Homework is an essential part of high school life. It reinforces what students have learned in class, helps them to develop critical thinking skills, and prepares them for exams. However, we also know that high school workloads can be challenging for some, especially with the demands of extracurricular activities, social life, and other responsibilities. To help your teen manage their workload, here are some practical homework tips that you as a parent can encourage.
Homework Tips for High School Students
Create a Dedicated Study Space
Having a dedicated homework space can make a big difference in productivity. Encourage your teen to choose a quiet, well-lit area free from distractions like their phone, TV, or loud noises. Most importantly, their study space should be somewhere other than where they sleep! When we study in bed, our brain begins to associate the activity of studying with the location of our bed, which can make it trickier to fall asleep.
Plan Out Assignments
Prioritizing tasks is a must-do for keeping track of assignments, deadlines, and other commitments. Encourage your high schooler to review their upcoming tasks at the beginning of each week and prioritize them based on their due dates and complexity. Breaking down larger projects into smaller tasks and setting mini-deadlines can help students stay on track. There are so many planning tools available; check out this review of the top 10 free and paid planner apps for students to see if you can find one that works for your child.
Set Specific Goals for Each Study Session
Instead of vaguely deciding to “study math,” encourage setting clear and achievable goals like “complete ten algebra problems” or “review biology notes for 30 minutes.” Having specific objectives will help students stay focused and give them a sense of accomplishment when they achieve them. While you may not be a calculus teacher, you can help your child prioritize their assignments that are due first and note the ones they might need additional help with, either from their peers or teachers.
Promote Self-Care
Our brains work best when we give them what they need, which starts with caring for our physical and mental health. Even if your child sets aside time to study, they are not doing so effectively if they are hungry, tired, thirsty, sleep-deprived, or sick! Remind them to take breaks and practice relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or mindfulness, to manage stress. Headspace is a great app to help build a practice of mindfulness, which is a great way to steady your body and mind before studying or heading into an exam.
Empathize with the challenge
Empathize with the challenge. When you have gained life experience past high school, it can be easy to forget that the challenge our students are going through may be the trickiest thing they have experienced so far. Meeting them where they are in their stress validates their feelings, which builds trust, hopefully ensuring they bring their study and homework challenges to you when they hit a wall.
Homework doesn’t have to cause stress or frustration. Tools, tips, and techniques like those outlined here can help students stay on top of their workload and make their homework time more effective and less overwhelming. And remember, Brockton’s teachers and student services team are here to help support you and your teen along the way!
Presented by Brockton School
Bri Bishop, Teacher – Senior School Student Services, Department Chair: Student Services
