stress deal with homework

Get Started Today!

• Centre Details
• Ask A Question
• Change Location
• Programs & More

10 Tips to Reduce Homework Stress

It’s no secret that homework causes stress for many students.

Whether it’s a big test around the corner or an upcoming deadline for an assignment, sometimes it can be impossible to avoid homework stress.

From Grades one through twelve, homework is a big part of children’s education. But when homework causes frustration and leads to feeling overwhelmed, it can have a negative impact on your child’s ability to focus and retain information. It can also lead to procrastination.

Ultimately, this can all end in poor in-class performance and lower grades. Because of this, learning how to manage homework stress important.

The Effects Of Homework Stress On Students

The effects of too much homework can include higher levels of stress and frustration for students. This can lead to negative impacts on grades, social life, and health (both physical and mental).

Most parents know homework can become a regular struggle. But it doesn’t have to be the worst part of your child’s day. Both parents and students can benefit from learning how to deal with homework stress, and turn it into a positive learning experience.

How To Avoid Homework Stress

Here are 10 tips to help your child learn how to make homework less stressful.

1. Stick to a Schedule

Help your child plan out his or her time, scheduling time for homework, chores, activities, and sleep. Keep this schedule handy so your child knows what he or she should be working on, and when.

2. Practise Good Time Management

When it’s time to get to work on homework assignments, make sure your child is focused on the task at hand. Remove distractions like cell phones or television so your child can complete his or her homework and stay on schedule.

3. Get Started Early

Every day right after school, sit down with your child and go over homework assignments for each class. Help your child make a list of what should be completed that night and get started early. Waiting to get started until later in the evening means your child has less time (and energy) to complete his or her homework, leading to more stress for both of you.

4. Review your Agenda Regularly

Your child should have an agenda where he or she writes down all homework and assignments given by the teacher. Have your child review the agenda each day to make sure he or she knows what homework assignments need to be completed.

5. Stay Organized

An unorganized homework station can be distracting. Make sure space is kept neat and tidy and has all the supplies your child will need to complete his or her homework, including pencils, paper, and textbooks.

6. Ask the Teacher Questions

As much as parents would like to help their children with homework, the material taught in school has changed a lot over the years. If your child is struggling with homework, make a list of questions he or she can take to the teacher to get the help needed to understand the assignment.

7. Organize a Homework Group

Whether virtually or in-person, creating a homework group can help make homework less overwhelming by giving your child the chance to go over the material with his or her classmates. This gives kids the opportunity to better understand the material by teaching it to each other and working through any questions as a team.

8. Walk Away if it’s Overwhelming

If your child is getting frustrated or overwhelmed by a homework assignment or question, encourage him or her to take a break and come back to it. This will give your child a chance to relax and regroup so he or she can come back with a clear mind. Even while completing other tasks, your child’s brain will continue working on problems in the background.

9. Make Time to Relax

Set aside time for your child to do something that he or she enjoys, whether it’s an activity at home or an organized extracurricular activity. On top of helping your child get important exercise, it will also give him or her a break from homework stress and an outlet for any frustration or extra energy.

10. Get a Good Night’s Rest

Get your child into a regular sleep routine so he or she has a chance to recharge after the day. Children 6-13 years old should get 9 to 11 hours of sleep each night, while teenagers need 8 to 10 hours of sleep. Getting the recommended amount of sleep will help make sure your child is ready to tackle another day of school and homework assignments.

Learn more about overcoming homework stress and everything else homework related.

No More Homework Stress

Learning how to handle homework stress will help your child get more out of homework assignments, while also helping him or her develop better learning habits. Using these tips, your child can learn to tackle homework with more confidence and less frustration.

If your child is still struggling with homework, our homework help tutors are here to help!

Do Report Cards Matter This Year?

5 easy steps to set goals kids can stick to, related homework resources.

Canadian Attitudes Toward Homework

Homework Help: Everything You Need to Know

Attention & Focus, Homework

7 ways to help slow-working students.

Should Students be Allowed to Redo Their Work?

Find an oxford learning ® location near you, we have over 100 centres across canada.

US South Carolina

Recently viewed courses

Recently viewed.

Find Your Dream School

   COVID-19 Update: To help students through this crisis, The Princeton Review will continue our "Enroll with Confidence" refund policies. For full details, please click here.

Enter your email to unlock an extra $25 off an SAT or ACT program!

By submitting my email address. i certify that i am 13 years of age or older, agree to recieve marketing email messages from the princeton review, and agree to terms of use., how to manage homework stress.

Feeling overwhelmed by your nightly homework grind? You’re not alone. Our Student Life in America survey results show that teens spend a third of their study time feeling worried, stressed, or stuck. If you’re spending close to four hours a night on your homework (the national average), that’s over an hour spent spent feeling panicky and still not getting your work done. Homework anxiety can become a self-fulfilling prophecy: If you’re already convinced that calculus is unconquerable, that anxiety can actually block your ability to learn the material.

Whether your anxiety is related to handling your workload (we know you’re getting more homework than ever!), mastering a particular subject like statistics, or getting great grades for your college application, stress doesn’t have to go hand-in-hand with studying .

In fact, a study by Stanford University School of Medicine and published in The Journal of Neuroscience shows that a student’s fear of math (and, yes, this fear is completely real and can be detectable in scans of the brain) can be eased by a one-on-one math tutoring program. At The Princeton Review this wasn’t news to us! Our online tutors are on-call 24/7 for students working on everything from AP Chemistry to Pre-Calc. Here’s a roundup of what our students have to say about managing homework stress by working one-one-one with our expert tutors .

1. Work the Best Way for YOU

From the way you decorate your room to the way you like to study, you have a style all your own:

"I cannot thank Christopher enough! I felt so anxious and stressed trying to work on my personal statement, and he made every effort to help me realize my strengths and focus on writing in a way that honored my personality. I wanted to give up, but he was patient with me and it made the difference."

"[My] tutor was 1000000000000% great . . . He made me feel important and fixed all of my mistakes and adapted to my learning style . . . I have so much confidence for my midterms that I was so stressed out about."

"I liked how the tutor asked me how was I starting the problem and allowed me to share what I was doing and what I had. The tutor was able to guide me from there and break down the steps and I got the answer all on my own and the tutor double checked it... saved me from tears and stress."

2. Study Smarter, Not Harder

If you’ve read the chapter in your history textbook twice and aren’t retaining the material, don’t assume the third time will be the charm. Our tutors will help you break the pattern, and learn ways to study more efficiently:

"[My] tutor has given me an easier, less stressful way of seeing math problems. It is like my eyes have opened up."

"I was so lost in this part of math but within minutes the tutor had me at ease and I get it now. I wasn't even with her maybe 30 minutes or so, and she helped me figure out what I have been stressing over for the past almost two days."

"I can not stress how helpful it is to have a live tutor available. Math was never and still isn't my favorite subject, but I know I need to take it. Being able to talk to someone and have them walk you through the steps on how to solve a problem is a huge weight lifted off of my shoulder."

3. Get Help in a Pinch

Because sometimes you need a hand RIGHT NOW:

"I was lost and stressed because I have a test tomorrow and did not understand the problems. I fully get it now!"

"My tutor was great. I was freaking out and stressed out about the entire assignment, but she really helped me to pull it together. I am excited to turn my paper in tomorrow."

"This was so helpful to have a live person to validate my understanding of the formulas I need to use before actually submitting my homework and getting it incorrect. My stress level reduced greatly with a project deadline due date."

4. Benefit from a Calming Presence

From PhDs and Ivy Leaguers to doctors and teachers, our tutors are experts in their fields, and they know how to keep your anxiety at bay:

"I really like that the tutors are real people and some of them help lighten the stress by making jokes or having quirky/witty things to say. That helps when you think you're messing up! Gives you a reprieve from your brain jumbling everything together!"

"He seemed understanding and empathetic to my situation. That means a lot to a new student who is under stress."

"She was very thorough in explaining her suggestions as well as asking questions and leaving the changes up to me, which I really appreciated. She was very encouraging and motivating which helped with keeping me positive about my paper and knowing that I am not alone in my struggles. She definitely eased my worries and stress. She was wonderful!"

5. Practice Makes Perfect

The Stanford study shows that repeated exposure to math problems through one-on-one tutoring helped students relieve their math anxiety (the authors’ analogy was how a fear of spiders can be treated with repeated exposure to spiders in a safe environment). Find a tutor you love, and come back to keep practicing:

"Love this site once again. It’s so helpful and this is the first time in years when I don’t stress about my frustration with HW because I know this site will always be here to help me."

"I've been using this service since I was in seventh grade and now I am a Freshman in High School. School has just started and I am already using this site again! :) This site is so dependable. I love it so much and it’s a lot easier than having an actual teacher sitting there hovering over you, waiting for you to finish the problem."

"I can always rely on this site to help me when I'm confused, and it always makes me feel more confident in the work I'm doing in school."

Stuck on homework?

Try an online tutoring session with one of our experts, and get homework help in 40+ subjects.

Try a Free Session

• Tutoring  
• College  
• Applying to College  

Explore Colleges For You

Connect with our featured colleges to find schools that both match your interests and are looking for students like you.

Career Quiz

Take our short quiz to learn which is the right career for you.

Get Started on Athletic Scholarships & Recruiting!

Join athletes who were discovered, recruited & often received scholarships after connecting with NCSA's 42,000 strong network of coaches.

Best 388 Colleges

154,000 students rate everything from their professors to their campus social scene.

SAT Prep Courses

1400+ course, act prep courses, free sat practice test & events,  1-800-2review, sat® 1400+ course, our top sat experts teach the strategies proven to have helped our students join the top 5% of test takers..

Free MCAT Review Guide

Thank you! Look for the MCAT Review Guide in your inbox.

By submitting above, I certify that I am 18 years of age or older, and agree to the Terms of Use . Privacy Policy | CA Privacy Notice

Enrollment Advisor

1-800-2REVIEW (800-273-8439) ext. 1

1-877-LEARN-30

Student Support

1-800-2REVIEW (800-273-8439) ext. 2

Partnerships

• Teach or Tutor for Us

College Readiness

International

Advertising

Affiliate/Other

• Enrollment Terms & Conditions
• Accessibility
• Cigna Medical Transparency in Coverage

Register Book

Mon-Fri 9AM-10PM ET

Sat-Sun 9AM-8PM ET

Local Offices: Mon-Fri 9AM-6PM

Mon-Fri 9AM-9PM ET

Sat-Sun 8:30AM-5PM ET

• SAT Subject Tests

Academic Subjects

• Social Studies

Find the Right College

• College Rankings
• College Advice
• Applying to College
• Financial Aid

School & District Partnerships

• Professional Development
• Advice Articles
• Private Tutoring
• Mobile Apps
• Local Offices
• International Offices
• Work for Us
• Affiliate Program
• Partner with Us
• Advertise with Us
• International Partnerships
• Our Guarantees

Privacy Policy | CA Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information | Your Opt-Out Rights | Terms of Use | Site Map

©2023 TPR Education IP Holdings, LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Princeton Review is not affiliated with Princeton University

TPR Education, LLC (doing business as “The Princeton Review”) is controlled by Primavera Holdings Limited, a firm owned by Chinese nationals with a principal place of business in Hong Kong, China.

share this!

August 16, 2021

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

by Sara M Moniuszko

The pandemic made the conversation around homework more crucial

'get organized' ahead of back-to-school.

©2021 USA Today Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Explore further

Feedback to editors

Scientists use quantum device to slow down simulated chemical reaction 100 billion times

11 minutes ago

Making the invisible, visible: New method makes mid-infrared light detectable at room temperature

Due to sea-ice retreat, zooplankton could remain in the deep longer

How plants pass down genetic memories

Icequakes in Antarctica linked to ocean tides

24 minutes ago

COVID-19 virus is evolving rapidly in white-tailed deer, new research finds

31 minutes ago

Study of African wild dogs suggests they may not survive if temperatures increase by 3°C

41 minutes ago

Scientists invent new way to sort cells by type using light

44 minutes ago

New research finds Late Pleistocene glaciations terminated by Earth's axis tilt rather than orbital eccentricity

57 minutes ago

New supernova remnant detected with ASKAP

Related stories.

Smartphones are lowering student's grades, study finds

Aug 18, 2020

Doing homework is associated with change in students' personality

Oct 6, 2017

Scholar suggests ways to craft more effective homework assignments

Oct 1, 2015

Should parents help their kids with homework?

Aug 29, 2019

How much math, science homework is too much?

Mar 23, 2015

Anxiety, depression, burnout rising as college students prepare to return to campus

Jul 26, 2021

Recommended for you

ChatGPT can outperform university students at writing assignments, study finds

Aug 24, 2023

National network of biomedical engineers offer a six-step roadmap to diversify faculty hiring

Aug 15, 2023

Study highlights pre-school regional divide and influence on children's development

Researchers release action plan to boost diversity in postgraduate science students

Aug 3, 2023

Researchers prefer same-gender co-authors, study confirms

Aug 2, 2023

Researchers find little evidence of cheating with online, unsupervised exams

Jul 31, 2023

Let us know if there is a problem with our content

Use this form if you have come across a typo, inaccuracy or would like to send an edit request for the content on this page. For general inquiries, please use our contact form . For general feedback, use the public comments section below (please adhere to guidelines ).

Please select the most appropriate category to facilitate processing of your request

Thank you for taking time to provide your feedback to the editors.

Your feedback is important to us. However, we do not guarantee individual replies due to the high volume of messages.

E-mail the story

Your email address is used only to let the recipient know who sent the email. Neither your address nor the recipient's address will be used for any other purpose. The information you enter will appear in your e-mail message and is not retained by Phys.org in any form.

Newsletter sign up

Get weekly and/or daily updates delivered to your inbox. You can unsubscribe at any time and we'll never share your details to third parties.

More information Privacy policy

Donate and enjoy an ad-free experience

We keep our content available to everyone. Consider supporting Science X's mission by getting a premium account.

Your Privacy

This site uses cookies to assist with navigation, analyse your use of our services, collect data for ads personalisation and provide content from third parties. By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use .

E-mail newsletter

• EXPLORE Random Article

How to Avoid Homework Stress

Last Updated: March 28, 2019 References

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. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 133,057 times.

Students of all kinds are often faced with what can seem like an overwhelming amount of homework. Although homework can be a source of stress, completing it can be a very rewarding and even relaxing experience if done in an organized and timely manner. Remember, homework is not intended as punishment, but is used to reinforce everything you’ve learned in class. Try to view it as a chance to sharpen your skills and understanding.

Managing Your Time

• Try to work earlier, rather than later, if possible. This way, you won’t be rushing to finish your work before bedtime.
• Find a time of day during which you can concentrate well. Some people work best in the afternoon, while others can concentrate better on a full stomach after dinner.
• Choose a time when you will have relatively few distractions. Mealtimes, times during which you have standing engagements, or periods usually used for socializing are not the best choices.
• Allow enough time to complete your work. Making sure the total time you allow yourself for homework is sufficient for you to complete all your assignments is crucial. [1] X Research source [2] X Research source

• Save an appropriate amount of time for projects considering your normal homework load.
• Estimate how much time you will need each day, week, and month depending on your usual workload. Allow yourself at least this much time in your schedule, and consider allotting a fair amount more to compensate for unexpected complications or additional assignments.
• Reserve plenty of time for bigger projects, as they are more involved, and it is harder to estimate how much time you might need to complete them.

• Get a day planner or a notebook to write down your homework assignments, and assign an estimated amount of time to each assignment. Make sure to always give yourself more time than you think you’ll need.
• Plan to finish daily homework every day, then divide up weekly homework over the course of the entire week.
• Rank assignments in due-date order. Begin on those assignments due first, and work your way though. Finishing assignments according to due-date will help you avoid having to hurry through homework the night before it must be handed in.
• Allow more time for more difficult subjects and difficult assignments. Each individual person will have their strong subjects—and those that come a little harder. Make sure you take into account which subjects are harder for you, and allow more time for them during your scheduling.

Working Hard at School and in Class

• If you’re too shy to ask questions, or don’t feel it’s appropriate to do so during class, write them down in your notebook and then ask the teacher or professor after class.
• If you don't understand a concept, ask your teacher to explain it again, with specifics.
• If you're having trouble with a math problem, ask the teacher to demonstrate it again using a different example.
• Remember, when it comes to learning and education, there are no bad questions.

• Pay attention to important terms and ideas. Make sure to note things your teacher stresses, key terms, and other important concepts.
• Write clearly and legibly. If you can’t read your handwriting, it’ll take you longer to reference your notes at home.
• Keep your notebook organized with dividers and labels. This way, you’ll be able to locate helpful information in a pinch and finish your homework quicker. [4] X Research source

• Get permission.
• Sit up front and close to the instructor.
• Make sure to label your recordings so you don't lose track of them.
• Try to listen to them that same day while everything is fresh in your mind.

• Work in class. If you finish a class assignment early, review your notes or start your homework.
• Study at lunch. If you have time at lunch, consider working on homework. You can do this leisurely by just reviewing what you’ll need to do at home, or you can just jump right into your work.
• Don't waste time. If you get to class early, use that time for homework. In addition, many schools let students go to the library during this unplanned time, and it's a great place to finish uncompleted assignments.

Doing Your Homework

• Get some fresh air
• Go for a short run
• Do push-ups
• Walk your dog
• Listen to music
• Have a snack

• Study groups break up the monotony of daily homework and make for a less stressful experience than trying to cram on your own.
• Note that each person should turn in individualized assignments rather than collaborating to find the answers.

Balancing Homework with Life

• AP or IB classes often have 2 or 3 times the amount of reading and homework as regular courses.
• Honors classes may have up to double the amount of work required as regular courses.
• College students need to consider whether they want to take the recommended course load (often 4 classes) or more. More classes might help you finish your degree sooner, but if you are juggling work and extracurricular activities, you might be overwhelmed. [8] X Research source [9] X Research source

• Rank your classes and activities in order of importance.
• Estimate (realistically) how long your academic and extracurricular activities will take.
• Figure out how much time you have overall.
• If you’ve over committed, you need to drop your lowest ranked class or activity.

• Make sure to reserve mealtimes for family, rather than working.
• Try to set aside the weekend for family, and work only if you need to catch up or get ahead.
• Don’t plan on working on holidays, even if you try, your productivity likely won’t be high.

• Pick a reasonable hour to go to sleep every night.
• Try to do your morning prep work like ironing clothes and making your lunch at night.
• Take a nap after school or after classes if you need. You’ll probably be able to do better work in less time if you are rested. [10] X Research source [11] X Research source
• If you’re in middle or high school, talk to your parents and your teachers about the issue and ask them to help you figure out a solution.
• If you’re a college student, reach out to your professors and advisor for help.
• If it takes you much longer to finish your homework than it takes other students, it may be due to a learning difference. Ask your parents to schedule a meeting with a learning specialist.

Community Q&A

• Ask for help when you need it. This is the biggest thing you should do. Don't worry if people think you're dumb, because chances are, you're making a higher grade than them. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 4
• Actually pay attention to the teacher and ask if you don't know how to do the work. The stress can go away if you know exactly what to do. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 2
• Recognize that some teachers get mad if you do separate homework assignments for different classes, so learn to be discreet about it. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ http://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/coping-school-stress
• ↑ http://www.kidzworld.com/article/24574-how-to-avoid-homework-stress
• ↑ http://www.dartmouth.edu/~acskills/success/notes.html
• ↑ https://stressfreekids.com/10038/homework-stress
• ↑ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rebecca-jackson/5-ways-to-relieve-homework-stress-in-5-minutes_b_6572786.html
• ↑ https://stressfreekids.com/11607/reduce-homework-stress
• ↑ https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/how-students-can-survive-the-ap-course-workload/2012/03/01/gIQA8u28qR_story.html
• ↑ http://www.usnews.com/education/high-schools/articles/2012/05/10/weigh-the-benefits-stress-of-ap-courses-for-your-student
• ↑ http://www.nationwidechildrens.org/sleep-in-adolescents
• ↑ https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=how+much+sleep+do+20+year+old+need

About this article

Reader Success Stories

Angelina Wiseman

Oct 12, 2016

Did this article help you?

Apr 17, 2017

• About wikiHow
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

August 23, 2022 , Filed Under: Uncategorized

How to Manage Homework-Related Stress

Ask students what causes them the most stress, and the conversation will likely turn to homework. Students have complained about homework for practically as long as it has existed. While some dismiss these complaints as students’ laziness or lack of organization, there’s more to it than that. Many students face a lot of pressure to succeed in school, sports, work, and other areas. Also, more teens and young adults are dealing with mental health problems, with up to 40% of college students reporting symptoms of depression and anxiety.  

Researchers and professionals debate over whether homework does more harm than good, but at least for now, homework is an integral part of education. How do students deal with heavy homework loads? It’s become common for overwhelmed students to use an essay service to help them complete their assigned tasks. Pulling all-nighters to finish assignments and study for tests is another strategy busy college students use, for better or worse. 

If you’re a student that’s struggling to get all your homework done, make sure to take care of your mental health. School is important, but your health is more important. Try the following tips to help you stay on top of your busy schedule.

Make a Schedule

Time management is an important skill, but you can’t learn it without effort. The first step to managing your time more effectively is to make a schedule and stick to it. Use a calendar, planner, or an app to write down everything you need to get done. Set reminders for due dates and set aside time each day for studying. Don’t leave assignments for the last minute. Plan to finish your work well ahead of the due date in case something unexpected happens and you need more time. Make sure your schedule is realistic. Give yourself a reasonable amount of time to complete each task. And schedule time for hobbies and social activities too. 

Find a Study Spot

Doing homework in a dedicated workspace can boost your productivity. Studying in bed could make you fall asleep, and doing homework in a crowded, noisy place can be distracting. You want to complete as much work as possible during your study sessions, so choose a place that’s free of distractions. Make sure you have everything you need within arm’s reach. Resist the temptation to check your notifications or social media feeds while you study. Put your phone in airplane mode if necessary so it doesn’t distract you. You don’t need a private office to study efficiently, but having a quiet, distraction-free place to do your homework can help you to get more done.

Get Enough Rest

An all-nighter every once in a while probably won’t do you any lasting harm. But a consistent lack of sleep is bad for your productivity and your health. Most young people need at least 7 hours of sleep every night, so make it your goal to go to bed on time. You’ll feel better throughout the day, have more energy, and improve your focus. Instead of dozing off while you’re doing homework, you’ll be more alert and productive if you get enough sleep. 

It’s also important to spend time relaxing and enjoying your favorite activities. Hang out with friends, take a walk, or watch a movie. You’ll feel less stressed if you take some time for yourself.

Don’t Shoot for Perfection

It’s tempting to try to get a perfect grade on every test or assignment. But perfectionism only causes unnecessary stress and anxiety. If you consider yourself a perfectionist, you might spend too much time on less important tasks. Prioritize your assignments and put more time and effort into the most important ones. 

Most people struggle with perfectionism because they’ve been taught they should do their best at everything. But you don’t have to go above and beyond for every assignment. That’s not to say you should turn in bad work. But putting in just enough effort to get by isn’t a bad thing. Don’t put pressure on yourself to be the best at everything. Focus on your most important assignments, and don’t spend too much time and effort perfecting the others. 

Almost all students deal with the burden of homework-related stress. No one enjoys the anxiety of having a lot of assignments due and not enough time to complete them. But take advantage of this opportunity to learn organization and self-discipline, which will help you throughout your life. Try making a schedule and don’t forget to set aside time to rest. When it’s time to study, choose a quiet place where you can concentrate. Don’t neglect your health; if you’re feeling anxious or depressed, talk to a counselor or your doctor. School stress is hard to avoid, but if you take these steps you can reduce homework anxiety and have better control of your time. 

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes —  Marcel Proust

• Social Anxiety Disorder
• Bipolar Disorder
• Kids Mental Health
• Therapy Center
• When To See a Therapist
• Types of Therapy
• Best Online Therapy
• Best Couples Therapy
• Best Family Therapy
• Managing Stress
• Sleep and Dreaming
• Understanding Emotions
• Self-Improvement
• Healthy Relationships
• Relationships in 2023
• Student Resources
• Personality Types
• Verywell Mind Insights
• 2023 Verywell Mind 25
• Mental Health in the Classroom
• Editorial Process
• Meet Our Review Board
• Crisis Support

Top 10 Stress Management Techniques for Students

Elizabeth Scott, PhD is an author, workshop leader, educator, and award-winning blogger on stress management, positive psychology, relationships, and emotional wellbeing.

Akeem Marsh, MD, is a board-certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist who has dedicated his career to working with medically underserved communities.

Most students experience significant amounts of stress. This can significantly affect their health, happiness, relationships, and grades. Learning stress management techniques can help these students avoid negative effects in these areas.

Why Stress Management Is Important for Students

A study by the American Psychological Association (APA) found that teens report stress levels similar to adults. This means teens are experiencing significant levels of chronic stress and feel their stress levels generally exceed their ability to cope effectively .

Roughly 30% of the teens reported feeling overwhelmed, depressed, or sad because of their stress.

Stress can also affect health-related behaviors. Stressed students are more likely to have problems with disrupted sleep, poor diet, and lack of exercise. This is understandable given that nearly half of APA survey respondents reported completing three hours of homework per night in addition to their full day of school work and extracurriculars.

Common Causes of Student Stress

Another study found that much of high school students' stress originates from school and activities, and that this chronic stress can persist into college years and lead to academic disengagement and mental health problems.

Top Student Stressors

Common sources of student stress include:

• Extracurricular activities
• Social challenges
• Transitions (e.g., graduating, moving out , living independently)
• Relationships
• Pressure to succeed

High school students face the intense competitiveness of taking challenging courses, amassing impressive extracurriculars, studying and acing college placement tests, and deciding on important and life-changing plans for their future. At the same time, they have to navigate the social challenges inherent to the high school experience.

This stress continues if students decide to attend college. Stress is an unavoidable part of life, but research has found that increased daily stressors put college-aged young adults at a higher risk for stress than other age groups.

Making new friends, handling a more challenging workload, feeling pressured to succeed, being without parental support, and navigating the stresses of more independent living are all added challenges that make this transition more difficult. Romantic relationships always add an extra layer of potential stress.

Students often recognize that they need to relieve stress . However, all the activities and responsibilities that fill a student’s schedule sometimes make it difficult to find the time to try new stress relievers to help dissipate that stress.

10 Stress Management Techniques for Students

Here you will learn 10 stress management techniques for students. These options are relatively easy, quick, and relevant to a student’s life and types of stress .

Get Enough Sleep

Blend Images - Hill Street Studios / Brand X Pictures / Getty Images

Students, with their packed schedules, are notorious for missing sleep. Unfortunately, operating in a sleep-deprived state puts you at a distinct disadvantage. You’re less productive, may find it more difficult to learn, and may even be a hazard behind the wheel.

Research suggests that sleep deprivation and daytime sleepiness are also linked to impaired mood, higher risk for car accidents, lower grade point averages, worse learning, and a higher risk of academic failure.

Don't neglect your sleep schedule. Aim to get at least 8 hours a night and take power naps when needed.

Use Guided Imagery

David Malan / Getty Images

Guided imagery can also be a useful and effective tool to help stressed students cope with academic, social, and other stressors. Visualizations can help you calm down, detach from what’s stressing you, and reduce your body’s stress response.

You can use guided imagery to relax your body by sitting in a quiet, comfortable place, closing your eyes, and imagining a peaceful scene. Spend several minutes relaxing as you enjoy mentally basking in your restful image.

Consider trying a guided imagery app if you need extra help visualizing a scene and inducting a relaxation response. Research suggests that such tools might be an affordable and convenient way to reduce stress.

Exercise Regularly

One of the healthiest ways to blow off steam is to get regular exercise . Research has found that students who participate in regular physical activity report lower levels of perceived stress. While these students still grapple with the same social, academic, and life pressures as their less-active peers, these challenges feel less stressful and are easier to manage.

Finding time for exercise might be a challenge, but there are strategies that you can use to add more physical activity to your day. Some ideas that you might try include:

• Doing yoga in the morning
• Walking or biking to class
• Reviewing for tests with a friend while walking on a treadmill at the gym
• Taking an elective gym class focused on leisure sports or exercise
• Joining an intramural sport

Exercise can help buffer against the negative effects of student stress. Starting now and keeping a regular exercise practice throughout your lifetime can help you live longer and enjoy your life more.

Take Calming Breaths

When your body is experiencing a stress response, you’re often not thinking as clearly as you could be. You are also likely not breathing properly. You might be taking short, shallow breaths. When you breathe improperly, it upsets the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your body.

Studies suggest this imbalance can contribute to various physical symptoms, including increased anxiety, fatigue, stress, emotional problems, and panic attacks.

A quick way to calm down is to practice breathing exercises . These can be done virtually anywhere to relieve stress in minutes.

Because they are fast-acting, breathing exercises are a great way to cope with moments of acute stress , such as right before an exam or presentation. But they can also help manage longer-lasting stress such as dealing with relationships, work, or financial problems.

Practice Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR)

Another great stress management technique for students that can be used during tests, before bed, or at other times when stress has you physically wound up is progressive muscle relaxation ( PMR ).

This technique involves tensing and relaxing all muscles until the body is completely relaxed. With practice, you can learn to release stress from your body in seconds. This can be particularly helpful for students because it can be adapted to help relaxation efforts before sleep for a deeper sleep.

Once a person learns how to use PMR effectively, it can be a quick and handy way to induce relaxation in any stressful situation, such as bouts of momentary panic before a speech or exam, dealing with a disagreement with your roommate, or preparing to discuss a problem with your academic advisor.

Listen to Music

A convenient stress reliever that has also shown many cognitive benefits, music can help relieve stress and calm yourself down or stimulate your mind depending on what you need in the moment.

Research has found that playing upbeat music can improve processing speed and memory. Stressed students may find that listening to relaxing music can help calm the body and mind. One study found that students who listened to the sounds of relaxing music were able to recover more quickly after a stressful situation.

Students can harness the benefits of music by playing classical music while studying, playing upbeat music to "wake up" mentally, or relaxing with the help of their favorite slow melodies.

Build Your Support Network

Halfpoint Images / Getty Images

Having emotional support can help create a protective buffer against stress. Unfortunately,  interpersonal relationships can also sometimes be a source of anxiety for students. Changes in friendships, romantic breakups, and life transitions such as moving away for college can create significant upheaval and stress for students.

One way to combat feelings of loneliness and make sure that you have people to lean on in times of need is to expand your support network and nurture your relationships.

Look for opportunities to meet new people, whether it involves joining study groups or participating in other academic, social, and leisure activities.

Remember that different types of relationships offer differing types of support . Your relationships with teachers, counselors, and mentors can be a great source of information and resources that may help you academically. Relationships with friends can provide emotional and practical support.

Widening your social circle can combat student stress on various fronts and ensure you have what you need to succeed.

Eat a Healthy Diet

Niedring/Drentwett / Getty Images

You may not realize it, but your diet can either boost your brainpower or sap you of mental energy. It can also make you more reactive to the stress in your life. As a result, you might find yourself turning to high-sugar, high-fat snacks to provide a temporary sense of relief.

A healthy diet can help combat stress in several ways. Improving your diet can keep you from experiencing diet-related mood swings, light-headedness, and more.

Unfortunately, students are often prone to poor dietary habits. Feelings of stress can make it harder to stick to a consistently healthy diet, but other concerns such as finances, access to cooking facilities, and time to prepare healthy meals can make it more challenging for students.

Some tactics that can help students make healthy choices include:

• Eating regularly
• Carrying a water bottle to class
• Keeping healthy snacks such as fruits and nuts handy
• Limiting caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol intake

Find Ways to Minimize Stress

One way to improve your ability to manage student stress is to look for ways you cut stress out of your life altogether. Evaluate the things that are bringing stress or anxiety into your life. Are they necessary? Are they providing more benefits than the toll they take on your mental health? If the answer is no, sometimes the best option is just to ditch them altogether.

This might mean cutting some extracurricular activities out of your schedule. It might mean limiting your use of social media. Or it might mean learning to say no to requests for your time, energy, and resources. 

While it might be challenging at first, learning how to prioritize yourself and your mental well-being is an important step toward reducing your stress.

Try Mindfulness

When you find yourself dealing with stress—whether it's due to academics, relationships, financial pressures, or social challenges—becoming more aware of how you feel in the moment may help you respond more effectively.

Mindfulness involves becoming more aware of the present moment. Rather than judging, reacting, or avoiding problems, the goal is to focus on the present, become more aware of how you are feeling, observe your reactions, and accept these feelings without passing judgment on them.

Research suggests that mindfulness-based stress management practices can be a useful tool for reducing student stress. Such strategies may also help reduce feelings of anxiety and depression.

A Word From Verywell

It is important to remember that stress isn't the same for everyone. Figuring out what works for you may take some trial and error. A good start is to ensure that you are taking care of yourself physically and emotionally and to experiment with different stress relief strategies to figure out what works best to help you feel less stressed.

If stress and anxiety are causing distress or making it difficult to function in your daily life, it is important to seek help. Many schools offer resources that can help, including face-to-face and online mental health services. You might start by talking to your school counselor or student advisor about the stress you are coping with. You can also talk to a parent, another trusted adult, or your doctor.

If you or a loved one are struggling with anxiety, contact the  Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline  at 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.

For more mental health resources, see our  National Helpline Database .

American Psychological Association. Stress in America: Are Teens Adopting Adults' Stress Habits?

Leonard NR, Gwadz MV, Ritchie A, et al. A multi-method exploratory study of stress, coping, and substance use among high school youth in private schools . Front Psychol. 2015;6:1028. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01028

Acharya L, Jin L, Collins W. College life is stressful today - Emerging stressors and depressive symptoms in college students . J Am Coll Health . 2018;66(7):655-664. doi:10.1080/07448481.2018.1451869

Beiter R, Nash R, McCrady M, Rhoades D, Linscomb M, Clarahan M, Sammut S. The prevalence and correlates of depression, anxiety, and stress in a sample of college students . J Affect Disord . 2015;173:90-6. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2014.10.054

Hershner SD, Chervin RD. Causes and consequences of sleepiness among college students . Nat Sci Sleep . 2014;6:73-84. doi:10.2147/NSS.S62907

Gordon JS, Sbarra D, Armin J, Pace TWW, Gniady C, Barraza Y. Use of a guided imagery mobile app (See Me Serene) to reduce COVID-19-related stress: Pilot feasibility study . JMIR Form Res . 2021;5(10):e32353. doi:10.2196/32353

Cowley J, Kiely J, Collins D. Is there a link between self-perceived stress and physical activity levels in Scottish adolescents ? Int J Adolesc Med Health . 2017;31(1). doi:10.1515/ijamh-2016-0104

Paulus MP.  The breathing conundrum-interoceptive sensitivity and anxiety .  Depress Anxiety . 2013;30(4):315–320. doi:10.1002/da.22076

Toussaint L, Nguyen QA, Roettger C, Dixon K, Offenbächer M, Kohls N, Hirsch J, Sirois F. Effectiveness of progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing, and guided imagery in promoting psychological and physiological states of relaxation . Evid Based Complement Alternat Med . 2021;2021:5924040. doi:10.1155/2021/5924040.

Gold BP, Frank MJ, Bogert B, Brattico E.  Pleasurable music affects reinforcement learning according to the listener .  Front Psychol . 2013;4:541. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00541

Thoma MV, La Marca R, Brönnimann R, Finkel L, Ehlert U, Nater UM.  The effect of music on the human stress response .  PLoS ONE . 2013;8(8):e70156. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0070156

American Psychological Association. Manage stress: Strengthen your support network .

Nguyen-rodriguez ST, Unger JB, Spruijt-metz D.  Psychological determinants of emotional eating in adolescence.   Eat Disord . 2009;17(3):211-24. doi:10.1080/10640260902848543

Parsons D, Gardner P, Parry S, Smart S. Mindfulness-based approaches for managing stress, anxiety and depression for health students in tertiary education: A scoping review . Mindfulness (N Y) . 2022;13(1):1-16. doi:10.1007/s12671-021-01740-3

By Elizabeth Scott, PhD Elizabeth Scott, PhD is an author, workshop leader, educator, and award-winning blogger on stress management, positive psychology, relationships, and emotional wellbeing.

By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.

How to Deal With Homework Stress

For some, stress is an inevitable part of homework, and the education system in general. Sometimes, this stress can even transfer to the parent or adult tasked with assisting the child with their schoolwork. This particular type of stress may be more evident to some parents and students, as they might be more prone to developing it. It is important to deal not only the stress symptoms, but with the problem as well.

Homework stress can be harmful too, making students depressed, tired, and building negative feelings towards the whole concept of studying. This can, unfortunately, lead to tragic consequences, such as suicidal thoughts. Homework can stress students out for many reasons, the most prominent being the amount of assigned work, the degree of difficulty, and the expectations placed on them. These students are told that homework is incredibly important for not only their success in the school yea r, but in their eventual careers as well. The truth is that studying is essential, but it is only one of the factors that determine your success in school, and your pursuits thereafter. Generally, homework is not worth skipping sleep or meals, as doing this can have an effect on your physical and mental health.

Sometimes, stress due to homework can transfer to the adult family life of people who have not opened textbooks for years, whose new duty in life is to help their children with their own homework, and that can get stressful as well. Parents can become outraged because homework from their kids’ math class makes no sense, or a science project just can’t be put together, no matter how hard they try. Some parents can become more devastated than their kids when it comes to homework. The amount of stress a twelfth-grade student trying to write a 600-word essay on the book he or she never read can be overwhelming. Especially if the due day is tomorrow, and there are only 10 hours before the class.

Though there is no guaranteed way to completely rid yourself of stress, there are ways of overcoming some aspects of homework induced stress. Read on for some tips on stress management, and find a solution that works for you.

Time Management

Good time management may not solve all of your problems, but it can go a long way when dealing with homework related stress. Scheduling homework might sound minor, but it can help those who have trouble remembering their assignments and due dates. Most homework induced stress starts from missing deadlines and feeling rushed while working on assignments. Keeping track of the time spent on individual tasks, as well as keeping a timeline of when assignments are due may help ease your stress.

Use a Clean Workspace

Before you begin working on an assignment, ensure there are no potential distractions in your workspace. It could be a phone, clutter on the desk, toys, or anything else that could take your time and mind away from the task to hand. It is proven that loud noise, splashes of color, and cluttered space causes more stress, therefore decluttering table may help you to concentrate.

Ask for Help

Don’t hesitate to ask professor question about assignments. Sometimes stress is caused by the fact that the task is too difficult, and hard for you to understand. Getting some extra assistance from your professor may help you better understand the topic and further your ability to complete the project. Most professors are willing to help – it’s their job, after all – and they can explain the parts of the assignment that are difficult for you.

Don’t forget to rest when you start to feel overwhelmed. Mental and physical exhaustion is a common side effect of stress, and it is important to deal with it when it comes up. Great ways of resting include taking a nap, going on a walk, dancing, cooking a nice and nutritious meal, exercising, and spending some time on a hobby. While resting from homework, avoid spending all the time on your phone or computer, it is best to do something active and interactive.

Talk it Out

Talk to someone you trust about the stress you’re feeling. Sometimes, you just need a little bit of support to feel better, and discussing homework stress with your parents, relatives, or friends could be very therapeutic and helpful. Talking about your feelings is an excellent way of dealing with any kind of stress, not just homework induced.

In the face of all this stress, it is important to remember to stay calm. Stressing about each individual assignment is not healthy, and can be harmful to your mental health. Though achieving perfect grades through college is indeed possible, it may not be worth it if you are putting your mental and physical health in danger. Focus on creating realistic and tangible goals for yourself, and remember that one grade does not define your future.

These are just some of the many ways of how you can deal with  homework stress . The fact is that for some, stress still will always be a part of the studying process. All that can be done is to find tactics to deal with this stress that work for you. If you can manage this, you may find your workload less stressful, and you may actually enjoy your work!

For more great topics related to all things college, check out the other blogs at College Basics.

You may also like

8 Differences Between Aussie and American Schools

Top 5 Most Difficult IB (International Baccalaureate) Subjects

8 Reasons Why You Should Study Accounting Degrees

8 Best Essay Writing Services According to Reddit and Quora

6 Unique Tips for Writing a Brilliant Motivational Essay

6 Qualities You Should Always Watch Out For in a Good Roommate

About the author.

CB Community

Passionate members of the College Basics community that include students, essay writers, consultants and beyond. Please note, while community content has passed our editorial guidelines, we do not endorse any product or service contained in these articles which may also include links for which College Basics is compensated.

• Services for education institutions
• Academic subject areas
• Peer connection
• Evidence of Studiosity impact
• Case studies from our partners
• Surveys and public policy
• The Tracey Bretag Integrity Prize
• The Studiosity Symposium
• Studiosity for English learners
• Video case studies
• Meet the online team

Academic Advisory Board

Meet the board.

• Social responsibility
• Meet the team
• Join the team

10 Ways To Avoid A Homework Meltdown

Sophia Gardner

Apr 11, 2016

Homework can often feel like an overwhelming, never-ending pile of stress. Homework stress can cause frustration and anxiety and ultimately prevent you from achieving your best results.

However, this feeling of not being in control can be avoided by simply adjusting your study habits. Homework and study can actually be a rewarding, satisfying experience if done in an organised and efficient way. Here are some tips on how to achieve that. 

1. Practise good time management

Time management is key to avoiding homework stress. Plotting out the time you need to complete your homework or assignment can quickly make what seems like an overwhelming task much less stressful to approach.

• Set aside a certain amount of time each day to work on your homework, and choose a time that sits you. You may prefer early in the morning before school, or maybe you’re fresher when you get home from school in the afternoon.
• Use a calendar or school planner to plot out your work. List important dates, when things are due and when you have exams. This will help you have a good visual of things you need to work towards.
• Allow enough time to complete your work . Making sure you give yourself enough time to complete your work is crucial in avoiding a meltdown. Be realistic. Estimate how long you think it will take each day to complete your homework, and allow plenty of time for bigger projects and assignments.

2. Ask questions

One of the biggest causes of homework stress is not understanding the question, or how to solve the problem at hand. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and clarify what you need to do. Whether it be a question on how to solve a tricky trigonometry problem or how to structure your essay, no question is a silly question. Try asking your teachers, your parents, a friend or an online Subject Specialist for help.

3. Listen to your teacher and take notes

It sounds simple, but it’s something that many students struggle with. Pay attention and write down important terms and ideas in the classroom. You will find this helps organise your thoughts and remember key information, which will make homework time much more of a breeze.

4. Allow more time for areas you find difficult

Take a practice test or write a practice essay and focus on the areas you find the hardest. The more you practise, the less stressful it will be when the time comes to sit the exam or hand in your assignment.

5. Refresh your memory regularly

Every afternoon, or at least every couple of days, go over what you’ve learnt from previous lessons. If you find that you don’t have the basic knowledge to tackle more difficult subjects go over this more frequently -  this will help you build up your confidence in those areas.

6. Get a good night’s sleep

It may sound obvious, but it’s easy to suffer from sleep deprivation when you are feeling stressed about homework. Research suggests that kids and teens need around 9-10 hours sleep a night.  This will significantly help focus, memory, decision making and creativity, all of which are important inside and outside of the classroom.

7. Avoid procrastination

Procrastination could well be the biggest factor responsible for homework stress. You’d be surprised at how much time you can waste by putting off what you need to do until you’ve checked out your Facebook page or listened to your favourite song! Let these be rewards for once your work is actually done.

8. Have a healthy snack

There is a proven link between what we eat and how well our brain functions. Memory, learning ability and emotional states are affected by what we put into our bodies, and to perform our best we need a healthy diet. (Check out some  delicious and healthy snack recipes here )

9. Remember to breathe

If you’re starting to feel anxious or overwhelmed by your work, take five deep breaths and give yourself a moment of calm. Deep breathing will help control your nervous system and encourage your body to relax, bringing you into a better state to concentrate on your study.

10. Give yourself some ‘me’ time

While it’s important that you manage your time and work efficiently, you are going to be much more productive if you are feeling fresh and have had some time to do things you enjoy doing. It might be going for a walk or a swim, hanging out with some friends on the weekend, or perhaps it’s playing sport? Whatever it may be, make sure you have that balance. A healthy, happy mind equals better study time.

If you'd like to run any questions or ideas by one of our expert Subject Specialists, we're always here to help.

Topics: Students , Homework , Study , Assignment Help

Subscribe to our newsletter

When you want to check you’re on the right track, Studiosity is fast feedback.

Recent Posts

Posts by topic.

• Students (94)
• Higher education (56)
• Student Experience (45)
• University (45)
• Education (42)
• online study (34)
• Learning (28)
• Tertiary education (28)
• Educators (27)
• Parents (24)
• Research (24)
• English (19)
• High School (19)
• Interview (18)
• Technology (18)
• Writing (16)
• students first (16)
• Homework (13)
• Literacy (13)
• Assignment Help (12)
• Education policy (12)
• Formative feedback (12)
• student wellbeing (12)
• Learning trends (11)
• Student stories (11)
• academic integrity (11)
• Events (10)
• covid19 (10)
• international student (10)
• Academic Advisory Board (9)
• Health and Wellbeing (9)
• Studiosity (9)
• Teaching (9)
• Australia (8)
• Secondary education (8)
• Student satisfaction (8)
• Equality (7)
• Podcast (7)
• Science (7)
• Student retention (7)
• staff wellbeing (7)
• Online Tutoring (6)
• UK students (6)
• online learning (6)
• CanHigherEd (5)
• UK Higher Education (5)
• Workload (5)
• academic services (5)
• CVs and cover letters (4)
• Internet (4)
• Mathematics (4)
• Partnerships (4)
• School holidays (4)
• Student performance (4)
• Student support (4)
• Widening Participation (4)
• belonging (4)
• #InthisTogether (3)
• Grammar (3)
• University of Exeter (3)
• Charity (2)
• Government (2)
• Mentors (2)
• Primary education (2)
• Subject Specialists (2)
• accessibility (2)
• community (2)
• diversity (2)
• plagiarism prevention (2)
• student stress (2)
• student success (2)
• teaching & learning (2)
• webinar (2)
• Biology (1)
• Careers (1)
• Chemistry (1)
• EU students (1)
• First years (1)
• Indigenous Strategy (1)
• Nutrition (1)
• Teacher (1)
• business schools (1)
• choice of language (1)
• dyslexia (1)
• job help (1)
• library services (1)
• podcasts (1)
• reflection (1)
• university of west of england (1)
• July 2015 (13)
• March 2020 (11)
• June 2020 (10)
• April 2020 (8)
• July 2020 (8)
• September 2020 (8)
• March 2015 (7)
• April 2015 (7)
• October 2019 (7)
• May 2018 (6)
• April 2019 (6)
• May 2020 (6)
• September 2022 (6)
• June 2015 (5)
• August 2015 (5)
• December 2017 (5)
• March 2018 (5)
• February 2020 (5)
• March 2021 (5)
• June 2021 (5)
• May 2015 (4)
• September 2015 (4)
• January 2016 (4)
• July 2016 (4)
• August 2016 (4)
• March 2017 (4)
• October 2017 (4)
• February 2018 (4)
• August 2018 (4)
• May 2019 (4)
• July 2019 (4)
• August 2019 (4)
• October 2020 (4)
• February 2015 (3)
• December 2015 (3)
• April 2016 (3)
• October 2016 (3)
• December 2016 (3)
• April 2017 (3)
• September 2017 (3)
• April 2018 (3)
• October 2018 (3)
• March 2019 (3)
• January 2020 (3)
• November 2020 (3)
• June 2022 (3)
• October 2022 (3)
• November 2022 (3)
• March 2016 (2)
• May 2016 (2)
• July 2017 (2)
• January 2018 (2)
• November 2018 (2)
• December 2018 (2)
• January 2019 (2)
• February 2019 (2)
• June 2019 (2)
• September 2019 (2)
• November 2019 (2)
• January 2021 (2)
• February 2021 (2)
• April 2021 (2)
• May 2021 (2)
• August 2021 (2)
• September 2021 (2)
• December 2021 (2)
• August 2022 (2)
• February 2023 (2)
• March 2023 (2)
• May 2023 (2)
• August 2023 (2)
• October 2008 (1)
• January 2009 (1)
• June 2011 (1)
• October 2011 (1)
• August 2013 (1)
• October 2015 (1)
• February 2016 (1)
• June 2016 (1)
• September 2016 (1)
• November 2016 (1)
• January 2017 (1)
• May 2017 (1)
• June 2017 (1)
• August 2017 (1)
• November 2017 (1)
• June 2018 (1)
• September 2018 (1)
• December 2019 (1)
• August 2020 (1)
• December 2020 (1)
• February 2022 (1)
• March 2022 (1)
• July 2022 (1)
• December 2022 (1)
• January 2023 (1)
• June 2023 (1)
• July 2023 (1)

    ABN 41 114 279 668

Student zone, assignment calculator, calendars and organisers, study survival guides, free practice tests, student faqs, download our mobile app, student sign in, success stories.

Student Reviews & Testimonials

Partner Resources

Teacher Hub

Specialist Sign In

Meet our specialists

Meet the team, media and research, subscribe to our newsletter, student reviews.

Read more on Google

Studiosity acknowledges the Traditional Indigenous Custodians of country throughout Australia, and all lands where we work, and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters, and culture. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.

Contact  •  (02) 9906 2700  •  FAQ  •  Privacy  • Accessibility •  Acceptable Use  •  Terms of Use Education Policies  • Academic Integrity Policy

Because differences are our greatest strength

Homework challenges and strategies

By Amanda Morin

Expert reviewed by Jim Rein, MA

At a glance

Kids can struggle with homework for lots of reasons.

Homework challenges include things like rushing through assignments and trouble with time management.

Once you understand a homework challenge, it’s easier to find solutions.

Most kids struggle with homework from time to time. But some kids struggle more than others. Understanding the challenges kids face can help you defuse homework battles before they start.

Here are some common homework challenges, along with homework strategies and tips to help.

The challenge: Rushing through homework

All kids rush through homework sometimes. They may want to get it over with so they can do something more fun. But for some kids, rushing can be an ongoing challenge.

From finding the work boring to simply being fatigued after a long day at school, there are many reasons kids may rush through homework . And that can lead to messy or incorrect homework. Sometimes, rushing can even cause kids to miss parts of assignments.

Explore topics selected by our experts

How you can help: Some kids rush because they don’t like doing repetitive work. For these kids, you may want to try mixing things up.

Teacher tip: Switch the order of homework .

Try having kids approach the material in a different way. If vocabulary words are a challenge, try using them in everyday conversation. You can also use household items to illustrate math problems in a fun way.

There are other ways to help, too. Get tips for helping grade-schoolers , middle-schoolers , or high-schoolers slow down on assignments.

The challenge: Taking notes

Note-taking isn’t an easy skill for kids to master. Some kids struggle with writing and organization . For others, it may be hard to read text and take notes at the same time.

How you can help: There are several note-taking apps kids can use. It can also help to teach note-taking strategies . For example, there are specific note-taking techniques for kids with slow processing speed .

Watch this video to see three powerful note-taking strategies in action.

The challenge: Managing time and staying organized

Some kids struggle with keeping track of or budgeting their time. They may also struggle to break down a big project into smaller chunks , or make a plan for getting all their schoolwork done.

How you can help: There are a couple of simple ways you can help with organization and time management.

Create a homework schedule. A homework schedule can help kids set a specific time and place for studying. Find a time of day when they concentrate best and when you’re available to help. Choose a time when neither of you are in a hurry to get somewhere else. Also think about creating a designated homework space or homework station . Once you have a set time and place, show kids how to “chunk” homework with breaks in between.

Use checklists. There’s something very rewarding about crossing a task off a checklist. Kids can learn how good that feels by using a checklist to keep track of schoolwork. All they need is a small pad of paper to list daily assignments on. As each one is completed, they can cross it off the list.

How to color-code school supplies

Create a color-coding system . Using colored dot stickers, highlighters, and colored folders and notebooks is a great (and inexpensive) way to keep organized.

Use a homework timer. A timer can help keep homework on track and give kids a better sense of time. There are many types of timers to choose from. For instance, if a child is distracted by sounds, a ticking kitchen timer may not be the ideal choice. Instead, try an hourglass timer or one that vibrates. There are also homework timer apps you can program for each subject. (Don’t forget that your phone probably has a built-in timer, too.)

The challenge: Studying effectively

Developing good study skills can be a challenge. Most kids need to be taught how to study effectively, or they may spin their wheels without getting much done.

How you can help: Kids need to find out what works best for them based on how they learn . You can start early by working on good study habits in grade school .

As kids gets older, learning study strategies can reduce stress about school and improve grades. Keep in mind that in middle school and high school, kids have to study more. You’ll have to decide how much (or how little) to supervise or be involved with homework .

Explore more tips for helping teens develop good study habits .

The challenge: Recalling information

Some kids study for hours but still have trouble retaining information. When it comes time for the test, it may seem like they haven’t done their homework.

These challenges can be caused by trouble with something called working memory . But it can also be an issue of inattention — they aren’t able to tune out the unimportant stuff. Read an in-depth expert explanation about why some kids can’t remember what they’ve studied .

How you can help: Make sure kids study in a medium that’s a good fit. For example, some kids have a hard time processing and understanding verbal or written information. They may be better at remembering visual information, like maps or graphs.

That’s why it can help to present information in a way that engages multiple senses . Discover multisensory techniques to try at home. You can also explore working memory boosters and “muscle memory” exercises .

The challenge: Learning independently

It’s important for kids to know how to ask for help when they need it. But they also need to learn how to become independent learners. Eventually, kids will have to do homework without your help.

How you can help: Help kids set realistic goals and encourage “thinking out loud.” Try using a homework contract . And learn more ways to help grade-schoolers and tweens and teens be more independent learners.

Helping kids work through homework challenges can be tricky. But in the end, it helps them be more independent and confident students.

Sometimes, though, homework challenges don’t go away, despite your best efforts. In this case, consider asking for help. Look for signs kids may have too much homework , and learn how to talk with teachers about concerns . You can also learn about different tutoring options .

Key takeaways

Eventually, kids have to learn how to do homework on their own.

Try tailoring homework strategies to kids’ specific challenges and strengths.

If homework continues to be a challenge, look for signs there's too much or talk with the teacher.

About the author

Amanda Morin is the author of “The Everything Parent’s Guide to Special Education” and the former director of thought leadership at Understood. As an expert and writer, she helped build Understood from its earliest days. 

Reviewed by

Jim Rein, MA has lectured on postsecondary options and summer programs for kids and young adults with learning and thinking differences.

Explore related topics

Tell us what interests you, discover what’s possible when you’re understood..

We’ll email you our most helpful stories and resources.

Wunder The first community app for parents and caregivers of children who learn and think differently.

Available on Android and iOS

Copyright © 2014- 2023 Understood For All Inc.

• Stress & Anxiety
• Health & Wellness

Stress & Anxiety | Written by:  Keely

The Truth About Homework Stress: What Parents & Students Need to Know

Homework is generally given out to ensure that students take time to review and remember the days lessons. It can help improve on a student’s general performance and enhance traits like self-discipline and independent problem solving.

Parents are able to see what their children are doing in school, while also helping teachers determine how well the lesson material is being learned. Homework is quite beneficial when used the right way and can improve student  performance.

This well intentioned practice can turn sour if it’s not handled the right way. Studies show that if a student is inundated with too much homework, not only do they get lower scores, but they are more likely to get stressed.

The age at which homework stress is affecting students is getting lower, some even as low as kindergarten. Makes you wonder what could a five year old possibly need to review as homework?

One of the speculated reasons for this stress is that the complexity of what a student is expected to learn is increasing, while the breaks for working out excess energy are reduced. Students are getting significantly more homework than recommended by the education leaders, some even nearly three times more.

To make matters worse, teachers may give homework that is both time consuming and will keep students busy while being totally non-productive.

Remedial work like telling students to copy notes word for word from their text books will  do nothing to improve their grades or help them progress. It just adds unnecessary stress.

Effects of homework stress at home

Both parents and students tend to get stressed out at the beginning of a new school year due to the impending arrival of homework.

Nightly battles centered on finishing assignments are a household routine in houses with students.

Research has found that too much homework can negatively affect children. In creating a lack of balance between play time and time spent doing homework, a child can get headaches, sleep deprivation or even ulcers.

And homework stress doesn’t just impact grade schoolers. College students are also affected, and the stress is affecting their academic performance.

Even the parent’s confidence in their abilities to help their children with homework suffers due increasing stress levels in the household.

Fights and conflict over homework are more likely in families where parents do not have at least a college degree. When the child needs assistance, they have to turn to their older siblings who might already be bombarded with their own homework.

Parents who have a college degree feel more confident in approaching the school and discussing the appropriate amount of school work.

“It seems that homework being assigned discriminates against parents who don’t have college degree, parents who have English as their second language and against parents who are poor.” Said Stephanie Donaldson Pressman, the contributing editor of the study and clinical director of the New England Center for Pediatric Psychology.

With all the stress associated with homework, it’s not surprising that some parents have opted not to let their children do homework. Parents that have instituted a no-homework policy have stated that it has taken a lot of the stress out of their evenings.

The recommended amount homework

The standard endorsed by the National Education Association is called the “10 minute rule”; 10 minutes per grade level per night. This recommendation was made after a number of studies were done on the effects of too much homework on families.

The 10 minute rule basically means 10 minutes of homework in the first grade, 20 minute for the second grade all the way up to 120 minutes for senior year in high school. Note that no homework is endorsed in classes under the first grade.

Parents reported first graders were spending around half an hour on homework each night, and kindergarteners spent 25 minutes a night on assignments according to a study carried out by Brown University.

Making a five year old sit still for half an hour is very difficult as they are at the age where they just want to move around and play.

A child who is exposed to 4-5 hours of homework after school is less likely to find the time to go out and play with their friends, which leads to accumulation of stress energy in the body.

Their social life also suffers because between the time spent at school and doing homework, a child will hardly have the time to pursue hobbies. They may also develop a negative attitude towards learning.

The research highlighted that 56% of students consider homework a primary source of stress.

And if you’re curious how the U.S stacks up against other countries in regards to how much time children spend on homework, it’s pretty high on the list .

Signs to look out for on a student that has homework stress

Since not every student is affected by homework stress in the same way, it’s important to be aware of some of the signs your child might be mentally drained from too much homework.

Here are some common signs of homework stress:

• Sleep disturbances
• Frequent stomachaches and headaches
• Decreased appetite or changed eating habits
• New or recurring fears
• Not able to relax
• Regressing to behavior they had when younger
• Bursts of anger crying or whining
• Becoming withdrawn while others may become clingy
• Drastic changes in academic performance
• Having trouble concentrating or completing homework
• Constantly complains about their ability to do homework

If you’re a parent and notice any of these signs in your child, step in to find out what’s going on and if homework is the source of their stress.

If you’re a student, pay attention if you start experiencing any of these symptoms as a result of your homework load. Don’t be afraid to ask your teacher or parents for help if the stress of homework becomes too much for you.

What parents do wrong when it comes to homework stress

Most parents push their children to do more and be more, without considering the damage being done by this kind of pressure.

Some think that homework brought home is always something the children can deal with on their own. If the child cannot handle their homework then these parents get angry and make the child feel stupid.

This may lead to more arguing and increased dislike of homework in the household. Ultimately the child develops an even worse attitude towards homework.

Another common mistake parents make is never questioning the amount of homework their children get, or how much time they spend on it. It’s easy to just assume whatever the teacher assigned is adequate, but as we mentioned earlier, that’s not always the case.

Be proactive and involved with your child’s homework. If you notice they’re spending hours every night on homework, ask them about it. Just because they don’t complain doesn’t mean there isn’t a problem.

How can parents help?

• While every parent wants their child to become successful and achieve the very best, it’s important to pull back on the mounting pressure and remember that they’re still just kids. They need time out to release their stress and connect with other children.
• Many children may be afraid to admit that they’re overwhelmed by homework because they might be misconstrued as failures. The best thing a parent can do is make home a safe place for children to express themselves freely. You can do this by lending a listening ear and not judging your kids.
• Parents can also take the initiative to let the school know that they’re unhappy with the amount of homework being given. Even if you don’t feel comfortable complaining, you can approach the school through the parent-teacher association available and request your representative to plead your case.
• It may not be all the subjects that are causing your child to get stressed. Parents should find out if there is a specific subject of homework that is causing stress. You could also consult with other parents to see what they can do to fix the situation. It may be the amount or the content that causes stress, so the first step is identifying the problem.
• Work with your child to create a schedule for getting homework done on time. You can set a specific period of time for homework, and schedule time for other activities too. Strike a balance between work and play.
• Understanding that your child is stressed about homework doesn’t mean you have to allow them not to try. Let them sit down and work on it as much as they’re able to, and recruit help from the older siblings or a neighbor if possible.
• Check out these resources to help your child with their homework .

The main idea here is to not abolish homework completely, but to review the amount and quality of homework being given out. Stress, depression and lower grades are the last things parents want for their children.

The schools and parents need to work together to find a solution to this obvious problem.

Related Posts

What is Primal Scream Therapy & How to Do It

How to overcome driving stress & anxiety, how to relax before a date, how to let go of grudges (and why you should), how to say no without hurting someone’s feelings, how to stop living in the past & embrace the present.

• Child Program
• Adult Program
• At-Home Program

Take the Quiz

• Find a Center
• Personalized Plans
• International Families
• Learning Disorders
• Processing Disorders
• Oppositional Defiant Disorder
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Behavioral Issues
• Struggling Kids
• How It Works

Homework Anxiety Explained

Sometimes kids dread homework because they'd rather be outside playing when they're not at school. But, sometimes a child's resistance to homework is more intense than a typical desire to be having fun, and it can be actually be labeled as homework anxiety: a legitimate condition suffered by some students who feel intense feelings of fear and dread when it comes to doing homework. Read on to learn about what homework anxiety is and whether your child may be suffering from it.

What is Homework Anxiety?

Homework anxiety is a condition in which students stress about and fear homework, often causing them to put homework off until later . It is a self-exacerbating condition because the longer the student puts off the homework, the more anxiety they feel about it, and the more pressure they experience to finish the work with less time. Homework anxiety can cripple some kids who are perfectly capable of doing the work, causing unfinished assignments and grades that slip.

What Causes Homework Anxiety?

There are many causes of homework anxiety, and there can be multiple factors spurring feelings of fear and stress. Some common causes of homework anxiety include:

• Other anxiety issues: Students who tend to suffer anxiety and worry, in general, can begin to associate anxiety with their homework, as well.
• Fear of testing: Often, homework is associated with upcoming tests and quizzes, which affect grades. Students can feel pressure related to being "graded" and avoid homework since it feels weighty and important.
• General school struggle: When students are struggling in school or with grades, they may feel a sense of anxiety about learning and school in general.
• Lack of support: Without a parent, sibling, tutor, or other help at home, students may feel that they won't have the necessary support to complete an assignment.
• Perfectionism: Students who want to perform perfectly in school may get anxious about completing a homework assignment perfectly and, in turn, procrastinate.

Basic Tips for Helping with Homework Anxiety

To help your child with homework anxiety, there are a few basic tips to try. Set time limits for homework, so that students know there is a certain time of the day when they must start and finish assignments. This helps them avoid putting off homework until it feels too rushed and pressured. Make sure your student has support available when doing their work, so they know they'll be able to ask for help if needed. Teaching your child general tips to deal with anxiety can also help, like deep breathing, getting out to take a short walk, or quieting racing thoughts in their mind to help them focus.

How can the Brain Balance Program Help with Homework Anxiety?

Extensive scientific research demonstrates that the brain is malleable, allowing for brain connectivity change and development and creating an opportunity for improvement at any age. Brain Balance has applied this research to develop a program that focuses on building brain connectivity and improving the foundation of development, rather than masking or coping with symptoms.

If you have a child or a teenager who struggles with homework anxiety, an assessment can help to identify key areas for improvement and create an action plan for you and your child. To get started, take our quick, free online assessment by clicking the link below. 

Get started with a plan for your child today.

Related posts, how to help your child build better focus | brain balance.

School may be out for the summer, but now is the perfect time to develop some critical skills that […]

Parenting Challenging Behaviors | Brain Balance

Shelia and Josh have three kids; two, six, and eleven. By all external standards, they are […]

The Science Behind Focus and Distraction | Brain Balance

Focus. Ignore your brother so you can finish your work. Pay attention. Are you listening? How can […]

Call us at 800.877.5500

Webinar Sign Up

• Search Search
• Degrees and Majors/Minors
• Degree Plans
• Academic Resources
• Commencement
• Dean’s List
• Institutional Accreditation
• Instructions for Using MyWP
• Learning Communities
• Modes of Study
• Register for an Exam
• Transcript Request
• Apply & Admission Requirements
• Admissions Next Steps Checklist
• Financial Aid
• Net Price Calculator
• WPU Scholarships
• Transfer Students
• Tuition and Fees
• Support WPU Athletics
• Office of Advancement
• Alumni Association Members
• Alumni Events
• Distinguished Alumni Awards
• Host Your Event
• Join the Alumni Association
• Career Services
• Diversity & Inclusion
• Faith & Spirituality
• Get Involved
• Health & Wellness
• Residence Life
• Service Learning
• Study Abroad
• Support Services
• Office of the President
• Speaker Request
• Consumer Information
• Mission & Vision
• Our History
• The President’s Cabinet
• Quick Facts
• Ways to Give

5 Tips for Dealing with “Too Much” Homework

In the case of unreasonable “commitments,” you’re procrastinating doing your homework, but of course, there are people who genuinely are overwhelmed by their homework. With that in mind, how do you manage your time to get it all done? The following are five tips for any student (current or prospective) who’s struggling with getting their workload completed on time.

1. Don’t be a perfectionist

There’s an old principle of Pareto’s that’s been adapted to business (specifically management) called the 80-20 rule. The idea is that 80% of your results, come from 20% of your efforts. Think about that. When you tackle an assignment for school, are you trying to make everything perfect? Remember that you’re a student, no one is expecting you to be perfect, you’re in school to get better; you’re supposed to be a work in progress.

As a result, what may feel like “too much” homework, might really be you tackling assignments “too well.” For instance, there’s a reason “speed reading” is a skill that’s encouraged. A textbook is not a work of literature where every sentence means something, it’s okay to skim or, in some cases, skip whole paragraphs – the last paragraph just recaps what you read anyway.

Moreover, many schools or classes curve their grades. So an 80% could be a 100% in your class.

2. Do your homework as soon as it’s assigned to you

Due to the nature of college schedules, students often have classes MWF and different classes on Tuesday and Thursday. As a result, they do their MWF homework on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday in preparation for the following day. Rather than do that. Do your Monday homework, Monday; Tuesday homework, Tuesday; Wednesday homework, Wednesday and so on.

The reason for this is manifold. First of all, the class and the assignment are fresh in your mind – this is especially critical for anything math related to those who are less math-minded. So do the assignment after the class. Chances are, it’ll be much easier to complete.

The second reason is because if you have a question about Monday’s homework and you’re working on it on Monday night, then guess what? You can contact your professor (or a friend) Tuesday for help or clarification. Whereas if you’re completing Monday’s homework on a Tuesday night, you’re out of luck. This can assuage a lot of the stress that comes from too much homework.

This flows into the third reason which is that, rather than having a chunk of homework to do the day before its due, you’re doing a little at a time frequently. This is a basic time management tactic where, if you finish tasks as they’re assigned instead of letting them pile up, you avoid that mental blockade of feeling like there’s “too much” for you to do in the finite amount of time given.

3. Eliminate distractions

All too often, students sit down to do homework and then receive a text, and then another, and then hop on Facebook, and then comment on something, and then take a break. Before they’re aware of it, hours have passed.

The best way to overcome this is to create a workspace. Traditionally, many students go to the library, but there’s no reason you cannot create your own workspace elsewhere. Maybe head to a coffee shop, fold up the backseats of your car, or develop a space in your room for you to specifically to focus on your homework.

If you give your homework 100% of your attention, it’ll pass by more quickly. Regardless of whether you’re writing a paper or working on a math equation, it’s harder to complete any portion of it with interruptions. If you stop writing mid-sentence to answer a text, then you may wonder where you were taking that trail of thought; if you stop a math problem midway through, then you’ll end up going back over the equation, redoing your work, to figure it out.

Eliminating distractions can save you a great deal of time, so find your space.

4. Track your time

Really track it. There are plenty of free sites and apps that will monitor your time. If you can’t (or don’t) eliminate all your distractions, then start clocking where your time is going. Chances are, you’ll be able to cut something that’s draining your hours, out of your schedule.

This is the nature of the internet, social media sites, and games on your phone, usually you use them in micromoments; moments that too small or too insignificant to really be eating up your time, but they do. All too often, students find themselves wondering “where did the time go?” and have difficulty actually placing how much time was spent where or doing what. Time yourself and, more importantly, reserve time to do your homework or reading.

The other benefit of this is that once you start tracking your time, you’ll be able to quantify the problem and manage your time more appropriately. For instance, if a particular class averages 45 minutes of homework, then you know how much time is required to budget into your schedule. Meanwhile, if another class is regularly exceeding three hours, then you may want to consider a tutor or discussing the issue with your professor directly.

5. Accept homework

Homework is a responsibility; it’s a chore. And in the same way that many people don’t take out the trash until it needs to be taken out; many people don’t start homework until it needs to be finished. This is a problem of attitude towards homework more than anything else.

It’s what makes many students feel like there’s “too much” homework, when in actuality, they feel that way because they put off doing it until they absolutely need to do it. As a result, try to change your mode of thinking. Instead of thinking about the volume of reading and writing, accept that it needs to get done. This way, you’re less concerned with the consequences of not doing homework, and more willing to actually get it done.

Hopefully, these five tips will help you in your academic career. Time management is not an easy skill to learn, but once you’ve established it in your life, it will help immensely.

Recent Posts

• August President’s Message
• WPU Receives Federal Recognition as Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution
• Bridging Dreams and Cultures: Pacific International Academy’s Transformative Journey at WPU
• From Community College to Conquering Challenges: Cole Dorman’s ’23 Journey of Education, Faith, and Success at Warner Pacific University
• In His Own Words: Juan Navarrete Describes His Experience as a Resident Assistant at WPU
• Warner Pacific’s Business Division Embarks on a New Academic Year with Exciting Updates and Offerings
• Empowering Entrepreneurs for Christ: Unveiling WPU’s New Program in Collaboration with Joseph Business School
• Immersing Kids in Campus Life: Coding with Kids Camps Thrive at Kardatzke Hall

Put a stop to deadline pressure, and have your homework done by an expert.

Homework Causing Stress? Learn To Manage It!

We’ve heard many of our readers complaining about homework causing stress. But can homework cause stress? And if it can, how can you manage it? In this article, we will see whether homework can really cause you significant stress and some ways to deal with this stress. These findings are supported by relevant homework stress facts, most of them coming from scientific studies. You will also learn some very important things about homework procrastination and about how to avoid procrastinating. Read on to learn how you can improve your life and your grades in no time!

Is Your Homework Causing Stress?

Let’s start with the problem of homework causing stress. You’ve surely heard that too much homework causes stress. And it really is true. But how does homework cause stress? Studies have shown that the more school assignments you have to work on at a given time, the more stressed you are. There is even such a thing as homework anxiety disorder, where students are afraid of homework. People affected by this condition will procrastinate as long as they can and as often as they can.

Of course, the results are most often disastrous. As you surely know, not submitting your homework on time or not doing your homework at all will result in a low grade, which will affect your GPA. Some of our readers have even failed some classes due to high school or college stress . Let’s take a closer look at what science has to say about the link between homework and stress.

Relevant Homework Stress Statistics

Although you may not know how homework causes stress yet, some statistics will surely help you realize the link between the two. Here are some relevant homework stress statistics that you absolutely need to know to be able to manage the stress:

• 56 percent of the respondents of a Stanford study have indicated that homework is a primary source of stress.
• In the same study, many of the respondents wrote that homework related stress resulted in sleep deprivation and even some other health problems.
• Survey data and open-ended answers clearly indicate that the homework load results in less free time to spend with friends and family. It also negatively affects extracurricular pursuits.
• Too much homework can cause students to burn out. When this happens, they are a lot less productive and often stop working on the school assignments altogether. They tend to rely on their parents or an experienced academic writer for help.
• How much stress does homework cause? Studies show that working on your homework for more than two hours per night causes enough stress to keep you awake all night.
• Does homework cause anxiety? Yes, according to several studies. Some students have started to fear homework, which led to them failing certain classes. Homework anxiety is a real thing.

Ways to Deal With Homework Stress

Is homework causing stress? Yes, it most definitely does. However, you can manage this homework stress. And the good news is that it isn’t as difficult as you think. To get rid of homework anxiety and stress related to homework, you need to take a few easy steps and make a couple of simple changes in your life:

Stress and homework are linked, so you need to learn how to organize your time better. Split large projects into manageable parts and focus on just one part at a time. Don’t do your homework during the night. It’s counterproductive. You should sleep and work on your school chores in the morning, when you have the most energy. Find a quiet place to study and don’t use your phone, tablet or computer while working on your homework (except for gathering information from the Internet). Don’t procrastinate homework. The longer you postpone writing that difficult research paper, the more stressed you will be when you eventually get to it. The deadline is in one or two days and you have no idea where to even start.

How to Not Procrastinate Homework

The last item on the list was about procrastination. We want to discuss this in a bit more detail. You should learn how to not procrastinate homework because it will save you a lot of stress down the road.

The best way to keep stress levels under control is to make sure you have plenty of time to finish each and every school assignment on time. When you have plenty of time to write that complex research paper, you won’t even have to worry about it. You won’t have to spend night after night working on your essays, so you will be well rested. You won’t have to worry about stress homework anymore.

In addition, by avoiding procrastination, you also diminish your chances of being affected by anxiety. The link between homework and anxiety has been proven to exist. Make sure you start early on each and every paper you need to write. This way you won’t have to worry about missing deadlines and getting penalized by your professors.

You Need Some Help!

Does homework cause stress? Yes, homework causes stress and it can be pretty detrimental for your mental health. This is why we recommend you get some help as soon as you notice that you are dealing with too much stress. Instead of struggling alone with all those nasty school chores, why don’t you try to study with a close friend or with one of your classmates? You can both share information and be more productive.

You may be able to learn how to deal with homework stress, but this doesn’t mean you can get rid of the stress right now. If you really need to take a breather, we suggest you use our assignment help services. One of our experienced ENL writers will take care of your essays and research papers while you spend a bit of free time with your friends and family. It’s a great way to get rid of at least some of the stress from homework.

Get on top of your homework.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

10% Off Your First One

Have the top academic talent on your side, with 10% off your first order.

My Homework Done

Expert Writing Services

• How It Works
• Buy homework
• Ace my homework
• Homework writers
• Homework help
• Assignment writing
• Homework Solutions
• Homework Answers
• No Need To Study
• High school
• McGraw-Hill Connect
• Myaccountinglab
• Precalculus
• Word Problem
• Computer Science
• Language arts
• Engineering
• Biochemistry
• Microbiology

Homework is easy with expert tips and advice. And even easier when you have an expert to do it for you.

How To Manage Homework Stress And How To Get Rid Of It Now

More and more students fail to do their homework or submit them on time every semester all over the world. Teachers and parents are desperate to find out why this is happening. There are several causes of this problem. Many students are simply unwilling to learn much and are unable to do their homework as a consequence. However, many others are suffering from homework and stress.

Table of Contents

What causes homework stress, are you stressing over homework, how to deal with homework stress.

This kind of stress started appearing relatively recently. So, let’s learn some homework stress facts like how to find out what causes this stress, learning how to discover if you are suffering from stress, and what some remedies are that can help you deal with it.

There are several widespread causes of stress from homework that we can identify. They are the major ones that are observable and that students sight as well. Here are some of the most prominent ones:

• Teachers assign too much homework to their students. This causes stress with homework and students are starting to fail to deliver their assignments on time. Most teachers don’t realize that their assignments can be quite difficult to complete and can take students perhaps even days to finish them.
• Pupils receive homework from several classes; assignments that must be delivered at the same time. When students need to work on several projects at the same time, they start to rush some of the projects. This quickly causes stress from homework and usually leads to serious performance issues.
• Students are having trouble understanding the class material. This means that they are unable to complete their school assignments properly. It takes a lot of time to reread all the class notes and do some additional research. This causes stress with homework and makes students lose most of their good morale.
• Students don’t know how to properly manage their time and their projects. The fact that young people don’t know how to manage their time is a serious problem. Because they are inefficient, doing their homework can lead to stress quite quickly.
• Students are unable to get enough time to do their homework properly. This means that these people prefer to socialize with their friends and family and even play some video games, without thinking about homework. They then get too little time to complete their school assignments.
• Many students get into a homework depression when they postpone working on their school chores until the last one or two days. In other words, students face an almost impossible situation. They know they can’t complete their projects on time, but they also know that they really have to. Being unable to do anything about a bad grade leads to students becoming depressed.

If you want to learn how to battle stress, you need to first learn how to spot stress and figure out the factors that are causing it. Homework and stress are usually related, but stress does not appear because you need to do homework. Instead, stress appears when you can’t complete your homework on time or are swamped with projects that are all due on almost the same date. Here are some of the things you will immediately notice if you are stressed by homework:

• You don’t have any interest in doing your homework because you have given up on trying to finish everything on time.
• You are constantly worried that you need to complete your homework and never seem to find enough time to work on your school projects.
• You may be unable to sleep because you know you can’t complete your school assignments on time and this is weighing heavy on your mind.
• You become unhappy and start to hide your school results from your friends and parents. The fact that you can’t do your homework is starting to have an impact on your social life.

While it may be difficult to avoid stressing over homework at times, especially when you have a lot of assignments to work on, you can definitely manage it if you know about a few best tips and tricks. These tips won’t do wonders, but will help you avoid a lot of the stress caused by doing homework.

Now that you may have identified that you have stress, you probably would like to deal with it. What to do when your stressed about homework? There are many ways to do so, including making substantial changes in your life and mindset. You might want to begin small, though, as a start. Here are some of the most useful remedies if you are looking to get rid of stress caused by homework:

• Make sure you get the best sleep possible during the night. Sleep is very important for your state of mind, so a good night’s sleep is paramount to success in many cases when it comes to doing homework.
• Start as early as possible on each school assignment. By starting early, you make sure you have enough time to complete the assignment before the deadline. This will decrease your stress over homework instantly.
• Split large assignments into several smaller parts and work on only one part from start to finish. Organizing your projects and your time will make you more efficient and will help you complete your homework faster and easier.
• Set goals and do your best to achieve them each and every day. Being unable to finish on time is a top reason to be stressed about homework. By setting goals and achieving them, you make sure you always complete your projects on time, which you can do with the help of online college homework help .
• Pay attention in class. It is the best method of decreasing the amount of time you spend doing your homework. In many cases, you need to spend a lot of hours reading your notes and browsing the Web for additional information about the topic. If you pay attention in class, you won’t need to spend as much time learning what you should know already.
• Spend time with your friends and family, but know when to stop and return to doing your homework. Remember, you sometimes stress over homework because you lack the necessary time to complete it properly.

These are the best tips and tricks you need to know to avoid the stress caused by homework. If you apply this advice and change your habits for a bit, you have only to gain. You will become better organized, more productive, and a lot more efficient. Doing homework will be a pleasure!

Too Much Homework? We Can Help

So, you have now read up on stress and found ways to implement ways to avoid it in your life. But, perhaps, you have tried this advice and these methods and you still feel stressed and stuck. Well, there is always a last option, which is getting outside help with your school assignments. You can ask a friend or classmate to help, but there is another option.

That option is getting online homework help using dedicated services. We, for example, provide a 24/7 hour buy homework online service for any types of students, so your homework can be completed at any time. Our writers are experts in their fields, and are very communicative. You can collaborate with our writers, and they will provide top tier homework assignments for you. Get in touch with us today, and you will get top grades in no time, and most importantly you will get rid of homework stress!

1 comment on “ How To Manage Homework Stress And How To Get Rid Of It Now ”

I love it when people come together and share opinions, great blog, keep it up.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Limited to First 100 Clients

Get homework done in your sleep, with 10% off your first assignment. Don't let the others take it from you.

• EXPLORE Coupons Tech Help Pro Random Article About Us Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• EDIT Edit this Article
• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• This Or That Game New
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• H&M Coupons
• Hotwire Promo Codes
• StubHub Discount Codes
• Ashley Furniture Coupons
• Blue Nile Promo Codes
• NordVPN Coupons
• Samsung Promo Codes
• Chewy Promo Codes
• Ulta Coupons
• Vistaprint Promo Codes
• Shutterfly Promo Codes
• DoorDash Promo Codes
• Office Depot Coupons
• adidas Promo Codes
• Home Depot Coupons
• DSW Coupons
• Bed Bath and Beyond Coupons
• Lowe's Coupons
• Surfshark Coupons
• Nordstrom Coupons
• Walmart Promo Codes
• Dick's Sporting Goods Coupons
• Fanatics Coupons
• Edible Arrangements Coupons
• eBay Coupons
• Log in / Sign up
• Education and Communications
• Study Skills
• Homework Skills

How to Deal With Tons of Homework

Last Updated: June 16, 2023 References Approved

This article was co-authored by Jennifer Kaifesh . Jennifer Kaifesh is the Founder of Great Expectations College Prep, a tutoring and counseling service based in Southern California. Jennifer has over 15 years of experience managing and facilitating academic tutoring and standardized test prep as it relates to the college application process. She takes a personal approach to her tutoring, and focuses on working with students to find their specific mix of pursuits that they both enjoy and excel at. She is a graduate of Northwestern University. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 20 testimonials and 80% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 247,241 times.

A pile of homework can seem daunting, but it’s doable if you make a plan. Make a list of everything you need to do, and work your way through, starting with the most difficult assignments. Focus on your homework and tune out distractions, and you’ll get through things more efficiently. Giving yourself breaks and other rewards will help you stay motivated along the way. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you get stuck! Hang in there, and you’ll knock the homework out before you know it.

Making a Plan

• Make a plan to go through your work bit by bit, saving the easiest tasks for last.

• Put phones and any other distractions away. If you have to do your homework on a computer, avoid checking your email or social media while you are trying to work.
• Consider letting your family (or at least your parents) know where and when you plan to do homework, so they'll know to be considerate and only interrupt if necessary.

• If you have the option to do your homework in a study hall, library, or other place where there might be tutors, go for it. That way, there will be help around if you need it. You'll also likely wind up with more free time if you can get work done in school.

Staying Motivated

• To take a break, get up and move away from your workspace. Walk around a bit, and get a drink or snack.
• Moving around will recharge you mentally, physically, and spiritually, so you’re ready to tackle the next part of your homework.

• For instance, you might write “I need to do this chemistry homework because I want a good average in the class. That will raise my GPA and help me stay eligible for the basketball team and get my diploma.”
• Your goals might also look something like “I’m going to write this history paper because I want to get better as a writer. Knowing how to write well and make a good argument will help me when I’m trying to enter law school, and then down the road when I hope to become a successful attorney.”

Starting Good Homework Habits

• Try doing your homework as soon as possible after it is assigned. Say you have one set of classes on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and another on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Do the Monday homework on Monday, instead of putting it off until Tuesday.
• That way, the class will still be fresh in your mind, making the homework easier.
• This also gives you time to ask for help if there’s something you don’t understand.

• If you want to keep everyone accountable, write a pact for everyone in your study group to sign, like “I agree to spend 2 hours on Monday and Wednesday afternoons with my study group. I will use that time just for working, and won’t give in to distractions or playing around.”
• Once everyone’s gotten through the homework, there’s no problem with hanging out.

• Most teachers are willing to listen if you’re trying and legitimately have trouble keeping up. They might even adjust the homework assignments to make them more manageable.

Expert Q&A Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.understood.org/en/articles/homework-strategies
• ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/homework.html
• ↑ https://kidshelpline.com.au/kids/tips/dealing-with-homework
• ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/focused.html
• ↑ http://www.aiuniv.edu/blog/august-2014/tips-for-fighting-homework-fatigue
• ↑ http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/homework.html
• ↑ https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/study-partners/

About This Article

• Send fan mail to authors

Reader Success Stories

Daniella Dunbar

Oct 28, 2016

Did this article help you?

Anamika Gupta

Oct 16, 2020

Mar 8, 2016

Jorien Yolantha

May 8, 2018

Priya Choudhary

Nov 11, 2016

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve

How Does Homework Cause Stress?

Table of Contents

Homework is given to help a child learn fast and to aid his development process. Whatever the student learns at school can be reinforced through homework. However, what if it is too much to handle? If the child feels stressed out due to extra homework, it can lead to mental stress both for the parent and the child. If you are still wondering how homework causes stress, check out these specific situations that you should avoid.

Six Specific Situations That Cause College Students Stress

Parental expectations.

Students feel overwhelmed when their parents have a lot of demands from them. This is one of the greatest stresses that most college students face. The parents unknowingly put a lot of pressure on the child in terms of performing well. Some parents think that coming first in class is the sure-shot way to success, and they pressure the child to work day and night to achieve this.

The student is deprived of any fun activities, which is important in the child’s overall development. There is no harm in seeking professional help when you think you cannot deliver good quality work. This holds especially true for students who have difficult subjects. For instance, if you are a finance student-facing insurmountable parental pressure, you should seek  finance homework help  to ace your grades.

Extra Assignments

Another stressful situation is when the student is asked to submit detailed project assignments. This kind of homework can lead to stress as most of the assignments require research, compiling data from different sources. Time is a great enemy for most students, and therefore excessive homework like this can cause undue stress and less productivity.

College students resort to unfair means and malpractices to deliver their assignments on time. Instead of showcasing their efforts in the project, students copy it from the internet or a friend’s copy. When the teacher spots plagiarism, either the whole assignment is rejected, and the student is asked to re-submit, or in most cases, the student is given a straight zero.

Hours of Homework

Too much homework causes stress that can be easily avoided if teachers are more considerate and empathetic towards their needs. Apart from project assignments, students are also given daily tasks to complete. Each class teacher thinks it is mandatory to give homework daily. After a hectic day at college, they have to give time to the tasks when they reach home.

If the homework can be completed within 10 minutes or less, it is quite helpful in retaining all the lessons learned at school. However, if you require hours to complete only one subject’s homework, it robs you of your creativity and personal development. Students become nerds and bookworms, not helping them in practical life.

Managing Personal Life Balance

If much time on homework is spent, then there is nothing much left to do. Students are unable to juggle between their student and personal life. A well-balanced personality needs to manage both study, relationships, and physical activity. All work and no play make Jack a dull boy is an adage. If the student’s time is consumed only in completing homework tasks, it causes unnecessary stress as the student cannot play his/her favourite game or spend time with family.

Poor Sleep and Dietary Habits

Sleep deprivation is a serious problem that has far-reaching effects. The student feels stressed out, but it can cause depression and anxiety, leading to poor dietary habits. If the teacher is giving extra homework that students can’t handle, then a lot of the precious time is spent completing it. A bad sleep pattern can affect both mental and physical health problems. Instead of learning more, you end up retaining less due to stress.

Organization Problems

Students also face a lack of organization and discipline. Stressful homework eats up most of the time, and the student is unable to strike a balance. There is no discipline in life, and due to lack of organization, the student can become irresponsible. Losing important documents, books, and coursework-related information is all due to the stress that excessive homework causes.

How to Deal with Excessive Homework Stress

Go for a schedule.

One of the most important tips is to go with a schedule. Don’t just spend time completing your homework. Give space and time to each activity. Reserve some time for rest. Play a game that involves physical activity in the evening and only with a fresh mind sit down to complete your homework.

Always Do The Easy Homework Task First

A great managing tip is to take one task at a time. Don’t be hard on yourself. Only do the task that you think you can handle well. This will help you complete your task one at a time. You should always do the task that seems the easiest first. This makes you feel accomplished. It has a positive impact on you, and the rest of the homework becomes less stressful to complete.

Just pick and choose the one that you think is easier than the rest. Allot a time to complete that homework. Leave the most difficult one for the end. Don’t be ashamed to ask an elder’s help to finish your assignment if you need help. You can also use the net to gather up sources. However, remember, you must write it on your own to ensure plagiarism-free work.

Break It Down Into Smaller Parts

Another effective tip that helps students ace their grades is to break down the topic into smaller parts. If the teacher has asked you to read the next chapter, then you can read some of it while going back home and the rest of it in the evening with a fresh mind. You should also make the most of your time. Instead of wasting your precious time on the school bus, you can take a quick look at your homework and complete the reading part while commuting back home.

Don’t Procrastinate

Procrastination is the worst enemy that causes problems in student life and professional and personal life. Don’t keep on thinking about completing the task. If the teacher has given much homework that needs to be completed within a week, don’t put it off until the last day. Alternatively, if it is a project assignment, then reserve a time slot for it every day. Do it bit by bit instead of doing it all in one go. Procrastination can cause even more stress. Leaving everything for the last day hits the panic button. You might collapse on the last day and submit substandard work to the teacher.

Organize a Homework Group

Don’t let the stress take you. You can ask for help from peers and friends. Make a group and discuss the daily tasks you get in the group with your friends. They are the best people to guide you since they are in it as well. When you organize a homework group, all the students and friends will also suggest how they delivered the assignment. If it is group work, then it becomes easier to collaborate and coordinate.

FAQs About Homework Stress

Will homework make me stressed.

If it can be done within 10 minutes, then it doesn’t cause much stress. However, hours of homework can lead to stress that can be easily avoided. To avoid stress, you may ideally stick to the easy life-hacks covered in this post.

How does homework lead to anxiety?

Excessive homework does! Homework can cause undue stress if it is too much. Feeling anxious all the time and not feeling accomplished are some of the signs of stress and anxiety.

Should I do my homework in one go?

A breathless endeavor can save you time. However, it will have you cut corners on quality. So, take short breaks, but don’t extend them to the point where procrastination may take over.

Does Homework Cause Mental Health Problems?

Yes, it can cause loss of concentration, hard-time memorizing and retaining information. Most students also feel depressed and unaccomplished.

How Does Homework Negatively Affect Students?

Apart from mental health problems, there are other behavioral problems. Students find it difficult to talk to other people, maintain relationships. It can also lead to poor dietary habits and sleep deprivation.

related articles

How To Write A Short Essay Read More »

How To Write a Informative Essay Read More »

How Many Words is a Perfect Essay? Read More »

• SUGGESTED TOPICS
• The Magazine
• Newsletters
• Managing Yourself
• Managing Teams
• Work-life Balance
• The Big Idea
• Data & Visuals
• Reading Lists
• Case Selections
• HBR Learning
• Topic Feeds
• Account Settings
• Email Preferences

Helping an Employee in Distress

• Kiran Bhatti
• Thomas Roulet

Many managers are given first-aid training in the office. But very few receive any training for dealing with mental health crises that may arise in the workplace.

Amid heightened stressors, including the lingering effects of the pandemic and economic uncertainty, more employees than ever are experiencing issues such as anxiety and depression at work. And increasingly, employees are open to having—and even expect to have—conversations about mental health challenges that are affecting their performance.

This article introduces the basic tenets of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as a mental-health first-aid tool to help employees address emotional distress and negative behavioral patterns.

Managers shouldn’t try to be therapists, but they should know the basics of mental-health first aid.

Idea in Brief

The problem.

Many managers are given first aid training in the office. But very few receive any training for dealing with mental health crises that may arise in the workplace.

The Background

Amidst heightened stressors, including the lingering effects of the pandemic and economic uncertainty, more employees than ever are experiencing issues such as anxiety and depression at work. And increasingly, employees are open to having—and even expect to have—conversations about mental health challenges that are affecting their performance.

A Helpful Response

Ahmed could tell his team was on edge. Recent layoffs in the industry and poor company performance had his people worried about job security. But he was most concerned about Melia, one of his direct reports. She had been taking more sick days than usual, and when she was in the office, she seemed distracted. In meetings, she lacked focus. Once a high-performing, enthusiastic colleague, she now seemed low-energy, and her productivity was suffering. Offhand remarks from other team members suggested she was struggling with eldercare for her ailing mother. One day, Ahmed found Melia weeping in an empty conference room. He apologized awkwardly and retreated to his desk, unsure of how to proceed.

A good manager makes sure employees don’t worry about what others think of them.

• KB Kiran Bhatti is a counseling psychologist in Cambridge, England.
• TR Thomas Roulet is a professor of leadership at the University of Cambridge’s Judge Business School. thomroulet

Partner Center

• Hospital & Primary Care
• Diagnostic Services

UGA Veterinary Teaching Hospital helps clients deal with stress and grief

August 28, 2023

Noelle Browning, a veterinary social worker, helps clients deal with the stress of having a sick pet and the grief of having one die. Graduate students from the UGA School of Social Work are interning there and learning about the human-animal bond.

Listen to the story on WUGA

« Older Entries

• Animal Health Research Center
• Behavioral Medicine
• Biomedical Sciences
• Center for Neurological Disease Research
• Client Support Services
• CVM Dawg Tales
• Dermatology
• Diabetes Clinic
• Equine Medicine
• Farm Animal
• Field Services
• Food Animal Health and Management
• Infectious Diseases
• Internal Medicine-LA
• Internal Medicine-SA
• Interventional Radiology
• Large Animal Medicine
• Office of Research and Graduate Affairs
• Orthopedics
• Pet Health Center
• Physiology/Pharmacology
• Population Health
• Production Medicine
• Small Animal Medicine
• Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study
• Success Stories
• Uncategorized
• Veterinary Teaching Hospital
• Zoological Medicine

We’re UGA Vet Med, and our

passion powers our commitment.

• About the Dean
• Office of Academic Affairs
• Accreditation
• Diversity & Inclusion
• College Directory
• Academic Departments
• Student Life
• Undergraduate Programs
• DVM Program
• Master’s & PhD Programs
• Intern & Residency
• Office of Research & Faculty and Graduate Affairs
• Areas of Emphasis
• Research Centers
• Faculty Research Labs
• Clinical Trials
• Student Research Opportunities
• Mobile Veterinary Services
• Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories
• PDRC Diagnostic Services
• Infectious Diseases Lab
• Pathology Labs
• Milk Quality Laboratory
• SCWDS Wildlife Research & Diagnostic Service
• Alumni & Giving
• Prospective Students
• Current Students
• Veterinarians

501 D. W. Brooks Drive Athens, GA 30602