can you do homework when sick

How to Study when Sick: Tips for the Freshman Flu

Introduction weeks are over, classes are about to start and the freshman flu lurks in hidden corners. While being sick is a chore, falling ill right at the start of the school year can be a major setback. It's safe to say that runny noses and fever dreams don't help with productivity. But who says that finals can't rhyme with the flu? If you're like me and happen to be both bed and book-ridden here are a couple of tips to get you through your first couple weeks of classes.

Pomodoro it

The Pomodoro method consists of working in 4 sets of 25 min with a 5min break in between each round and a longer break ranging from 15 to 30 min after 4 sets. The division of the Pomodoro into 25/5/15 is completely up to you. Many people customize their Pomodoro timing to best fit their workflow. The most important aspect is that alternation between mid-sized work sessions and short breaks which can keep you focused on the task at hand for longer. What makes the Pomodoro Method perfect for studying when sick is that each task is naturally divided into feasible increments. You can even take 5 min naps during your breaks! Check out the best timers for the Pomodoro method in our article about improving study habits .

Yeah, it's tempting to stay holed up in your room surrounded by textbooks and/or tissues. However, sometimes a breath of fresh air is exactly what you need to get some energy. Just taking a 5 min walk (bonus points if it's during your Pomodoro break) can help clear your head and potentially your sinuses. If you don't feel like going outside, take some time to stretch and relax your muscles. Exercise is a great way to get your blood flowing which will make you feel better.

Drink some water

I'm pretty sure that water is in every listicle out there from dealing with skincare to depression but it's worth the emphasis: don't forget to drink water and stay hydrated! Water helps produce saliva and mucus which are both very handy when fighting a sore throat or a dry nose. Water also helps regulate your body temperature. Our bodies are 60% water so it's needless to say that it plays a vital role in the basic maintenance of our bodies. No matter the pace you've decided to study at you need to stay hydrated in order to maintain said pace and eventually get better.

Proactively study

When you're sick, you don't have the leisure to passively intake information and hope it sticks. Start by dividing all you have to study into small realizable steps and ordering them by priority. This will help you get through the day without feeling overwhelmed. Make flashcards and test yourself on key terms. Instead of repeatedly reading information, by writing it down you engage with the material in a different way. Have a group video call where you explain and present some of the information with your friends. Again, this is another way of engaging with the material: if you can explain a concept well then you probably know it. Don't focus as much on rote memorization as much as contextualized understanding.

Healthy snacks

Studying and being sick are both physically draining activities that when combined tend to have a negative effect on each other. Along with water, food is what will get you through a last-minute cram session without crashing. Why healthy? Though it is tempting to eat your exhaustion and stress away, you do still need to take care of yourself. Food is fuel so you'll need the best kind if you plan to study when sick.

A cozy environment may induce napping but comfort is always worth it. Grab some tea, coffee or hot water, blankets and whatever painkillers you're on to create an environment that's both studious and soothing. Studying when you're sick is hard enough. There's no need to make it worse by sitting at a badly lit desk for 5 hours straight surrounded by empty packets of tissues. Create a space you want to be and study there.

So you've written 5 to-do lists, went boxing, ate some carrots, drank 5L of water, incarnated hygge and you still don't feel okay... what now? Most of the time students are victims of the belief that every occasion is the last. If you're too sick to study and can't make it to class then don't go. There's no point in worsening your physical and mental health for something that definitely won't impact your life as much as you think it will. You can take resits, or ask for an extension or even god forbid take that class again. Nothing is worth ruining your health for, not even the illusion of a college degree.

If it's really bad, don't forget to take advantage of your health insurance and go to a doctor. Don't have Dutch health insurance yet? Check out Swisscare International Student Insurance if you’re a student within the EU/EEA.

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Tips for Staying Caught Up on Homework While Sick

On January 24, 2024, I woke up with a headache and a 99.4 temperature. I did not have a class that day until 11 a.m., so I waited to see if it would go down. Long story short, I had the flu, and missed a week’s worth of assignments. Even as I was sick in bed, watching plenty of movies, what stayed on my mind the most was the homework that I needed to catch up on.

It is important to maintain an up-to-date status on schoolwork, even when sick. When students are ill, their mindset is typically on trying to get better, and justifiably so. However, that results in students having to make up work after they get back, on top of having to do all of the work that is assigned after they make their return. However, through this entire process, there are some things that students can do in order to work through their period of medical misfortune.

• Get in Contact with Your Teachers

Believe it or not, teachers want to do everything they can to help you succeed! Even though different teachers have different policies on late work, if you are sick, they will almost always aid you however they can. In an interview with one of SNU’s faculty members, Melany Kyzer, Ph. D., expressed how even though she does not accept late work, “if a student communicates with me ahead of time, I will work with them.” Even though it is wise to make sure your work is finished in a timely manner, teachers will give grace on assignments as needed, allowing for the best results to be produced.

• Work On What You Can

When I was out with the flu, my condition went up and down, and I certainly had days in which I felt better than others. On those days, I worked on homework. However, it is still important for the body to rest, so do not overwork yourself. I would recommend doing one normal-sized or two smaller assignments on the days in which you feel better in order to make some progress while still allowing yourself some rest.

Speaking of resting, this is the most surefire way to get better. Even though students are stressed about the assignments they may have to do when they get back, the best way to get back is to rest your body and mind. This could take many forms, whether it be watching movies, doing a relaxing activity, or just sleeping your sickness off. Doing this will not only allow you to be at your best when you return to school but also possibly speed up the healing process as well.

It is difficult to be able to complete every assignment that is given out while a student is out for multiple days, or in my case, a full week of class. However, these tips can help to reduce the problem that comes from being sick. It allows students to lighten their load for when they get back while also obtaining some grace from their teachers and letting their bodies heal from whatever sickness afflicts them. Being sick is certainly a pain, but it should not keep students from excelling in the classroom or being the best version of themselves that they can be.

Photo by Kristine Wook on Unsplash

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Tips for Academic Success If You Are Sick

1. An Early Start:

Starting your studies early can be beneficial in two ways: 1) you will have more time to prepare for the exam(s) and 2) you’ll be better able to deal with any pop-up symptoms.

2. Move It to the Bunk:

Admit it, your bed is about ten times more comfortable than that table you always sit at in the UGLI. Studying from the comfort of your home gives you the access to all your meds and the edge to  take a break any time you need to. Sleeping between study sessions helps retain information too!

3. Fuel the H2O Tank:

Replenishing your body with water keeps you alive and more importantly, makes you feel less tired. The recommended dose is 64 ounces per day, which is equivalent to 8 cups of 8 ounces, 16 cups of 4 ounces, 32 cups of 2 ounces… well you get the point. Water also energizes your muscles, keeps your skin looking great, and will kick your sickness faster!

4. Eat, Study, Sleep, Repeat:

Alternating between hitting the books and shutting eyes is the most efficient method for studying while sick; it allows you to be fully immersed in your studies after a good night’s sleep. By minimizing your outside extracurriculars, you can save energy and time, devoting both to helping you recover faster and studying more efficiently.

5. Don’t Get Sick:

This may just be the easiest (or hardest) tip to follow. If you have about $800 to spare, grab yourself a winter coat from Moncler or Canada Goose. Otherwise just befriend someone who owns two (or more). Drink fluids, rest, stay healthy, and GO BLUE!

Sometimes, no matter how hard we try to stay healthy, the cold and flu season can knock us on our backs. If you find yourself in a bind this winter, remember that the Dean of Students Office provides support services if you’re experiencing a major interruption, and University Health Services is a great resource too!

Contributed By: Eric Gao

How To Study When You Are Sick – A Guide

Welcome to the cold and flu season! Yup, it’s that time of year again, and all your friends are sick, will get sick, or are recovering from being sick. Let me help you keep your head in the game even though it feels like your head is going to explode.

Here is my 6-step plan to help you study effectively while you are sick:

25 Study Tips to Improve Your Academic Performance

Before we get started, if you are looking to improve your writing, you should really check out Grammarly . Grammarly is a godsend for those who have to write term papers, dissertations, or anything else you write that needs to be grammatically correct. Grammarly doesn’t just check grammar either. It helps you to write clearly and effectively by checking for overused words and unclear phrases. Best of all, Grammarly has a great free tier to get started with. For more information on Grammarly, click the link below:

The Ultimate Study Tools You Must Use to Succeed!

Let’s Dig In

Step #1: assess yourself and administer care.

Hint: If you have a fever, call the doctor and then go back to bed.

The number one thing your body needs while it is trying to heal is sleep . So, feel free, no, feel obligated to take a nap when your body is telling you it needs rest. In fact, if you feel like you could catch a few Zs right now, I encourage you to do that. Secondly, your body needs water. In a world filled with sugary drinks, chances are, you are already semi-dehydrated. Take the next few days to drink only water, hot tea (skip the sugar and use honey as a sweetener for its antibacterial properties) and orange juice (yay vitamin C!). Lastly, you need to take some medicine. If you have a sore throat or a cough, get some cough drops ; if you have a headache and stuffy nose, get some cold/sinus medicine; if your stomach is the problem, get some Pepto; whatever is bothering you, take something to help soothe it. Hopefully, you already have some medicine, but if not, get some, and if at all possible, use Postmates or call a friend to deliver it; you really just need to stay at home.

Step #2: Clear your schedule

Step #3: take a shower, get comfy and re-administer care.

Whew! If you are anything like me, clearing your schedule probably took a whole lot of effort , and you are ready for a break. Now is a great time to take a long hot shower. There is nothing better to open up all your clogged sinuses than all that steam. Plus, getting clean just makes you feel better regardless of the situation. Don’t take a lazy shower . I know you don’t feel like it, but make sure you wash your hair, face, and body; and make sure you take a moment to just relax under the hot water and breath in the steam. Once you’re finished, get out, brush your teeth, and indulge in an extended skincare routine or at least moisturize your face (your nose will thank you).

Now that you are so clean and so fresh get dressed in your comfiest clothes. Whether you prefer some flannel pajamas and fuzzy slippers, or a fleece sweatsuit with bare feet just make yourself comfy. By this time, you might need to take some more medicine, so check on that, but either way, go ahead and drink another cup of water and if you can, eat something . Your body is working extra hard to fight your sickness and thus expending more energy than normal; therefore, it is important to keep getting some calories for your body to turn into energy so that it can keep fighting. 

Step #4: Collect All of Your Supplies

You already know, you need your book, notebook, water, snack, highlighters, pens, etc. For the next few days, you also need things like Vaseline (to protect your nose from all of the tissues), vapor rub, tissues, cough drops, and a trashcan (for all your tissues and cough drop wrappers). Try to think of all the things that help you feel better and have it set out before you sit down to study . If you do end up having to stop for something, just make sure you bring it back to your study spot for next time. By the end of the first day, you should have all of your necessities close at hand. 

The first day of being sick is usually pretty rough. I f you need to take a nap at this point, definitely do that, and when you are ready to study, all you have to do is take a seat and get to work.

Step #5: Work in Small Increments on the Easiest Stuff First

If you are having a hard time sticking to only 30 minutes of study time, try to break down your studying into smaller, bite-sized chunks . For example, if you have vocab to learn, pull out your flashcards and study them for the 30 minutes or read one chapter without taking notes and then go back and take notes on your next 30-minute round. Remember that you will probably be moving slower than normal, so don’t be discouraged if you are unable to read a full 100 pages before your time is up. Just take your break, refresh, and go at it again.

Step #6: Re-administer Care

I said this repeatedly because I always forget to stay medicated. I used to never take medicine; I was raised just to tough it out, and I guess it just stuck with me. Until I moved into my first apartment with my best friend. Shortly after that, I had to find a way to function through a hangover and became extremely close with Tylenol and Gatorade. But even then, I’d take a few pills only once; when I first woke up. But just trust me, if you take your medicine every 2-4 hours (whatever it says on the bottle), you will begin to feel exponentially better as the day goes on, and that will help you study longer , and later, it will help you sleep better.

Remember to Take Care of Yourself First

My hope is that after this bout with whatever sickness it is that you have, you will choose to prepare yourself better for next time. What I mean by that is, if you aren’taren’t already taking care of yourself, you should start now.

Preventative measures

Here are some easy ways to help protect yourself from and prepare your body for cold and flu season and to improve your overall health.

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Articles & Advice > Majors and Academics > Blog

Important Academic Do's and Don'ts to Help Sick Students Keep Up

Being sick is no fun, especially when that means missing school. Here are some do's and don'ts that will help you stay on top of things if you miss class because of illness.

by Laura Wallace CollegeXpress Student Writer

Last Updated: Oct 25, 2023

Originally Posted: Dec 4, 2019

With back to school out of the way and the holidays about to arrive, another season is upon us: cold and flu season. I’ll be the first to sympathize with the challenges of staying on top of your studies when you’re fighting a fever, a cough, and congestion—when you’re miserable and more tired than usual. In high school and college, casually taking a week off to completely recover from a cold typically isn’t an option. Here are some quick do’s and don’ts to successfully recover from an illness without falling behind on your academics.

Do take care of yourself

When you’re sick, one of the most important things you can do is rest and get enough sleep. This goes for just about every illness. Even though it’s easy to feel judged based on how much you accomplish as a student, this is one occurrence where the challenge is to do as little as possible. Use this as an opportunity to catch up on your sleep. Not only will this help your immune system fight and body restore itself, but establishing a good sleep schedule will help you fight off illness in the future.

Related: Video: Staying Healthy While at School

Don’t go to class when you’re contagious

There are times when it’s beneficial to miss class. For example, if you’re so sick you can’t concentrate on anything other than how awful you feel, it’s probably a better idea to stay home. This goes without saying, but if you have something highly contagious such as the flu or strep throat, stay home until you’re not contagious to avoid giving it to those around you. Your teachers and classmates will thank you! And if you’re sick with something milder like a cold, wearing a mask is normal since the pandemic—so don’t feel weird about masking up for school to protect others and still be present in class.

Do return as soon as possible

It makes a world of difference to be present in your classes each day. So while you should take the time you need to recover, don’t milk it for all it’s worth. Many studies correlate consistent attendance with strong academic performance . Therefore, missing class is something you should avoid as much as possible if you’re starting to feel better. Not only do you miss lessons and explanations of what you’re learning, but you’ll also have to make up more work.

Don’t feel guilty about saying no

It’s okay to skip a club meeting, sports practice, or family event in the name of rest and recovery. One of the most common reasons our immune systems become prone to illness is overscheduling and not giving ourselves enough time to sleep and relax. We often think just a little cold means we don’t need to slow down our lifestyles, but the more you drain yourself, the longer you’ll be sick. Just say no!

Related: How to Make Time for Yourself and Your Hobbies With a Busy School Schedule

Do communicate with your teachers

Ever heard the saying “communication is key”? It’s true! Let your teachers know that you’re sick and going to miss class before class starts. This is not only the responsible thing to do for attendance purposes, but it also demonstrates that you’re serious about their classes and strengthens your relationship with them as a student. If you’re going to be out for an extended period of time, find out how you can keep up with what’s going on in class from home.

Don’t expect a pass on missed assignments

Being sick doesn’t give you a free pass on schoolwork. Most schools have protocols for how long students have before makeup work is due after returning (at my high school, it was five days), but sometimes it also depends on your teacher. You’re not entitled to exemptions from assignments. In certain cases, your teacher may say you don’t have to participate in something you missed in class, but don’t assume this will be the case. A good way to see what you’re expected to make up is to email and ask.

Do makeup work in a timely manner

Waiting until you return to school to catch up on what you missed will most likely result in a landslide of work as you scramble to catch up with past assignments and deal with current assignments. Like I said before, keep up with your classes even when you’re out sick. You’ll feel a lot more productive even as you binge-watch Netflix and eat chicken soup. Remember that you would normally be spending hours at school, so doing a couple hours of homework is still better than a full day of classes. Keeping up will pay off in the long run and will make the return to school much more painless when you don’t have makeup work deadlines looming.

Related: Top 10 Ways to Avoid Procrastination

After getting sick, the last thing you want is to get sick again. Make sure to wash your hands frequently, get enough sleep, make time for exercise, get your flu and COVID-19 shots, and avoid sharing food and drinks with others. Also protect your body by not overloading yourself with responsibilities, thus reducing stress. Don’t let anyone make you feel guilty if you just can’t do something, whether or not you’re sick—it’s more important to be an active and healthy participant in a few things than a burnt-out student who's spread too thin.

You know what’s another good way to spend your sick day if you don’t have homework to catch up on? Searching for colleges and universities and scholarship opportunities on CollegeXpress!

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About Laura Wallace

My favorite part of CollegeXpress is that it features student writers so I get an inside perspective from students slightly older and farther along than me. I realize that other college websites also utilize student writers; however, I relate the most to the college writers that I read articles from on CollegeXpress.

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How to Do Homework: 15 Expert Tips and Tricks

Coursework/GPA

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

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

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

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

So let’s get started!

How to Do Homework: Figure Out Your Struggles 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How to Do Homework When You’re a Procrastinator  

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

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

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

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

3 Tips f or Conquering Procrastination 

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

#1: Create a Reward System

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

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

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

#2: Have a Homework Accountability Partner 

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

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

#3: Create Your Own Due Dates 

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

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

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

How to Do Homework When You’re too Busy

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

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

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

3 Tips for Fitting Homework Into Your Busy Schedule

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

#1: Make a Prioritized To-Do List 

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

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

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

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

#2: Use a Planner With Time Labels

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

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

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

#3: Set Reminders on Your Phone 

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

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

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

How to Do Homework When You’re Unmotivated 

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

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

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

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

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

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

3 Tips for How to Get Motivated to Do Homework

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

#1: Use Incremental Incentives

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

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

#2: Form a Homework Group 

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

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

#3: Change Up Your Environment 

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

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

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

How to Do Homework When You’re Easily Distracted

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

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

3 Tips to Improve Your Focus

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

#1: Create a Distraction-Free Environment

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

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

#2: Limit Your Access to Technology 

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

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

#3: Set a Timer (the Pomodoro Technique)

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

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

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

Two Bonus Tips for How to Do Homework Fast

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

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

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

#1: Do the Easy Parts First 

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

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

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

#2: Pay Attention in Class 

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

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

What’s Next?

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

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

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

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

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Getting Sick in College

From extensions to prescriptions, here's how to handle it

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• Health, Safety, and Nutrition
• Before You Arrive
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• Homework Help
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• Distance Learning
• M.Ed., Higher Education Administration, Harvard University
• B.A., English and Comparative Literary Studies, Occidental College

Being sick in college is not the most pleasant of experiences. You likely have no one taking care of you, like you would at home, while at the same time your responsibilities and obligations continue to pile up as you're stuck in bed. So just what are your options if you get sick in college?

Let Your Professors Know

If you are a student in a small class, have a big day in class (meaning you have a paper due or presentation to give), or have any other responsibilities where your absence will be both noted and problematic. A quick email letting your professor know you're sick while promising to follow-up with them about how to make up the assignment (including a gracious request for an extension ), should only take a few minutes to write but will save you quite a bit of time later.

Take Care of Yourself

True, you have that midterm to take, a huge event your cultural club is planning, and the concert you and your roommate have had tickets for months. It may be frustrating, but you need to take care of yourself first and foremost. The last thing you need, after all, is to just get even sicker just because you didn't take care of yourself. It may seem impossible at first, but there really are ways to get more sleep in college. Let yourself sleep!

Healthy eating in college can be a challenge—but it also can be accomplished. Think of what your mother would want you to eat: fruits and veggies, things with nutrition, healthy liquids. Translation: no, a donut and a Diet Coke won't work for breakfast, especially when you're sick. Grab a banana, slice of toast, and orange juice instead.

Sometimes, common over-the-counter medications like aspirin and DayQuil can make a bad cold or flu manageable. Don't be afraid to ask a friend or roommate to grab you something while they're out and about!

Get a Check-up at the Campus Health Center

If you're sick for more than a day or two, have really bad symptoms, or otherwise just don't feel right, utilize what your campus has to offer. Make an appointment—or just walk in—to the campus health center. They can check you out while also offering advice and medication to get you back on your feet.

Keep Checking in With Your Professors

If you're missing a day of lecture in your chemistry class, you can usually grab notes from a friend or get them online. But if you're missing a few days, especially when there's intense material being covered or discussed, let your professor know what's going on. Tell your professor that you're really sick and that you might need a little help catching up. It's much, much easier to be in touch early on than try to explain later why you haven't been to class, haven't been in touch, and haven't turned in your assignments.

Prioritize Your To-do List

If you're sick for more than a day or two, you will likely fall behind on at least something— life in college moves very, very quickly. Take a few moments to write down a little list of what you have to do and then prioritize. Getting to the health center for a Strep Throat test? Priority! Updating Facebook with pictures from last weekend's Halloween party? Not a priority. Take care of the most important things now so you can do the other things you want and need to do later.

Major Illness or Extended Sick Time

If your sick day or two turns into a major illness or you're sick for long enough that your academics suffer, you might need to take more drastic measures.

Always Let Your Professors Know What's Going On

Even if you just shoot them a quick email letting them know that you've been really sick for a week and are trying to figure out what's going on, that email is much better than complete silence. Ask them what they need from you, if anything, to justify this much-missed class (a note from the health center? copies of your hospital paperwork?). Additionally, check your syllabi or ask your professors directly about what their policy is if you've missed something major, like a midterm or paper deadline.

Check in With Your Campus Health Center

If you're sick for more than a day or two, definitely go see the campus health center. On top of a check-up, they can verify with your professors that, indeed, you do have a nasty case of the flu and need to be out of class for another day or so.

Keep the Faculty up to Date

Check in with your academic adviser, an academic support office, the dean of students ' office, and/or the dean of faculty office. If you're missing a lot of class, are sick, and your academics are suffering, you'll need some help from the campus administration. Don't worry, though: this doesn't mean you've done anything wrong. It just means you've been sick! And everyone from your adviser to the dean of faculty has dealt with sick students before. Life happens in college; people get sick. Just be smart about it and let the appropriate people know so that, as you begin to recover, you can have the support you need academically instead of having to stress  about your situation.

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How Bad Is It Really to Work From Home When You're Sick?

How Bad Is It Really? sets the record straight on all the habits and behaviors you’ve heard might be unhealthy.

Working remotely has its perks: You can avoid a crappy commute, wear pajama pants during meetings and sneak in a workout during your lunch hour. But when the line between your home and the office becomes blurred, there are also some possible downsides too.

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Perhaps the most damaging drawback: Many people with remote jobs feel the pressure to perform around the clock, even if they aren't feeling well.

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In fact, 66 percent of Americans who work from home report that their bosses would disapprove of taking a sick day for any ailment less serious than COVID-19, according to a 2020 poll commissioned by ColdCalm , a cold medicine company.

And this stress to impress employers has clearly affected employees' decisions when it comes to sick days. The same survey also found that 67 percent of respondents were less likely to skip a day of work when sick, while seven in 10 have already pushed themselves to power through the workday when ill.

But what are the repercussions of toughing out a terrible cold or fighting the flu while working remotely?

Here, medical experts explore how working from home when you're sick can sabotage your health (now and in the future) ‌ and ‌ prevent you from being productive on the job too.

4 Risks of Working From Home When You're Sick

1. it doesn’t allow you the rest you need to recover.

"When our bodies are sick, they are spending a lot of energy fighting off the infection and trying to recover," says Laura Purdy, MD, MBA , a board-certified family medicine physician.

But if you choose to work from home, you deprive your body of the rest it needs to repair, Dr. Purdy says.

Indeed, sleep is a pivotal part of the healing process. Here's why: When you snooze, your immune system produces protective proteins called cytokines (which help fight infection and inflammation) as well as antibodies, according to the Mayo Clinic .

So if you're skimping on essential slumber to slog through a meeting, you're essentially decreasing your immune system's defenses and possibly extending the length of your illness.

2. It Can Be Stressful

"If you're trying to keep up with your workload, but you're not as clear thinking or energetic as usual," the normal demands of your daily routine can feel especially stressful, Dr. Purdy says.

And adding more stress to the mix — which can cause inflammation in the body — is not ideal when you have an impaired immune system that's already struggling to fend off an infection.

Put another way: Pushing yourself when you're ill can disrupt your bioenergetic state and place your body in a stress state, says Kien Vuu, MD , host of ‌ The Thrive State Podcast. ‌

If you're too stressed, your cells won't function optimally, and your immune system will be less able to counteract a foreign invader such as a virus or bacteria, Dr. Vuu says.

3. You Won’t Perform at Your Best

Real talk: No one does their best work when they're under the weather.

"When you're sick, especially, if you have a severe illness, it can be hard to concentrate and focus on the task at hand," Dr. Purdy says. Not only will your productivity likely decline but the quality of your work will take a hit too, she says.

Dr. Vuu agrees: Powering though the workday if you feel poorly can prevent peak performance. "There's a point in time when there are diminishing returns," he says. When you're feeling frail and fatigued, you can't cognitively perform at your best or activate your flow state. And this is when you tend to make mistakes, he adds.

Case in point: more than half of people reported their work performance suffered "considerably" when they worked from home while sick, according to the same ColdCalm poll.

4. You Can Burn Out in the Long Run

When you work remotely, there's often no clear distinction between your office space and your home. And this can make it hard to maintain a healthy work-life balance, especially for high performers and overachievers, Dr. Purdy says.

Which is why it can be all too tempting for people to tough it out from home even when they feel terrible. But making this a habit can be harmful.

"Over time, if there are poor boundaries and little separation between your work life and home life, it can lead to burnout and disengagement," Dr. Purdy says. And this ultimately results in decreased quality of output, she adds.

Dr. Vuu agrees that a good balance is necessary not only for better productivity in the long term but also to optimize health and achieve a thrive state.

When our body is in homeostasis, our cells are functioning at their best and can more effectively manage outside threats such as viruses or bacteria, he says.

But if you have a mentality like, ‌ I'll sleep when this project is over ‌ or ‌ I'll just relax on my annual vacation ‌, you're overstressing your body, which won't have the right amount of energy for health and healing.

And not allowing your body to recover and repair when you're run-down can increase your risk of feeling sick in the future.

That's what a June 2009 study in the ‌ Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health ‌ concluded. People who repeatedly went to work ill (more than six times in a year) had a 74 percent greater chance of having a long-term absence (for two months or more) due to sickness down the road.

In the long run, pushing your body like this can lead to chronic inflammation and disease, Dr. Vuu says.

It's true. Research demonstrates that chronic inflammation can contribute to the development of serious illness such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, arthritis and bowel diseases like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, according to Harvard Health Publishing .

What's more, this type of burnout not only affects you physically but also mentally. A June 2014 study in the ‌ Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine ‌ found that working while sick may significantly increase your risk for depression.

7 Tips for Better Sleep When You’re Sick

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Staying Healthy When You’re Feeling Under the Weather

The Best and Worst Foods to Eat When You're Sick

Signs you’re too sick to work from home.

"If you listen to your body, you will know whether it is safe or healthy for you to try to work through an illness," Dr. Purdy says.

In other words, don't ignore your body's signals, which can help you know when it's time to call it quits and take a proper sick day.

"I would definitely recommend avoiding work if you are severely sleep deprived, or have a very high fever, extreme fatigue, nausea or vomiting," Dr. Purdy says.

Similarly, severe body aches, lack of appetite and hounding headaches may also indicate that it's time to close shop and shut down your computer, Dr. Vuu says.

In these cases, focus on getting plenty of rest, hydrating frequently with fluids and, if possible, eating nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory foods, he says.

Is It Ever OK to Work From Home When You’re Sick?

"This is something that every person must decide for themselves," Dr. Purdy says. "Sometimes I still work from home if I am slightly under the weather, but only if I am feeling up to it. If I have a fever, I am so sick that I slept poorly the night before or I am really struggling, I will take the day off."

Dr. Vuu agrees that the decision also depends on how ill you are. For example, if your symptoms are mild — say, you have a runny nose but otherwise you still have an appetite, and your energy is good — you could still do most of your work from home, he says.

The type of work you do — how physically, mentally or emotionally demanding it is — should also factor into your decision, he says. Again, you want to avoid adding more stress to your life when you're sick.

"Another alternative is to designate yourself as 'out of office' but work on some projects individually if you feel that you have the energy to do so," Dr. Purdy adds. This way, you can work at your own pace and stop whenever you're feeling too unwell.

So, How Bad Is It Really to Work From Home When You’re Sick?

If you have a mild case of the sniffles, you're probably in the clear to continue working from home. But forcing yourself to perform when you're unfit to work is futile both for your productivity and your health.

By giving yourself the time you need to rest when you're sick, you'll have a speedier recovery and, ultimately, it will allow you to have better output at work, Dr. Purdy says.

Dr. Vuu agrees we should put more focus on recovery and taking care of ourselves. This will enable you to show up and do your best at work and at home with your family and relationships, he says.

The bottom line: "There's no shame in taking a day off for illness," Dr. Purdy says.

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• Mayo Clinic: “Lack of sleep: Can it make you sick?”
• Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health: “Sick at Work — A Risk Factor for Long-Term Sickness Absence at Later Date”
• Harvard Health Publishing: “Understanding acute and chronic inflammation”
• Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine: “Is sickness presenteeism a risk factor for depression? A Danish 2-year follow-up study”

Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.

Chronic Illness

23 things to do on days when you're stuck at home due to illness.

Life with chronic illness means you may have days (or weeks, or even longer) when you aren’t able to leave your home. While your healthy friends may think you’re “so lucky” to “get to stay home every day,” you know the truth: that it can be tough to be in so much pain, or so fatigued, or have such a difficult symptom flare, that you aren’t able to get outside, go to work or see your friends. There’s absolutely no shame in spending any length of time “housebound.” But if you’re struggling with loneliness, boredom or “cabin fever” due to spending a lot of time at home, you’re not alone. There are so many out there dealing with similar challenges (Mighty contributor Toni Bernhard even wrote an article about her own experiences and advice ).

Coping with the challenges of being housebound due to illness isn’t easy, but it can help to know how others in the same situation get through it. So we asked our Mighty community to share their advice for those who have to stay home often because of their illness. Hopefully their tips, tricks and “hacks” can give you some ideas for your own “housebound” days.

Here’s what our community told us: 

• “Due to the steep incline and sheer number of stairs in my house, we have moved our bed from our upstairs bedroom to the main floor, in the living room. That way, at least I am in the midst of the hubbub of our daily life, instead of locked away, all alone, in my bedroom all the time… I am even able to go outside and walk around our yard, when I feel up to it. I feel like I have so much more freedom now that I am ‘downstairs.’” — Donna-Jean I.
• “ I try to keep myself busy with things I can do while laying down. Recently I started crocheting, It’s a really nice distraction and most of my finished projects I give away to people that deserve it.” — Lenthe S.
• “I’m home all the time. I write a blog and encourage women who are going through difficult times. I have over 170,000 followers. Helping others with their pain helps me deal with my pain and illness.” — Jenny W.
• “I love my Kindle Fire. Not only do I read on it but I can also use it for games and Netflix.” — Kim M.
• “Do everything you can to limit cabin fever. I keep many low-maintenance houseplants. I love to play nature videos from YouTube. There are many that are over three hours long… Almost any landscape you could want. It really helps to bring the outside indoors.” — Liberty W.
• “Get a home health aide! I am disabled due to autoimmune neuropathy. If it weren’t for my aide, I would be so alone! Besides helping me with personal care, she helps keep my apartment clean. She is also a great companion!” — Kathy A.
• “Video games! Even if you’ve never played before or feel you’re ‘too old’ (you’re never too old). They keep your mind busy, and are good for days when moving around isn’t possible.” — Kaitlyn M.
• “I’m not housebound overall, but I also don’t get out *a lot* and have stretches where I can’t really go out at all. My biggest ways of getting through it: positive TV shows (nothing that’s too emotionally heavy or intellectually demanding for how you feel at the moment). Making your house beautiful. You’d be surprised how even something small like switching from dingy white bedsheets to rich purple ones or getting a houseplant can brighten your mood. I try to make as many things I own as possible be beautiful. [And] spend time looking outside, standing in the porch or balcony, or something like that, even if it’s only for a few minutes a day.” – Sheila V.
• “Keep your mind [as] busy as possible! It helps so much. I write, read, work, watch TV, snuggle with my dogs — all from bed. I think not being alone and having my dogs help me from not getting so down! They cheer me up and lay with me when I’m in so much pain. And I know they can’t talk back but they hear me.” — Bianca M.
• “Rely on friendships and relatives to vent and visit. It can be very alienating to be homebound. So very important to stay connected with other people outside of the home.” — Llana H.
• “Google Express and Amazon Prime as they deliver most basic household products directly to your door within two days.” — Danielle M.
• “In warmer weather I put a camping chair in the garden and sit out there reading or just listening to the birds (with suncream, hat and sunglasses on!).” — Sarah L.
• “I am learning how important lumens are! When homebound (which is more often than not) I open the window coverings and let in as much natural light as possible.” — Denise L.
• “A good quality eye mask for napping or a bad migraine. I don’t know what I would do without one (or several!)” — Jessica S.
• “I joined a guild in an online game I can play on my phone, and I’ve made some really good friends over the past year playing it. I can be social on the game when I want to, and I can avoid it when I’m not able to engage with people.” — Sarah L.
• “Keep a daily routine. Whether it’s light bed exercise and brushing your teeth or full shower and beauty routine. Even just one or two things. It all helps and it’s all important.” — Beth D.
• “I keep a blog so that I have an outlet, but I keep it positive. I don’t let it be a venting place as much as a way to plan how to take care of myself, and a place to record all my medical experiences so that I can remember and let others learn from them.” — Sarah L.
• “Books, movies, comfy PJs and a heated blanket. No guilt.” — Christi V.
• “For me our rescue [pet] has changed my mood so much. She’s my companion and I am no longer lonely while my husband and kids are away during the day. Also I make sure to step outside for fresh air, have a comfort blanket, and craft to pass the time.” — Sarah M.
• “Joining Facebook groups not related to your illness but instead a hobby/interest is also really good. For example I like decorating my planner with stickers, Washi tape, etc. and I also love Harry Potter. There’s a Facebook group called Harry Potter And The Order Of The Planners plus a spin-off dedicated to reading called HPOOTP-Flourish and Blotts. I love it because there are tons of active members and it’s not focused on my disability. On the flip side it is helpful to join a group that is related to your illness/disability for the support aspect of it. For example, the group I helped start: Happy Planners: Chronic illness & special needs. I like having both options available.” — Rebecca P.
• “[I use the] Overdrive app on my iPad so I can borrow audiobooks from the library. Sometimes it was the only thing I could do in the dark due to my debilitating headaches from CSF leak. Reading on the iPad is also a lot easier on [my] eyes.” — Ingrid S.
• “I use doTERRA essential oils to give me some comfort while at home. I also have a Sobakawa cloud pillow for my head whereas I could never use a pillow under my head before.” — Mindy P.
• “ I read books to transport me away from my house and my own situation to whole new worlds and characters!” — Sarah L.

The Mighty Asks

What advice do you have for people who are housebound due to their illness? Share in the comments below.

Erin is the former senior editor and chronic illness editor of The Mighty. She joined The Mighty in 2015 and previously worked at Inside Weddings magazine, Mic, and The Huffington Post. She was also the features editor at The California Aggie, UC Davis' student newspaper. She is honored to be a part of the Mighty community!

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Should You Work From Home While Sick?

For many people, working from home while they are sick is a convenient option, as long as their employer allows it. Working from home may not be the best choice for someone under the weather, but that depends on how sick you are and whether you can get anything done at home.

For example, if you have a cold and you don’t want anyone at work to get it, you should probably stay home. During the flu season, that becomes much more important. Avoiding work while fighting influenza can keep the whole office healthy .

But, what if you have some other illness?

Many will wake up with a sore throat, jump in the shower, take a throat lozenge, and head for work . This may not be the best way to go, since a sore throat is often an early sign of a cold, and as we all know, colds are very contagious.

A study from the Canada Life Group Insurance Company looked further into this occurrence. They found that nearly 90% of employees have come into work while sick.

Bosses will always worry about the employees who call in sick despite being healthy. But, a larger number of bosses are more worried about people showing up to work who are sick and contagious.

With the “always at work” mentality, people who work from home still stay in touch with their projects and fellow workers. This might be a counter-productive situation when you’re sick and need to work at home with some peace and quiet.

It’s no secret that many offices encourage the “always on” mentality. This means employees will find it difficult to ask for time off when they are sick, and are often encouraged to work from home instead.

If you are one of those who grapples with the idea of whether you should take time off when you are sick, it’s important to come up with a contingency plan to help you decide. You should stop and think about the long-term effects of your decision.

If you decide to go to work while you are sick, you should at least think of a place at work where you can isolate yourself from others. Although, if you decide to work from home, think about what you might be missing by staying away from work.

With the cold season ahead, workers are coming down with fevers, headaches, and runny noses. The CDC reported that your chances of getting sick this year fall between 5% and 20%, which is relatively high.

And after falling ill, employees are left with that debate: stay home or go to the office. The problem with staying home is that it might cause more stress due to the amount of work you lose. When you return to work, you could be faced with a pile of paperwork and past due projects.

But, why do people go to work when they are sick?

If you are one of the lucky people who has plenty of sick time saved up, you don’t have to worry about calling in sick without jeopardizing your job.

But, this often isn’t the case.

A 2014 survey by the National Survey Foundation (NSF) concluded that 4 out of 10 Americans say they come to work sick simply because they don’t have much choice. Approximately 10% of those surveyed said they go to work sick.

As a rule, it’s always best to stay home when you are sick. So, the next time you wake up with a headache, runny nose, and a cough, stay home.

Are you looking to keep your office healthy this flu season? Passport Health can help! Give us a call at or fill out a contact form for more information.

Written for Passport Health by Jerry Olsen. He has over 15 years of combined experience as a writer and editor in Salt Lake City. Jerry’s writing topics range from health care, travel, life science to medical technology and technical writing.

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Is it unreasonable to not do homework while sick?

I've been sick this whole weekend with a fever, cold and headache and I haven't done my homework because of that. Now I've got my mom screaming at me over the phone because I didn't do my homework. Is being sick not a reason for not doing homework? I just don't get it.

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Eagles' Exec On Waiver Wire: 'It's Challenging'

John mcmullen | 12 hours ago.

• Philadelphia Eagles

PHILADELPHIA - According to the most recent reliable estimates, about 71% of the Earth's surface is covered by water and roughly 90% of the seafloor remains uncharted.

If there’s an uncharted world in the NFL, it might be the waiver wire, a looming Boogeyman to many fans around the league who seem to always believe the rest of the league is champing at the bit to get that fourth-string defensive back who flashed for one play in the fourth quarter of a meaningless preseason game.

In truth, claiming a bunch of players off waivers – we are looking at you Carolina, and New England – is generally a very bad sign for those organizations.

This year, a whopping 26 players were claimed across the league at the initial cut down to 53, an average of 0.81 per team with the Panthers and Pats responsible for 38.% of the original claims.

What we do know about the Eagles is that vested veteran offensive lineman Nick Gates is a part of the team’s plans for Week 1 against Green Bay yet Philadelphia released the Nebraska product explaining to him that he would be elevated early in the season.

The idea behind that juggling act is that a veteran like Gates doesn’t have to go through waivers and by working out an understanding you can keep a younger player away from a potential claim.

The idea the Eagles have a better idea than anyone else about who may or may not be claimed is partially true from the perspective that the organization has the resources to do as much homework as possible.

However, in the end, it’s always just a better-educated guess.

“It’s challenging,” assistant GM Alec Halaby told Philadelphia Eagles on SI when asked about the waiver wire. “You look around the league, you try to figure out where people have a surplus, where they have deficits, where they might have some needs but that’s something that’s problematic. 

“You don’t have real certainty in any cases there where 'hey we’re going to lose this guy or we’re going to be able to get this guy back.' You learn on the fly there and you have some intuition and some instincts about it, but you can regularly be wrong.”

The Eagles claimed former San Francisco cornerback Sam Womack at the cut to 53 but so did Indianapolis and Kansas City with the Colts being awarded the player due to higher priority on the wire than a playoff team like the Eagles and the Super Bowl champions.

Philadelphia did claim defensive tackle Byron Young from Las Vegas on Thursday after the Alabama product was waived to make room for two claims the Raiders made at the initial 53, one being Indianapolis DT Jonah Laulu.

To make room for Young the Eagles waived fourth-year DT Marlon Tuipulotu, who did clear waivers before subsequently signing with the Chiefs’ practice squad.

The educated guess is that second-year CB Eli Ricks would have been on the outside, looking in had the Eagles been awarded Womack but that’s just the kind of intuition Halaby described.

Considering Carolina had top waiver priority and the Panthers claimed three cornerbacks, it seemed like a sound decision to keep Ricks on the initial 53. That said, an NFL source in Carolina told Eagles on SI Ricks was not on the Panthers’ radar.

“Some people look at it like it’s 24 hours before the deadline when these conversations are happening, but we start talking about that in late July,” Halaby said. “We’re talking about that every day, every week throughout August and then you’re trying to piece that out and sort of plan for all the eventualities and the different permeations it can take.”

MORE NFL: Eagles Name Captains, And It's The First Time Being Chosen For One Veteran

JOHN MCMULLEN

John McMullen is a veteran reporter who has covered the NFL for over two decades. The current NFL insider for JAKIB Media, John is the former NFL Editor for The Sports Network where his syndicated column was featured in over 200 outlets including the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, and Miami Herald. He was also the national NFL columnist for Today's Pigskin as well as FanRag Sports. McMullen has covered the Eagles on a daily basis since 2016, first for ESPN South Jersey and now for Eagles Today on SI.com's FanNation. You can listen to John, alongside legendary sports-talk host Jody McDonald every morning from 8-10 on ‘Birds 365,” streaming live on YouTube.com. John is also the host of his own show "Extending the Play" on AM1490 in South Jersey and part of 6ABC.com's live postgame show after every Eagles game. You can reach him at [email protected] or on Twitter @JFMcMullen

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• Homework Skills

How to Get Homework Done when You Don't Want To

Last Updated: June 24, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Ashley Pritchard, MA and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden . Ashley Pritchard is an Academic and School Counselor at Delaware Valley Regional High School in Frenchtown, New Jersey. Ashley has over 3 years of high school, college, and career counseling experience. She has an MA in School Counseling with a specialization in Mental Health from Caldwell University and is certified as an Independent Education Consultant through the University of California, Irvine. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 251,802 times.

Homework can be a drag, but it's got to be done to keep your grades up and stay on track during school. Going somewhere quiet, making a plan, and giving yourself breaks can all help you stay focused and on task to get your work done quickly. Try to keep your assignments organized and give yourself credit for completing hard or boring work, even if you didn’t want to.

Getting Motivated

• Keep a list of your assignments and check them off as you finish them. This can give you a sense of accomplishment that can motivate you to keep going.

• Make it the rule that you work for a certain amount of time, or until a certain amount of work has been accomplished. Afterward, you can hang out. Stick to this schedule.
• Try this out and see if it works. If you're too distracted by having friends around, make a date to hang out after homework instead.

• Make sure you keep the competition to yourself. Competing with your friends isn’t fun, especially over homework assignments and grades.

• Learning something that will probably help with future assignments, even if you don't know what they are yet.
• Proving to your teacher that you understand the homework so that they don’t keep assigning it over and over.
• Improving your GPA.
• Getting a good grade.

• Try not to reward yourself with food, as that can lead to snacking when you aren’t really hungry.

Staying Focused

• For instance, tell yourself that if you finish your first assignment in 20 minutes, you can go on your phone for 5 minutes.

• Make sure you stand up and do something when it's your break, or you won't get your wiggles out.
• Set a timer on your phone or use a kitchen timer to let yourself know when it's time to switch tasks.

• If you don't have control over the subject, try to find connections between the topic and something you care about. Find aspects of the subject that interest you.
• For instance, if you have to study History but you care the most about fashion, investigate the styles of the times and places you are studying. Learn how political and economical developments changed the way people dressed.

• You can find playlists on Spotify and YouTube that are made for studying and doing homework.

• When you're struggling to focus, sign out of your email and all social media so you don't check them as a reflex.

Creating Good Study Habits

• If you have many textbooks and worksheets, stack them and put them to the side.
• Get things like pencils, erasers, calculators, rulers, and paper.

• Having a planner will make it less tempting to procrastinate, as long as you have broken up your studying into manageable chunks.
• Your planner can be paper, or you can get one on your phone. Just make sure it has space for task lists as well as events.
• Once you have completed a task, cross it off or put a check next to it. Seeing that you're getting your work done will make you feel better, which in turn will motivate you to keep up the good work.
• Don't put more than you can do in one day on a list! Split up your week's work so that every day has a manageable amount.

• If you have a job or extracurricular activities that change your daily schedule, determine a weekly schedule that you stick to as much as possible.

• Sometimes just explaining what you have to do will help you understand it better.
• Talking to another person is a great way to brainstorm ideas. They may ask you questions or provide comments that can help you organize your ideas.
• Other times, the person you are talking to will notice something about the prompt that you overlooked.

Supercharge Your Studying with this Expert Series

Expert Q&A

Reader Videos

• Try asking a family member to help you remember when to start your assignments so you don’t forget. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 2
• If you’re really struggling with a topic, consider going to a tutor for extra help. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 2
• Getting motivated can be tough. Just try your best, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 2

Tips from our Readers

• Set up a dedicated study area at home with your needed supplies, to establish a consistent homework routine. Having everything in one prepared place helps minimize distractions.
• Use a planner to schedule out all your assignments. Break them into small, manageable pieces so it's less overwhelming. Checking tasks off as you finish motivates you along.
• If completely stuck on an assignment, reach out and talk it through with someone. Verbalizing it can provide new insights to move forward.
• Take short activity breaks every 45 minutes. Get up, stretch, grab some water. It refreshes your mental focus so you stay engaged.
• Incorporate a fun personal interest into an assignment when possible. Writing about something you care about keeps you absorbed.
• When you really need to concentrate, eliminate enticing distractions like your phone. Logging out keeps you on track.

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://hwpi.harvard.edu/files/comm/files/smarttalk_staff_guide.pdf
• ↑ http://www.wcsu.edu/housing/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2018/05/Handout-V6N6.pdf
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/worry-wise/201410/how-prevent-homework-procrastination
• ↑ Ashley Pritchard, MA. Academic & School Counselor. Expert Interview. 4 November 2019.
• ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/homework.html
• ↑ http://kidshealth.org/en/kids/organize-focus.html?WT.ac=p-ra#
• ↑ https://www.stonybrookmedicine.edu/sites/default/files/homework_tips.pdf
• ↑ https://childmind.org/article/strategies-to-make-homework-go-more-smoothly/
• ↑ http://kidshealth.org/en/teens/homework.html#

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