Back To School Tips: Homework

Back To School Tips

Its that time of year again, the time where we go back to school. Maybe you are freaking out because you're worried about some things, organization skills, study tips, etc. Thats what I'm here for, these are some tips to help you get ready to the season we all dread.

I don't know about you, but I freak out if I can't find something, or if I'm not organized. Thats what happens to a lot of people. The just shove their stuff in their backpack or put it somewhere its not suppose to go. Here are some tips to help you get organized and not be those people who loose their things.

Homework

This is a very basic one right? No, you would be surprised at how many people loose their homework. This is some of the things that I do, but they may not work out for you, remember do what works for you. REMEMBER make a divider (if you have a binder) for homework to, that way when you have checked your homework, you can simply move it to the homework section in your binder instead of your thing (binder, folder, expando file) being stuffed.

1. Buy a folder, expandable file folder, or a binder

I can not stress this enough, buy one thing that only has your homework in it. I know that thing works for everyone! A folder, expandable file folder, or a binder all are great things to use. I'll include how to organize each one.

Folder   

All of these are personal preferences. A folder is very simple, the only reason that I don't use on because they only have two pockets and you will have to search through every paper looking for the one you need which takes a while. 

Expandable File (expando file) 

Expando files are amazing for organizing homework! They come with little tabs that you write each of your classes on. This is a great way to keep your things nice and neat, and very organized. That way it takes you less than a minute to find what you need. Another tip is when you put them in the file, put a little tab sticking up that shows you thats the most recent homework done/given.

Binder

Binders are also amazing things to use as organizing. They pretty much work the same way an expando file works, except its in binder form. DO NOT use the pockets provided in the binder, it just makes it harder to find things, and when they get to full they break and all your papers/homework goes everywhere. 

2. Doing your homework

This might sound a little stupid but trust me do your homework. It can benefit you in several ways. It gets you homework points on your grade, it helps you learn the material, and also prepares you for a test. Teacher do not give you homework for torture (believe it or not), or for the teacher's help. It is simply for you to be able to learn the material and help you know it for a test. I had a teacher that would put her homework questions on the test, so just keep that in mind. 

Another thing that is not cool or right is copying your homework from your friend. I know that it may seem mean, but if you didn't do your homework, YOU DIDN'T DO YOUR HOMEWORK. Its better to tell your teacher that you did not do your homework, than for the teacher to see you copying it from your friend. If your friend ask for help DO NOT give them the answer, give them clues and hints to help solve the problem or answer the question. Remember this for you to help yourself. Trust me when its time for the test, you can't copy your friend's test.

One thing I see people struggling with is they simply don't understand. Lets say you don't understand what the teacher is teaching. You can do one of three things. Ask the teacher right then, ask your teacher after class, or ask your friend to help you. The thing I recommend is asking your teacher right then. She/he can tell you how to get that or explain it more. Maybe your shy and don't want to raise your hand and ask, that perfectly fine. After class when you're dismissed stop by the teacher and tell him/her that you don't understand. They can directly tell you how to get it and its how they want it done, and its just you and the teacher. It also boost your relationship with your teacher. If I have learned anything, its teachers like students who try their very best. Lastly, maybe you don't feel comfortable talking to your teacher, you can ask your friend. The only reason I dont recommend this is your friend might not be able to tell you how they got something, or explain it very well (notice I said MIGHT maybe they do, if they go great always go to that friend to get help from).

3. Motivation

This is one thing that I developed on my own. No one no longer tells me to do my homework, its just something that I do. My best friend often asks me, "How do you have the motivation to do your homework?" Its simply a priority. Somethings are, 

I dont want to have to do my homework when I get home. I would like to have free time, so I better do it now so I wont have to do it later.

I have dance after and that won't end to until later, so I better do my homework now that way I don't have to deal with it later.

Those are two of the common things I think of when doing my homework. So I highly suggest you think of something that gives you motivation to get your homework done. 

4. What not to do

These are a few things that you don't need to do when doing your homework. (Somethings may work for you some may not.)

• Don't play music that can distract you. I know, you want to listen to music and you want to jam out. Please don't do that because things will happen. Start singing the lyrics and forget what you were doing and have to start all over, decide that you don't like the song that is playing and keep changing it until you find one you want to listen to, (if on youtube) you search a different song and see a video that seems interesting and watch it and loose track of time. These are few of the things that cause you to get distracted. 

• Solution: Play some classical music that doesn't have any word and a soothing melody. Here are some links to some things I suggest. If you don't like music playing while you do your homework (like me) simply don't play music and do your homework in a quiet place.

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2LM3ZlcDnk   
                http://www.pandora.com/ (Type in Classical for Studying in the search bar)

• Your phone. Some of us can tolerate their phone being next to them while they do their homework, others can not. You will receive text, and get distracted, answer a phone call, check social media, etc. The only reason you should text or call somebody is if you need help on a problem then once you get your answer, PUT YOUR PHONE DOWN! 

• Solution: If you can tolerate your phone being on, good just put it on vibrate or mute. Or just shut your phone ALL the way down If you can't, put it somewhere you can't get it or far away from you. 

• DO NOT PROCRASTINATE!!! I can not stress this enough. Don't procrastinate! It will lead to bad things, such as completely not doing your homework, getting in trouble because you didn't do your homework, etc. Procrastinating works like this, 

 "Okay, I'll work on my homework at 6:30 tonight. (or later)" 

 At 6:30, "I don't feel like doing my homework." 

• Solution: Do your homework as soon as you get home and don't do anything else until ALL of your homework is completed. Don't play, don't get on the internet, don't get on your phone, don't do anything until your homework is completed. Set goals for yourself, such as, I can watch that movie I've been waiting to watch if I get my homework done, I can go hang out with my friend. 

• Don't do your homework just because you don't understand it. You don't know how many times I've heard the "I didn't understand it so I didn't do it" excuse. People think if they use that excuse the teacher will say, "its okay, thats what we will go over when we check it, but I'll give you credit." No they won't do that so don't expect it. AT LEAST make an effort to try and get the answer. Teachers love students who actually try. 

• Solution: If you can't come up with the answer try to figure it out, using resources, such as notes and the internet. If you absolutely can not figure it out ask someone.

• Don't rush through your homework, and not put much effort into it. This is a big one, ACTUALLY TRYING. You know you are trying when you don't rush your homework just to get it done and when you are using all of your brain power to get the right answer even if it might not be correct. 

• Solution: Put forth the effort of doing your homework. If you are going to fast to do your homework, you probably aren't trying and just want to get it done so you can have free time. Eventually your teacher will begin to notice that you don't try on your homework. Meaning she/he might make you redo you homework. REMEMBER if you don't have time to do it right the first time, then you certainly have time to do it again. 

5. What you should do

These are some things that you should absolutely 100% do when doing your homework or any school work for that matter,

• Ask a parent or teacher help. Teachers want to help you on your homework, it makes them happy if you do ask them. Your parents, also want to help. Your parents love helping, so if you can't figure out something on your own, ask someone for help.  

• Take notes during class. While the teacher is teaching a lesson jot down some notes. I promise you they will help you when you get stuck on a homework problem or when the test comes around you will know how to do it. Taking notes is also a great way to stay focused in class, instead of not paying attention. Everyone is a different learner (Visual, Audio, or Kinesthetic know as writing) meaning they learn in different ways. I'll go into the three types of leaners in a later blog post. 

• Try. Try your very hardest and make an effort. Even if you don't get it right, you and your teacher know that you tried the hardest to get it right. If you don't try on your homework there is a big chance you won't try on the test. If you don't try on your test. You won't make the best grades.

Conclusion

I hope you have learned from this blog about your homework. These are tips that I follow and I'm a successful student. If you have any questions or comments regarding this blog (or any questions at all) feel free to leave me a comment and I'll try and get back to you as soon as possible. Bye!