Homework Preparation

1. Approach study in a positive light. Study is not only important, but it’s basically unavoidable! By firstly accepting that homework is for your own self-improvement, and that your teachers/professors have your best interest at heart, you should work to prioritise study and assign it quality time, and resources.
2. When you have decided to assign time to your studies, make sure you have figured out which areas are typically not your best and which you should leave a little longer to work on. There is no point whiling away your time on art homework if you know that maths is where you should really be focusing your energy.
3. Have a clear, clean and quiet workspace. This might seem obvious, but it can be hard to achieve, especially if you have a typical chaotic family or home. You will need room to pile up your books, clear away completed work, and spread out all your papers. If you don’t have a desk in your room, try the dining table, your bedroom room floor, even an attic or basement, somewhere that is away from everyone, well ventilated and light.
4. Figure out which time of the day is most productive for you. Everyone will be different in this way. I typically work better in the early morning, and would much rather get up early to finish off homework I didn’t complete from the night before. But I know many more people who would rather stay up till 12pm working on an assignment. At some time in the day (it may even be in the middle of the day, when you have been up for a while) you will find your brain is at its most alert and receptive.
5. Challenging yourself and your brief (or question) is what your teacher is looking for.  Try, in every subject, to determine what the marker wants to see, but then go that little bit further. 
6. If you don’t know exactly what the teacher is asking for, ask! Rereading your question won’t always help! Look back over your old material for ideas, contact your teacher or professor, check with classmates, our even your parents!
7. Set yourself time limits and give yourself rewards. Everyone likes rewards! Even if it is just a piece of toast with honey on it. Studying endlessly will only where you out, and you won’t be as productive as you could be. Try studying for an hour with a break for 10 – 20 minutes to make some tea, a smoothy, eat some fruit…
8. Get up and do some exercise. When you get up to refuel, get up and have a wiggle as well. Do some star-jumps, try skipping, run around the block, do some cartwheels in the backyard, or some yoga. Do anything to loosen up your body and your mind. Then get back in to it!

“Is there some piece of information you can bring to the question or little bit of extra research, which will make your answer stand out? Setting yourself apart is the key to moving your mark from a Credit to a Distinction.”

Try to incorporate these elements in to your study or homework pattern and I am sure you will not find study as torturous as it once was. Studying is something that will be reoccurring throughout your life, there are always things you will need to study for – whether its your driving test, reading material relating to your job, or studying at university, so lets get it right. Good luck!

Photographer: Anthea Paul