Homework Tips for Teens
Strategies for Helping Teens Complete Assignments
At the start of any school year, all teens could use a refresher on best practices for homework completion. Share with your kids the following tips:
Use an Assignment Book. Don’t rely on your memory alone. Instead, write down each and every daily and long term assignment. Make sure what you write is clear and complete enough that you will understand it later. You might even want to jot down in your assignment book any books or other supplies you will need to take home to complete the assignment, so you aren’t scrambling at your locker. You can even use the assignment book to break long-term projects down into manageable chunks. Assigning each chunk to a different evening spreads the work out over time, and helps prevent you from procrastinating because each piece is more manageable.
Follow up on missed work. Absences can cause many kids to get behind, because they often fail to make up the work they missed. Don’t rely on your teachers to find you and tell you what you missed. It’s your responsibility to get that information from each of your teachers. Make sure you understand the directions and write it in your assignment book. True, this means that you might have double, or even triple the work to do the day you return from an absence. However, the longer you let the work slide, the less likely you will be to complete it. Plus, having a gap in your learning might make it harder for you to keep up with what the class is currently working on. Another good idea is to get a homework buddy. Find a reliable classmate you can call when you are absent to see what was missed. That way, if you are feeling up to it, you might work on some of the assignments on the evening of your absence. Double check with the teacher upon your return to make sure you have everything.
Time Management. Managing your time wisely can keep your schoolwork from overwhelming you. Make sure you set aside a block of time each day to complete homework. This can be especially challenging if you are involved in a lot of other activities. Make homework a priority: don’t try to get it done in the car on the way to soccer practice or five minutes before rushing to the bus in the morning. If you can’t fit everything in, something may have to go.
Study Environment. Make sure you have a quiet, well-lit place (preferably a desk) to do your work. Minimize interruptions (such as the TV, phone, or other family members) so you can concentrate and get things done. Make sure all of your supplies are on hand before you start, and stretch or take a short break every so often. Attack more difficult projects first, when your energy level is highest.
Double-check. When your homework is done, re-check your assignment book to make sure you haven’t missed anything, and double check your work for mistakes. Make sure you put everything back in your binder in a place you can find it easily the next morning.
With your help, students can develop the strong academic skills that will help them throughout their school career. You may also be interested in Organizational Skills for Teens or Goal Setting for Teens.
