Is it time to get rid of homework? Mental health experts weigh in.

student asks for homework regrets it immediately

It's no secret that kids hate homework. And as students grapple with an ongoing pandemic that has had a wide range of mental health impacts, is it time schools start listening to their pleas about workloads?

Some teachers are turning to social media to take a stand against homework. 

Tiktok user @misguided.teacher says he doesn't assign it because the "whole premise of homework is flawed."

For starters, he says, he can't grade work on "even playing fields" when students' home environments can be vastly different.

"Even students who go home to a peaceful house, do they really want to spend their time on busy work? Because typically that's what a lot of homework is, it's busy work," he says in the video that has garnered 1.6 million likes. "You only get one year to be 7, you only got one year to be 10, you only get one year to be 16, 18."

Mental health experts agree heavy workloads have the potential do more harm than good for students, especially when taking into account the impacts of the pandemic. But they also say the answer may not be to eliminate homework altogether.

Emmy Kang, mental health counselor at Humantold , says studies have shown heavy workloads can be "detrimental" for students and cause a "big impact on their mental, physical and emotional health."

"More than half of students say that homework is their primary source of stress, and we know what stress can do on our bodies," she says, adding that staying up late to finish assignments also leads to disrupted sleep and exhaustion.

Cynthia Catchings, a licensed clinical social worker and therapist at Talkspace , says heavy workloads can also cause serious mental health problems in the long run, like anxiety and depression. 

And for all the distress homework  can cause, it's not as useful as many may think, says Dr. Nicholas Kardaras, a psychologist and CEO of Omega Recovery treatment center.

"The research shows that there's really limited benefit of homework for elementary age students, that really the school work should be contained in the classroom," he says.

For older students, Kang says, homework benefits plateau at about two hours per night. 

"Most students, especially at these high achieving schools, they're doing a minimum of three hours, and it's taking away time from their friends, from their families, their extracurricular activities. And these are all very important things for a person's mental and emotional health."

Catchings, who also taught third to 12th graders for 12 years, says she's seen the positive effects of a no-homework policy while working with students abroad.

"Not having homework was something that I always admired from the French students (and) the French schools, because that was helping the students to really have the time off and really disconnect from school," she says.

The answer may not be to eliminate homework completely but to be more mindful of the type of work students take home, suggests Kang, who was a high school teacher for 10 years.

"I don't think (we) should scrap homework; I think we should scrap meaningless, purposeless busy work-type homework. That's something that needs to be scrapped entirely," she says, encouraging teachers to be thoughtful and consider the amount of time it would take for students to complete assignments.

The pandemic made the conversation around homework more crucial 

Mindfulness surrounding homework is especially important in the context of the past two years. Many students will be struggling with mental health issues that were brought on or worsened by the pandemic , making heavy workloads even harder to balance.

"COVID was just a disaster in terms of the lack of structure. Everything just deteriorated," Kardaras says, pointing to an increase in cognitive issues and decrease in attention spans among students. "School acts as an anchor for a lot of children, as a stabilizing force, and that disappeared."

But even if students transition back to the structure of in-person classes, Kardaras suspects students may still struggle after two school years of shifted schedules and disrupted sleeping habits.

"We've seen adults struggling to go back to in-person work environments from remote work environments. That effect is amplified with children because children have less resources to be able to cope with those transitions than adults do," he explains.

'Get organized' ahead of back-to-school

In order to make the transition back to in-person school easier, Kang encourages students to "get good sleep, exercise regularly (and) eat a healthy diet."

To help manage workloads, she suggests students "get organized."

"There's so much mental clutter up there when you're disorganized. ... Sitting down and planning out their study schedules can really help manage their time," she says.

Breaking up assignments can also make things easier to tackle.

"I know that heavy workloads can be stressful, but if you sit down and you break down that studying into smaller chunks, they're much more manageable."

If workloads are still too much, Kang encourages students to advocate for themselves.

"They should tell their teachers when a homework assignment just took too much time or if it was too difficult for them to do on their own," she says. "It's good to speak up and ask those questions. Respectfully, of course, because these are your teachers. But still, I think sometimes teachers themselves need this feedback from their students."

More: Some teachers let their students sleep in class. Here's what mental health experts say.

More: Some parents are slipping young kids in for the COVID-19 vaccine, but doctors discourage the move as 'risky'

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What Students Are Saying About Rejection, Overcoming Fear and Their ‘Word of the Year’

Teenage comments in response to our recent writing prompts, and an invitation to join the ongoing conversation.

student asks for homework regrets it immediately

By The Learning Network

This week on The Learning Network, our writing prompts asked teenagers to dig deep. One invited reflection on times they have benefited from rejection, another asked about how they have overcome their fears, and a third challenged them to come up with one word to encapsulate their aspirations for the year ahead.

Thank you to all those who joined the conversation this week from around the world, including teenagers from Savannah, Ga. ; Loveland, Colo. ; and Jiangsu Province, China.

Please note: Student comments have been lightly edited for length, but otherwise appear as they were originally submitted.

Have You Ever Benefited From Rejection?

An aspiring actor named Axel Webber went viral on TikTok recently — not for achieving his goal of getting into the Juilliard School, but for being rejected from it. His story led to thousands of reassuring comments from strangers and celebrities alike.

Mr. Webber’s post inspired us to ask teenagers if they had experienced rejection — and if the consequences had been different from what they expected. Over 200 told us about times when being turned down spurred them to work harder, reflect, grow and find a new path. Here is a selection.

Rejection Can Push You in a Positive Direction.

I believe that rejection is an opportunity for growth. When you are rejected it forces you to focus on what you need to work on to be better. So that if you go back, you can get the acceptance that is well deserved. Rejection motivates you to keep pushing and better yourself. Personally, I have been on my school’s dance team for 3 years, however, you have to try out to compete for our major competitions. For the first two years, I did not make the competition team. That rejection pushed me to work on my skills and work on getting myself stronger so that I can be ready. After all my hardwork, I am finally able to compete. So yes, rejection is a good thing.

— Royal, New Mexico

When I was younger, I submitted one of my Lego creations to a contest going on at the time. I unfortunately didn’t win or get any recognition whatsoever, and while that did sting at first, it ultimately gave me the opportunity to reflection on my failure. Analyze what aspects the winning entries did better than mine and through that, grow creatively going forward. At the end of the day if you wish you go forward you must prepare to occasionally be pushed backwards. So you can charge ahead stronger than your would’ve been able to before.

— Nolan, Glenbard West

Rejection can be a fuel for success. There have been multiple times in life where I have failed, but I had to pick myself back up to accomplish what was needed. For example, there was one time where I didn’t do so good on a quiz for math. I saw the grade and knew I wanted a better one. I signed up for retakes, looked over my work, and studied. I ended up getting an100 on that retake and it brought my grade up further than what it was before. Everyone needs a little bit of failure to succeed because at the end of the day that fail can be used as fuel for success.

— Emeka, Kenwood Academy

We Can All Learn From Defeat.

Rejection hurts- whether it be from a friend group or a college, the same thoughts are always triggered: “Am I good enough?” Some may think that these thoughts are purely harmful, but I would argue otherwise. These thoughts both encourage introspection by challenging a person’s preconceived notions of themselves, and ultimately help remove the idea of worth from all that is tangible. Furthermore, rejection helps people consider what is truly meaningful to them, by testing the relationship between person and want. If something is truly desired, a single rejection should not be enough to stop a dream, while it might give pause as people consider whether their fight is worth the effort for other things. This effectively selects for the things that are most important in a person’s life, and it is precisely this rejection that, through trial, empowers someone to live their best life.

— Brandt, Glenbard West High School

Of course, getting rejected hurts. As a senior, rejection is one of my biggest fears. At times, I am anxiously waiting for an email to see if I got accepted into the colleges I have applied to. Nevertheless, rejection is not the end of the world. Personally, I feel that rejection means it is not for me or it is not for me at that time. Furthermore, I have never let rejection make me feel like a failure. When I get rejected, I take it as a lesson on what I can do better next time. A lot of people are terrified of rejection; however, I feel that rejection helps me grow as a person. For example, if I get rejected from a college, I learn that that school is not for me and I won’t succeed there.

— Keiry, Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School

Rejection is something we are all familiar with. It’s a “must” in our lives. It’s something we encounter during our journey to success. I was in the doldrums when I experienced rejection. I knew what failure tastes like, but at the same time, the rejection pushed me and motivated me to go further. I just had to try again.

We should be open with our disappointments or unfortunate times. We should not be embarrassed and we should not avoid it, but we should embrace it. Once we face rejection with optimism and determination to attempt again, we know that we have nothing to lose. There would be a fervor created, there would be adrenaline pumping, and we become our brand new selves. More resilient, more diligent, more preserver.

— Bella, Suzhou SIP, Jiangsu Province, China

Hearing “No” Is Scary.

I can’t think of a time I benefited from rejection. In my opinion, rejection is a really scary thing. I generally avoid trying out things unless I am good at them. When I try something out and I’m struggling I feel humiliated. Facing the possibility of rejection is enough to make me not try it at all. Looking at this article he faced rejection from the university of his dreams very publicly. Then his fans harassed the Instagram of the university. I feel like that’s much worse than just getting rejected regularly.

— Shealynn, Hoggard High School in Wilmington, NC

It’s Important to Talk About Failure.

I do think that it is important to discuss failures because it’s not the end of the world. I know a lot of people who have their whole lives planned out and are so set-in-stone with the path they want to take and I’m just wondering when it’ll fall apart. The saying “no plan survives contact with the enemy” rings true in so many aspects of life and the main theme of that saying is to be adaptable, to be prepared for the worst. The people who are so stubborn with their life plan are fragile because if something goes wrong, something they can’t predict, their entire world might seem like it’s falling apart. It’s important to set goals and strive for them, sure, but life is full of complications and not being ready for things to go wrong is setting yourself up for failure. By discussing failure and showing how life continues, people can be more comfortable with it and ready in case something happens they can’t expect.

— Max, Hinsdale Central IL

I think that it is very important to openly discuss the times we fail to achieve our goals. Nobody is perfect. People make mistakes all the time. Goals can be made, but they are more often unsuccessful or failed. However, people only ever talk about their achievements to look better and feel better about themselves. If you only ever hear about all the great things other people are doing, its going to negatively affect your mental health and self esteem if and when you fail to achieve one of your goals. Sharing your bad experiences, like Mr. Webber did, normalizes the very normal concept of failure. People can relate to it and feel better about their experiences. Additionally, people can see that you can recover from failures. Many think one is the end all and don’t care to look for the bright side and good things that can come instead. Mr. Webbers experience being shared can help people see that this is not the case. Failure and rejection one time wont make for failure and rejection all the time.

— Nina, Baker High School

By sharing our stories it allows for others to not feel so alone if they are going through a similar hardship too. It has been proven in many studies that by discussing and working through failure, it will help and benefit us in the long run. Suppose all individuals who faced failure and struggle opened up to others, there would be an overflow of support and love. All this support would help to create new goals and a new path was better than before. I think Mr.Webber chose to share his experience so that he can help others realize that failure and rejection doesn’t always mean the end of an era, just the beginning of another chapter.

— Delaney, Maury High School-Norfolk, VA

Rejection Is Not the End.

A common misconception in this day and age is the understanding that rejection is an irredeemable failure, suggesting that those who have been rejected have no hope of changing. However, this could not be further from the truth. While I agree they rejection should be treated as a sign of failure, we need to rethink the popular assumption that rejection indicates the inability to improve. For most people, rejection can be incredibly discouraging, as it may feel that one’s efforts amounted to nothing in the end. Though this is understandable, this view is shortsighted. The strongest people are those who acknowledge their faults and choose to improve upon them, or find other solutions such as Webber suggests in the article. This is something that society should take into consideration when faced with rejection in the future.

— Jose, Glenbard West

This is one time when rejection can actually help you by teaching you to be patient and keep moving. You may not get what you want right away, but if you’re willing to work hard and be patient, you will eventually find yourself where you want to be. You may experience sadness in the beginning, but you will realize that this is an opportunity. You may not realize it just yet, but you may become something even better than you hoped for.

— C., Bronx

How Do You Overcome Your Fears?

In a recent guest essay for the Opinion section, the poet Amanda Gorman revealed that she almost didn’t deliver the now-famous reading of her work “The Hill We Climb” at President Biden’s inauguration. Why? “I was terrified,” she confesses.

In the essay, she tells readers how she overcame her fears and why doing so was worth it. We asked students to reflect on Ms. Gorman’s advice and to share their own. They told us about the mantras they recite, the music they listen to, and the questions they ask themselves to work through their doubts.

What Amanda Gorman Can Teach Us About Fear

Unfortunately, fear is not something we can avoid, but something we must deal with. Ms.Gordon’s recitation of her experience with fear during her big moment conveys that no one is immune to fear, not even extraordinary poets and public speakers. This article humanizes fear as something that we all go through and I found it extremely powerful as the article reveals that fear doesn’t discriminate. It is important to remove the stigma and reformulate our feelings about fear and how fear doesn’t make one weak.

— Victoria, Westbury, NY

My fears have stopped me from doing many things I wanted to do. I have missed out on social events, school, etc. I have very bad social anxiety and I have a really big fear of people judging me. This has made it really hard for me to ask for help because i feel stupid when I do, and because of this, I’ve had many missing assignments just because I was too nervous to ask for help. After reading this article, I’ve realized that many people feel the same way and that you should not let your fears take you over because in the long run, you will look back and regret the opportunities you missed.

— Mckenzie, Loveland, Colorado

Fear keeps people from living. It traps us and convinces us that we are not up to the task, that we are too weak to struggle through. But Ms. Gorman’s advice helps remind us that the only possible way to truly get over our fears is to own them and face them head on. Although it truly is a struggle to gather up the courage to own our fear, in the end, if we follow through, the reward and accomplishing feeling is worth it. Ms. Gorman’s advice reflects this idea, so in the pursuit of getting over my public speaking fear, I will own it.

— Carlin, Glenbard West High School, Glen Ellyn

I struggle with ADHD and anxiety, both these diagnoses sometimes try to scare me out of doing even the smallest of things. The anxiety-ridden voice in my head tries to talk me out of going somewhere or doing something with the “What if?” questions: “What if you fail?” What if you get hurt?” “What if it doesn’t go the way we planned?” Something I have learned so I don’t pass on stuff that would probably regret is to quiet those voices because if I didn’t I would be like the speaker, Amanda Gorman, who almost passed on delivering her poem at Biden’s inauguration because of the “What ifs.” She figured out that if she missed out on that once in a lifetime opportunity because of being scared of the possible outcomes, she might regret it forever.

— Olivia, Block 4, Hoggard High School

Advice for Getting Through Scary Moments

Whenever my paranoid thoughts take over my mind, I say loudly to myself mentally, “Stop talking. Everything will be okay,” repeatedly. It works well when there is something I can distract myself with (like a crowd), but when there are times when I’m alone by myself, it does not work as well. I try my best to think positively and look at the good sides. “My parents will be proud of me. I will be proud of myself. This will be good for me.”

— Yang, J.R Masterman Philadelphia, PA

Presenting in front of the class or preparing for a presentation brings me anxiety; consequently, I use several techniques that help me remain relaxed so that these nervous feelings do not hinder my presentation. Like Ms. Gorman, I recite words of confidence and encouragement. This is an effective strategy because it allows me to realize that I am prepared for what is ahead. Additionally, I remind myself that the presentation will last for a small period of time. After it is over, the pressure will no longer be a burden. Another effective tool I use while talking to large groups of people is focusing on one spot in the crowd. This prevents me from directly reading off notecards, and forces me to face the audience I am speaking to. These approaches have aided to ease my anxiety and allowed me to present more comfortably in front of my classes.

— Javier, Maury High School, Norfolk VA

Learning to Deal With Fear or Anxiety

I was about 12 years old. I remember driving up to the Disney parks and seeing the biggest roller coaster of my life, and saying that I would never ride on it. Well, I was wrong. My mom had different plans for me. As we approached the ride, I was fine waiting for my family to do their thing, I even went as far as waiting by a churro stand as they were in line. But then my mom called me to at least wait in line with them, then I was ready to go, and she asked me to at least go to the front of the line, then to at least wait on the side as they went on the ride, then by some magical persuasion, I sat in the seat of my first roller coaster. I will admit, it was fun, and that I have never stapled my feet as hard to anything, but it was nice to separate myself from my fears, and experience something that I would have never predicted would happen, not die.

— Belle, Atrisco Heritage Academy

If I am dealing with anxious thoughts and doubt at a certain time, I think to myself, “What am I doing?” and “Does this really matter?” If the answer is yes, then I try not to think about it, as it would just lead to more stress accumulation or I try and relax before I make a decision. It is my personal belief that a decision made with emotions is a very rushed and illogical decision. After all that is done, I regroup and start to think of a solution and if I don’t think it’ll work, I’ll ponder a while more. Then I ask myself, “What’s the worst that could happen?” Then I go ahead with the decision. If I am overcome with fear and severe anxious thoughts, then I go with a obviously different approach. As much as this seems far-fetched, I tend to have an easier time with dealing with fear when I simply tell myself it’s just my head.

— David, Glenbard West High School

I always had this constant fear that something was lurking in the dark rather than fearing the darkness itself. To overcome this fear, I had to force myself to approach it logically and treat it as any other scenario. For example, if I were venturing into the basement of my house, I would say to myself that nothing was lurking in the dark and that it was unnecessary to think that way. Another example would be my fear of failure, which I still haven’t fully recovered from. This kept me from a critical opportunity when I scheduled to take the SAT, and I canceled the day before. I don’t regret this, but it was still saddening that my stress hindered me from following through. Moving forward, I plan to focus my efforts on reducing stress by facing these fears head-on with this mentality.

— Evan, Farmington High School

To overcome my feelings of dread or fear, I just turn on my favorite music from the 60-80’s. This tactic usually works, and I am able to get rid of any fears or dread by jamming out to these songs. Even though I don’t state my fears out loud or recite mantras, like Ms. Gorman, I am able to overcome them through joy and music. These approaches have been very effective for me and I have been able to lighten other people’s day because of it.

— MiKayla, Colorado

What’s Your Word of the Year?

A recent Well section newsletter shared the words readers had sent in that represent the positive changes they would like to make in their lives in the next year.

It inspired the Picture Prompt, “ Your Word of the Year ,” in which we asked students, too, to choose a word to represent their hopes for 2022, and to explain why they chose it. Here are some of the answers.

“Incandescent”

The past two years were filled with darkness and hopelessness, waiting for the pandemic to end, mourning the loss of those who have passed due to the virus, or any other tragedy that has The sense of loneliness and isolation hung in the air whenever we walked outside after being trapped indoors for so long with minimal contact and communication. This year, I hope for a bright, incandescent year filled with success and happiness. I hope for liveliness and energy, having the strength to reach new limits that have never been reached in the past. I hope to discover new fascinations, and rediscover old passions after two years of being bored and uninspired.

— Maria, Hoggard High School in Wilmington, NC

Through this year I hope to embrace both the good and bad in my life. I hope to embrace both success and failure with open arms and cherish each experience. I want to embrace myself and those around me with nothing but love and acceptance. The last few years have been plagued with uncertainty and sorrow—making it challenging to focus on embracing all aspects of our lives. To heal this cycle, I’m dedicated to embracing everything 2022 has to offer, and truly appreciating life.

— Lucy, Glenbard West High School

“Adoration”

This is the first word that came to mind when I chose my word at the beginning of 2022. Adoration, as defined by dictionary.com, is “deep love and respect.” I want to adore my life, not just tolerate it. I want to live each day with intention, not merely surviving, but passionately living. I want this year, and every year moving forward, to be filled with feelings of adoration. I want to deeply love the people I surround myself with, not just tolerate them. I want to adore my sport, my school life, my routines, and my daily adventures. The pursuit to adore my life, to fall in love with every good thing it entails- adventure, joy, laughter, faith, fullness and goodness- will help me to have gratitude when life gets tough. There is always room to adore life and with that adoration comes great gratitude for life, even in long days and hard circumstances.

— Winn, Hoggard High School in Wilmington NC

“Satisfied”

There is no point in nitpicking our lives and finding a flaw in every little thing. To be satisfied is to be happy and content. Nobody likes to be around a complainer and nobody likes to be around the person who would clearly rather be somewhere else. Being satisfied with where you are and who you are with is the most important thing in my eyes. Make the people around you feel comfortable and enjoy your time with them, wherever you are.

— Clare, Glenbard West High School

“Improvement”

This year, I want to try and focus on myself the best I can and improve who I am mentally and physically. I want to focus on improving my health habits, finding the rights friends, and taking more breaks from toxic people and social media. I want to improve and become a better me for 2022 and just keep getting better. I am going to work hard in school, dance, and my mental health to improve who I am as a person. I want to find myself again and make my life better eventually.

— Kate, Syracuse, NY

This is the year where I will improve my skills and grow them. I have a bad habit of procrastinating, and I plan on growing out of it this year. I am also in a running sport and would like to run faster and grow out of my old self. This is the year we all have to step up and get onto the task. The pandemic has taken away a lot of our productivity these past two years, and we have to get back on track. We certainly won’t be going back to normal, but that is why we have to grow into something new and better.

— Rithvik, Mission San Jose

“Persevere”

I think during these times especially, we all need this the most. We all need to remember to keep going even when things get tough. As a junior in high school, my life right now is pretty stressful. I’m preparing to apply to colleges, getting ready to take the SAT, balancing a job and school, all while being in a pandemic. Although things are really hard for everyone right now, I always tell myself to persevere. Even though sometimes I just want to give up, I remind myself of my goals, and what I want to accomplish. I know that giving up will prevent me from accomplishing my goals. Overall, this year will be extremely stressful and scary, but I think we all need to do one thing—persevere.

— Marissa, Glenbard West HS

“Pragmatic”

This word, other than being the word for this year, is my favorite word. According to the Google definition, pragmatic means “dealing with things sensibly and realistically in a way that is based on practical rather than theoretical considerations”. I want to dive into 2022 realistically and sensibly, especially as my junior year in high school comes to an end and I start to plan my life out moving forward. I don’t want to overwork or dissappoint myself this coming December, but I also don’t want to regret anything I didn’t do.

— Elizabeth, Glenbard West High School Glen Ellyn, IL

I believe if you stay calm and relaxed you can achieve so much more. You could also have less stress, less anxiety, depression and so much more. By staying calm you can just think about the good and never the bad, you can be around more people and not be anxious. Staying calm can also improve relationships with others. When being calm with people you won’t be so quick to think about something the wrong way, and can take that information and process it to where you understand it better. You can also manage your energy, and not always burn yourself out, and you won’t be nervous about a lot of stuff. Calmness can improve your creativity and how you may have seen things before, you may see them totally differently than how you see things now.

— MW, Hoggard High School in Wilmington, NC

I have found that focusing on one’s own self - as in their interests, hobbies, and personality brings so much peace and ease to their life. Since quarantine, other people’s choices and opinions have been affecting me in different ways, to where I started questioning everything I do and say. After months of isolation, returning to the ‘real world’ had come with difficulties, but with this new year, I pursue a future of confidence and perseverance. I will continue doing the things I have recently found and loved, as well as embrace and discover new interests I’ve been too scared to try. 2021 was a good year for me, and a huge leap from 2020. Everyone started gradually returning to their lives, jobs, school, and more. I started enjoying life as it is and gained so much confidence in myself this year, and I am so grateful for all the blessings it has brought me. 2022, on the other hand, will hopefully be a better year of discovery and hard work. As The editor of the Well newsletter states, 2022 should be a year of “focusing on the things that are most meaningful to you.” From meeting new people, visiting family, and doing what I love, I will further shift my focus to me, myself, and I.

— Lara, Cary High School

“Compassion”

Not just compassion towards others, but compassion to myself. During the last few years- especially with Covid and quarantines- I have struggled to find self-love while isolated from the people who love me most. And although school is in session, isolation is over, and I can see friends each day, that feeling of self-love isn’t always around. This is why my 2022 word is “compassion.” I want to learn how to be compassionate to myself and help anyone else who may feel similarly…That is what my year will be about. I will strive to be understanding, fair, and compassionate to myself, as well as to those I care about most.

— Anonymous, Glenbard West High School

“Monophobia”

My word means the fear of being alone. I choose this word because during 2021, life was very lonely and none of my friends were around. I want to fix that and make 2022 less lonely than 2021.

— Makayla, Mission San Jose High

Every single one of us went through a lot these past two years during lockdown like having mental health problems, physical health problems or financial problems, but we couldn’t do anything about it because of lockdown and all of us were silenced. We were silenced because even if we wanted to find a solution, there wasn’t any. Our mental health everyday was getting worse because we couldn’t go outside and we had minimal to no communication with others, we were silenced. Our physical health was being compromised because we couldn’t go outside to exercise and see the sun and we couldn’t feel better, we were silenced. Our financial problems were increasing because many people had lost their jobs and the economy was subsiding, and yet we were silenced.

These past two years have been nothing but silence, but with 2022 we should break that with sound. Sound can be the solution to our problems that we’ve faced through these past two years. We can break that silence with sound when we go outside, communicate with others, and we have opportunities to get jobs. We, together, can break the silence that we’ve faced with sound.

— Hana, Mission San Jose High School

Learn more about Current Events Conversation here and find all of our posts in this column .

Candida Fink M.D.

Homework Struggles May Not Be a Behavior Problem

Exploring some options to understand and help..

Posted August 2, 2022 | Reviewed by Abigail Fagan

  • Mental health challenges and neurodevelopmental differences directly affect children's ability to do homework.
  • Understanding what difficulties are getting in the way—beyond the usual explanation of a behavior problem—is key.
  • Sleep and mental health needs can take priority over homework completion.

Chelsea was in 10th grade the first time I told her directly to stop doing her homework and get some sleep. I had been working with her since she was in middle school, treating her anxiety disorder. She deeply feared disappointing anyone—especially her teachers—and spent hours trying to finish homework perfectly. The more tired and anxious she got, the harder it got for her to finish the assignments.

Antonio Guillem/Shutterstock

One night Chelsea called me in despair, feeling hopeless. She was exhausted and couldn’t think straight. She felt like a failure and that she was a burden to everyone because she couldn’t finish her homework.

She was shocked when I told her that my prescription for her was to go to sleep now—not to figure out how to finish her work. I told her to leave her homework incomplete and go to sleep. We briefly discussed how we would figure it out the next day, with her mom and her teachers. At that moment, it clicked for her that it was futile to keep working—because nothing was getting done.

This was an inflection point for her awareness of when she was emotionally over-cooked and when she needed to stop and take a break or get some sleep. We repeated versions of this phone call several times over the course of her high school and college years, but she got much better at being able to do this for herself most of the time.

When Mental Health Symptoms Interfere with Homework

Kids with mental health or neurodevelopmental challenges often struggle mightily with homework. Challenges can come up in every step of the homework process, including, but not limited to:

  • Remembering and tracking assignments and materials
  • Getting the mental energy/organization to start homework
  • Filtering distractions enough to persist with assignments
  • Understanding unspoken or implied parts of the homework
  • Remembering to bring finished homework to class
  • Being in class long enough to know the material
  • Tolerating the fear of not knowing or failing
  • Not giving up the assignment because of a panic attack
  • Tolerating frustration—such as not understanding—without emotional dysregulation
  • Being able to ask for help—from a peer or a teacher and not being afraid to reach out

This list is hardly comprehensive. ADHD , autism spectrum disorder, social anxiety , generalized anxiety, panic disorder, depression , dysregulation, and a range of other neurodevelopmental and mental health challenges cause numerous learning differences and symptoms that can specifically and frequently interfere with getting homework done.

Saharak Wuttitham/Shutterstock

The Usual Diagnosis for Homework Problems is "Not Trying Hard Enough"

Unfortunately, when kids frequently struggle to meet homework demands, teachers and parents typically default to one explanation of the problem: The child is making a choice not to do their homework. That is the default “diagnosis” in classrooms and living rooms. And once this framework is drawn, the student is often seen as not trying hard enough, disrespectful, manipulative, or just plain lazy.

The fundamental disconnect here is that the diagnosis of homework struggles as a behavioral choice is, in fact, only one explanation, while there are so many other diagnoses and differences that impair children's ability to consistently do their homework. If we are trying to create solutions based on only one understanding of the problem, the solutions will not work. More devastatingly, the wrong solutions can worsen the child’s mental health and their long-term engagement with school and learning.

To be clear, we aren’t talking about children who sometimes struggle with or skip homework—kids who can change and adapt their behaviors and patterns in response to the outcomes of that struggle. For this discussion, we are talking about children with mental health and/or neurodevelopmental symptoms and challenges that create chronic difficulties with meeting homework demands.

How Can You Help a Child Who Struggles with Homework?

How can you help your child who is struggling to meet homework demands because of their ADHD, depression, anxiety, OCD , school avoidance, or any other neurodevelopmental or mental health differences? Let’s break this down into two broad areas—things you can do at home, and things you can do in communication with the school.

student asks for homework regrets it immediately

Helping at Home

The following suggestions for managing school demands at home can feel counterintuitive to parents—because we usually focus on helping our kids to complete their tasks. But mental health needs jump the line ahead of task completion. And starting at home will be key to developing an idea of what needs to change at school.

  • Set an end time in the evening after which no more homework will be attempted. Kids need time to decompress and they need sleep—and pushing homework too close to or past bedtime doesn’t serve their educational needs. Even if your child hasn’t been able to approach the homework at all, even if they have avoided and argued the whole evening, it is still important for everyone to have a predictable time to shut down the whole process.
  • If there are arguments almost every night about homework, if your child isn’t starting homework or finishing it, reframe it from failure into information. It’s data to put into problem-solving. We need to consider other possible explanations besides “behavioral choice” when trying to understand the problem and create effective solutions. What problems are getting in the way of our child’s meeting homework demands that their peers are meeting most of the time?
  • Try not to argue about homework. If you can check your own anxiety and frustration, it can be more productive to ally with your child and be curious with them. Kids usually can’t tell you a clear “why” but maybe they can tell you how they are feeling and what they are thinking. And if your child can’t talk about it or just keeps saying “I don't know,” try not to push. Come back another time. Rushing, forcing, yelling, and threatening will predictably not help kids do homework.

Lapina/Shutterstock

Helping at School

The second area to explore when your neurodiverse child struggles frequently with homework is building communication and connections with school and teachers. Some places to focus on include the following.

  • Label your child’s diagnoses and break down specific symptoms for the teachers and school team. Nonjudgmental, but specific language is essential for teachers to understand your child’s struggles. Breaking their challenges down into the problems specific to homework can help with building solutions. As your child gets older, help them identify their difficulties and communicate them to teachers.
  • Let teachers and the school team know that your child’s mental health needs—including sleep—take priority over finishing homework. If your child is always struggling to complete homework and get enough sleep, or if completing homework is leading to emotional meltdowns every night, adjusting their homework demands will be more successful than continuing to push them into sleep deprivation or meltdowns.
  • Request a child study team evaluation to determine if your child qualifies for services under special education law such as an IEP, or accommodations through section 504—and be sure that homework adjustments are included in any plan. Or if such a plan is already in place, be clear that modification of homework expectations needs to be part of it.

The Long-Term Story

I still work with Chelsea and she recently mentioned how those conversations so many years ago are still part of how she approaches work tasks or other demands that are spiking her anxiety when she finds herself in a vortex of distress. She stops what she is doing and prioritizes reducing her anxiety—whether it’s a break during her day or an ending to the task for the evening. She sees that this is crucial to managing her anxiety in her life and still succeeding at what she is doing.

Task completion at all costs is not a solution for kids with emotional needs. Her story (and the story of many of my patients) make this crystal clear.

Candida Fink M.D.

Candida Fink, M.D. , is board certified in child/adolescent and general psychiatry. She practices in New York and has co-authored two books— The Ups and Downs of Raising a Bipolar Child and Bipolar Disorder for Dummies.

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Classroom Management , Equity Resources , Truth for Teachers Collective   |   May 7, 2023

Students not turning in homework? 4 common mistakes to avoid (and what to do instead)

student asks for homework regrets it immediately

By Kim Lepre

Homework is typically the bane of students and the Achilles heel of teachers.

On the one hand, regular practice outside of the classroom can help students retain information and reinforce learning. On the other, it’s also difficult to motivate students to do the work without coercion or consequences.

While the debate over the efficacy of homework continues to rage on, one thing remains clear: there will always be students who seemingly refuse to submit their homework. So how in the WORLD do we get these kids to just DO IT?

If you’re struggling to get students to submit work on a regular basis, there may be a problem in your systems that, once fixed, can increase not only the likelihood of your students submitting but also increase their academic success. Here are four common mistakes that teachers make about submitting homework, and what you can do instead.

student asks for homework regrets it immediately

Mistake #1: Not understanding the real reason why students don’t submit homework

Before we delve into tactics, it’s important to understand WHY students won’t submit their work. We often chalk it up to laziness, forgetfulness, not paying attention in class or just poor time management. While these can definitely contribute to the problem, the issue often lies much deeper than that.

First, fear of failure or overall confusion plagues many of our students. They don’t understand the assignment or concept and lack the motivation or resources to get help. A lot of times, they don’t speak up in class and ask questions for these same reasons, so they’re less likely to practice something that they’re confused about.

Also, many of our students are perfectionists and won’t submit work if it’s “not right.” As illogical as it sounds, if they didn’t have time to complete the assignment, they’d rather take the zero and not submit rather than give you incomplete work. Or if it’s not up to their unreasonably high standards, they won’t turn it in.

Additionally, general overwhelm and mental health issues such as anxiety and depression definitely play a role for many of our students. Not all parents have been able to address these concerns in their children, and some may be inadvertently exacerbating the symptoms with their own high expectations. If a student simply can’t handle even looking let alone starting your assignment, you definitely won’t get any work from them.

Finally, students may just not want to do your assignment because they don’t see the point. As harsh as it sounds, students know when they’re given “busy work.” To them, meaningless packets with 100 of the same problem are not only demoralizing but also a waste of time. So some students may just choose to not do it at all or they may start and eventually give up.

Mistake #2: Not setting and maintaining expectations

At the beginning of the school year, we’re VERY good about training our students on what our work submission processes are. You may even have a syllabus with these expectations spelled out, assuming that our students and their parents read it.

Most of us have a routine set, which works for the majority of the kids. But there are always a few that seem to slip through the cracks due to reasons in the first mistake. Maybe they have an IEP and need more intentional organization. Maybe they fell asleep in class and didn’t hear you give the deadline. Or perhaps they were in the bathroom when you announced it. Either way, we can preach responsibility  and accountability all we want, but if they’re just incapable of doing it on their own, we can decide to help them or let them fall and “learn their lesson.”

If we’re unwilling to consistently help these students that struggle with deadlines, then honestly, we have to share the blame. They’re still developing good habits, and what we try to reinforce only goes so far if it’s not reinforced at home. While it’s not our job to parent our students, we can still help with teaching and modeling what the expectations are and give grace when students stumble.

Basically, if it’s that important to you that they submit an assignment on time, then don’t assume that all of the students know what to do or how to meet those deadlines.

Mistake #3: Utilizing a one-size-fits-all approach to submission

As mentioned in the previous two mistakes, there are a lot of reasons why students aren’t submitting their homework. In terms of solving that problem in your class, you have two options: 1) Being frustrated but still letting them suffer the consequences, or 2) working with the students that struggle the most.

It may seem unfair to make special accommodations or arrangements for certain students, but that’s like saying it’s unfair that, at 5’1”, I need a stool to reach the top shelf while you may be able to easily stick your hand up there.

Does it REALLY matter if we both get what we need from that shelf?

Some students may need extra time or personal invitations to submit something. You might even have to modify the assignment for them just so that you have some form of work from which to assess. This can be annoying and time-consuming since you have so many other students to worry about.

But if it really bothers you that Jason doesn’t ever turn in his work, and asking or reminding him each time actually results in him turning in something , then ask yourself if it’s worth it.

If eight students regularly fail to turn in their homework, investigate what’s holding them up and what you can do to encourage them. Maybe they need an accountability partner. Perhaps you could show and remind them how to set a notification on their phone or device. You could encourage them to use a paper planner to stay more organized.

These definitely take more effort, and sometimes the lack of rewards makes it unsatisfying. But often, a student just doesn’t know how to advocate for themselves, and you being persistent can lay the foundation for them to be successful in other classes and in the future.

Mistake #4: Not involving parents and other adults

Along with the previous mistake, sometimes we forget that we can also deploy the troops, i.e., our students’ parents/guardians. While at times we feel at odds with some parents since they have such a negative perception of teachers and the education system in general, many are willing to do their part if we are explicit about how they can help.

It can be scary to send out notices to parents because they sometimes reply with an angry response or something completely unrelated. There have definitely been times when I wished that I hadn’t sent an email at all because I was inundated with responses.

But in the case of having students turn in their assignments on time, it just might be worth it. Students don’t necessarily talk to their parents about their work, and if they are experiencing one of the aforementioned reasons why they won’t do work, they’re certainly not going to divulge. So just a simple email with a calendar of deadlines or just a reminder of an upcoming due date would greatly increase the rate of homework submission.

For larger assignments, I’ve also explained what is due to parents so that they can help their student double-check that they completed everything. You’d be surprised how many parents want to sit down and help their student, but they don’t understand what’s expected. It does take a bit of time to do this, but with new tools like ChatGPT, you can craft these messages in a matter of seconds.

If you’re using an online grading system, they often have the capability for parents to see your grade book and online calendar. If you have this, then taking the time to train parents with a screencast video that you send out will also help them stay on top of their student’s progress.

What this means for your policies

It might be a bit of a philosophical shift to avoid these mistakes. After all, real change doesn’t happen instantly, especially if you want it to stick. During a time when we’re all trying to master work-life balance, it can seem preposterous to take on what seems like more work.

But what’s the cost – both to yourself and your students — if you DON’T do something different?

Left to their own devices, students will try to stay under your radar so that they don’t have to do any work, but we both know what the long-term consequences of that are. If they don’t turn in their homework or assignments in general, you can’t assess them, which means they can’t get feedback, which in turn means you have to hope that they’re gleaning SOMETHING from your lectures and class discussions. How will you know if they’re improving in your class if they won’t submit their work?

And you’ll continue to be frustrated about your low homework submission rate (if you weren’t frustrated, you wouldn’t have made it this far). Over time, that can leave a bad taste in your mouth and overall disdain for students that seem “lazy and useless.” Morphing into that kind of cynical teacher is not something anyone wants, so ask yourself — is it worth putting in the effort?

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Classroom Management Expert

How To Handle A Student Who Doesn’t Do Homework?

student asks for homework regrets it immediately

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If you’ve been teaching for any length of time, you know that there are students who don’t do their homework.

This is not always a sign of laziness, apathy, or lack of interest in the subject matter. It may just be that they didn’t understand the assignment and/or were too busy to complete it.

Regardless of the reason, these students will need some extra attention and guidance if you want them to succeed academically.

A personal touch is usually the best approach. In other words, don’t hesitate to talk to your students face-to-face about their homework problems. They will appreciate your interest and show a willingness to improve because you care enough about them as an individual to find a solution.

If these students want to improve their grades, your guidance will simplify the learning process and help them experience the satisfaction of doing well in school.

I hope this article helps you manage your students who don’t do homework!

Why Some Students Don’t Do Their Homework?

This is a question often asked by young and veteran teachers alike. The following list contains common reasons why students don’t complete their homework, as well as ideas on how to make sure that such situations never occur in your classroom.

1) What’s the Point?  

Sometimes, students simply don’t see a point in doing their homework. This may be because the subject is boring, or monotonous – or it could be because it’s impossible to comprehend. Ensuring that students have a solid understanding of the material before moving on to the next topic will help eliminate this issue. In addition, if you find yourself instructing something that lacks value, it may be time to rethink your approach.

2) Too Many Homework Assignments  

This is often the most common issue students face. Teachers who fail to recognize that their students are carrying too much of a workload can create unbearable conditions that lead to laziness and failure.  If you’re finding yourself sending home a large amount of work every night, you should strongly consider revising your approach. It’s much better to focus on a small number of assignments and ensure they’re completed correctly, rather than overwhelming students with too many tasks.

3) Lack of Self-Motivation  

Many students don’t do their homework because they lack motivation and self-discipline. In situations such as these, it’s important to remember that you can’t force a student to complete their work – but there are ways for you to motivate them. The key is making the endeavor rewarding and worth their time – this could be through rewards or points systems.

4) Intellectual Disability  

Sometimes students don’t do their homework because they’re struggling to keep up. This can be due to a variety of reasons (e.g., medical conditions, learning disabilities, etc.) If you suspect that your students are facing issues like these, you must take immediate action at the appropriate time.

5) Lack of Parental Involvement  

Sometimes, parents fail to support their child’s education. This lack of involvement can significantly affect the student, who may then find it difficult to complete homework tasks without parental guidance. You should give students enough space to do their work, but you should also be supportive in helping them when they need help.

6) Poor Planning   

Students can underestimate the amount of time it will take to complete their homework. When this happens, they might put off starting work until the last minute – or simply give up altogether. You should always keep an eye on how much time has passed since your students were given their task, so you can notify them if it’s becoming overdue. In addition, you should encourage your students to start work early, so they have sufficient time to complete it.

7) Illness   

When students become ill, they may struggle to control their behavior and focus on homework. If your class falls victim to a bug, you should allow individuals to take the necessary time off without anxiety or pressure. The same goes for injuries – any situations where students are bedridden should be handled with appropriate care.

8) Bad Timing  

Sometimes, students don’t do their homework due to bad timing. This could be because they’ve only just returned home from school and haven’t had enough time to rest. It’s important that you give your students ample time to unwind before starting any work, so they can retain their focus.

9) Distractions at Home   

Modern homes contain a multitude of distractions that can affect the way students work. In addition to these, students may also have distracted siblings or relatives – making it hard for them to concentrate on tasks given by the teacher. You should always provide plenty of space and seclusion when working on academic tasks.

10) The Task is Too Challenging   

It’s possible that students are attempting to complete assignments that are just too difficult for them. If this happens, you should consider revising the difficulty of your work until all of your students feel comfortable completing it.

11) Poorly Organized  

Similar to planning issues, poorly organized students can struggle when it comes to completing their homework. You should work closely with your students to ensure they have the best tools for completing assignments.

12) Disinterest  

There are some students who just aren’t interested in what you’re teaching them. This could mean that they refuse to complete their work or it may prevent them from retaining information. You should try and engage all of your students in your lessons so they remain interested and invested.

In conclusion, there are several reasons why some students don’t do their homework. The main causes include a lack of planning, ill health, and excessive or poorly organized tasks. You should always monitor your classes to make sure they’re completing work effectively and without difficulty.

How Should Handle Students Who Don’t Do Their Homework?

For a new teacher, handling a student who doesn’t do their homework can be a difficult task. It could throw off the rest of your lesson plans that you have been working on all day or week. You have to find a way to deal with it without showing favoritism and giving out punishments for those who don’t complete their work.

This can be a very delicate situation especially if several children don’t complete their homework.

1. Let them know the importance of doing their work

One of the first steps to take when a student does not complete their work is letting them know the importance of doing so. You can tell students that it is important to do their work, so they will be prepared for the next school day.

2. Give them a warning

Giving out a simple warning would be an ideal approach when handling students who have not completed their work. This means letting them know of any consequences or possible punishments that can be given if they do not complete their homework.

3. Let them know what your role is as a teacher

Another very effective way to deal with students who don’t do their work is by informing them of what the teacher’s role is in the classroom. By explaining this, you are letting them know that you are not responsible for their education. You are there to help them when needed and direct them in the right direction.

4. Give students who don’t do their work another opportunity

After letting students know what consequences they will face if they don’t complete their work, you can give them an opportunity to turn it in the next day or the following class period. This is a very effective way of dealing with students who did not complete their homework because it lets them have another chance to do so.

5. Give consequences for students who don’t complete their work

The most common consequence that you can give out when a student does not do their schoolwork is giving them detention or some other form of punishment. This can be a difficult thing to do because you have to find a way of disciplining students without jeopardizing your relationship with students or other teachers.

6. Have the parent call the student’s teacher

If a student does not turn in homework more than two times and they continue to not complete their work for several weeks, you can give the student’s parent a call. This can be an effective way of notifying parents about their child’s lack of schoolwork and lack of studying at home.

7. Talk to the student after class or during lunch

If you feel as if it is appropriate, you can talk to the student outside of the classroom setting, during lunch, or after school. This is an approach you can take when dealing with students who continuously do not complete their homework. By talking to them outside of the classroom, it makes it easier to handle situations that may arise during class periods.

8. Give student work to another classmate

Another successful way of handling students who don’t do their work is to give them school work that is given to other students. For example, you can give out extra credit questions or assignments that are completed by other students if they do not complete their work.

9. Make an announcement about the homework policy

Announcing what your classroom’s policy for homework is can be helpful because it lets everyone know what to expect for the upcoming weeks or months. You can also use this chance to remind students of your classroom rules and procedures.

10. Make sure homework is not repeatedly an issue

Make sure that you are aware of how often homework becomes an issue in your classroom. If it happens all the time, then there may be something wrong with how you are handing out homework. It may be a good idea to have students complete homework during the first week of school so you can see if there becomes an issue or not.

Final Thought

It can be frustrating when students don’t do their homework. There are a variety of approaches for handling this issue, but the most important thing is to identify what will work best with your personality and teaching style. In this blog post, we’ve provided ten different ways you can address students who consistently turn in incomplete schoolwork or neglect it altogether. Don’t forget that it may take some time before you find out which approach works best for both you and your students! Check out more articles here.

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Daniel Wong

11 Excuses for Not Doing Homework (And How to Stop Making Them)

July 5, 2022 By Daniel Wong 6 Comments

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If you’re like many students, you’d rather take a nap, talk to your friends online, or play video games.

As you already know, finding reasons not to do your homework will prevent you from succeeding in school .

I’m sure you want to do well in school, and homework is definitely a part of that process.

In this article, I’ll go over 11 of the most common excuses for not doing homework and offer solutions to ensure that you stay engaged in school.

But first, make sure to download your free quick action guide…

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Excuse #1: You lack the required knowledge

Let your parents and teacher know if you’re taking a class and feel as if you lack the necessary skills or knowledge to complete the homework.

Ask your teacher for extra guidance so you don’t fall too far behind. See if your parents can find the time to help you, or you can look for a tutor.

Your teachers are there to help you develop the skills you need to do well in their classes.

You’re not alone in feeling that you lack the necessary skills, so don’t be too embarrassed to ask for assistance. You might even find some great study buddies who feel the same way.

Excuse #2: You lack confidence

Many students compare themselves to their peers, which can lead to a lack of confidence. When that happens, it’s easy to make excuses for not doing the homework.

But here’s what you need to know…

Everyone lacks confidence about something.

You might be good at math but need extra help with English. Perhaps you excel at geography but find biology confusing.

Give yourself a break.

If you lack confidence in your ability to learn a particular subject, get the support you need. Your teachers, parents, and even friends will help you out and give you a needed morale boost.

Excuse #3: Your home life is too hectic

The excuses for submitting assignments late are numerous, but one that I hear often is that it’s too busy or noisy at home to focus.

Finding a quiet space and using earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones can help reduce distractions. This will make it easier for you to finish your homework.

If that doesn’t work, try finding an alternative location to do your work, like the library or a friend’s house.

You can also talk to your parents about it. They might not even be aware of all the interruptions that are preventing you from completing your schoolwork.

Excuse #4: You don’t know where to start

Feeling anxious and overwhelmed are often the main reasons that cause students to not know where to start on their homework.

If you ever feel this way, here’s what I suggest you do:

  • Take a deep breath.
  • Create a space where you can get organised.
  • Make a list of all your assignments and deadlines.
  • Work on one assignment at a time.
  • Start with an easy assignment to get a quick win, or tackle the most challenging assignment to get it out of the way.

Excuse #5: You have poor study habits

Many students develop bad study habits over their years in school.

Not everyone learns the same way or at the same pace. As such, every student will have different study habits. If what you’re doing isn’t working, try a different approach.

If you’re trying to do your homework as soon as you get home from school but can’t focus, try having a snack and taking a power nap before getting to work instead.

If you’re staying up too late studying, set a rule for yourself that you’ll start doing your homework within one hour of getting home.

Establish a routine where you do your work at roughly the same time each day. Developing routines like this will improve your study habits , which will make you a more effective student.

Excuse #6: School isn’t important to you

A common misconception is that school isn’t important, that what you learn won’t be relevant once you leave school.

This isn’t completely true.

Of course, the education system can be improved. But the knowledge you acquire in school will help you to understand and appreciate the world better.

And the process of becoming a more effective student will lead you to develop traits like self-discipline and responsibility. These are the types of traits you’ll need in order to find success at any stage of life!

Excuse #7: You’re overloaded with after-school activities

I know it can be tough to balance schoolwork and extracurricular activities.

Maybe you’re on a sports team or you spend several hours each week volunteering.

Finding the right balance to ensure you have enough time for homework can be challenging.

When too many afterschool activities get in the way of completing your assignments on time, it’s time to review your schedule. Decide how you can prioritise the activities that are the most important.

You may need to put some activities on hold until you’re consistently staying on top of your schoolwork.

Speak with your coach, teachers, or parents about the ideas they have to help you manage your schedule more effectively.

Excuse #8: Studying is boring for you

If you find that doing your homework is uninteresting, it may be time for you to change your point of view.

I always encourage students to cultivate a growth mindset . This is a mindset where you focus more on the learning process instead of on getting good grades.

Rather than seeing a particular subject as boring, develop a sense of wonder. Decide that you’re going to be intellectually curious, and you’ll discover that we live in a fascinating world.

And while you’re on that journey, remember that the students who succeed in school find ways to get the work done even when they find the subject boring.

For example, if you don’t like math, consider that it isn’t just about numbers – it’s a way of thinking.

Reframing how you think about a subject will enable you to see it as more interesting. In turn, you’ll become a better student over time.

Excuse #9: Your teachers assign too much homework

Sometimes, it may seem like your teachers assign more homework than you can keep up with. You might even believe that what you’re required to do is unreasonable.

If you find yourself in this situation, take a moment to think about everything else you’re doing.

Are you managing your time well?

Are you struggling with a particular class?

Do you use memory techniques to enable you to learn faster ?

Instead of allowing homework to overwhelm you, try talking to your teacher, tutor, or parents to figure out the best way forward for you.

Excuse #10: You already have so much overdue homework

Procrastinating on your homework can lead to a significant pile-up of assignments. This will affect your confidence in being able to complete them.

What’s more, once you get a set of new assignments, you probably won’t know how to do them because you didn’t do the previous assignments.

This creates a vicious cycle where you tell yourself that there’s no point in completing your newly assigned homework because you still have the old ones to do.

When this happens, the likelihood of completing any of the work decreases.

If you’re in this situation, set a reasonable goal of keeping up with all the newly assigned homework while completing, say, one overdue assignment a day, or one overdue assignment every two days.

Excuse #11: You don’t believe you can get good grades

If you hate school, there’s a chance that it’s because you feel the pressure to be a straight-A student .

Here’s the good news: You don’t need to be perfect. After all, there’s no such thing as a perfect student.

But you do have to put in the effort and get the work done. The rest will then fall into place.

If you’re doing your best, you’re doing great! Celebrate your progress and keep moving forward.

Take it one step at a time, and don’t worry too much about what grades you’re getting at the moment.

In closing…

There are many possible reasons for you not to finish your homework.

No matter what those reasons are, it’s important to know that the people around you want to help you succeed.

From teachers to parents to coaches, you have a support network to provide solutions to almost any obstacle you face.

Identify the excuses listed in this article that are relevant to your situation, and apply the suggested solutions.

If you do that, you’ll become a better and happier student who makes far fewer excuses related to homework!

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July 7, 2022 at 12:13 pm

Thank you so much for this article. These were the problems I was struggling with. Now that i know the solutions to it ,I’m sure I’ll do better than before.

' src=

July 7, 2022 at 1:05 pm

You’re very welcome.

' src=

July 7, 2022 at 6:20 pm

I pray that may Almighty God grant you long life, more knowledge, sound health, rest of mind, wealth and happiness, so that you can witness your good impact in this World 🌍. GOD has made you a useful tool for every students and parents that is actually seeking success.

July 7, 2022 at 7:42 pm

Thank you, God bless you too!

' src=

July 27, 2022 at 9:29 pm

Thank you so much for this. I have found a couple of solutions for excuses I’ve made in the past. I needed this.

July 27, 2022 at 9:42 pm

You’re welcome.

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How to Deal With Classmates Who Want Answers to Homework

Last Updated: February 18, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Emily Listmann, MA . Emily Listmann is a private tutor in San Carlos, California. 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. 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 118,498 times.

If you're a responsible and hardworking student, then it's likely your peers have asked for your homework answers. You may be tempted to break the rules and share your answers because of social pressure, but this hurts both you and the person who copies you. Protecting your answers from would-be cheaters is the right thing to do, and actually helps them become better students in the long run. You can prepare to resist peer pressure and avoid cheating by learning ways that you can say "no" to other students, as well as how to manage their expectations of you. Finally, consider starting a study group that allows you and your peers to learn together. It'll all be more productive for you and your friends.

Step 1 Say no explicitly.

  • You may accidentally encourage your classmate to apply more pressure if you soften your “no” in an attempt to be friendly. Avoid using statements like “I don’t know” or “this may be a bad idea.” Instead, trust the clarity and power of a direct “no.”
  • Do not provide a complicated answer, just say no. A complicated explanation that emphasizes unusual circumstances may seem friendlier or more helpful, but it can provide an opportunity for your classmate to challenge your refusal and to ask again.

Step 2 Repeat yourself.

  • You can say “I know this is important, but my answer is not going to change,” or “I know that you are worried about grades, but I never share my answers.”
  • If you feel yourself weakening, remind yourself of the consequences you could face if you're caught sharing answers. Your teacher could deny you credit for the work you've done since by sharing your work you've engaged in cheating.

Step 3 Call your classmate’s request cheating.

  • Remember that the long term repercussions outweigh the immediate pressure. A school year can seem like a very long time, and you may worry about awkward situations if you disappoint a classmate. If you say no to a classmate, you may feel uncomfortable for a few days or weeks. If you are caught cheating, the consequences can last for years.
  • Point out to the student that the consequences remain even if you don't get caught. Copying homework answers doesn't help you learn the information, so the student who copies you won't be prepared for bigger assignments, such as the upcoming test. Even if they don't get caught now, they may not pass the course if they fail the test.

Step 5 Read your school’s academic conduct code.

  • Pay careful attention to your school’s rules regarding plagiarism. Plagiarism can seriously damage your academic record. Since what counts as plagiarism may not always be instinctive, speak with your teacher to clarify confusions that you may have. Your teacher will appreciate the opportunity address these questions before potentially plagiarized work is submitted.

Step 6 Avoid physical confrontation.

  • Remember, if the other student doesn't do the homework, then they aren't learning the course material. Most likely, they will fail the big assignments, such as tests.
  • Keep in mind that sharing answers would make you guilty of cheating, as well. You could jeopardize your future if you decide to share your answers.

Managing Your Classmates’ Expectations

Step 1 Avoid bragging about your academic performance.

  • When discussing your progress, highlight the effort you're putting into the class, but acknowledge that you won't know how well you know the subject until after your work is graded. Say, "I'm taking good notes and reading the material, but I won't know if my answers are right until I get my paper graded."
  • Keep your homework concealed until the moment it is due. Discourage your classmates from asking for your homework answers by not publicizing it. If someone asks you for answers to homework that isn't due for quite a while, you can always lie that you haven't finished it yet.

Step 2 Express appreciation.

  • Anticipate cheating around test times. Due to the high value placed on providing specific answers for assigning grades, stress can increase before major tests. This may make cheating seem more attractive. Before a test or major assignment, encourage a student that may ask you for answers or offer to study with them. This may reinforce proper study habits and discourage cheating.

Creating a Study Group

Step 1 Explain rather than cheat.

  • Ask your classmate about their study habits. You may be able to explain how they can do homework more effectively.

Step 2 Propose collaboration.

  • Pay special attention not to emphasize the depth of your understanding. Your goal is to work with the student, not to give them answers. Make sure that they are actively involved.

Step 3 Express interest in the work of your peers.

Community Q&A

Community Answer

  • Offer to help struggling classmates. You will learn as much as you teach, and you will lessen the need for and appeal of cheating. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • Ask the teacher for advice in confidence. Most high school and college teachers understand the complex nature of social structures in their classrooms. If you are dissatisfied, consult another teacher in the department, your adviser or your dean (principal). Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

student asks for homework regrets it immediately

  • Being an accomplice to cheating is usually punished as harshly as cheating. If you feel that your study group may be close to being a cheating ring, immediately seek consultation from a trusted adult. Thanks Helpful 15 Not Helpful 0
  • Be sure that the teacher knows about your study group. Otherwise, when a few students miss the same questions on an assignment, the teacher will assume cheating has taken place. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

Cheat On a Test

  • ↑ https://psychcentral.com/lib/learning-to-say-no
  • ↑ https://www.educationworld.com/a_admin/admin/admin375.shtml
  • ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/evolution-the-self/201401/praise-manipulation-6-reasons-question-compliments
  • ↑ http://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ720382
  • ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/education/2009/jun/09/how-to-be-a-student-study-group

About This Article

Emily Listmann, MA

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How Do You Respond to Unexpected Student Questions? Teachers Weigh In

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student asks for homework regrets it immediately

Picture this: You’re standing in front of the class, talking. A student raises his hand and asks a question that you don’t know the answer to.

That scenario was a source of anxiety for Ellen Watson when she was a new high school teacher. “I recall being both delighted and worried when I saw a student’s hand raised during my lecture,” she wrote in a new study, published in the High School Journal . “I always felt apprehensive receiving a question relevant to the day’s content. What if I did not know the answer? I wanted to be viewed as a ‘real’ teacher, as one wise in the ways of knowing and learning. Yet, I often worried, would I be able to adequately answer this question for the student?”

Watson, who is now the educational developer at the Centre for Teaching and Learning at the University of Alberta in Canada and a Ph.D. student at the secondary education program there, focused on those feelings of anxiety in her paper. Over the course of three months, she interviewed six high school science and math teachers and asked them to describe in detail the moments when a student asked an unexpected question—what was happening, how they prepared to respond, what went through their mind, and their sensory experiences in that moment.

While these descriptions are not quantitative evidence, and the teachers’ experiences don’t necessarily match those of all teachers, Watson says that these interviews bring new questions and realizations to the surface, as well as invoke insights.

Here are some of the insights she gleaned from the teachers she interviewed:

  • The question can create a moment of pressing uncertainty. When a student asks a question that the teacher doesn’t know the answer to, it can catch the teacher off guard. “Uncertainty is not easily hidden from this classroom full of inquisitive eyes,” Watson wrote, saying that this moment can be unsettling, disrupting, or even daunting.
  • The question can disrupt the teacher’s instruction. “It was as if [the student] expected me to demonstrate my understanding, when I was really concerned with his understanding,” one teacher said. Watson writes that teachers have to consider several factors before answering a student question: Will all the students benefit from the teacher spending time on the issue? What are the priorities for the day? Does the teacher have time to fully explore the question and still get through the lesson?
  • The question can rock a teacher’s prepared lesson. “I was almost shocked when a student asked me to answer such an unexpected question,” one teacher said. “It was one thing to teach a question I had prepared and planned, but this?” The teacher handled the situation by asking for a moment to consider the question.
  • Teachers can feel pressure to be seen as an expert . “They are waiting for me to impart my wisdom, and I briefly consider that I may be a fraud,” one teacher said.
  • The student’s question can help the teacher learn. “I knew how to read these graphs, yet never deeply understood them; suddenly I saw it all clearly,” one teacher said. Teaching is about letting learning happen, Watson noted, and that may mean being open to questions and uncertainty. The teacher can model what it means to be a good student.
  • Embracing vulnerability can lead to a greater learning opportunity. One teacher wrote that she shared what she did know in the moment, but that night, she did some more research. “I shared this information in class the next day, grateful for the learning opportunity the question had created, both for the students and for me,” she said. Watson theorized that it might be empowering for students to see their teacher admit the need to learn more. It shows that one must actively seek out information.

Ultimately, Watson concluded, classrooms are unpredictable places. But unpredictable moments, she said, can make way for a different kind of learning—not just managing content, but engaging in the messiness of the unknown.

“When a student challenges a teacher to think beyond current understandings, and to act beyond their planned instruction, the teacher may feel uneasy, but ultimately both the questioner and the questioned will likely have an opportunity [to] grow from this experience,” Watson wrote. “There is beauty in recognizing one still has more to learn.”

Education Week opinion bloggers Jill Berkowicz and Ann Myers wrote that talented teachers can admit to not knowing the answer to a student’s question . Teachers should utilize classroom technology and encourage the class to engage in research to find the answer, they said.

“Students’ questions may hold the key to engaging them in their learning,” Berkowicz and Myers wrote. “There is no easier way to establish relevancy.”

And guest opinion blogger Maryann Woods-Murphy wrote that more teachers need to encourage students to ask questions . “I get goose bumps seeing what children think and do when we provide them a space for inquiry,” she wrote. “When students learn to ask their own questions, they soon understand that what they care about most matters in school.”

A version of this news article first appeared in the Teaching Now blog.

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HawkTalk

Things I Regret Doing/Not Doing as a College Student

I'm 20 years old, and a junior in college. It feels like just yesterday I was the geeky, awkward freshman Hadeel! I've grown and learned a lot since then, so I have some regrets and tips for you to follow to have a successful four years at Wagner College.

I regret being too studious.

tumblr_lvqqr1HvZm1qzma4ho1_500

I have been so harsh on myself academically, in college. The amount of sacrifices I have made for my academics are quite incredible. The all-nighters, the "Oh, no, I can't hang out, I have a paper to write" texts, and the hours of madness in the library are examples of these sacrifices. In retrospect, I should have given myself the breaks necessary to clear my mind, and develop my social life. Those all-nighters were really not worthwhile because I threw off my entire sleep schedule and was in a bad mood for hours after. What I have learned is that by having a balance, I can save myself from over-studying and cramming.

Tip: Make a homework/study list for yourself every day. Write down what you want to accomplish and cross them off as you go. It's satisfying to see the progress you make.

I regret not studying abroad.

study-abroad

I always told myself I didn't want to go away for a study abroad because I didn't want to leave my little sister alone for that long (shout out to Raneem). However, as a junior, I see that I have missed out on an incredible opportunity. Studying abroad allows you to expand your horizons, immerse yourself in a different culture, and give you the tools to learn a new language, I am a well-rounded person, but I think that doing a study abroad trip would have helped me grow so much more as a person by making me step out of my comfort zone.

Tip: Go to the Center for Intercultural Advancement (Union 204) and ask questions about study abroad opportunities! There are so many programs that you can take a part of, so it's worth a try. Also, Ellen and Ninah are helpful and super nice.

I regret being unorganized.

LARGEIMAGE_29994

I did not invest in a planner or Google Calendar until halfway through my sophomore year, and that was when I had more clarity. So much was going on and I could not keep track of any of it, because I was not properly documenting meeting times, homework, papers, etc. However, I forced myself to go to the bookstore and purchase a planner, and started using Google Calendar much more persistently (thanks to my sister Abeer, who showed me the ropes). By putting in important dates from my syllabi in my planner, interesting events from the Daily Bulletin into my Google Calendar, as well as meeting times and class times, I was able to set a better (a) meal schedule, (b) study schedule, and (c) social schedule. Putting in the things that are necessary for me as a student gave me the flexibility to then actually plan out my free time wisely. I can honestly say that I would not be as successful as I am without organizing my life using a planner and Google Calendar.

Tip: Invest in a planner! You can buy one from the Bookstore. Also, plan out your week every Sunday by updated your Google Calendar, it really works.

I regret not learning another language.

Languages-States-Languages-1-300x214

I am bilingual, with fluency in English and Arabic, but I wish that I picked up a third language in college. The Modern Languages Department is a gem at Wagner College, and if I had taken a few Spanish classes, with my high school experience in the language, and finally a study abroad, I could have been fluent. Speaking a multitude of languages is such an asset in a multicultural society. Being heavily involved in Port Richmond, I struggle with communication sometimes because I don't know how to talk to the community members who only speak Spanish. Therefore, I think learning another language is one of the best things you can do as a college student.

Tip: Take language courses here. We have brilliant professors here who will make sure that you grasp the language, and understand the culture behind  them.

I regret the way I spend time on campus.

11457819-large

I say this as a commuter. Although I am on campus a lot of the time- my parents tell me that I only use my house as a hotel and for free food- I should be more productive when I am here. Sometimes I get stuck here for hours at a time, and I hate it. I love this college and the campus, but it's really great to leave and come back to it. For my commuting readers, spend more time here outside of class! Go to campus events, hang out with friends, use the library as an asset. For my resident readers, leave campus more often! You have all of New York City, including the Island you live on, to explore. Go see it. Try new foods, meet new people, visit new places, there is so much outside of this campus to do.

Tip: Attend campus events, such as lectures, sporting events, professional development, etc. You will meet new people who you otherwise will not cross paths with.

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  3. when my teacher asks me where my homework is

COMMENTS

  1. Student asks for homework... Regrets it immediately

    Student asks for homework, students have to do they only thing they can... Eliminate him Subscribe for more stoopid memes Saw this on reddit Basically what happened was: Class is over...

  2. Student asks for homework... Regrets it immediately

    About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise ...

  3. Students' mental health: Is it time to get rid of homework in schools?

    For older students, Kang says, homework benefits plateau at about two hours per night. "Most students, especially at these high achieving schools, they're doing a minimum of three hours, and it's ...

  4. what to do with friends who keep asking you for help on hw ...

    That's not a friend. Tell him to fuck off. I would start with, really sorry, I dont have time for that I'm super busy until (time after assignment is over). Repeat that everytime. Dont let him or anyone take advantage of you, dont waste your energy and knowledge on people like that.

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    An aspiring actor named Axel Webber went viral on TikTok recently — not for achieving his goal of getting into the Juilliard School, but for being rejected from it. His story led to thousands of ...

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  7. How to Make Up a Good Excuse for Your Homework Not Being Finished

    2. Keep things short and to the point. The briefer your excuse, the easier it will be to remember. When making up an excuse for a teacher, keep your story short. Going into excessive detail can seem suspicious and you'll also be more likely to accidentally change aspects of your story.

  8. I need to stop procrastinating. I regret it every time, yet i still do

    Hi, i'm a college student, and for as long as I can remember, i've procrastinated and put off my work until last minute. Every single time it gives me anxiety and worry that this time will be the time where i'll fail and not complete the assignment adequately, yet I still choose to procrastinate and do it last second every time.

  9. What to Say (and Not Say) When Handing in Late Assignments, According

    Late work penalties are almost always noted in the syllabus, and it's hard to fight a grade reduction when things are clearly laid out in writing well before the homework is due. You can try ...

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    First, fear of failure or overall confusion plagues many of our students. They don't understand the assignment or concept and lack the motivation or resources to get help. A lot of times, they don't speak up in class and ask questions for these same reasons, so they're less likely to practice something that they're confused about.

  11. How To Handle A Student Who Doesn't Do Homework?

    2. Give them a warning. Giving out a simple warning would be an ideal approach when handling students who have not completed their work. This means letting them know of any consequences or possible punishments that can be given if they do not complete their homework. 3. Let them know what your role is as a teacher.

  12. What is something you've said to a student that you deeply regret

    We use it all the time (teachers) because it's easier to say but it's obviously a big bad word (like retard) to them. (Excuse the "r" word) Student had a meltdown after not getting the score he likes for the umpteenth time. This time the student resorted to muttering rude comments. I call the front desk:

  13. 11 Excuses for Not Doing Homework (And How to Stop Making Them)

    Excuse #1: You lack the required knowledge. Let your parents and teacher know if you're taking a class and feel as if you lack the necessary skills or knowledge to complete the homework. Ask your teacher for extra guidance so you don't fall too far behind. See if your parents can find the time to help you, or you can look for a tutor.

  14. 3 Ways to Deal With Classmates Who Want Answers to Homework

    Discourage your classmates from asking for your homework answers by not publicizing it. If someone asks you for answers to homework that isn't due for quite a while, you can always lie that you haven't finished it yet. 2. Express appreciation. Accept your classmate's interest in your work as a compliment.

  15. How Do You Respond to Unexpected Student Questions? Teachers Weigh In

    When a student asks a question that the teacher doesn't know the answer to, it can catch the teacher off guard. "Uncertainty is not easily hidden from this classroom full of inquisitive eyes ...

  16. A student in my course does well on exams, but doesn't do the homework

    Talk to the Student now. ... I've personally observed many students doing just that, and for these students homework doesn't improve their understanding at all. - user21820. ... My students often ask me for a final exam whose grade could trump the rest of the semester (probably because they got that "Senior Day" treatment in high school), but ...

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  18. Saying no to student requests for excessive appointments and help

    The two questions are fairly different: how to help a student for his homework and managing your out of office hours could be entirely seperate posts. - everyone Nov 9, 2017 at 10:39 14 @CaptainEmacs That is an answer, should go into the answer box.

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    About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators ...

  20. Things I Regret Doing/Not Doing as a College Student

    I regret being too studious. I have been so harsh on myself academically, in college. The amount of sacrifices I have made for my academics are quite incredible. The all-nighters, the "Oh, no, I can't hang out, I have a paper to write" texts, and the hours of madness in the library are examples of these sacrifices.

  21. How should I react to a friend constantly asking me for homework help

    • 9 mo. ago It isn't your responsibility. She's taking advantage of you. And actually, you AREN'T helping her, you're enabling her. You should honestly just tell her you don't have the time to do her homework for her anymore.

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