how to finish a lot of homework fast

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Enter your email to unlock an extra $25 off an sat or act program, by submitting my email address. i certify that i am 13 years of age or older, agree to recieve marketing email messages from the princeton review, and agree to terms of use., 8 easy ways to finish your homework faster.

How many times have you found yourself still staring at your textbook around midnight (or later!) even when you started your homework hours earlier? Those lost hours could be explained by Parkinson’s Law, which states, “Work expands to fill the time available for its completion.” In other words, if you give yourself all night to memorize those geometry formulas for your quiz tomorrow, you’ll inevitably find that a 30 minute task has somehow filled your entire evening.

We know that you have more homework than ever. But even with lots and lots to do, a few tweaks to your study routine could help you spend less time getting more accomplished. Here are 8 steps to make Parkinson’s Law work to your advantage:

1. Make a list

This should be a list of everything that has to be done that evening. And we mean, everything—from re-reading notes from this morning’s history class to quizzing yourself on Spanish vocabulary.

2. Estimate the time needed for each item on your list

You can be a little ruthless here. However long you think a task will take, try shaving off 5 or 10 minutes. But, be realistic. You won’t magically become a speed reader.

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3. Gather all your gear

Collect EVERYTHING you will need for the homework you are working on (like your laptop for writing assignments and pencils for problem sets). Getting up for supplies takes you off course and makes it that much harder to get back to your homework.

The constant blings and beeps from your devices can make it impossible to focus on what you are working on. Switch off or silence your phones and tablets, or leave them in another room until it’s time to take a tech break.

Read More: How to Calculate Your GPA

5. Time yourself

Noting how much time something actually takes will help you estimate better and plan your next study session.

6. Stay on task

If you’re fact checking online, it can be so easy to surf on over to a completely unrelated site. A better strategy is to note what information you need to find online, and do it all at once at the end of the study session.

7. Take plenty of breaks

Most of us need a break between subjects or to break up long stretches of studying. Active breaks are a great way to keep your energy up. Tech breaks can be an awesome way to combat the fear of missing out that might strike while you are buried in your work, but they also tend to stretch much longer than originally intended. Stick to a break schedule of 10 minutes or so.

8. Reward yourself! 

Finish early? If you had allocated 30 minutes for reading a biology chapter and it only took 20, you can apply those extra 10 minutes to a short break—or just move on to your next task. If you stay on track, you might breeze through your work quickly enough to catch up on some Netflix.

Our best piece of advice? Keep at it. The more you use this system, the easier it will become. You’ll be surprised by how much time you can shave off homework just by focusing and committing to a distraction-free study plan.

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How to Finish Your Homework

Last Updated: July 11, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Emily Listmann, MA . Emily Listmann is a Private Tutor and Life Coach in Santa Cruz, California. In 2018, she founded Mindful & Well, a natural healing and wellness coaching service. She has worked as a Social Studies Teacher, Curriculum Coordinator, and an SAT Prep Teacher. She received her MA in Education from the Stanford Graduate School of Education in 2014. Emily also received her Wellness Coach Certificate from Cornell University and completed the Mindfulness Training by Mindful Schools. There are 16 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 283,735 times.

While studying can differ for different age groups, many of the things that get in the way are the same. Whether it's your environment or time management skills, it easy for things to discourage you from finishing your homework. With a little organization and help, your homework can become approachable.

Managing Your Time

• For instance, try setting aside a time you know you can work well such as an hour or 2 before dinner, or if you're a night owl, after dinner.

• Work in hour blocks, with 50 minutes spent studying and 10 minutes spent taking a break.
• It can also be helpful to move around when you are taking your break, especially if you are working at a screen. Go for a walk outside to get your blood circulating and enjoy some fresh air.
• You might also want to eat a healthy snack on your break to improve your focus. Avoid junk food and choose something like a handful of nuts, a piece of fruit, veggies, or a small portion of cottage cheese.

• Identify which assignments are worth the most points for each class. Most likely these will take the longest to complete. [5] X Research source
• Consider how long you have to do each project, and if possible, see when the assignment is introduced. Oftentimes, primary and secondary school classes do not have syllabi, so it might be harder to plan out an entire term, but if you are in college, you will most likely have a syllabus with at least a partial course schedule. Knowing how long you have to complete an assignment will help you prioritize which assignments to do first. You can also ask the teacher how long you have to complete an assignment. [6] X Research source

• Use highlighters or stickers to mark which assignments are most important.
• If you're using an online or mobile schedule, create alerts or notifications for the projects and any time-sensitive steps for those projects.

• Don't let a big project overshadow the smaller assignments you need to complete!

• Assignment outlines can help you visualize the necessary tasks to get the assignment done.

Creating a Productive Work Environment

• A desk or table would be a better location than a couch or a bed.

• Turn your phone off or on silent (not vibrate). It might be best to put the phone out of sight, or in another room while you work, as the temptation to text or get on social media can be as much of a distraction as actually using social media.
• Use an app that blocks social media. There are plenty of applications out there that can help block social media and other distracting sites (such as shopping or gaming sites). [10] X Trustworthy Source Pew Research Center Nonpartisan thinktank conducting research and providing information on public opinion, demographic trends, and social trends Go to source

• Use a white noise app to block out noise.
• Use earplugs or noise-blocking earmuffs. [12] X Research source
• Work in a quiet place, such as a library or a home office, if you have one.
• Avoid listening to music while studying. Studies have shown that although listening to music while studying lowers overall performance, this does not affect everyone equally. [13] X Research source However listening to music before studying has been shown to improve performance on cognitive tasks. [14] X Research source

Using Your Resources

• If you're too afraid to ask a teacher during class, see if you can stay behind to ask your questions.

• First, contact your school to see if there are any after-school tutoring programs. While not all primary and secondary schools offer tutoring, a vast majority of universities do. If your school does not offer tutoring, they may know of other resources for you to contact.
• Then, contact your library to see if they offer any tutoring. [18] X Research source
• In some areas, there may also be free community tutoring programs. Contact your local community center for more information.
• There are plenty of private tutors out there as well, but they can be costly (ranging from $20 to $100 an hour). [19] X Research source You can find tutors online through a number of websites, such as Craigslist or Angie's list.

• If you need to work at a library after school, ask your parents or search the web to find your local library.

Supercharge Your Studying with this Expert Series

Community Q&A

Reader Videos

• Don't feel too stressed or you'll be doing less work than you actually can. Thanks Helpful 7 Not Helpful 3
• Make sure you’re getting enough sleep. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 3
• Maintain a healthy diet. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 3

• Recommended time doing homework varies by age. The National PTA recommends about 10 minutes per grade level per night (30 minutes a night for the third grade). Thanks Helpful 9 Not Helpful 0
• Some people may need additional help in order to focus on their homework and finish it. If you are struggling in school, ask your parents or teachers about what resources may be available, and seek out professional help or ask your parents to do so, if necessary. Thanks Helpful 29 Not Helpful 9
• If you are under the age of thirteen, you may need to obtain your parents’ permission before downloading any computer applications. Thanks Helpful 30 Not Helpful 13

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• ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/homework.html
• ↑ https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/power-habit-charles-duhigg
• ↑ https://www.edutopia.org/article/research-tested-benefits-breaks/
• ↑ https://www.wma.us/about/titan-blog/post/~board/titan-blog/post/how-to-prioritize-school-assignments-and-homework
• ↑ https://jhsap.org/self_help_resources/school-life_balance//
• ↑ https://lsc.cornell.edu/how-to-study/studying-for-and-taking-exams/guidelines-for-creating-a-study-schedule/
• ↑ https://success.oregonstate.edu/learning/concentration
• ↑ https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2020/07/28/parenting-children-in-the-age-of-screens/
• ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/homework.html/
• ↑ https://absn.northeastern.edu/blog/8-things-to-keep-in-your-at-home-study-space/
• ↑ https://scholar.utc.edu/theses/171/
• ↑ https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/acp.1731
• ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/talk-to-parents.html
• ↑ https://rdw.rowan.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2412&context=etd
• ↑ https://blogs.chapman.edu/scst/2016/02/09/what-tutoring-is-and-what-tutoring-is-not/
• ↑ https://undergrad.stanford.edu/tutoring-support

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Homework Hacks: 8 Tips to Get It Done Faster

Homework is no fun, especially if you’ve got a full schedule. You only have a little bit of time and a little bit of energy. And it takes so long to get through it.

Not anymore. We’ve got some helpful homework hacks for you that will make doing your homework faster and less painful.

1. Plan Your Homework and Make a List

When you start your homework, you’ll probably jump right into the first thing on your mind or the first thing you pull out of your backpack, then work your way through the rest of your assignments. There’s a better way.

Figure out how much time you have to do homework, then list out all the different tasks that you have to do. Estimate how long it will take to complete each assignment to see if you need to allow yourself more time. Be realistic. Once your list is complete you can work straight through instead of stopping frequently to figure out what to do next. It will also be extremely gratifying to cross things off after each assignment you finish!

2. Get Out All the Books and Supplies You Need

While you’re working, you discover you need a calculator, you need a certain book, you need a new pencil, you ran out of paper… the list can go on.

Since you’ve now identified all your assignments, figure out everything you need to get each item done and bring it to your workspace so it’s there when you need it.

3. Find a Quiet Place to Work Without Distractions

Speaking of workspace, you probably prefer doing your homework in front of the TV, but that can actually be the biggest distraction of all. Sitting in front of the TV is probably slowing you down, making homework time seem much longer that it actually is.

Find a place that’s quiet, with as few distractions and clutter possible. Remember, the faster you get it done, the faster you can get back to fully enjoying Netflix.

4. Turn Off Your Phone

We know this is probably the last thing you want to hear. How can you live without your phone? But for a couple hours, its totally worth it. Every time you get a notification and check your phone, it breaks your focus. It then takes more brain power to get back on track to what you were working on.

5. Listen to Classical Music While Working

We know what you’re thinking… Classical music? Seriously?

However, classical music is great for background audio. There aren’t any lyrics or beats to distract your focus. And research has shown that students who listen to classical music score higher on tests than students who listen to other genres of music. So find some good classical playlist on Spotify, then celebrate with Queen Bey when you’re done.

6. Eat Snacks and Drink Water

At the end of a long day, you may be mentally and physically tired. If you go straight into homework it may take you a long time to finish and it won’t be your best work.

Having some light healthy snacks and drinking plenty of water helps revitalize your brain and body. Avoid soda, energy drinks, or sugary snacks that will only make you crash before you’re done.

7. Take Short Breaks in Between Homework Tasks

If you have a lot to do, you may feel the pressure to just work straight through hours and hours of homework. But this will likely end up slowing you down, prolonging the entire session.

Do your work in short sprints. Go hard at a task, then take a quick break to stretch and walk around. It’ll re-energize your mind and body to keep going. For starters, try working for 25 minutes, then taking a 5-minute break.

8. Reward Yourself After You’re Finished

Homework isn’t always fun. But negativity can slow you down.

Our brains work off of reward systems. If you give yourself a reward when finishing your homework, it makes it a lot easier to start your homework the next time and you’ll get through it faster. Rewards could be being able to watch a show, eat ice cream, play a game, or going out and doing something fun.

Now that you’ve got all these tips, go get your homework done faster than ever before. It may be hard at first, but keep using these tips and it’ll get easier as you go.

Featured Image: Piotr Marcinski/Shutterstock

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How to Do Homework: 15 Expert Tips and Tricks

Coursework/GPA

Everyone struggles with homework sometimes, but if getting your homework done has become a chronic issue for you, then you may need a little extra help. That’s why we’ve written this article all about how to do homework. Once you’re finished reading it, you’ll know how to do homework (and have tons of new ways to motivate yourself to do homework)!

We’ve broken this article down into a few major sections. You’ll find:

• A diagnostic test to help you figure out why you’re struggling with homework
• A discussion of the four major homework problems students face, along with expert tips for addressing them
• A bonus section with tips for how to do homework fast

By the end of this article, you’ll be prepared to tackle whatever homework assignments your teachers throw at you .

So let’s get started!

How to Do Homework: Figure Out Your Struggles 

Sometimes it feels like everything is standing between you and getting your homework done. But the truth is, most people only have one or two major roadblocks that are keeping them from getting their homework done well and on time. 

The best way to figure out how to get motivated to do homework starts with pinpointing the issues that are affecting your ability to get your assignments done. That’s why we’ve developed a short quiz to help you identify the areas where you’re struggling. 

Take the quiz below and record your answers on your phone or on a scrap piece of paper. Keep in mind there are no wrong answers! 

1. You’ve just been assigned an essay in your English class that’s due at the end of the week. What’s the first thing you do?

A. Keep it in mind, even though you won’t start it until the day before it’s due  B. Open up your planner. You’ve got to figure out when you’ll write your paper since you have band practice, a speech tournament, and your little sister’s dance recital this week, too.  C. Groan out loud. Another essay? You could barely get yourself to write the last one!  D. Start thinking about your essay topic, which makes you think about your art project that’s due the same day, which reminds you that your favorite artist might have just posted to Instagram...so you better check your feed right now. 

2. Your mom asked you to pick up your room before she gets home from work. You’ve just gotten home from school. You decide you’ll tackle your chores: 

A. Five minutes before your mom walks through the front door. As long as it gets done, who cares when you start?  B. As soon as you get home from your shift at the local grocery store.  C. After you give yourself a 15-minute pep talk about how you need to get to work.  D. You won’t get it done. Between texts from your friends, trying to watch your favorite Netflix show, and playing with your dog, you just lost track of time! 

3. You’ve signed up to wash dogs at the Humane Society to help earn money for your senior class trip. You: 

A. Show up ten minutes late. You put off leaving your house until the last minute, then got stuck in unexpected traffic on the way to the shelter.  B. Have to call and cancel at the last minute. You forgot you’d already agreed to babysit your cousin and bake cupcakes for tomorrow’s bake sale.  C. Actually arrive fifteen minutes early with extra brushes and bandanas you picked up at the store. You’re passionate about animals, so you’re excited to help out! D. Show up on time, but only get three dogs washed. You couldn’t help it: you just kept getting distracted by how cute they were!

4. You have an hour of downtime, so you decide you’re going to watch an episode of The Great British Baking Show. You: 

A. Scroll through your social media feeds for twenty minutes before hitting play, which means you’re not able to finish the whole episode. Ugh! You really wanted to see who was sent home!  B. Watch fifteen minutes until you remember you’re supposed to pick up your sister from band practice before heading to your part-time job. No GBBO for you!  C. You finish one episode, then decide to watch another even though you’ve got SAT studying to do. It’s just more fun to watch people make scones.  D. Start the episode, but only catch bits and pieces of it because you’re reading Twitter, cleaning out your backpack, and eating a snack at the same time.

5. Your teacher asks you to stay after class because you’ve missed turning in two homework assignments in a row. When she asks you what’s wrong, you say: 

A. You planned to do your assignments during lunch, but you ran out of time. You decided it would be better to turn in nothing at all than submit unfinished work.  B. You really wanted to get the assignments done, but between your extracurriculars, family commitments, and your part-time job, your homework fell through the cracks.  C. You have a hard time psyching yourself to tackle the assignments. You just can’t seem to find the motivation to work on them once you get home.  D. You tried to do them, but you had a hard time focusing. By the time you realized you hadn’t gotten anything done, it was already time to turn them in. 

Like we said earlier, there are no right or wrong answers to this quiz (though your results will be better if you answered as honestly as possible). Here’s how your answers break down: 

• If your answers were mostly As, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is procrastination. 
• If your answers were mostly Bs, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is time management. 
• If your answers were mostly Cs, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is motivation. 
• If your answers were mostly Ds, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is getting distracted. 

Now that you’ve identified why you’re having a hard time getting your homework done, we can help you figure out how to fix it! Scroll down to find your core problem area to learn more about how you can start to address it. 

And one more thing: you’re really struggling with homework, it’s a good idea to read through every section below. You may find some additional tips that will help make homework less intimidating. 

How to Do Homework When You’re a Procrastinator  

Merriam Webster defines “procrastinate” as “to put off intentionally and habitually.” In other words, procrastination is when you choose to do something at the last minute on a regular basis. If you’ve ever found yourself pulling an all-nighter, trying to finish an assignment between periods, or sprinting to turn in a paper minutes before a deadline, you’ve experienced the effects of procrastination. 

If you’re a chronic procrastinator, you’re in good company. In fact, one study found that 70% to 95% of undergraduate students procrastinate when it comes to doing their homework. Unfortunately, procrastination can negatively impact your grades. Researchers have found that procrastination can lower your grade on an assignment by as much as five points ...which might not sound serious until you realize that can mean the difference between a B- and a C+. 

Procrastination can also negatively affect your health by increasing your stress levels , which can lead to other health conditions like insomnia, a weakened immune system, and even heart conditions. Getting a handle on procrastination can not only improve your grades, it can make you feel better, too! 

The big thing to understand about procrastination is that it’s not the result of laziness. Laziness is defined as being “disinclined to activity or exertion.” In other words, being lazy is all about doing nothing. But a s this Psychology Today article explains , procrastinators don’t put things off because they don’t want to work. Instead, procrastinators tend to postpone tasks they don’t want to do in favor of tasks that they perceive as either more important or more fun. Put another way, procrastinators want to do things...as long as it’s not their homework! 

3 Tips f or Conquering Procrastination 

Because putting off doing homework is a common problem, there are lots of good tactics for addressing procrastination. Keep reading for our three expert tips that will get your homework habits back on track in no time. 

#1: Create a Reward System

Like we mentioned earlier, procrastination happens when you prioritize other activities over getting your homework done. Many times, this happens because homework...well, just isn’t enjoyable. But you can add some fun back into the process by rewarding yourself for getting your work done. 

Here’s what we mean: let’s say you decide that every time you get your homework done before the day it’s due, you’ll give yourself a point. For every five points you earn, you’ll treat yourself to your favorite dessert: a chocolate cupcake! Now you have an extra (delicious!) incentive to motivate you to leave procrastination in the dust. 

If you’re not into cupcakes, don’t worry. Your reward can be anything that motivates you . Maybe it’s hanging out with your best friend or an extra ten minutes of video game time. As long as you’re choosing something that makes homework worth doing, you’ll be successful. 

#2: Have a Homework Accountability Partner 

If you’re having trouble getting yourself to start your homework ahead of time, it may be a good idea to call in reinforcements . Find a friend or classmate you can trust and explain to them that you’re trying to change your homework habits. Ask them if they’d be willing to text you to make sure you’re doing your homework and check in with you once a week to see if you’re meeting your anti-procrastination goals. 

Sharing your goals can make them feel more real, and an accountability partner can help hold you responsible for your decisions. For example, let’s say you’re tempted to put off your science lab write-up until the morning before it’s due. But you know that your accountability partner is going to text you about it tomorrow...and you don’t want to fess up that you haven’t started your assignment. A homework accountability partner can give you the extra support and incentive you need to keep your homework habits on track. 

#3: Create Your Own Due Dates 

If you’re a life-long procrastinator, you might find that changing the habit is harder than you expected. In that case, you might try using procrastination to your advantage! If you just can’t seem to stop doing your work at the last minute, try setting your own due dates for assignments that range from a day to a week before the assignment is actually due. 

Here’s what we mean. Let’s say you have a math worksheet that’s been assigned on Tuesday and is due on Friday. In your planner, you can write down the due date as Thursday instead. You may still put off your homework assignment until the last minute...but in this case, the “last minute” is a day before the assignment’s real due date . This little hack can trick your procrastination-addicted brain into planning ahead! 

If you feel like Kevin Hart in this meme, then our tips for doing homework when you're busy are for you. 

How to Do Homework When You’re too Busy

If you’re aiming to go to a top-tier college , you’re going to have a full plate. Because college admissions is getting more competitive, it’s important that you’re maintaining your grades , studying hard for your standardized tests , and participating in extracurriculars so your application stands out. A packed schedule can get even more hectic once you add family obligations or a part-time job to the mix. 

If you feel like you’re being pulled in a million directions at once, you’re not alone. Recent research has found that stress—and more severe stress-related conditions like anxiety and depression— are a major problem for high school students . In fact, one study from the American Psychological Association found that during the school year, students’ stress levels are higher than those of the adults around them. 

For students, homework is a major contributor to their overall stress levels . Many high schoolers have multiple hours of homework every night , and figuring out how to fit it into an already-packed schedule can seem impossible. 

3 Tips for Fitting Homework Into Your Busy Schedule

While it might feel like you have literally no time left in your schedule, there are still ways to make sure you’re able to get your homework done and meet your other commitments. Here are our expert homework tips for even the busiest of students. 

#1: Make a Prioritized To-Do List 

You probably already have a to-do list to keep yourself on track. The next step is to prioritize the items on your to-do list so you can see what items need your attention right away. 

Here’s how it works: at the beginning of each day, sit down and make a list of all the items you need to get done before you go to bed. This includes your homework, but it should also take into account any practices, chores, events, or job shifts you may have. Once you get everything listed out, it’s time to prioritize them using the labels A, B, and C. Here’s what those labels mean:

• A Tasks : tasks that have to get done—like showing up at work or turning in an assignment—get an A. 
• B Tasks : these are tasks that you would like to get done by the end of the day but aren’t as time sensitive. For example, studying for a test you have next week could be a B-level task. It’s still important, but it doesn’t have to be done right away.
• C Tasks: these are tasks that aren’t very important and/or have no real consequences if you don’t get them done immediately. For instance, if you’re hoping to clean out your closet but it’s not an assigned chore from your parents, you could label that to-do item with a C.

Prioritizing your to-do list helps you visualize which items need your immediate attention, and which items you can leave for later. A prioritized to-do list ensures that you’re spending your time efficiently and effectively, which helps you make room in your schedule for homework. So even though you might really want to start making decorations for Homecoming (a B task), you’ll know that finishing your reading log (an A task) is more important. 

#2: Use a Planner With Time Labels

Your planner is probably packed with notes, events, and assignments already. (And if you’re not using a planner, it’s time to start!) But planners can do more for you than just remind you when an assignment is due. If you’re using a planner with time labels, it can help you visualize how you need to spend your day.

A planner with time labels breaks your day down into chunks, and you assign tasks to each chunk of time. For example, you can make a note of your class schedule with assignments, block out time to study, and make sure you know when you need to be at practice. Once you know which tasks take priority, you can add them to any empty spaces in your day. 

Planning out how you spend your time not only helps you use it wisely, it can help you feel less overwhelmed, too . We’re big fans of planners that include a task list ( like this one ) or have room for notes ( like this one ). 

#3: Set Reminders on Your Phone 

If you need a little extra nudge to make sure you’re getting your homework done on time, it’s a good idea to set some reminders on your phone. You don’t need a fancy app, either. You can use your alarm app to have it go off at specific times throughout the day to remind you to do your homework. This works especially well if you have a set homework time scheduled. So if you’ve decided you’re doing homework at 6:00 pm, you can set an alarm to remind you to bust out your books and get to work. 

If you use your phone as your planner, you may have the option to add alerts, emails, or notifications to scheduled events . Many calendar apps, including the one that comes with your phone, have built-in reminders that you can customize to meet your needs. So if you block off time to do your homework from 4:30 to 6:00 pm, you can set a reminder that will pop up on your phone when it’s time to get started. 

This dog isn't judging your lack of motivation...but your teacher might. Keep reading for tips to help you motivate yourself to do your homework.

How to Do Homework When You’re Unmotivated 

At first glance, it may seem like procrastination and being unmotivated are the same thing. After all, both of these issues usually result in you putting off your homework until the very last minute. 

But there’s one key difference: many procrastinators are working, they’re just prioritizing work differently. They know they’re going to start their homework...they’re just going to do it later. 

Conversely, people who are unmotivated to do homework just can’t find the willpower to tackle their assignments. Procrastinators know they’ll at least attempt the homework at the last minute, whereas people who are unmotivated struggle with convincing themselves to do it at a ll. For procrastinators, the stress comes from the inevitable time crunch. For unmotivated people, the stress comes from trying to convince themselves to do something they don’t want to do in the first place. 

Here are some common reasons students are unmotivated in doing homework : 

• Assignments are too easy, too hard, or seemingly pointless 
• Students aren’t interested in (or passionate about) the subject matter
• Students are intimidated by the work and/or feels like they don’t understand the assignment 
• Homework isn’t fun, and students would rather spend their time on things that they enjoy 

To sum it up: people who lack motivation to do their homework are more likely to not do it at all, or to spend more time worrying about doing their homework than...well, actually doing it.

3 Tips for How to Get Motivated to Do Homework

The key to getting homework done when you’re unmotivated is to figure out what does motivate you, then apply those things to homework. It sounds tricky...but it’s pretty simple once you get the hang of it! Here are our three expert tips for motivating yourself to do your homework. 

#1: Use Incremental Incentives

When you’re not motivated, it’s important to give yourself small rewards to stay focused on finishing the task at hand. The trick is to keep the incentives small and to reward yourself often. For example, maybe you’re reading a good book in your free time. For every ten minutes you spend on your homework, you get to read five pages of your book. Like we mentioned earlier, make sure you’re choosing a reward that works for you! 

So why does this technique work? Using small rewards more often allows you to experience small wins for getting your work done. Every time you make it to one of your tiny reward points, you get to celebrate your success, which gives your brain a boost of dopamine . Dopamine helps you stay motivated and also creates a feeling of satisfaction when you complete your homework !  

#2: Form a Homework Group 

If you’re having trouble motivating yourself, it’s okay to turn to others for support. Creating a homework group can help with this. Bring together a group of your friends or classmates, and pick one time a week where you meet and work on homework together. You don’t have to be in the same class, or even taking the same subjects— the goal is to encourage one another to start (and finish!) your assignments. 

Another added benefit of a homework group is that you can help one another if you’re struggling to understand the material covered in your classes. This is especially helpful if your lack of motivation comes from being intimidated by your assignments. Asking your friends for help may feel less scary than talking to your teacher...and once you get a handle on the material, your homework may become less frightening, too. 

#3: Change Up Your Environment 

If you find that you’re totally unmotivated, it may help if you find a new place to do your homework. For example, if you’ve been struggling to get your homework done at home, try spending an extra hour in the library after school instead. The change of scenery can limit your distractions and give you the energy you need to get your work done. 

If you’re stuck doing homework at home, you can still use this tip. For instance, maybe you’ve always done your homework sitting on your bed. Try relocating somewhere else, like your kitchen table, for a few weeks. You may find that setting up a new “homework spot” in your house gives you a motivational lift and helps you get your work done. 

Social media can be a huge problem when it comes to doing homework. We have advice for helping you unplug and regain focus.

How to Do Homework When You’re Easily Distracted

We live in an always-on world, and there are tons of things clamoring for our attention. From friends and family to pop culture and social media, it seems like there’s always something (or someone!) distracting us from the things we need to do.

The 24/7 world we live in has affected our ability to focus on tasks for prolonged periods of time. Research has shown that over the past decade, an average person’s attention span has gone from 12 seconds to eight seconds . And when we do lose focus, i t takes people a long time to get back on task . One study found that it can take as long as 23 minutes to get back to work once we’ve been distracte d. No wonder it can take hours to get your homework done! 

3 Tips to Improve Your Focus

If you have a hard time focusing when you’re doing your homework, it’s a good idea to try and eliminate as many distractions as possible. Here are three expert tips for blocking out the noise so you can focus on getting your homework done. 

#1: Create a Distraction-Free Environment

Pick a place where you’ll do your homework every day, and make it as distraction-free as possible. Try to find a location where there won’t be tons of noise, and limit your access to screens while you’re doing your homework. Put together a focus-oriented playlist (or choose one on your favorite streaming service), and put your headphones on while you work. 

You may find that other people, like your friends and family, are your biggest distraction. If that’s the case, try setting up some homework boundaries. Let them know when you’ll be working on homework every day, and ask them if they’ll help you keep a quiet environment. They’ll be happy to lend a hand! 

#2: Limit Your Access to Technology 

We know, we know...this tip isn’t fun, but it does work. For homework that doesn’t require a computer, like handouts or worksheets, it’s best to put all your technology away . Turn off your television, put your phone and laptop in your backpack, and silence notifications on any wearable tech you may be sporting. If you listen to music while you work, that’s fine...but make sure you have a playlist set up so you’re not shuffling through songs once you get started on your homework. 

If your homework requires your laptop or tablet, it can be harder to limit your access to distractions. But it’s not impossible! T here are apps you can download that will block certain websites while you’re working so that you’re not tempted to scroll through Twitter or check your Facebook feed. Silence notifications and text messages on your computer, and don’t open your email account unless you absolutely have to. And if you don’t need access to the internet to complete your assignments, turn off your WiFi. Cutting out the online chatter is a great way to make sure you’re getting your homework done. 

#3: Set a Timer (the Pomodoro Technique)

Have you ever heard of the Pomodoro technique ? It’s a productivity hack that uses a timer to help you focus!

Here’s how it works: first, set a timer for 25 minutes. This is going to be your work time. During this 25 minutes, all you can do is work on whatever homework assignment you have in front of you. No email, no text messaging, no phone calls—just homework. When that timer goes off, you get to take a 5 minute break. Every time you go through one of these cycles, it’s called a “pomodoro.” For every four pomodoros you complete, you can take a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes.

The pomodoro technique works through a combination of boundary setting and rewards. First, it gives you a finite amount of time to focus, so you know that you only have to work really hard for 25 minutes. Once you’ve done that, you’re rewarded with a short break where you can do whatever you want. Additionally, tracking how many pomodoros you complete can help you see how long you’re really working on your homework. (Once you start using our focus tips, you may find it doesn’t take as long as you thought!)

Two Bonus Tips for How to Do Homework Fast

Even if you’re doing everything right, there will be times when you just need to get your homework done as fast as possible. (Why do teachers always have projects due in the same week? The world may never know.)

The problem with speeding through homework is that it’s easy to make mistakes. While turning in an assignment is always better than not submitting anything at all, you want to make sure that you’re not compromising quality for speed. Simply put, the goal is to get your homework done quickly and still make a good grade on the assignment! 

Here are our two bonus tips for getting a decent grade on your homework assignments , even when you’re in a time crunch. 

#1: Do the Easy Parts First 

This is especially true if you’re working on a handout with multiple questions. Before you start working on the assignment, read through all the questions and problems. As you do, make a mark beside the questions you think are “easy” to answer . 

Once you’ve finished going through the whole assignment, you can answer these questions first. Getting the easy questions out of the way as quickly as possible lets you spend more time on the trickier portions of your homework, which will maximize your assignment grade. 

(Quick note: this is also a good strategy to use on timed assignments and tests, like the SAT and the ACT !) 

#2: Pay Attention in Class 

Homework gets a lot easier when you’re actively learning the material. Teachers aren’t giving you homework because they’re mean or trying to ruin your weekend... it’s because they want you to really understand the course material. Homework is designed to reinforce what you’re already learning in class so you’ll be ready to tackle harder concepts later.

When you pay attention in class, ask questions, and take good notes, you’re absorbing the information you’ll need to succeed on your homework assignments. (You’re stuck in class anyway, so you might as well make the most of it!) Not only will paying attention in class make your homework less confusing, it will also help it go much faster, too.

What’s Next?

If you’re looking to improve your productivity beyond homework, a good place to begin is with time management. After all, we only have so much time in a day...so it’s important to get the most out of it! To get you started, check out this list of the 12 best time management techniques that you can start using today.

You may have read this article because homework struggles have been affecting your GPA. Now that you’re on the path to homework success, it’s time to start being proactive about raising your grades. This article teaches you everything you need to know about raising your GPA so you can

Now you know how to get motivated to do homework...but what about your study habits? Studying is just as critical to getting good grades, and ultimately getting into a good college . We can teach you how to study bette r in high school. (We’ve also got tons of resources to help you study for your ACT and SAT exams , too!)

These recommendations are based solely on our knowledge and experience. If you purchase an item through one of our links, PrepScholar may receive a commission.

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Home > Blog > Tips for Online Students > 7 Hacks For How To Do Homework Fast

Tips for Online Students , Tips for Students

7 Hacks For How To Do Homework Fast

Updated: June 19, 2024

Published: June 8, 2021

Esteemed late and great Coach John Wooden used to say, “Be quick, but don’t hurry.” The phrase that was directed towards his team of basketball players can be applied to virtually every aspect of life, including for students approaching their homework. Learning how to do homework fast is both an art and a skill.

While it’s not a race to the finish, applying the following tips and tricks can help you better manage your time. As a student, time management becomes one of the most important skills you can possess. This then transfers to your work at any job, and even the ability to balance your personal life with professional activities.

But, before we go further down this rabbit hole, let’s focus on the task at hand, which is to adopt techniques to finish your homework quickly.

Student’s workspace for homework with graph paper and supplies / https://unsplash.com/photos/TB3CxSMHqmY

How to do your homework faster.

These homework hacks can be utilized for more than just homework. For anything that you have to get done with immense focus and accuracy, consider applying the following:

1. Create a to-do list

One of the upsides of homework is that it’s black-and-white. You know exactly what you have to get done and by when. This makes it easier to create a prioritized to-do list. While making a to-do list may not seem like a big hack, it ends up being one of the most important and useful things to do along your homework journey.

Instead of opening your notebook and jumping right into the first homework assignment that comes to mind, take a few moments to review what you have to get done. To make this easier, use a homework agenda or planner, so you don’t forget your tasks. Once you have everything written out, consider due dates and the length of time it should take to cross them off the list.

Creating a to-do list that is in order of priority helps you to stay on track and also provides you with a burst of endorphins and a sense of accomplishment each time you put a check in the box of completion.

2. Remove distractions

Distractions come in many different shapes and sizes. From cell phone chimes and notifications to a sibling throwing jelly beans at you, distractions can be of any type. While you cannot control how others affect you while you work, you can take control of your own study space and habits.

Turn off your phone and electronic devices, leave them in a different room, or at least put them on silent. It’s become a habit that as soon as the screen lights up, most people stop what they are doing and take a peek. Whether you act on the notification or not, you’ve lost valuable time with the distraction. Then, you need to refocus your brain on your homework all over again. These small bouts of broken concentration add up to a lot of wasted time.

3. Estimate time

Getting your homework done quickly means that you have to first be aware of the time it takes. You can time yourself on different tasks to start gaining an understanding and general idea of what takes the most time. This way, you can work to sharpen specific skills to move faster. For example, if you’re a slow reader, then you can try to learn more about speed reading so that you can shave off time on this task.

Timing yourself is also a good idea because if all your due dates are the same for tasks, then you can at least order your to-do list based on time. If a certain homework assignment takes less time than another, it may be best to start off with that task. This not only helps you to reserve your energy for time-consuming tasks, but it also means that you get started off on a positive note by completing something quickly. You can use that momentum to continue pushing through your list.

4. Find your study location

Find the type of environment that best suits you to get work done. This could mean a coffee shop with some ambient background noise, or it could be a library so quiet that you can hear a pin drop. Every person has their own preferences when it comes to where they work the best. As long as you minimize your distractions, you can get your work done quickly given you’re in an optimal workspace.

5. Gather supplies

Say you sit down to do some math homework. Then, you realize you need a graphing calculator. So, you go to get one. You sit back down and get into the groove. But now, you have forgotten the graphing paper you need to draw the equation. It may not seem like a big deal to get back up and run to the next room for your supplies, but again, you’re losing time.

In the endeavor of minimizing wasted time, you should gather all your supplies in advance and take them with you to your workspace. In order to do this successfully, review your to-do list once again and make a mental note of everything you’ll need to get each line item done.

6. Take breaks

Breaks are not bad. Breaks are actually beneficial. However, not all breaks are made equally.

By taking breaks, you can recharge your energy and focus. This could actually translate into being able to focus for longer stretches of time. Approach your homework like you would a high-intensity interval training exercise regimen. This means that you’ll go hard for a certain amount of time (say 45-60 minutes), and then you’ll take a quick, but meaningful break (say for 15-20 minutes).

If you focus for longer amounts of time, then take a slightly longer break. This helps to avoid burnout. Your body and mind will thank you for taking healthy breaks (i.e., a short walk, stretching, or any other activity that doesn’t require too much mental capacity).

7. Reward yourself

You’re the master of your own fate (and homework). So, if you thought that it would take you 45 minutes to finish your coding exercise, but you finished it in 30 minutes, you can apply those saved 15 minutes to a reward.

By celebrating small wins, you will continue to motivate yourself to get your work done in a timely manner. Alternatively, if you don’t want to take long breaks between your tasks, you can accrue your time and spend it all doing whatever brings you joy once you finish your homework to-do list.

Woman writing in a daily planner / https://unsplash.com/photos/N9uOrBICcjY

Wrapping up.

The desire to finish homework quickly is a universal feeling. When you look at the big picture, the ability to complete homework without wasting too much time turns out to be a lesson in time management. Having strong time management skills is paramount in education, especially if you choose to do so in a self-paced and online learning environment.

Try some or all of these homework hacks so that you can know how to do homework fast. Have fun while finding out which ones prove to be most beneficial for you.

In this article

At UoPeople, our blog writers are thinkers, researchers, and experts dedicated to curating articles relevant to our mission: making higher education accessible to everyone. Read More

10 Tips to Get Your Homework Done Fast

Introduction

It's a tale as old as time: the clock ticking away ominously as you sit there, a heap of untouched homework glaring at you. The common hurdle many face is not the complexity of homework but the time management and discipline it requires. As the night descends, the looming deadline causes stress levels to skyrocket. However, fret not! Through this article, we unfold ten practical homework tips and hacks aimed at transforming this daunting task into a manageable one. Let's break it down together and achieve ultimate motivation.

Make a To-Do List

The first step towards conquering your homework begins on a note of organization. Drafting a to-do list is a classic yet effective homework tip. This list will serve as your roadmap, outlining the tasks at hand. It not only organizes your thoughts but also provides a clear picture of the workload, helping to prioritize tasks accordingly.

Gather Your Resources

Before diving into the homework ocean, ensure you have all the necessary gear. Books, notes, stationery, and any other materials should be at arm's length. This prep step is a significant time-saver. It's also a moment to seek homework help if you realize you're missing crucial information. Having everything ready will smoothen the journey, ensuring you don't have to scurry around searching for a pen or a textbook amidst a study session.

Seek Help When Needed

There's no glory in struggling alone. When a concept seems confusing, seeking homework help from teachers, peers or online platforms can provide clarity. Platforms like Tutorpeers come in handy, offering assistance in over 50 subjects with affordable tutors available 24/7. The best part? All studying happens on the platform, eliminating the need for extra apps. This smart strategy not only saves time but also builds a better understanding, making your homework journey a lot smoother.

Create a Timetable

A timetable is your game plan. Allocate time slots to each task based on its complexity and urgency. This structure provides a clear vision, helps in tracking your progress, and ensures that you are on schedule. It's a step closer to mastering the art of time management, a core element in achieving homework success.

Stay tuned as we delve deeper into more insightful homework hacks in the following sections aimed to ease your homework routine, offering a lifeline when you're in dire need of homework help.

Designate a Distraction-free Zone

Crafting the right environment is crucial for homework success. Dedicate a spot that's not only free from distractions like noise or visual clutter, but also inviting and comfortable. Ensure you have a comfy chair, a table at the right height, and enough room to spread your resources. Personalize your space with elements that make it enjoyable to be at—be it a plant, some soft music, or pictures that inspire you. This homework hack goes beyond just limiting distractions—it's about creating a space where your mind can focus and flourish.

Limit Technology Usage

It's easy to lose track of time browsing social media or responding to messages. Create a tech-free bubble during your homework time. Keep your phone, tablet, or other distractions in another room. If you need a device for your work, consider using apps that block distractions.

Team Up With a Study Buddy

Companionship can make the daunting homework journey enjoyable. A study buddy brings a different perspective, and together you can divide tasks, discuss concepts, and keep each other on track. It's a blend of social interaction and productivity. Platforms like Tutorpeers offer a fantastic avenue to connect with peers for one-on-one tutoring sessions. Whether it's homework assignments or exam prep, having a study buddy from Tutorpeers can significantly enrich your learning experience. Ready to elevate your homework game? Sign up as a learner on Tutorpeers and discover a community ready to support your academic journey!

Take Scheduled Breaks

Continuous study sessions can lead to burnout, hampering productivity. Techniques like the Pomodoro Technique, working for 25 minutes followed by a 5-minute break, can be effective. However, everyone's rhythm is different. Some might find longer work intervals of 2 hours with a 15 to 20-minute break more suitable. The key is to find a rhythm that keeps you refreshed and focused. Tailoring your break schedule to what suits you best can significantly enhance your concentration and efficiency, making the homework routine more sustainable and less stressful.

Reward Your Progress

Positive reinforcement is a powerful motivator. Set up a reward system to celebrate small and big wins alike. Finished a challenging assignment? Treat yourself to a Starbucks pumpkin spice latte. Maintained a consistent homework routine for a month? Maybe it's time to discuss that iPhone 15 reward with your parents. By associating rewards with accomplishments, you create a motivating cycle that makes tackling homework a more enticing endeavor. This cycle of work and reward fosters a positive attitude towards homework, steering you towards a path of homework success.

Prioritize and Chunk Your Tasks

Start by listing all your assignments and categorize them based on their due dates and importance. Tackle the most urgent and challenging tasks first. This approach not only helps you meet deadlines but also allows you to focus on complex tasks while your energy levels are high.

Once you've prioritized your assignments, break them down into smaller, more manageable pieces. For example, if you have a 10-page essay to write, aim to complete two pages a day instead of cramming it all into one night. This method makes the work less daunting and gives you a sense of accomplishment as you tick off each mini-goal.

By combining prioritization with task chunking, you'll find that your homework becomes much more manageable. You'll reduce stress, improve your focus, and, most importantly, you'll get your homework done more efficiently.

Conclusion:

The voyage through piles of homework need not be solitary or dreary. Armed with these 10 insightful tips, navigating through the homework landscape can be a more organized, less stressful endeavor. Implementing these strategies can usher in a transformative approach towards homework, morphing it from a dreaded task to a manageable, even enjoyable endeavor. Embrace these hacks, seek homework help when needed, and stride confidently on the path of academic success. Your journey towards achieving homework success just got a lot smoother!

Q: How can I enjoy doing homework?

A: To enjoy doing homework, try to make it more engaging. Use colorful notes, listen to calming music, or turn it into a game. The key is to find what makes the task enjoyable for you.

Q: What's the best time of day to do homework for maximum efficiency?

A: The best time to do homework varies from person to person. Some people are more productive in the morning, while others find their focus in the evening. Experiment to find your peak productivity hours.

Q: How long does it take to receive scores?

A: The time it takes to receive scores can vary depending on the type of assignment and the grading process. For most regular homework assignments, you can expect feedback within a week.

Q: Is multitasking an effective way to get homework done faster?

A: Multitasking might seem like a good idea, but it often leads to decreased focus and quality. It's generally more effective to concentrate on one task at a time.

Q: How can I minimize distractions while doing homework?

A: To minimize distractions, create a dedicated, clutter-free workspace. Use apps or techniques like the Pomodoro Technique to manage your time and take short, scheduled breaks to recharge.

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How to Finish Homework FAST

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I was a competitive swimmer as a freshman in university.

I would get up at 4:30 am for practice at 5:30 AM. Then I’d bike to the station and take the 1.5-hour train to school, try to stay awake in class, then bus back to the pool in the afternoon for evening practice.

I would clock in about 20 hours of training in total every week.

Somewhere along the way I found the time to study and I ended up finishing my freshman year with a 3.8 GPA.

By my sophomore and junior years, I had retired from swimming so although it would seem like I had more time on my hands, they were disasters by comparison.

In fact, I struggled with getting up for 8 AM classes, getting all of my schoolwork done and just keeping up with readings.

If you struggle with getting all your homework done as much as I did, you’ll appreciate Ted’s story.

Ted was a high performer who was also interested in a lot of different things: naturalism, boxing, body-building and dance. And yet, Ted excelled at Harvard: during his freshman year, he took seven courses and ended up with honour grades in five of them.

Basically, Ted’s the guy you know who goes to every party, rocks the dance floor till the sun comes up, and still gets straight A’s in every class.

Ted could do this mainly because of his work-hard-play-hard work ethic: he resolved to focus solely on his work during study sessions, so that he could let loose when he was done for the day.

This strategy served him pretty well – he brought it with him even as he graduated from Harvard, went on to public service, and rose to become one of the most famous presidents the US ever had – Theodore Roosevelt .

Cal Newport in his book Deep Work tells us more about TR’s work habits:

Roosevelt would begin his scheduling by considering the eight hours from eight thirty a.m. to four thirty p.m. He would then remove the time spent in recitation and classes, his athletic training (which was once a day), and lunch. The fragments that remained were then considered time dedicated exclusively to studying. As noted, these fragments didn’t usually add up to a large number of total hours, but he would get the most out of them by working only on schoolwork during these periods, and doing so with a blistering intensity.

In essence, TR worked harder and smarter on his homework – not longer. And by the end of this post, you’ll be able to do that, too.

Let’s get into it.

Hard-Start-then-Jump-to-Easy Technique

This is a test-taking strategy from Barbara Oakley’s A Mind for Numbers – and it carries over perfectly to homework problems.

Here’s how you do it:

• Scan your assignment to identify some of the harder problems, then start in on those.
• If you’re stuck after a minute or two, disengage and jump over to an easier problem. After finishing a few of those, you can come back to the harder problem – and you’ll often find that it’s easier to solve than it was before.

This technique works because of the fact that your brain functions in two distinct ways of thinking: focused mode and diffused mode .

Focused-mode is when you directly concentrate on a problem and try to work through it logically.

By contrast, Oakley says that,

“ Diffused-mode thinking is what happens when you relax your attention and just let your mind wander. This relaxation can allow different areas of the brain to hook up and return valuable insights… Diffuse-mode insights often flow from preliminary thinking that’s been done in the focused mode.”

What that means is that to solve difficult problems, you need both modes of thinking.

First, you need to work through as much as you can to “prime the pump” with focused thinking, before letting your mind relax and let diffused thinking do its thing.

By using your technique, you’re allowing more parts of your brain to fire and help you solve a problem.

Record All Details of Sample Problems in Class

To be able to study well and feel confident, you have to have complete notes. There’s just no getting around that.

But what if your professor is the type who rambles or talks too fast?

Here are a couple of tips to help you take notes:

1. Record the problem and the answer first, before you write down the solution.

The sample problems from class are the best way to make sure that you’re covering the right material when you’re studying for exams.

This helps facilitate your studying after class because even if you don’t know exactly how to do the problem, you can always work backward from the answer. And if you get stuck, you can always get help from Google, YouTube or a friend.

This note-taking technique work especially well if you’re falling behind during the lecture because your teacher talks as fast as Kendrick Lamar raps the bridge for DNA .

2. Annotate like you’re going to teach someone else.

Ask yourself, “If I had to study this lesson from scratch with only my notes to refer to, what information would I need?”

Every little piece of information helps when you’re working through a math problem and x suddenly seems to have morphed into a ninja turtle, somewhere between steps 1 and 2.

Finally, you can also check out this comprehensive video for the best ways to take better notes faster.

Do Homework at School

Here’s something your teachers never told you: homework isn’t actually supposed to be done at home .

In fact, the best time to do your homework is when you’ve just come from class and the material is still fresh in your head.

By doing your homework ASAP, you’re able to work through the problems faster, by  reinforcing the concepts to yourself.

Similar to how Theodore Roosevelt worked intensely between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, either schedule a big gap in your day , or just stay on campus to finish homework before going home.

Looking back on my own story, I realized that when I stopped swimming, I had become far too lax with my time and, in effect, spent more time in low-intensity, ineffective studying. I also realized that having such a rigorous training schedule forced me to focus harder during the little time I had to study between practice and classes.

In Conclusion

So to sum up, in class, use the problem-answer-solution framework to take good notes, even if your teacher talks really fast. This way you capture all the example problems you need to study.

Then, use the Hard-Start-then-Jump-to-Easy technique to call on all the parts of your brain to help you solve homework problems.

And finally, by doing your homework in school, you’re taking less time to study overall because you’re doing it with more intensity and intention.

Homework Hacks: Speed Up Your Study Time

Efficient homework strategies are essential for students aiming to balance their academic responsibilities with other aspects of their lives. By learning how to finish homework fast, students can not only improve their overall productivity but also free up more personal time for relaxation, hobbies, and social activities.

In today’s fast-paced world, knowing how to finish your homework fast can make a significant difference in managing stress and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. This article aims to provide you with actionable hacks and techniques to complete your homework faster, ensuring you make the most of your time and achieve academic success with less effort. Whether you’re struggling with time management or looking for ways to streamline your study routine, these tips will help you become more efficient and effective in your homework practices.

Preparing for Success

1. create a study schedule.

Setting a specific time for homework is crucial for establishing a productive routine. By dedicating certain hours of the day to studying, you create a habit that helps you stay consistent and disciplined. Here’s how you can effectively create a study schedule:

•Importance of Setting a Specific Time for Homework

Establishing a regular study time helps your brain get into the habit of focusing at that time each day. This consistency can improve your concentration and make it easier to start your homework without procrastination.

•How to Divide Study Time into Manageable Chunks

Break your study time into manageable chunks, such as 25-30 minute sessions followed by short breaks. This technique, known as the Pomodoro Technique, helps maintain high levels of focus and prevents burnout. For instance, after a 25-minute study session, take a 5-minute break to relax before starting the next session.

•Use of Tools Like Planners or Apps to Stay Organized

Utilize planners or digital apps to organize your study schedule. Tools like Google Calendar, Todoist, or Trello can help you plan your study sessions, set reminders, and track your progress. Writing down your tasks and deadlines also provides a clear overview of what needs to be done, reducing the likelihood of missing important assignments.

2. Set Up a Distraction-Free Environment

A conducive study environment is essential for maximizing productivity. Here are some tips to create an ideal study space:

•Choosing a Quiet, Well-Lit Study Area

Select a study spot that is quiet and well-lit to reduce eye strain and improve concentration. A well-lit area not only helps you stay alert but also makes reading and writing easier. Natural light is preferable, but if that’s not possible, ensure you have good artificial lighting.

•Tips for Minimizing Distractions

Minimizing distractions is key to staying focused. Turn off phone notifications, close unnecessary browser tabs, and inform family members or roommates of your study time to avoid interruptions. Consider using apps like Forest or StayFocusd to block distracting websites during study sessions.

•Importance of Having All Necessary Materials Ready Before Starting

Before you start your homework, gather all the materials you’ll need – textbooks, notebooks, pens, calculators, etc. This preparation prevents you from wasting time looking for items and allows you to dive straight into your work. Having everything ready also helps maintain your workflow and reduces the temptation to get up and get distracted.

By implementing these strategies, you can create a solid foundation for effective studying. Setting a structured schedule and creating a distraction-free environment are the first steps to learning how to finish your homework fast and efficiently.

Effective Study Techniques

1. use the pomodoro technique.

The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method designed to improve focus and productivity.

•Explanation of the Pomodoro Technique

The Pomodoro Technique involves working for a set period, typically 25 minutes, followed by a short break of 5 minutes. After completing four cycles, take a longer break of 15-30 minutes. This approach helps maintain high levels of concentration while providing regular rest periods.

•Benefits of Working in Short, Focused Intervals with Breaks

Working in short, focused intervals prevents burnout and keeps your mind fresh. The breaks allow you to recharge, making it easier to maintain productivity throughout your study session. This method can be particularly helpful when you need to learn how to finish your homework fast.

•How to Implement It in Daily Homework Routines

To implement the Pomodoro Technique, set a timer for 25 minutes and work on a single task without interruptions. Once the timer goes off, take a 5-minute break. Repeat this cycle four times before taking a longer break. Using a homework planner can help you track your Pomodoro sessions and ensure you stick to your schedule.

2. Active Learning Strategies

Engaging actively with your study material enhances understanding and retention.

•Importance of Engaging with the Material

Active learning involves interacting with the content, which helps deepen your understanding and improve memory. Techniques such as summarizing, questioning, and discussing the material can make studying more effective.

•Techniques Such as Flashcards, Mind Maps, and Teaching the Material to Someone Else

•Flashcards: Create flashcards with questions on one side and answers on the other. This technique is great for memorization and self-testing.

•Mind Maps: Draw mind maps to visualize and organize information. This helps in connecting concepts and seeing the bigger picture.

•Teaching: Explaining the material to someone else is one of the best ways to solidify your understanding. It forces you to process the information and identify any gaps in your knowledge.

3. Prioritize Tasks

Effective prioritization ensures you focus on what’s most important first.

•Identifying and Starting with the Most Important or Challenging Tasks

Begin your study session by tackling the most important or challenging assignments. This ensures you address critical tasks when your energy levels are highest, leading to better quality work and a sense of accomplishment.

•Using the Eisenhower Matrix to Prioritize Homework Assignments

The Eisenhower Matrix helps prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance. Divide your tasks into four categories:

•Urgent and Important: Do these tasks immediately.

•Important but Not Urgent: Schedule these tasks for later.

•Urgent but Not Important: Delegate these tasks if possible.

•Not Urgent and Not Important: Minimize or eliminate these tasks.

Using these effective study techniques can significantly improve your ability to finish your homework fast. Implementing the Pomodoro Technique, engaging in active learning, and prioritizing tasks will help you work more efficiently and make the most of your study time.

Tools and Resources

1. utilize online resources.

The internet offers a wealth of resources that can help you with your homework across various subjects.

•Overview of Helpful Websites and Apps for Various Subjects

•Khan Academy: Provides free, high-quality video lessons and practice exercises for a wide range of subjects including math, science, and humanities.

•Quizlet: Allows you to create and access flashcards, quizzes, and games to help with memorization and studying.

•Coursera and edX: Offer courses from top universities on a variety of subjects, which can supplement your learning.

•How to Use Online Forums and Study Groups for Additional Support

•Reddit (e.g., r/HomeworkHelp): A platform where you can ask questions and get answers from peers and experts.

•Stack Exchange (e.g., Stack Overflow for programming help): A network of Q&A communities on various topics, including academic subjects.

•Discord and Facebook Groups: Join study groups where you can collaborate, share resources, and get help with difficult concepts.

2. Leverage Technology

Educational technology can streamline your study process and help you stay organized.

•Benefits of Using Educational Apps and Software

Using technology for studying can enhance learning through interactive content, personalized study plans, and immediate feedback. It also helps in organizing tasks and managing time effectively, crucial for learning how to finish your homework fast.

•Recommendations for Apps That Can Help with Time Management and Organization

•Todoist: A task manager that helps you keep track of assignments and deadlines.

•Evernote: A note-taking app that allows you to organize notes, images, and reminders in one place.

•Forest: An app that encourages focused study sessions by growing a virtual tree as you avoid distractions.

•Google Keep: Ideal for creating to-do lists, setting reminders, and organizing your study materials.

3. Homework Help Services

Sometimes, additional help is needed to fully grasp difficult subjects or to manage workload efficiently.

•When and How to Seek Help from Tutors or Homework Help Websites

•Tutors: If you’re struggling with a particular subject, consider hiring a tutor for personalized assistance. Platforms like Wyzant and Chegg Tutors offer access to qualified tutors.

•Homework Help Websites: Websites like Chegg Study, Bartleby, and Course Hero provide solutions to textbook problems, step-by-step explanations, and expert Q&A sections.

•Advantages of Group Study Sessions and Peer Assistance

•Group Study Sessions: Working in groups can enhance understanding through discussion and explanation of concepts. It also provides motivation and accountability.

•Peer Assistance: Collaborating with classmates can offer new perspectives and insights. Study groups can divide topics among members, making learning more efficient.

By utilizing these tools and resources, you can enhance your study efficiency, stay organized, and access the help you need to succeed. Leveraging technology and online resources is a key strategy in learning how to finish your homework fast and effectively.

Staying Motivated

1. set goals and rewards.

Setting goals and rewarding yourself can keep you motivated and on track with your homework.

•Importance of Setting Short-Term and Long-Term Goals

Establishing both short-term and long-term goals gives you a clear direction and sense of purpose. Short-term goals (e.g., finishing a chapter) provide immediate targets, while long-term goals (e.g., achieving a certain grade) keep you focused on the bigger picture.

•Ideas for Small Rewards to Stay Motivated

Rewarding yourself for completing tasks can boost motivation and make studying more enjoyable. Here are some ideas:

•Treat yourself to a favorite snack or beverage after finishing a study session.

•Take a short break to watch a video, play a game, or go for a walk.

•Plan a fun activity with friends or family as a reward for completing a major assignment.

2. Maintain a Positive Mindset

A positive mindset is essential for staying motivated and overcoming challenges.

•Techniques for Staying Positive and Motivated

•Positive Affirmations: Use positive statements to reinforce confidence and motivation (e.g., “I am capable of achieving my goals”).

•Visualization: Visualize yourself successfully completing tasks and reaching your goals. This mental rehearsal can boost confidence and keep you focused.

•Gratitude: Keep a gratitude journal to remind yourself of the positive aspects of your life and studies, which can enhance your overall mood and outlook.

•How to Deal with Setbacks and Stay Focused on Progress

•Acceptance: Acknowledge that setbacks are a natural part of the learning process. Use them as opportunities to learn and grow.

•Reflect and Adjust: Analyze what went wrong and adjust your approach accordingly. This can help you avoid similar setbacks in the future.

•Stay Focused on Progress: Celebrate small victories and progress along the way. Recognizing your achievements, no matter how small, can keep you motivated and moving forward.

By setting clear goals, rewarding yourself for achievements, and maintaining a positive mindset, you can stay motivated and productive. These strategies will help you stay on track with your studies, ensuring you learn how to finish your homework fast and effectively.

How to Catch up on School Work Fast (9 Great Tips)

Even if you may have missed a lot of work, it is always possible to catch up on study if you set your mind to it. Yes, that’s probably a cliché line you’ve probably heard many times, but that’s only because it’s true. So, do not get discouraged when falling behind. Here are some suggestions on how you how to catch up on school work fast and avoid ending up in a similar situation in the future.

Table of Contents

Do not let procrastination dictate the terms!

Sure, procrastination can be helpful on rare occasions, but in most cases, it is likely to be the main reason why you are in this difficult situation in the first place. It may sound like a cliché, but ‘mind over body’ is a real thing. So just tell that little voice inside your head that you are getting started right now. Not tomorrow, not later, but right now!

In fact, don’t even wait to complete reading the rest of this article. Open the requirement file for your schoolwork this very instant and write down at least a sentence or two. You can then come back to this article and read the remaining tips. The hardest part is always getting started, so if there’s one thing you take away from this post, it’s that you should not put off on starting for later.

Put together a rough game plan

When you have a lot of missing assignments, you are going to have to prioritize the list of pending work. Do not spend too long on this step though. The longer you spend contemplating how you are going to do the work, the less time you will have to do the actual work. Here are some quick steps to get you started with this.

• Quickly go through the list of pending work and make a note of the deadlines
• Tackle the assignments with an earlier deadline first
• If you have work with similar deadlines, do the more difficult ones first
• Try to see if there’s any assignments for which you can get an extension

Try to ask for extensions in advance, hopefully with a good excuse. Even if you get shot down, you will at least know the deadlines are non-negotiable. This can help you stay focused on completing the tasks within the allocated timeframe. If you are not sure how to do this, here’s our guide for how to ask your professor to accept a late assignment.

Focus on one task or assignment at a time

It’s easy to lose focus and get distracted when you have a lot of tasks to finish. However, trying to do everything simultaneously can be disastrous for the quality of your assignment. Your thoughts and written content will probably be all over the place if you try to do this. So, finish one homework or assignment first before you move on to the next.

Building on what we mentioned above, you should do the difficult assignments first. This is because you’re going to have a lot more steam in the beginning when you make the initial resolution to catch up on work. You’re gradually going to get tired as you catch up on more and more work. Hence, it would be better to leave the easier tasks for later.

Quantity over quality

When you need to catch up quickly on homework, you cannot afford to try and turn in high quality work. You will need to compromise on quality to churn out the content faster. You just need to ensure that you get a passing grade. We have a dedicated guide on how to do an assignment in one day while padding your paper with ‘good filler’ rather than mindless fluff.

Do not keep looking at huge pile of work you have left to do

Constantly checking how many more assignments you have left to complete isn’t going to make to your task easier. Neither is it going to make the pile any smaller. It’s actually going to do the opposite for you, because:

• It’s either going to make you scared and lose hope that you won’t be able to catch up on everything in time
• Or its going to make you complacent that you’ve already done so much so you ‘deserve’ to take a break

Don’t be too hard on yourself for falling behind

Even if you have a lot of missing assignments and things seem hopeless, try not to beat yourself up. Self-pity is worthless in this situation because it’s only going to make your task harder. This is especially the case if the reason you let work pile up was due to unavoidable commitments. If you were instead negligent with the schoolwork, then learn from your mistakes and avoid repeating them in the future. In any case, getting worked up and stressing yourself over what has already happened isn’t going to help you out of this mess.

Practice restraint and be reasonable with your breaks

This is one is easier said than done. When working your way through a lot of overdue homework, every time you complete a work, you may feel like rewarding yourself with a break. You should try to put off the urge to take a break for as long as you can. When you can’t take it anymore and absolutely need a breather, make sure you are not going overboard. The best way to avoid this trap is to promise yourself a much bigger reward after you complete all the pending work.

Try to do a little every day

Consistency is the key to avoid ending up in a similar situation again. Trying to do a little of work every day will be much better for you than trying to catch up on a lot of work in a short window. If you make a habit of this, your future self will really thank you for it. If you are not sure how to pace yourself, we have a writing time calculator which tells you how much work you need to everyday to complete an assignment on time.

Keep motivating yourself to stay on track

Trying to reflect on why you are studying your chosen course can help you find the motivation to keep up with homework. Is it to get a good job, have a comfortable life, or just because you are passionate about your field of study? Use these deeper desires to make sure that you do the related coursework and assignments in time.

Remind yourself that the purpose of assignments is to improve your understanding of the theory and concepts and apply them by yourself to different scenarios. Letting work pile up and then rushing to finish them in one sitting will not help you retained the information in your memory for too long.

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4 Ways To Finish Homework Fast: Last-Minute Tips

As a high school student, you live a busy life. Maybe you’re running around from practice to practice or club to club, and you have little time for homework. After spending all day in classes, the last thing you want to do is more homework, and we don’t blame you. 

After all, if you have the opportunity to use a professional essay writing service and  pay someone to write my paper , use it! But, there are also some other things you can do to speed up the process.

Have you ever compared your homework time to a friends? Does it always sound like they have way less homework? Maybe that is the case, or maybe they just know how to finish their homework fast. 

Here are 4 tips we suggest implementing when needing assignment help and wanting to complete your homework as fast as possible: 

1. Find a Clean and Organized Space

One of the best things you can do when trying to complete a task quickly is finding the right space. A space that is disorganized and full of clutter will automatically keep you distracted. 

If your space is decluttered, and clean all you have to focus on is your summer homework that’s right in front of you. We suggest cleaning your room ahead of time, finding a different space in your home, or visiting a local or school library. Once you’ve found your spot, use the restroom before, grab yourself a drink of water, and close the door behind you so that you are set to stay focused in that spot for as long as you can. 

2. Turn off cell phone and distractions

Tip number two is on the same topic of distractions. If you’re staying focused you’re more likely to get your homework done fast. If you have hours of homework and you’re spending too much time in between each task checking your social media or playing video games, you’ll double your homework time. 

Would you rather crank out your homework distraction free in 2 hours or spend 4 hours doing homework because you were checking your social media and playing games in between?

3. Strategize tasks

Have you ever sat down and looked at your long list of homework not knowing where to start? The best way to complete as many tasks as possible in a short amount of time, is to strategize. 

We suggest starting with your largest and most important homework assignment. This task will get your best brain energy and if it’s the most important you don’t want to save it till the end. 

4. Give yourself a time limit 

We suggest starting a timer for each homework assignment you have. Think about all that needs to be completed and how quickly you think you can finish it by, and then start the timer. The timer will make sure you are staying on track and finishing your homework in the time you have set out to do it. 

If it were up to us, we would say spend more time having fun and less time doing homework, but really all that we can control is how long it takes you to complete your homework. Hopefully these four tips have you on your way to cutting your homework time in half.

Brian Robben

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Best Tips on How to Finish Homework Fast

By: Tasha Kolesnikova

An overwhelming 56% of students find homework a primary source of stress with many requirements and strict deadlines imposed. If you're one of these students, we'll give you 7 tips on how to finish your homework assignments fast!

Organize Your Thoughts and Have a Clear Course of Action

Declutter your workstation and unplug from distractions, have proper time management, focus and stay on track, recognize when to take breaks, reward yourself, how to do homework fast: quick study tips for students, know how to finish homework fast, 7 ways to breeze through your homework faster.

Are you a procrastinator with the habit of doing tasks at the last minute? Do you practice piling everything the day before the deadline, ending with you having less time to finish things up? Then the following proven and effective ways to finish your homework are for you.

Having too many things to do and think about can be overwhelming and can stress you out. You might even end up experiencing sensory overload and subsequently failing to finish anything.

Writing down the things you have to do is an easy way of avoiding overload. Doing so will let you organize your thoughts and will assist you in remembering every assignment's specific instructions and due dates. If you don't want to write on paper, several applications in your cell phone can act as planners and to-do lists. This way, you'll have access to them anytime, anywhere.

You can also print out and hang up a timetable near your workspace. These timetables will remind you what you should do and will be hard to ignore. It'll be easy to see assignments you need to prioritize so you can do those right away.

Of course, just having a timetable is not enough. You need to do what's necessary for the day, week, or month and keep to it. Be careful of mix-ups, which can compromise your plans and get you confused.

Distractions can prevent you from doing the things you need to accomplish. Only you know what can and will distract you. So get your cell phone, any video games, and even Netflix away from you when you decide it's time to get down to business.

Keep your workspace free from distractions. You need to remove posters, writings, and anything from your workspace that can shift your focus away from doing your assignment.

You also need a quiet place to finish your task. Or, if you prefer to have loud music while you do your homework, space where you will not disturb anyone else. The distractions present around are different for every person. You need to know what causes these distractions and take appropriate actions to prevent or at least manage them.

Many students delay doing their tasks, thinking they still have a lot of time to accomplish whatever they need to do. Some assume that taking a break now and doing the task later will not hurt their concentration.

Wrong. This trap can lead you to spend several hours scrolling through your social media accounts, which will even affect your eyes' long-term health. When you finally decide to start, your eyes will already be tired. It'll be harder to finish your work with strained eyes and added pressure of the looming deadline. You will regret not starting earlier.

One primary key to avoiding procrastination is to have enough time to finish your homework. Start writing a schedule of your activities. Appropriate your free time for the next days and plan what you can do within that time.

This schedule will be your guide and can include study sessions and breaks as well. You will have less time to procrastinate when you have a lineup of assignments waiting for you. Having proper time management will also give you more time to work on and polish your projects for better grades.

Several applications on your phone can remind you of the tasks you need to accomplish for the day. You can also set alarms several hours before a critical due date so you will not forget to do it.

Setting goals is one of the ways to stay on track and complete your task. These goals will be motivating you to strive and work hard to get things done. Even when you start to think of something else besides what you're currently working on, you can go back to your goals and get inspired to go back and finish your task.

You can choose grand motivations. For example, you want to have a high GPA so you can graduate with flying colors. To do so, you will need to do well in your homework and finish them on time. You can write these grand goals near your workspace to remind yourself why you're studying and doing your homework.

You can also start with small goals. Such as if you finish the first part of your essay assignment, you can play one round of your favorite game on your phone, or you can take a bite of your favorite snack. You just have to be disciplined and not get carried away with the gaming and snacking.

You'll also be able to discover your learning style. Maybe you learn faster by reading your notes, listening to recordings of your lessons, or rewriting what's on your notebooks. When you find out what works for you, you'll be able to quickly focus and strategize how to finish your task on time.

Listening to classical music also helps in staying focused. The lack of lyrics aids in meditation allows deep concentration. So go ahead and add some classical music to your playlist!

Having breaks can be perceived as a distraction. However, studies show that taking breaks boosts productivity.

Taking a short nap, eating snacks, and drinking water can be your way of relaxing after a long study session. But be careful about taking too many short breaks - it can be distracting, and you might end up not getting things done.

The ideal break is 5 to 15 minutes per one hour and 30 minutes for 2 to 4 hours of study sessions or work. You can also follow the Pomodoro technique of a 5-minute break for 25 minutes of work and the Desktime study of a 17-minute break for 52 minutes of work. These breaks will give you enough time to clear your head and finish your tasks on time.

Some homework examples cannot be found in your textbooks and lectures. Thankfully, we live in an era where everything seems to be on the internet, and there are even different online resources to get homework help from. These online resources provide information on various topics and tutorials on papers you need to write . However, you need to counter-check these resources to make sure that they're credible and reliable.

Studybay is an online resource you can ask for help from and directly work with experts in different fields. It has over 7,000 experts who can assist you with your homework . They have a review of a 96% satisfaction level from students around the world who used their site.

There are times when you feel like you aren't in the mood to do your homework or any other schoolwork. When this happens, you can think of a reward that you can have after completing the task. Reward systems are proven to be effective in motivating a person to do something.

After long hours of homework and finishing what you should, reward yourself for all your hard work. Rewards can also motivate you to do the next task you have. You will have something to look forward to once you have completed another work.

The following homework tips can help you get your homework done faster:

• Have a planner to organize your task for the week or month.
• Prepare a schedule for the day for your study sessions and breaks.
• Set alarm reminders hours or minutes before a deadline.
• Eat healthy foods and drink water to function well for the day.
• Discover your learning style.
• Ask for help if you need to.
• Always check your resources if they are credible and reliable.
• Clean your workspace.
• Don't procrastinate and stay focused on the task you need to accomplish.
• Listen to classical music for concentration.
• Motivate yourself with rewards.
• Set goals and display them in your workspace

You can try different things and find what works well for you.

Although you don't have a lot of time within the day to finish what you have to, it will be best to avoid procrastination by spending your time wisely.

There are several time-consuming and distracting activities, and you need to know how to deal with them. Have a proper schedule and follow it so you don't end up compromising other tasks you need to do.

Prioritize the tasks given to you and appropriate the right amount of time needed to finish them.

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I studied sociology and marketing at Europa-Universität Viadrina (Germany) and Universidade da Beira Interior (Portugal). When I was a sophomore, back in 2018, I decided to put what I've learned into practice, so I got my first job in digital marketing. I currently work in the content marketing department at Studybay, building strong, effective, and respectful communication between the platform and our clients.

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16 Best Tips on How to Finish your Homework Faster

• Post author By admin
• September 1, 2022

Doing homework can be both time-consuming and frustrating. When you are busy and you do not have enough time to complete your homework. You can follow these 16 powerful tips on how to finish your homework faster. This will help you stay on track with your homework and help you ensure that you submit them on time.

Table of Contents

Make a Plan

Before start writing homework, you should create a plan. Calculate how much time you need to finish your homework on time. According to your homework, you can plan your daily and weekly schedule. You can use the calendar for that purpose. This will help you visualize your schedule, and help you remember your homework.

Managing Your Time

You can fix a specific time to do your homework. Doing your homework at the same time each day will help you develop a regular routine. Try setting aside a time you know you can work well.

• Decide how much time you want to spend on your homework.
• Make a list of all the different tasks you need to finish.
• Estimate how much time you’ll be able to spend on each task.
• Always work according to your list.

Create a Schedule

• You need to know which assignments are most important and which will take the most time will help you manage your time effectively.
• Use highlighters to mark which assignments are most important.
• If you’re using an online or mobile schedule, create alerts or notifications for the homework.
• Don’t forget to include time for revisions, corrections, or other additional parts of an assignment.

Create an Outline for Your Homework

Make an outline of your homework to guide you through the writing process. The outline does not have to belong; it just has to be a summary of what you are going to write. Once you create the outline, show it to your teacher. Your teacher can also give you tips on additional points to raise. This will be easy and helpful for your homework.

Break Down Larger Homework Projects into Manageable Tasks

If your homework projects are larger you need to break down the project into small parts. For example: the assignment is divided into the planning, researching, writing, and revision stages.

Work in a Comfortable Environment

Finding a distraction-free area is one step to finishing your homework faster. Try sitting at a desk in a padded, comfortable chair. Avoid doing homework on the floor or on your bed, because these areas make you sleepy and distracted.

Start your homework when you’re Feeling Fresh

Start your assignment when you’re fresh and focused. Some people are comfortable after dinner and some prefer early mornings. Find the best time and make it regular. This will help you stay fresh and work productively.

Start your Homework Soon After you Get Home from School

Sometimes start homework in the evening isn’t good because it’s much harder to work quickly when you’re tired. Similarly, the next morning to do your homework sometime is incomplete. You can start your homework after some rest you get home from school.

Many teachers give students some free time at the end of class. You can also start your homework in this free time.

Complete the Difficult Assignment First

Firstly you need to complete the most challenging and time-consuming homework. Sometime you will leave them for later. You should do the opposite: complete them first. Once you’re done with that challenging homework. It will be easy to complete the other homework projects.

Take Short Breaks

You need to take a break of 10 minutes after an hour of doing homework. Drink plenty of water and eat light, healthy, tasty snacks. You need to eat healthy food that will enhance your memory, and revitalize your brain and body. Stay away from junk food and energy drinks.

Turn off your Mobile and Avoid Social Distractions

Phones are extremely distracting. If you want to finish your homework on time then turn off your mobile during the study. Use an app that blocks social media. There are plenty of applications that can help block social media and other distracting sites.

Don’t Multitask

When it comes to completing homework on time, multitasking is not the right thing to do. Schedule one homework at a time. You think multitasking saves time. But it often results in taking longer to do more tasks. You should also avoid multitasking like television or social media as well.

Ask for Help when you Need It

• You can ask your parents for your help. They always help you to homework completion and improved academic performance.
• Asking a friend for help in understanding a concept that will help to you finish your homework faster.
• If your friends can’t help, ask your professor to clarify the issues you struggle with.
• You can also post your question on Quora. You will get good answers from people that also help you.

Find Online  Help

If you need the online assignment help services provider. You can search on the internet there is many homework help website you can choose anyone. They complete your assignment within the deadline and give you a 100% unique solution. You can save your time by taking online homework help service.

Find a Tutor

An online tutor like FamilyTutor can be the best resource for improving your understanding of a subject. They have great knowledge of your subject. They give the instruction that can help you understand the homework. It is also easier to ask questions about your tutor rather than in front of the whole class.

Go to the Library

You can collect books and other useful materials for homework. Many libraries offer other resources such as tutoring, reference librarians and academic libraries, subject-specific librarians. If you need to work at a library after school, find your local library and go.

Hopefully, our tips are effective for you to finish your homework faster. If you face any difficulties to complete your homework. You can take our essay writing help at any time.

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9 Ways to Finish Homework in College Even When You Don't Feel Like It

• Student Success

Do you put the “pro” in procrastinate?

In truth, we’ve all experienced how difficult it feels just to start. So we tend to ignore it and focus on something more fun instead. But then, before we realize, a project that at first seemed manageable now appears next to impossible to complete. 

So we go into a deadline-induced panic. 

Even if you think you work well under stress and pressure in college, you probably still feel the overwhelming sense of anxiety that accompanies procrastination, whether or not you meet that looming deadline.

But if you want to break your procrastination habit, you can. It’s fixable. All you need is a solid support system and a few clever productivity tactics to keep your self-discipline and focus in check.

So instead of falling into the frantic last-minute cycle again , use this list of tools and strategies to push ahead and finish what needs to be done.  

1. Play That Music

Music boosts your energy and keeps you alert. So if you are distracted by the slightest of sounds in a usually quiet atmosphere, music can drown out any spontaneous interruptions. It also has a powerful effect on your mood and recall. When you select the right song to play while studying, writing a paper or posting in the discussion board, the tune can trigger your memory.

2. Find a Study Buddy

If you find it difficult to sit down and create a study guide for your next exam, team up with a few classmates to draft a master study guide. Assign each person a section to work on. Perhaps one of your teammates has a better understanding of the material in a specific section and can help you better grasp the concepts. Then, combine everyone’s work for a complete and comprehensive guide.  

3. Grab Your Phone

Use your smartphone to your advantage. Make use of those awkward segments of time throughout the day when you may have a 10-minute opening. Waiting for your kid to finish soccer practice? Have a couple minutes before your meeting starts? Study anytime by loading your notes onto your phone or turning them into digital, on-the-go flashcards.

4. Make It Fun

It’s ok to face it - we avoid tasks because they seem boring. The easiest way to fix this is to make those tasks fun. For example, if you are writing a paper, invite a friend who might have their own work to do to join you at a coffee shop. Or recruit your kids to quiz you on your study material. Your kids will love helping (and they’ll learn something too!).

5. Take Advantage of Web Apps

Writing apps like Hemingway and Grammarly can ease the process of writing papers by helping you write more clearly. Think of these apps as your own personal writing coach. As you write, the app identifies hard to read sentences, as well as awkward phrasing, and promotes better word choices.

6. Set an Alarm

Not just any alarm. One programmed to tell you what you need to do and how it will impact your day. Think, “start working on your paper now and you’ll be able to go to a movie.” If you ignore that one, then set another saying, “if you start your paper now, you can watch an hourlong drama,” and so on. This type of self-reward system can help you better manage your time and still fulfill your wants later on.   

7. Recruit a Supervisor

Being accountable to someone is often the drive we need to kick us into gear. Use a similar tactic to ensure your schoolwork is done on time. Ask someone to check on your progress periodically to assure you’re staying on task. This someone can be your spouse, a friend or even your children. Choose wisely, though. You want someone who is serious about helping and won’t try to bother you while you are working. Your teenaged son or daughter will probably be very good at checking up on you and keeping you on task. Maybe even too good.

8. Do Your Least Favorite Work First

When you do your least favorite work first, you will increase your confidence and decrease your stress levels. And, naturally, avoid procrastination later on. Finishing the largest item on your to-do list will give you the productivity boost you need to do other assignments you may have pushed aside.

9. Change Your Perspective

Are things just not right in your usual study space ? Or do you just not like it anymore? Maybe it’s too loud, too quiet, too dark or just too hot. Consider making a change. Try working in your local coffee shop, in a community library or a nearby park. The change in scenery and perspective will impact your productivity for the better.

Written by Thomas Edison State University

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• Homework answers

How to Finish Your Homework Fast – 5 Effective Tips and Tricks

Students of all ages find themselves struggling to finish their homework for one reason or another. In a technology-driven world, it’s always tempting to check your social media feed, play video games, or watch online videos to rid your mind of all your school worries. And before you know it, you have barely any time left to complete your homework and submit it on time.

Of course, you can’t be irresponsible and ignore your assignments altogether. It’s important to find ways to work around the everyday distractions and finish what needs to be done. Without question, this is easier said than done. But there are plenty of tips and tricks you can use to finish your homework fast. Keep reading to learn how to get motivated to complete your homework—even without lifting a finger!

Mastering the Basic Rules

There are some good tips you can follow which will ultimately help you focus on your assignments, stay organized and complete them in the least amount of time. These rules don’t require money or any special knowledge. It’s all about prepping yourself up for the task at hand. What’s great about mastering these basic rules is that once they become a habit, you’ll find yourself eager to finish your homework without even thinking about it.

• Eliminate Distractions – Several things cause you to feel distracted and unable to do your college or high school homework assignments. It’s not uncommon for you to start studying and doing your homework, and then your phone beeps and the rest is history. You constantly tell yourself that you’ll spend only 5 minutes on your phone, but you end up tapping away at the screen for hours on end. Other distractions include TV, magazines, and even the people surrounding you. Sometimes, all it takes is for a friend or family member to start a conversation to completely distract you from your schoolwork. This is precisely why you should eliminate distractions—or at least keep them to a minimum. Try to avoid watching TV, keeping your phone in another room, and finding a quiet place where you can’t be easily reached. Listening to music is neither an option.  If it requires living like a recluse for a few hours to complete your assignments, then, by all means, do it. It won’t be easy, but you’ll thank yourself for making this change. In any case, all these distractors will add hours and hours of homework.
• Prioritize Tasks – Many school students choose to do the easiest tasks first when the time to study comes. But did you know that experts recommend starting with the hardest task? This has to do with your willpower. Interestingly, willpower is a resource that diminishes as the day goes by. This explains why people love to lay in bed at night, nibble on midnight snacks and make irrational decisions late in the day. As soon as your classes are over, spend a couple of minutes planning what you should do for the rest of the day. If you need to write a research or dissertation paper, figure out how long it will take you to finish it. This helps you allow enough time for your assignments, and perhaps find some time to do other things you love—be it hanging out with friends, watching your favorite TV series, or just getting enough shuteye.
• Work with Peers – Introducing a system of accountability in your routine can go a long way in establishing excellent studying habits. Only a handful of the student population study with their classmates. Maybe this has to do with how convenient it is to communicate with others through instant messaging apps and social media platforms. Sometimes, it seems like there’s no sense in meeting in person with your friends if you can just text or call them for free. But when it comes to getting your homework done, working with your peers can be a huge difference maker that can make your brains work better. You might not realize it, but sitting in silence is the reason why you’re not feeling motivated to complete your assignments. Boredom can get the best of you at times, so why not try finding ways to make this otherwise dull activity into something fun and exciting? This offers the advantage of getting help from your friends if you’re having difficulties with a particular topic. Of course, it helps if you have a friend who performs well in your classes. As the adage goes, two heads are better than one. This can’t be any truer when it comes to studying. What’s more, there’ll be someone who holds you accountable for all the tasks you don’t finish on time. This can be just what you need to stay focused on your tasks.
• Understand the Consequences and Benefits – Many students don’t display any hesitation in saying that they hate assignments. It takes away time which they could otherwise spend with their families, friends, and favorite activities. There’s a never-ending debate about how useful assignments really are, but the fact remains that students have no choice other than to comply with the requirements given out by their teachers. Instead of purely thinking of how much you hate assignments, why not look on the other side and consider its benefits? Assignments can be a huge pain, but there’s no doubt that they aid your classroom learning. For one, it hones your problem-solving skills, especially if you manage to complete a difficult homework by doing all the research and studying yourself. It always feels rewarding when you accomplish something you thought you couldn’t. Also, take some time to think about the consequences of failing to complete your assignments on time. What happens if you don’t do your homework? The obvious repercussions include getting a bad grade and being scolded by your teachers and parents. But the biggest consequence is that you’re missing an opportunity to learn new lessons, discover your strengths, develop your skills to become not just a better student, but a better person as well.
• Get Professional Help – There are times in which you start doing your homework and then find yourself unable to progress. In most cases, this has to do with your lack of understanding of the topic, the unavailability of research materials, or an emergency that forces you to stop completing your assignment. What can you do during such scenarios? At first, you might think that there’s nothing left to do but accept the terrible grade you’ll receive and just move on. But did you know that you can enlist real experts to get your homework done fast? Assignment Expert has been helping students across the globe finish their assignments on time, get high marks, and learn their school lessons at the same time. It’s undeniable that many teachers give out assignments that prove too challenging. Some assignments may be about a topic that hasn’t been covered yet. It seems as if teachers always assume that students can do their own research because all the answers can be found on the web nowadays. But the fact is, students need professional help sometimes. This is your best course of action when you have a lot of assignments to finish but want to have free time instead. What’s great is that you’ll be matched with the right expert based on the topic and its difficulty. Whether you struggle with lack of motivation, don’t understand the subject, have just  one math problem or have to attend to an emergency, Assignment Expert is always ready and willing to work on your homework and finish it for you in no time.

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How to Finish Homework Fast

It can be difficult to get your homework done quickly, especially if you have many tasks and due dates at once. You can speed up the homework process and finish jobs without sacrificing quality if you know what to do and how to think about it. This guide will look at ten useful methods to help you handle your homework better. All of these tips will help you be more productive. This guide will offer valuable insights to help you stay on track and achieve your academic goals.

Table of Content

Strategize Your Task Management

The first step to finishing your homework quickly is to organize your tasks efficiently. Start by making a comprehensive list of all the homework assignments you must complete. This list should include due dates and estimated time for each task. You can prioritize tasks based on their urgency and complexity by having a clear overview of what needs to be done.

Organizing your tasks helps you avoid last-minute rushes and ensures that you don’t overlook any assignments. Breaking down large projects into smaller, manageable tasks can make them less daunting and easier to tackle. This method lets you focus on one thing at a time, making your homework more manageable and less overwhelming.

Optimize Your Study Environment

Having a dedicated and organized workspace is crucial for productivity. Find a quiet and comfortable place where you can focus without distractions. Make sure your workspace is well-lit and free from unnecessary clutter. Gather all the materials and resources you’ll need before you start working, such as textbooks, notebooks, pens, and your computer.

A well-prepared workspace minimizes interruptions and helps you maintain concentration. Personalizing your space with items that motivate you, like a vision board or inspirational quotes, can also be beneficial. Creating an environment conducive to studying can enhance your focus and efficiency.

Master Time Management

Effective time management is key to completing your homework quickly. Start by setting specific time blocks for each task on your list. Use a timer to allocate a set amount of time for each subject or assignment. This method, known as time blocking, helps you stay focused and work more efficiently. There’s also something good about scheduling jobs that need more focus during your most productive times. If a student needs extra help, looking for help with homework online can give them access to useful tools and advice. By effectively managing your time, you can ensure that you stay on track and complete your homework more swiftly and effectively.

Another useful technique is the Pomodoro Technique, which involves working for 25 minutes and a 5-minute break. After four Pomodoro sessions, take a longer break. This approach helps maintain your concentration and prevents burnout. By managing your time wisely, you can ensure that you stay on track and complete your homework promptly.

Maximize the Benefits of Breaks

Taking breaks is essential for maintaining productivity. Short, frequent breaks can help you recharge and maintain focus. Use your breaks to do something relaxing or enjoyable, such as stretching, walking, or listening to music. These activities can help clear your mind and reduce stress.

Avoid activities that might prolong your break or distract you from returning to work, such as browsing social media or watching TV. Instead, choose activities that refresh your mind and body so you can return to your homework with renewed energy and focus. When you need a break, mindful breathing techniques can also help clear your mind and focus better. While on breaks, students who need to look at helpful websites or watch short educational videos to help them with their tasks are at their best. This approach ensures that your brakes are both restorative and productive.

Maintain Your Focus

Staying on track requires discipline and self-control. Turn off updates on your phone and computer to cut down on distractions. And while you’re studying, you might want to use apps that block distracting websites. If you find your mind wandering, gently bring your focus back to the task at hand.

Another strategy is to set specific, short-term goals for each study session. For example, aim to complete a particular chapter or set of problems within a certain time frame. This approach keeps you motivated and provides a sense of accomplishment as you complete each goal. Additionally, leveraging technology like AI for chemistry homework can help you stay on track by providing instant feedback and personalized assistance. This can make challenging subjects more manageable and help you maintain your momentum. By combining these strategies, you can enhance your focus and ensure steady progress in your studies.

Create a Reward System

Rewarding yourself for completing tasks can be a powerful motivator. Set up a reward system where you treat yourself after finishing your homework or reaching specific milestones. Reward ideas can be easy and not cost much, like having a snack, watching an episode of your favorite show, or hanging out with friends.

Having something to look forward to can make the homework process more enjoyable and less tedious. It also reinforces positive behavior and encourages you to continue working efficiently. To get the most out of your reward system, ensure the rewards fit your hobbies and preferences. If you like to play video games, for example, giving yourself some game time after you finish a job can be a great way to keep you going. Similarly, planning a fun exercise with your friends as a reward can give you extra social pressure to finish your homework on time.

Leverage Productivity Apps

In today’s digital age, numerous productivity apps are available that can help you stay organized and focused. Apps like Todoist, Trello, and Evernote can help you manage your tasks and keep track of deadlines. Some apps and websites can help you with lessons and explanations. Use them If you need more specialized help with a topic like chemistry or physics. For example, if you need help with chemistry homework, apps like Chem Doodle or websites like Khan Academy can be invaluable resources.

When you use efficiency apps, they can help you get more done and handle harder topics better. They can keep you on track with your work and help you finish your homework faster. Many apps also let you set reminders and keep track of your progress, which can help you stay on track and encouraged. Group projects can also be better by using apps with collaborative tools that make talking to and working with your friends easy. Using technology to help you study can help you make the most of your time and improve your learning.

Establish Clear and Achievable Goals

Setting clear and achievable goals is crucial for staying motivated and focused. Start by identifying your long-term academic goals, then break them down into smaller, short-term ones. Make sure your goals are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).

If your long-term goal is to get better grades in college physics, you could make it a short-term goal to study more and turn in all of your homework on time. Sett and reach these smaller goals. So, you keep yourself inspired to reach your bigger academic goals.

Analyze Diverse Study Methods

Different study techniques work for different people, so it’s important to experiment and find what works best for you. Some effective study techniques include:

• Active Recall. Actively testing yourself on the material, rather than passively reading or highlighting.
• Spaced Repetition. Review material at increasing intervals to improve retention.
• Mind Mapping. Creating visual diagrams to organize and connect information.
• Feynman Technique. Explaining concepts in simple terms as if teaching someone else.

By trying out different methods, you can find the ones that help you learn and remember things the best. This can lead to more efficient homework sessions and better academic performance.

Emphasize Self-Care

Taking care of your physical and mental well-being is essential for maintaining productivity. Ensure you sleep well, eat a balanced diet, and exercise regularly. These habits contribute to better concentration, memory, and overall cognitive function. Additionally, manage stress through relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial for avoiding burnout and staying motivated.

Prioritizing self-care ensures you have the energy and focus to complete your homework efficiently and effectively. Remember, seeking support when needed is also part of self-care. For instance, you find certain subjects particularly challenging, like physics. Thus, seeking college physics homework help can alleviate stress and improve your knowledge. This proactive approach will help you maintain a healthy and productive study routine. Taking care of yourself ultimately leads to better academic performance and a more balanced life.

You need to be organized, good at managing your time, and self-disciplined to finish your schoolwork quickly and well. Organizing your tasks, setting up your desk, and using time management skills can all help you be more productive. You can stay inspired and on task by taking breaks, sticking to your plan, and rewarding yourself. Setting clear goals and using productivity apps can help you stay on track, and trying out different ways to study can help you find the best way to learn. Last but not least, putting yourself first will give you the mental and physical energy to do your tasks. Using these tips will help you finish your homework faster and give you more time to do other things. They will help you stay on top of your work and do well in school.

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Daniel Wong

8 Proven Hacks to Get Your Homework Done Fast

Updated on March 19, 2024 By Daniel Wong Leave a Comment

It reinforces your learning at school and enhances your knowledge. There’s no better way to master a concept than to practice solving problems related to it.

But as a student, there’s more to life than homework.

Figuring out how to balance school and work , leisure, social activities, volunteering, etc. is vital.

The good thing is that there are proven ways to be more efficient and finish your homework fast – without compromising on the quality of your work.

In this article, we’ll talk about 8 strategies you can use to maximize your efforts and get everything done in less time!

(Make sure to download your free quick action guide below.)

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When is the best time to do your homework?

Getting your homework done as soon as you can is always a good idea.

After your classes, the information you’ve learned is still fresh in your memory. So applying these concepts in your assignments will be easier.

It also helps to have a routine – for instance, getting started on your homework one hour before dinner every weekday.

Find out when the best time to study is for you and build your schedule around it.

Let’s say that you always feel motivated to complete your schoolwork as soon as possible. If so, you can leverage this motivation by diving into your assignments right when you get home.

But if you need a short break, you can set a timer for 30 minutes to an hour once you get home to remind you to get started after you’ve had some rest.

What to do when you have a lot of homework

When this happens, you might feel stressed or overwhelmed.

When your to-do list gets longer and longer, the best thing you can do is to stay calm and focused.

Set yourself up to enter a flow state where you focus solely on the task at hand.

Write down all your pending assignments, and take on just one task at a time. Set a goal and timeframe for each task, and minimize distractions in your study environment.

If the assignment is complex, break it down into smaller and less intimidating steps. Checking these smaller goals off your list as you go can keep you motivated and focused.

How to finish homework fast

It’s important to work hard, but it’s also important to work smart .

Here are some of the best time-saving productivity hacks for students to make it easier and faster to complete their homework.

1. Consistently keep track of your homework

One of the biggest mistakes I see students make is thinking they’ll remember all of their assigned tasks.

I don’t doubt that you have a good memory. But keeping track of your homework by writing things down is much more efficient.

Keep a physical or digital list of all your pending assignments and their deadlines. You can consistently track your tasks using this list. A notebook or note-taking app would work well.

When it’s time to work on your assignments, pull out this list and start with the most urgent task that has the closest deadline. Continue working your way through the list based on how urgent each task is.

The list clarifies which assignments require immediate attention and which can be done another day.

This allows you to dive right into doing your homework and saves precious time.

Making lists can lighten your brain’s workload . It also helps to reduce anxiety and boost productivity.

2. Spruce things up with a study buddy

One of the best ways to boost motivation and get the ball rolling is by doing homework with a study buddy.

Having someone with you can help you to stay engaged and on task.

You’ll keep each other accountable and ensure that all assignments are completed on time.

During these study sessions, you can work together to solve challenging questions and understand difficult concepts.

3. Remove distractions (especially electronic ones)

Procrastination and distractions can kill your productivity.

Here are some study strategies to help you combat procrastination and make the most of your time:

• Find an ideal study environment at your school or at the library, or create an optimal work environment at home.
• Use earplugs or noise-canceling earphones to reduce external distractions.
• Keep only the materials and stationery you need at your desk. You can also have a water bottle and a few snacks prepared, so you won’t have to get up midway through your study session.
• Turn off your phone. In fact, it’s best to keep all your devices in a different room or at least out of arm’s reach.
• If a thought or idea pops into your head, instead of acting on it, write it down. Maybe it’s an errand you need to run or a friend you promised to call. Acknowledge these thoughts by writing them down, then take care of them after you’ve completed your homework.

4. Create a reward system

A reward system nurtures motivation – at least in the short term – by giving you something to look forward to.

It trains your brain to understand that hard work results in an enjoyable outcome. Plus, it builds a positive association with homework.

So identify some reasonable rewards that you’d enjoy. List out items or activities you value that are consistent with your goals.

What works best is building multiple practical rewards into your homework routine.

For example, you could reward yourself by listening to your favorite music after every 45-minute work session. Or you could have a quick, healthy snack after completing each set of practice questions.

Of course, you can occasionally use big rewards too. After finishing a complex assignment or a long practice exam, treat yourself to something special, like watching a show with your friends.

5. Gamify your study session

Why are video games so much fun?

Games are designed to keep you hooked on leveling up your character, exploring new worlds, and unlocking rewards.

But what if I told you that you could apply specific video game principles to your homework sessions to keep you motivated?

Research suggests that gamification could address motivational problems related to work and learning. So applying this concept will make homework and studying more fun !

One of the simplest ways to do this is by downloading gamification apps.

Some examples include Forest , Do It Now , and Habitica . These apps have features that allow you to unlock new game elements, rank up, or collect points.

This enables you to track your progress and stay on task.

6. Create a dedicated workspace

Having a suitable place at home to study will help you complete your homework faster.

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, so it’s important to personalize your workspace based on what enables you to focus best.

For example, one person might enjoy having a bunch of stationery, Post-it notes, and colorful highlighters on his or her desk. But these might only serve as distractions for others.

Some people might work best with white noise or a little background chatter. On the other hand, some people might only be able to concentrate in a quiet environment.

So feel free to experiment to find what works best for you. Here are some general tips to get you started:

• Ensure that there’s adequate lighting and keep your space at a comfortable temperature.
• Reduce stress with the right scents, e.g. use a pleasant-smelling room fragrance or diffuse an essential oil.
• Personalize your work desk with items like a memo board, calendar, clock, or artwork.
• Keep your desk well-organized and clean.
• Invest in a good office chair.

7. Make a study plan

It also takes the guesswork out of the equation when allocating time.

Here’s how you can create an effective study plan:

• Cater to your specific learning preferences. Are you more productive in the morning or evening? How long can you focus without a break? Whenever possible, plan your schedule based on the times of the day that suit you best.
• Create deadlines that fall a few days before the actual ones. This gives you a cushion in case your assignments or projects take longer than expected.
• Space out your homework into blocks with rest intervals. For example, you could divide your work into 40-minute work blocks with 10-minute breaks in between.
• Limit social media usage during breaks. Scrolling through social media can take a toll on your mental capacity and eat up more time than you intended. Instead, engage in less mentally-taxing activities, like taking a stroll, performing simple stretches, or having a light snack.

8. Break up your homework into manageable chunks

It’s natural to sometimes feel overwhelmed by your assignments – especially the long, complicated, and tedious ones.

Getting started on a large or complex task might seem like you’re biting off more than you can chew. In turn, this can lead to procrastination.

One tried-and-tested study tip for handling challenging tasks is to break them down into smaller chunks.

List out each smaller task and work through the project bit by bit. You can even use programs and apps like Trello, Asana, or Notion to create daily to-do lists and keep tabs on your progress.

When you do this, the tasks become much more doable, so you’ll be able to submit your assignments on time.

How to finish homework at the last minute

But if you find yourself in this situation, the most important thing to do is to prioritize well.

Which assignments are due the soonest? And which tasks account for what percentage of your overall grade?

Write down all your pending tasks. Then, prioritize those with the closest deadlines.

You should give your best effort for every assignment, project, quiz, etc. But if you’re running out of time, it may not be possible to give your 100% effort. So do just what’s required and move on.

But make a firm commitment that you won’t do your homework at the last minute again in the future!

While homework is part and parcel of student life (and an important one at that), it shouldn’t have to be something you dread.

Try these 8 proven strategies to help you do your homework faster while making it more enjoyable!

(And if you haven’t already done so, make sure to download your free quick action guide below.)

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10-17-2024 SECRETS OF THE MOST PRODUCTIVE PEOPLE

How to get better at finishing things

There are two underlying reasons why people struggle to finish projects, says this expert. Here’s how to overcome them.

[Photo: Pixel-Shot/Adobe Stock]

BY  Stephanie Vozza 4 minute read

After our mom died, my sister and I cleaned out her craft room and found cabinets and drawers filled with projects never completed or even started. “Why couldn’t she finish things?” I thought.

Recently, I looked around my own house and realized the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Watercolor supplies in a cabinet are waiting for me to be inspired. Interesting sounding books are stacking up on my nightstand. And a subscription to an online class has yet to be started. 

I’m willing to bet you’ve got some unfinished things hanging around, too. Why are humans so bad at getting over the finish line? It likely a case of waiting for the perfect time . 

“We imagine that there is going to be a point at which we have sorted out our lives,” says Oliver Burkeman, author of Meditations For Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts . “That quest for control distracts us, but that’s not actually something that we can reach as humans. There’s always going to be too much to do. You’re never going to feel completely ready to launch interesting new ventures.” 

Burkeman says it’s as though there’s an obstacle between us and taking action. We think we have to fix this problem or solve that issue first, and then we’ll be ready to start and finish that project we want to do.

“We have to make meaning in our lives right now, in this imperfectionist spirit, while being procrastinators and easily distracted people , and while being people who don’t really feel like we exactly know what we’re doing,” says Burkeman. “That’s the way to dive into doing that stuff now, instead of endlessly postponing the real meaning of life to a point in the future.” 

Why You Don’t Finish Things

Burkeman says there are two underlying reasons why people have a hard time finishing things, both of which speak to the issue of not wanting to acknowledge our limited nature as human beings. The first is that at the very beginning of any project, you get to feel like your perfectionistic fantasies could come true. 

“You get to feel like this time it could all go brilliantly,” says Burkeman. “When you start to get to the difficult bits, though, it’s very tempting to go and start something else. You can keep that fantasy of perfectionism alive at the cost of never actually completing something.”

The second reason is that at a deep level, the sheer fact of having 50 projects going on makes you feel like you matter. “If 10 different people are waiting for things from you, then you must be really important,” says Burkeman. “There is some weird logic in us that says, ‘If I need years and years and years to complete all these things I want to do in my life, then I must . . . have years [to complete it all].’ It’s almost like a denial of mortality .”

As a result, there’s a real incentive to be starting new stuff. However, it’s a wearing and demotivating way to live, because you never get that satisfaction of actually finishing things, sending them out into the world, and feeling like you accomplished something . 

Start Finishing

The first step to get better at finishing tasks is to acknowledge that the practice of keeping everything open is not serving you. Burkeman says it’s placating the anxiety about wanting things to be perfect while coming to know this mindset is keeping you from the deep satisfaction of completion. “Quite often, what changes the behavior is when you come to see that distinction,” he says.

Getting better at finishing things requires that you redefine what “finish” means, says Burkeman. “If the project is to write a book, you may think, ‘I’ve got to finish the book,’” he explains. “That does happen eventually, but it’s a very, very large thing.” 

Instead, break down a big project or goal into smaller chunks, interim goals , and milestones. Then, approach each piece as its own completable thing. 

“Working in daily deliverables drains the drama out of the whole situation,” says Burkeman. “Instead of finished book, it might be to figure out the structure for chapter two. Then celebrate your small wins . You can get a surprising proportion of the energy boost of completing a project from completing a very small one.” 

Another tool is to carve out time for finishing projects. Burkeman recommends a technique suggested by motivational coach Steve Chandler , author of Time Warrior , in which you dedicate one day a week or month to completing unfinished business.

“Tie up as many loose ends in your life and work as you can think of,” says Burkeman. “You think you’d be depleted by such an exhausting exercise, but you’ll feel so energized that all these leaks of energy and attention in your life having been dealt with.”

Know when it’s time to quit

Finally, realize that abandoning things can be a form of finishing if you do it consciously and deliberately, says Burkeman. “Decide, ‘I am removing this from my list of ambitions,’” he says. “A zombie project could be related to the ambitions that a past version of yourself had.”

When you get granular enough, you can live a life of finishing, says Burkeman. “Every single moment you’re finishing that moment forever, and it’s gone,” he says. “When you approach your work in the spirit of, ‘What am I finishing today?’ you’re accepting that that’s already how things are in in time. There’s something energy-boosting about that, because you’re being born along by the current of reality, instead of resisting it and fighting against it all the time.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephanie Vozza is a freelance writer who covers productivity, careers, and leadership. She's written for Fast Company since 2014 and has penned nearly 1,000 articles for the site’s Work Life vertical   More

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