Homework: Organizational Tips to Make Your Life Easier

Let's just say it. Homework is no fun. But truth is, homework can be a very useful tool. Doing homework can help you to further understand concepts, improve memory and recall, and improves your ability to work independently and manage your time. It's also your way of taking charge of your education. Doing homework without a teacher or other students to prompt or guide you also helps you to understand where you may need extra help.

What do you do if homework is a constant struggle? How do you manage if you are constantly forgetting assignments or up into the late hours of the night trying to finish your work? If the work is too hard for you, it may be time to look into getting some extra help. However, in many cases the problem is organization. Keep reading to learn some great organizational tips that will make homework a snap.

Schedule a Set Time For Doing Homework

The more you can train your brain to think of homework as just another daily task the better. Soon, doing it will become simple habit. Pro tip: This works for other things such as going to the gym. This starts with scheduling a daily time for doing homework.

You can pick whatever time works best for you. Some students find that when they get home they are still in a learning frame of mind. So, they choose to start their homework right then. Others prefer to wait until after they've had a chance to relax or do something enjoyable. There's no right or wrong time, just pick what works and stick with it.

Don't Underestimate The Amount of Time You'll Need

Whatever time you choose to do homework, be sure to schedule enough time. That way you can avoid the frustration of having your work run late. After all, isn't it better to find out that your work is going to take less time than you expected than more? This is especially true if you have some fun activity planned afterwards.

Make a Plan of Attack That Works For You

Should you knock out the tough assignments first, or should you start with the easy stuff and build up? The answer really depends. If knocking out hard tasks first gives you a sense of accomplishment and energizes you, then go for it! If they wear you out, maybe they should wait until the end. You might even alternate easy tasks with difficult ones. The goal is to keep your energy levels up so you can get everything done.

Keep an Assignment Sheet

There's a reason elementary school teachers make kids keep an assignment sheet. It works! Assignment sheets give you a place to write down everything you need to do, and when it's due. You can double check it as you're packing your bag to leave school to ensure that you have everything you need.

Even better, you have lots of options. If you prefer the simple assignment sheet format, you can find plenty of options on Pinterest. Other options include using a day planner or organizer. Any note taking or to do list app should work as well.

Check Things Off as You Finish Them

However you keep your assignment sheet, bring it home with you. As you finish each task, be sure to check it off. This way you can be sure you'll never forget anything. You'll also feel a small surge of relief and accomplishment as each task is marked off the list. In fact, accomplishing tasks can cause your body to release dopamine. That can motivate you to move on and accomplish even more.

Use a Calendar to Manage Long Term Assignments

Assignment sheets are great for daily homework, but you may need something more for long term assignments. This is where a paper or online calendar app can come in handy. You can record the assignment, when it's due, and deadlines along the way. Then, you can cross reference the entries on your calendar with your assignment sheets and add tasks from your calendar to your daily assignments.

Get Help From an Organizational Wizard

Do you know someone who really has it together? It could be a friend who gets great grades, another student, your teacher, or one of your parents. Run your organizational plan by them. They may have some great suggestions that will help you to work even more efficiently.

Choose a Great Homework Spot

You should pick a comfortable place to do your homework. It should have good lighting, comfortable seating, access to wi-fi, and anything else you need to settle in and work for an hour or two. If possible, try to do your homework in the same place every night. This is part of training your brain to see homework as simply another daily habit.

You can pick any place that works for you. Obviously your bedroom, kitchen table, home office, or den are a few options. Of course, you may find that you work best away from home. Check out your local library, coffeeshop, or even your school cafeteria. As long as you can stay focused in your environment you should be good to go.

Keep Your Workspace Well Stocked

Once you choose your workspace, you should make sure it's well stocked. Make a visit to your local stationary store and buy plenty of supplies such as:

1. Pens Pencils And Highlighters
2. Spiral Notebooks
3. Printer Paper
4. Loose Leaf Paper
5. Graph Paper
6. Glue
7. Tape
8. Scissors
9. Paper Clips
10. Pencil Sharpener
11. Sticky Notes
12. Index Cards
13. Folders
14. Markers And Colored Pencils

You might also purchase some paper trays, a pencil holders, or other items to keep your supplies organized. If you plan on working away from home, you'll need a slightly different plan of action. A sturdy messenger bag should hold the supplies that you need. You can also look for smaller, travel or sample sized versions of things that are a bit more portable.

Consider What You'll Need to Complete Each Assignment

When you're using your assignment sheet to load all of the right books and folders into your backpack, Think about what you are going to need to get each assignment done. Then, ask yourself if you have those items available at home.

For example, if you're supposed to work on a collage, you'll need construction paper, a glue stick, and probably some magazines to cut up. If those aren't at home, you'll have to take a mental note to hit the store on the way home. Nothing is worse than getting ready to work only to figure out that you don't have what you need.

Eliminate Distractions

Some students need near silence and zero interruptions in order to finish their homework on time and work efficiently. Others need some noise and activity. Here's the only problem. Almost everyone claims they fall in the second category. In many cases, it's not that you work better with the television or radio on or that you get more done with people around. It's simply that working alone in a quiet space can be a bit of a drag.

Try an experiment. Force yourself to work on your schoolwork without any electronics and away from friends and family members. You may just find that you get your work done much more quickly, and that you get better grades. If not, then you may genuinely be one of the people who needs to work 'in the middle of all the action.

Summary

If you are focused and organized, homework won't seem like such a chore. It will simply become something that you do everyday without giving it much thought. This will help you to focus simply on getting the job done instead of wishing that you didn't have to do it.


Eliza Medley is an experienced specialist at the writing service in USA. She is a blogger, who writes about education, social media, content marketing and self-growth. Follow @Eliza_Medley on Twitter.