this gives the child a break from all the stressors and an outlet to release any pent-up frustration or energy.
And just like sticking to a homework routine, it’s equally important to get your child into a regular sleep routine once they’ve finished all their homework and chores. It’s important to give them plenty of time to recharge after a hectic day at school.
Kids six to thirteen years old should get 7 to 11 hours of sleep every night, while teenagers can get by with 7 to 10 hours of sleep. Getting an ample amount of rest and sleep ensures that your child has the energy to tackle the next day’s school and homework tasks.
A well planned and executed homework routine is all it takes to help you get through the day. It gets work done on time and keeps homework stress at bay, all while helping your child develop better and healthier learning habits. With the tips above, you can tackle assignments with less frustration and more confidence. Good luck!