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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.

Ashley Sufflé Robinson has a Ph.D. in 19th Century English Literature. As a content writer for PrepScholar, Ashley is passionate about giving college-bound students the in-depth information they need to get into the school of their dreams.

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How many times have you found yourself still staring at your textbook around midnight (or later!) even when you started your homework hours earlier? Those lost hours could be explained by Parkinson’s Law, which states, “Work expands to fill the time available for its completion.” In other words, if you give yourself all night to memorize those geometry formulas for your quiz tomorrow, you’ll inevitably find that a 30 minute task has somehow filled your entire evening.

We know that you have more homework than ever. But even with lots and lots to do, a few tweaks to your study routine could help you spend less time getting more accomplished. Here are 8 steps to make Parkinson’s Law work to your advantage:

1. Make a list

This should be a list of everything that has to be done that evening. And we mean, everything—from re-reading notes from this morning’s history class to quizzing yourself on Spanish vocabulary.

2. Estimate the time needed for each item on your list

You can be a little ruthless here. However long you think a task will take, try shaving off 5 or 10 minutes. But, be realistic. You won’t magically become a speed reader.

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3. Gather all your gear

Collect EVERYTHING you will need for the homework you are working on (like your laptop for writing assignments and pencils for problem sets). Getting up for supplies takes you off course and makes it that much harder to get back to your homework.

The constant blings and beeps from your devices can make it impossible to focus on what you are working on. Switch off or silence your phones and tablets, or leave them in another room until it’s time to take a tech break.

Read More: How to Calculate Your GPA

5. Time yourself

Noting how much time something actually takes will help you estimate better and plan your next study session.

6. Stay on task

If you’re fact checking online, it can be so easy to surf on over to a completely unrelated site. A better strategy is to note what information you need to find online, and do it all at once at the end of the study session.

7. Take plenty of breaks

Most of us need a break between subjects or to break up long stretches of studying. Active breaks are a great way to keep your energy up. Tech breaks can be an awesome way to combat the fear of missing out that might strike while you are buried in your work, but they also tend to stretch much longer than originally intended. Stick to a break schedule of 10 minutes or so.

8. Reward yourself! 

Finish early? If you had allocated 30 minutes for reading a biology chapter and it only took 20, you can apply those extra 10 minutes to a short break—or just move on to your next task. If you stay on track, you might breeze through your work quickly enough to catch up on some Netflix.

Our best piece of advice? Keep at it. The more you use this system, the easier it will become. You’ll be surprised by how much time you can shave off homework just by focusing and committing to a distraction-free study plan.

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Does homework really work?

by: Leslie Crawford | Updated: December 12, 2023

Print article

You know the drill. It’s 10:15 p.m., and the cardboard-and-toothpick Golden Gate Bridge is collapsing. The pages of polynomials have been abandoned. The paper on the Battle of Waterloo seems to have frozen in time with Napoleon lingering eternally over his breakfast at Le Caillou. Then come the tears and tantrums — while we parents wonder, Does the gain merit all this pain? Is this just too much homework?

However the drama unfolds night after night, year after year, most parents hold on to the hope that homework (after soccer games, dinner, flute practice, and, oh yes, that childhood pastime of yore known as playing) advances their children academically.

But what does homework really do for kids? Is the forest’s worth of book reports and math and spelling sheets the average American student completes in their 12 years of primary schooling making a difference? Or is it just busywork?

Homework haterz

Whether or not homework helps, or even hurts, depends on who you ask. If you ask my 12-year-old son, Sam, he’ll say, “Homework doesn’t help anything. It makes kids stressed-out and tired and makes them hate school more.”

Nothing more than common kid bellyaching?

Maybe, but in the fractious field of homework studies, it’s worth noting that Sam’s sentiments nicely synopsize one side of the ivory tower debate. Books like The End of Homework , The Homework Myth , and The Case Against Homework the film Race to Nowhere , and the anguished parent essay “ My Daughter’s Homework is Killing Me ” make the case that homework, by taking away precious family time and putting kids under unneeded pressure, is an ineffective way to help children become better learners and thinkers.

One Canadian couple took their homework apostasy all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada. After arguing that there was no evidence that it improved academic performance, they won a ruling that exempted their two children from all homework.

So what’s the real relationship between homework and academic achievement?

How much is too much?

To answer this question, researchers have been doing their homework on homework, conducting and examining hundreds of studies. Chris Drew Ph.D., founder and editor at The Helpful Professor recently compiled multiple statistics revealing the folly of today’s after-school busy work. Does any of the data he listed below ring true for you?

• 45 percent of parents think homework is too easy for their child, primarily because it is geared to the lowest standard under the Common Core State Standards .

• 74 percent of students say homework is a source of stress , defined as headaches, exhaustion, sleep deprivation, weight loss, and stomach problems.

• Students in high-performing high schools spend an average of 3.1 hours a night on homework , even though 1 to 2 hours is the optimal duration, according to a peer-reviewed study .

Not included in the list above is the fact many kids have to abandon activities they love — like sports and clubs — because homework deprives them of the needed time to enjoy themselves with other pursuits.

Conversely, The Helpful Professor does list a few pros of homework, noting it teaches discipline and time management, and helps parents know what’s being taught in the class.

The oft-bandied rule on homework quantity — 10 minutes a night per grade (starting from between 10 to 20 minutes in first grade) — is listed on the National Education Association’s website and the National Parent Teacher Association’s website , but few schools follow this rule.

Do you think your child is doing excessive homework? Harris Cooper Ph.D., author of a meta-study on homework , recommends talking with the teacher. “Often there is a miscommunication about the goals of homework assignments,” he says. “What appears to be problematic for kids, why they are doing an assignment, can be cleared up with a conversation.” Also, Cooper suggests taking a careful look at how your child is doing the assignments. It may seem like they’re taking two hours, but maybe your child is wandering off frequently to get a snack or getting distracted.

Less is often more

If your child is dutifully doing their work but still burning the midnight oil, it’s worth intervening to make sure your child gets enough sleep. A 2012 study of 535 high school students found that proper sleep may be far more essential to brain and body development.

For elementary school-age children, Cooper’s research at Duke University shows there is no measurable academic advantage to homework. For middle-schoolers, Cooper found there is a direct correlation between homework and achievement if assignments last between one to two hours per night. After two hours, however, achievement doesn’t improve. For high schoolers, Cooper’s research suggests that two hours per night is optimal. If teens have more than two hours of homework a night, their academic success flatlines. But less is not better. The average high school student doing homework outperformed 69 percent of the students in a class with no homework.

Many schools are starting to act on this research. A Florida superintendent abolished homework in her 42,000 student district, replacing it with 20 minutes of nightly reading. She attributed her decision to “ solid research about what works best in improving academic achievement in students .”

More family time

A 2020 survey by Crayola Experience reports 82 percent of children complain they don’t have enough quality time with their parents. Homework deserves much of the blame. “Kids should have a chance to just be kids and do things they enjoy, particularly after spending six hours a day in school,” says Alfie Kohn, author of The Homework Myth . “It’s absurd to insist that children must be engaged in constructive activities right up until their heads hit the pillow.”

By far, the best replacement for homework — for both parents and children — is bonding, relaxing time together.

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21 Homework Jobs Online – Get Paid for Doing Homework 2023

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please read the full disclosure here . 

Can you get paid to do people’s homework? Is this a legit side hustle? We are getting into all the details, along with a comprehensive list of online homework jobs that you can apply.

Get Paid to Answer Homework Questions

Table of Contents

Whether you’re an academic teen aiming to impress your dream college’s admissions board, or a stay-at-home parent wanting to make some supplemental income – online homework jobs are worth considering.

Many websites offer these services, and they are almost always looking for the right individuals to join their team.

Most offer flexible schedules where you can set your hours and availability depending on your schedule. When signing up, make sure to highlight which subjects and grade levels you are able to help with, as well as your education level. 

What are Homework Jobs?

While completing a students homework can be considered unethical, the homework jobs listed in this article are more of an aided learning side hustle. 

As a homework helper, you could assist in the following:

• Answer a specific question
• School projects
• Assignments
• Presentations
• Writing speeches
• Essay writing
• Proofreading

So if you are wondering if this is a real side hustle, you will be surprised by the number of legit websites that allow you to get paid to do homework for others. 

Most of the sites offer these services as a guide for students to use to complete their projects.

21 Online Homework Jobs

How do I get paid for doing homework? For those interest in these homework jobs, keep reading to find the best places to apply.

If you are willing to provide online homework help to students, this list of homework jobs can help bring in some extra income for your time and effort. 

1. One Class

This worldwide website assists more than 4.3 million students worldwide and employs over 120k tutors.

Parents and students pay for tutoring services via a yearly subscription, which includes a plethora of site-wide content and access to a qualified tutor at any hour. 

Students also post questions to homework problems in any subject, giving you the opportunity to help them through it. Particularly helpful tutors also earn cash bonuses for their input on top of their regular rate. 

As part of a worldwide tutoring website, you’ll have a more flexible schedule as a tutor.

There’s no need to worry if you are unavailable during the popular post-school day and pre-dinner time hours in your own time zone. You can align your available hours with another time zone where homework jobs will be plentiful.

2. Sweet Study

Sweet Study specializes in high school and college level content.

Students post a question for a fee, and then tutors put in an offer to land the homework job. The student then chooses the tutor that they best feel is qualified to help them through their assignment. 

The base rate for a question or topic is $9.00, which can certainly add up depending on how many students accept your offer. 

3. School Solver

A top-rated website recommended by thousands of students throughout the world, School Solver offers students expert tutors in every subject.

Similar to Sweet Study, students can post a question or an assignment and tutors can present an offer.

School Solver allows students to set their own price – what they’re willing to pay – for help with the assignment. This gives tutors the opportunity to be discriminating and only put in offers for assignments they feel reflect their worth. 

4. 24 Hour Answers

This site covers 30 academic fields with over 400 individual subjects and offers scholarship opportunities for students.

Tutors make a profile in which they highlight their education level and subjects of expertise.

The tutor’s average response time is also placed on their public profile, so if you sign up as a tutor, make sure to be available as much as possible.

As a homework helper, you’ll assist students in real time via video conferencing over the platform. 

5. Studypool  

At Study Pool, you’ll not only help with online homework jobs, but also perform video tutoring where students can sign up to learn more about a subject with which they are struggling. 

Like many of the other entries on our list, students post a question and the price they are willing to pay for tutoring help. Tutors then put in bids for the homework jobs they are interested in helping with.

The student only pays if they are satisfied with their tutoring experience, so this puts some pressure on the tutors to excel in their teaching efforts. 

6. Just Answer  

Unlike most of the other websites on our list, tutors don’t have to be qualified solely in academic subjects.

Professional expertise of all kinds is welcome and needed in their tutors. Experts include car mechanics, divorce attorneys, HVAC technicians, and more. 

Tutors set their own hours of availability and the subjects they are willing to teach.

To become a tutor with Just Answer, you’ll need to undergo a rigorous background check and upload your qualifying documents, such as any degrees or certifications you have. The process takes about 2 – 3 weeks, but once cleared, you’ll be able to make money being a tutor. 

7. Help with Assignments 

At Help with Assignments, you’ll set up your profile and highlight your expertise, including your qualifications and which subjects you are comfortable teaching. 

Students upload an assignment, then homework helpers can bid on the assignment.

Students can check on the progress on the assignment in real time through the website, and when the tutor has finished the assignment, they deliver it to the student through their inbox on the site. 

8. Ace My Homework

Ace my Homework helps students in a variety of subjects find homework help. As a tutor, you’ll set your own rate and accept the online homework jobs you want. 

According to their website, tutors must hold advanced degrees, such as a Master’s or PhD in their chosen subjects. 

7. Growing Stars

Growing Stars differs from many other entries on our list by matching an individual tutor with each student.

Students have scheduled live one-on-one lessons with their own tutor but can reach out to their tutor in between sessions for immediate homework help. 

As a tutor, you’ll be expected to consider the long-term academic success of your students instead of just the homework job at hand. It’s a great option for tutors aiming for long-term tutoring rather than short-term work. 

8. Writing Jobz 

This freelancing site is dedicated to writers, who can write on a variety of subject

. Unlike other homework jobs, Writing Jobz focuses on writing content on everything from the hard sciences to creative and expository writing. Those who post are students needing assignments written for various subjects. 

There is no need for one-on-one tutoring, as writing assignments are posted on a regular basis, with writers able to pick up however many assignments they are comfortable taking on. 

9. ThePensters

Similar to Writing Jobz, The Pensters is a site for freelance writers willing and able to help students with a variety of writing assignments.

Assignments are posted from students all over the world, which helps with flexibility, and the bidding system gives you, as the writer, the flexibility to choose your assignments and your rate. 

Writers can be paid between $5 – $14 per page, which makes the longer assignments especially lucrative. Deadlines for the papers are also posted, so the writer can determine whether they have enough time to complete an assignment. 

10. TutorEye  

This website offers partnerships with schools and universities, making it a widely used platform worldwide. 

As a prospective tutor, the application process is simple. You’ll submit your application through the portal, undergo an approval process including verifying your qualifications, take their onboarding training, and set your own schedule.

Tutor Eye offers homework jobs in a variety of subjects, including Nursing, Engineering, Economics, and more. 

11. Essay Pro 

As their name suggests, Essay Pro offers primarily writing and editing services.

Services include help with writing term papers, dissertations, research papers, admission essays, and more. They also offer help with math and physics homework. 

According to their website, Essay Pro pauses their application process for new tutors during the summer months. 

13. Pearson

Pearson’s primary tutoring platform, Smart Thinking offers homework help in a variety of subjects.

Tutors can help with subjects in elementary or secondary education, as well as higher education at undergraduate and graduate levels. 

Full-time and part-time tutoring jobs are available once you undergo their application process. Tutors can even help with resume and essay writing while helping students develop powerful written and verbal communication skills. 

14. Chegg  

Chegg is the parent company of Easybib.com, a site widely used by students worldwide to help with proper essay citations and bibliographies.

Avoid overpaying for school textbooks with Chegg’s comprehensive price comparisons, and order directly from their site. Chegg also helps job seekers gain what skills they need to land their dream job, like Quickbooks, JavaScript, and Python. 

This popular site boasts that 94% of their customers have reported better grades when they use Chegg for homework help. As a tutor, you’ll help with test prep, essay writing, online tutoring, and plagiarism checks. 

15. Tutor.com 

You don’t have to be an expert in academics to land homework jobs as a tutor on Tutor.com.

Their qualified staff includes teachers, industry professionals, mechanics, and grad students who are looking to gain experience and earn extra income. 

As a tutor, you’ll have the option to teach subjects in any grade level, from K – 12 to higher education in undergraduate and graduate subjects. 

Wyzant connects students looking for one-on-one homework and tutoring help, with tutors able to choose which students best fit their hours and qualifications.

Tutors can set their own rates and use the comprehensive video platform to use whiteboards, text editing, graphing, and code editors that aren’t available on other video conferencing platforms. 

17. TutorMe

Tutor Me helps millions of students worldwide with their homework while providing homework jobs to their highly skilled tutors in over 300 subjects.

As a tutor, you get to set your own hours and work from anywhere you have a secure internet connection. 

To apply, you’ll need to upload your work history, any certifications or degrees in the subjects you wish to teach, and pass an assessment in your chosen subjects.

After a background check and onboarding process, you’ll get to set your schedule and start tutoring.

18. Paper Coach

Paper Coach offers homework jobs related to writing.

As a tutor, you’ll help with a variety of writing assignments, such as term papers, dissertations, written speeches, book reviews, and more. You can also offer proofreading and editing on students’ written work. 

20. Geeky Lab

With the slogan “There is an ‘A’ in ‘teamwork,'” Geeky Lab communicates their dedication to helping students excel in every subject.

With qualified tutors in more than 100 subjects, you – as a tutor – are needed in whatever capacity you can spare. 

Tutors are paid for their time and for each assignment, reducing subscription fees for the student. Students are required to pay 30% of their tutor’s fee up front and the rest when the assignment is complete. 

21. Course Hero

Course Hero has helped over 20 million students worldwide with their homework, and tutors are trained in a variety of subjects and grade levels.

As a tutor, you’ll have to undergo the application process, background check, and verification in your chosen fields before accepting homework jobs. 

Conclusion: Homework Jobs Online

Whether you have a bachelors degree or believe you are an expert in a subject, you can certainly apply to become a homework helper. 

Most websites have their own eligibility criteria, so it is important to check which one of them might suit you.

This side hustle is perfect for those who can meet deadlines, keep track of assignments and enjoy helping students with their homework.

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Create Online Homework on Quizizz

Create, share, and host online homework quizzes and assignments for free on Quizizz!

Why assign homework online?

If you would like to streamline your grading process and provide more personalised support for your students, online homework might be the way to go. When you assign homework online, you can easily allocate and track assessments , quickly provide feedback, and tailor content to meet the specific needs of your students.  As a teacher, making the shift from pen-and-paper homework to online homework can benefit both you and your students. Online homework platforms, such as Quizizz, offer a host of tools that can boost student engagement through interactive questions, audio-visual aids, and gamification .  Whether you’re brainstorming for online math homework or grading responses for online chemistry homework, a platform like Quizizz can support you every step of the way.

Online homework - a win for students

Quizizz enables you to create interactive homework online, so your students can fully immerse themselves in the joy of learning.

Assess anywhere, anytime

Assign quizzes and lessons as homework with a future start time and deadline. Quizizz empowers your students to do their online homework from anywhere, using any device.

Inclusive, accessible design

The fastest finger doesn’t always have to be first. On Quizizz, students can complete their online homework at their own pace. You can also enable ‘Read aloud’ for ELL and elementary students.

Double the engagement

Boost participation and captivate your learners through a range of audio-visual aids including images, gifs, videos, audio clips, and more. Engage a variety of skills through multiple question types.

Double the fun

The road to mastery can be fun and exciting . Students can enjoy attempting their online homework with the Quizizz Leaderboard, memes, music, redemption questions, and power-ups.

Online homework - a win for teachers

Quizizz provides the space for you to create effective and high-quality online homework assignments in just a few minutes.

Import from Library

Gain inspiration from over 30M free online homework activities created by teachers on Quizizz, and import the content you need with a single click.

Learn more about this >

Import from device or Google Drive

Import your presentations, PDFs, Google Slides, Google Forms, and spreadsheets from your Google Drive or device to bring all your resources under one roof.

Use adaptive question banks

Provide every learner with a unique experience by showing them a different set of questions that change with each attempt.

Craft homework using multiple question types

In this classic activity, learners can complete sentences by filling in the blanks with the right answers.

Ask your students to reorder a set of jumbled options in ascending, descending, or chronological order.

Present learners with the opportunity to select one or more correct answers from a list of options.

Gamify your assessment with shuffled text and images that your students can pair together.

Choose between a plain background or an image and watch as students give shape to their thoughts with colors, highlighters, and more.

Motivate learners to think critically by dragging and dropping the right options to complete a sentence.

Let students take center stage with video responses so you can assess their presentation skills.

Check the pulse of your classroom with a fun poll or vote.

Use Lessons to create an instructor-led experience where slides and multimedia are combined with quiz and poll questions.

Engage your students’ higher order thinking skills and encourage them to dig deep with open-ended questions.

Analyze speaking skills by allowing students to voice their answers using the audio response feature.

Prompt your students to choose between a set of drop-down options to fill out the blanks in a piece of text.

With online homework on Quizizz you can

Grade flexibly

Allow Quizizz to grade homework assignments automatically. Or, assess submissions manually by assigning a scaled grade for each question.

Get instant reports

With detailed reports on Quizizz, measure the growth and progress of your students, and share significant milestones with other stakeholders.

Sync with an LMS

Update online homework and grades in the blink of an eye by syncing Quizizz with an LMS like Canvas, Schoology, or Google Classroom.

The best way to ask questions, explore ideas, and let students show what they know.

Use Quizizz for online homework

The psychological benefits of finishing your homework on time

H omework has long been a staple of the educational experience, often viewed as a tool for reinforcing learning and assessing student understanding. Despite its educational importance, many students struggle with timely completion, facing obstacles such as procrastination, distraction, and a lack of motivation. These challenges can make homework seem like a daunting task. However, the benefits of completing homework on time extend beyond academic achievement. This article aims to explore the psychological benefits associated with timely homework completion, revealing how this practice can enhance mental well-being and foster personal growth.

Enhanced time management skills

One of the key psychological benefits of completing homework on time is the development of robust time management skills. When students regularly meet homework deadlines, they learn to prioritize tasks and manage their time more effectively. This skill is crucial not only in academic settings but also in personal and professional life. Mastering time management can lead to a sense of control over one’s life, which significantly reduces feelings of stress and overwhelm. It’s common to hear students ask, “ Can you write my paper for me ?” as deadlines approach. However, those who have honed their time management skills are more likely to tackle assignments independently and with confidence, knowing they have planned adequately to meet their obligations.

Reduced stress and anxiety

The act of finishing homework on time can significantly alleviate stress and anxiety. Procrastination often leads to a buildup of tasks, which can become overwhelming as deadlines draw near. This not only increases anxiety but also triggers a cycle of stress and poor performance. By completing assignments on time, students can avoid the panic associated with last-minute rushes. The psychological relief that comes from knowing that all tasks are completed and nothing is hanging over one’s head is profound. Regularly experiencing this relief helps students maintain a calmer, more composed mindset, which is conducive to both academic success and general well-being.

Improved self-esteem

Timely completion of homework also plays a critical role in enhancing self-esteem. When students finish their work on time, they receive positive feedback and grades, which reinforces their self-image and confidence in their abilities. This process is vital for building self-efficacy, the belief in one’s capability to execute behaviors necessary to produce specific performance attainments. Achieving daily homework goals provides a continuous stream of small successes, each boosting the student’s self-esteem. Over time, this pattern fosters a more positive self-concept and encourages students to embrace more significant challenges, knowing they have the skills and discipline to succeed.

Better sleep patterns

Regular completion of homework by set deadlines can also lead to improved sleep patterns. When students avoid cramming their studies into late-night hours, they can maintain a healthier sleep schedule. This is crucial because adequate sleep is essential for brain function, emotional regulation, and overall mental health. A consistent sleep pattern prevents sleep deprivation’s cognitive impairments, such as reduced attention, slower processing, and memory issues. Students who manage their homework efficiently tend to go to bed at a reasonable hour, leading to better psychological and physical health outcomes.

Increased academic performance

There is a direct correlation between timely homework completion and academic performance. Students who consistently complete their homework on time often achieve higher grades and gain a deeper understanding of the material. This practice allows for regular study and revision, which enhances learning retention and prepares students for complex topics and exams. Psychologically, the regular accomplishment of set tasks, like homework, enhances mental agility and academic stamina, which is essential for long-term educational success.

Long-term academic and career benefits

Developing good habits in homework completion can yield significant long-term benefits in both academic and professional contexts. Academically, students who are diligent and consistent with their homework are more likely to pursue higher education and succeed in their chosen fields. Professionally, these habits translate into traits valued in the workplace, such as reliability, punctuality, and thoroughness. The psychological advantage of being perceived as dependable and hardworking cannot be overstated, as it opens doors to opportunities and fosters professional growth and stability.

The psychological benefits of completing homework on time are profound and multifaceted. From enhanced time management and reduced stress to improved self-esteem and better sleep patterns, the advantages extend well beyond the classroom. As students cultivate these habits, they not only boost their academic performance but also prepare themselves for future challenges in their academic and professional lives. It’s important for students to recognize these benefits and seek resources that reinforce good study habits, whether through educational tools, supportive peer groups, or essay writing service reviews when necessary. Ultimately, developing the discipline to complete homework on time is an investment in one’s mental health and future success.

myHomework Student Planner and Digital Hall Pass system

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As a student you are able to submit your Assignments and Classwork online instead of giving it to your teacher in school - as long as your teacher requests an online submission via SMHW.

Web Browser

Finding the submit tab, preparing my submission, submitting my work, finding tasks that require online submission.

When a teacher requests an online submission via SMHW, you will see:

A Submit tab at the top of your task

The phrase '... would like you to hand in this homework online via Show My Homework' in your 'Other information' area

To submit your work, you should first click on the Submit tab.

Uploading an attachment

If you have done your work and saved it as a file on your device or on a cloud based storage system i.e. Google Drive / OneDrive, you can simply click the 'Add attachments' button and upload your file(s).

💡 If you upload a Google Drive / OneDrive document, your teacher will be able to annotate directly onto your work!

ALTERNATIVELY

Write your work and submit it as a PDF

You can use our inbuilt word processor to write an essay style response to your teacher without needing to attach a file.

There are a range of formatting options available to you so that you can create a high quality piece of work.

For larger writing exercises, click the full screen button highlighted below.

💡 This is different from sending a comment to your teacher; if you'd like to send a comment, please go to the Results tab. Learn more about leaving comments for your teacher here.

Click  Submit assignment to teacher to send your work.

If you need to, you can add further submissions for this task by returning to the Submit tab and clicking 'Submit another'.

Saving my work as a draft

If you are using the inbuilt word processor to create your submission, you can save your progress as a draft at any time by clicking the 'Save as draft & continue later' button at the bottom of the page.

To continue with your work, simply return to the Submit tab of this task and carry on.

When you open a task in the app, you may see a large green 'Submit homework' button at the bottom of the screen; this means that your teacher has requested that you submit your work online via SMHW.

You will also see the phrase '... would like you to hand in this homework online via Show My Homework' in your 'Other information' area.

Tap on the Submit homework button at the bottom of the screen.

Select the location for the file you'd like to upload, e.g. your 'Photos' gallery, a file stored on your device, Google Drive / OneDrive etc. You can also tap 'Camera' and take a photo straight away!

Choose the correct file and then tap Upload.

That's it! Your work will be sent to your teacher who can then provide feedback.

If you need to send a comment to your teacher, navigate to the 'Comments' tab at the top of your task page. Learn more about leaving a comment for your teachers.

💡 We have created a guide to help students with distance learning through Show My Homework on Satchel One. Download guide .

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How to Finish Your Homework

Last Updated: May 6, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Emily Listmann, MA . Emily Listmann is a private tutor in San Carlos, California. She has worked as a Social Studies Teacher, Curriculum Coordinator, and an SAT Prep Teacher. She received her MA in Education from the Stanford Graduate School of Education in 2014. There are 17 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 280,651 times.

While studying can differ for different age groups, many of the things that get in the way are the same. Whether it's your environment or time management skills, it easy for things to discourage you from finishing your homework. With a little organization and help, your homework can become approachable.

Managing Your Time

• For instance, try setting aside a time you know you can work well such as an hour or 2 before dinner, or if you're a night owl, after dinner.

• Work in hour blocks, with 50 minutes spent studying and 10 minutes spent taking a break.
• It can also be helpful to move around when you are taking your break, especially if you are working at a screen. Go for a walk outside to get your blood circulating and enjoy some fresh air.
• You might also want to eat a healthy snack on your break to improve your focus. Avoid junk food and choose something like a handful of nuts, a piece of fruit, veggies, or a small portion of cottage cheese.

• Identify which assignments are worth the most points for each class. Most likely these will take the longest to complete. [5] X Research source
• Consider how long you have to do each project, and if possible, see when the assignment is introduced. Oftentimes, primary and secondary school classes do not have syllabi, so it might be harder to plan out an entire term, but if you are in college, you will most likely have a syllabus with at least a partial course schedule. Knowing how long you have to complete an assignment will help you prioritize which assignments to do first. You can also ask the teacher how long you have to complete an assignment. [6] X Research source

• Use highlighters or stickers to mark which assignments are most important.
• If you're using an online or mobile schedule, create alerts or notifications for the projects and any time-sensitive steps for those projects.

• Don't let a big project overshadow the smaller assignments you need to complete!

• Assignment outlines can help you visualize the necessary tasks to get the assignment done.

Creating a Productive Work Environment

• A desk or table would be a better location than a couch or a bed.

• Turn your phone off or on silent (not vibrate). It might be best to put the phone out of sight, or in another room while you work, as the temptation to text or get on social media can be as much of a distraction as actually using social media.
• Use an app that blocks social media. There are plenty of applications out there that can help block social media and other distracting sites (such as shopping or gaming sites). [10] X Trustworthy Source Pew Research Center Nonpartisan thinktank conducting research and providing information on public opinion, demographic trends, and social trends Go to source

• Use a white noise app to block out noise.
• Use earplugs or noise-blocking earmuffs. [12] X Research source
• Work in a quiet place, such as a library or a home office, if you have one.
• Avoid listening to music while studying. Studies have shown that although listening to music while studying lowers overall performance, this does not affect everyone equally. [13] X Research source However listening to music before studying has been shown to improve performance on cognitive tasks. [14] X Research source

Using Your Resources

• If you're too afraid to ask a teacher during class, see if you can stay behind to ask your questions.

• First, contact your school to see if there are any after-school tutoring programs. While not all primary and secondary schools offer tutoring, a vast majority of universities do. If your school does not offer tutoring, they may know of other resources for you to contact.
• Then, contact your library to see if they offer any tutoring. [18] X Research source
• In some areas, there may also be free community tutoring programs. Contact your local community center for more information.
• There are plenty of private tutors out there as well, but they can be costly (ranging from $20 to $100 an hour). [19] X Research source You can find tutors online through a number of websites, such as Craigslist or Angie's list.

• If you need to work at a library after school, ask your parents or search the web to find your local library.

Supercharge Your Studying with this Expert Series

Community Q&A

Reader Videos

• Don't feel too stressed or you'll be doing less work than you actually can. Thanks Helpful 7 Not Helpful 3
• Make sure you’re getting enough sleep. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 3
• Maintain a healthy diet. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 3

• Recommended time doing homework varies by age. The National PTA recommends about 10 minutes per grade level per night (30 minutes a night for the third grade). Thanks Helpful 9 Not Helpful 0
• Some people may need additional help in order to focus on their homework and finish it. If you are struggling in school, ask your parents or teachers about what resources may be available, and seek out professional help or ask your parents to do so, if necessary. Thanks Helpful 29 Not Helpful 9
• If you are under the age of thirteen, you may need to obtain your parents’ permission before downloading any computer applications. Thanks Helpful 30 Not Helpful 13

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/homework.html
• ↑ https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/power-habit-charles-duhigg
• ↑ https://www.edutopia.org/article/research-tested-benefits-breaks/
• ↑ https://www.wma.us/about/titan-blog/post/~board/titan-blog/post/how-to-prioritize-school-assignments-and-homework
• ↑ https://jhsap.org/self_help_resources/school-life_balance//
• ↑ https://lsc.cornell.edu/how-to-study/studying-for-and-taking-exams/guidelines-for-creating-a-study-schedule/
• ↑ https://success.oregonstate.edu/learning/concentration
• ↑ https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2020/07/28/parenting-children-in-the-age-of-screens/
• ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/homework.html/
• ↑ https://absn.northeastern.edu/blog/8-things-to-keep-in-your-at-home-study-space/
• ↑ https://scholar.utc.edu/theses/171/
• ↑ https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/acp.1731
• ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/talk-to-parents.html
• ↑ https://rdw.rowan.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2412&context=etd
• ↑ https://blogs.chapman.edu/scst/2016/02/09/what-tutoring-is-and-what-tutoring-is-not/
• ↑ https://undergrad.stanford.edu/tutoring-support
• ↑ https://www.ideaedu.org/idea-notes-on-instruction/encouraged-students-to-use-multiple-resources-e-g-internet-library-holdings-outside-experts-to-improve-understanding/

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Show My Homework

Assign and monitor homework online with the market-leading homework solution that engages students, involves parents and saves teachers time.

What is Show My Homework?

Show My Homework is the market-leading homework software, used by 1 in 3 UK secondary schools, that integrates seamlessly with Google Classroom and Microsoft Teams . Made up of easy-to-use features that involve all key stakeholders in the homework process, Show My Homework provides schools with the tools they need to support home-learning in the most simple and effective way.

• Set, submit and grade homework online
• Re-use your own and colleagues’ homework tasks
• Integrate with Google Classroom and Microsoft Teams
• Identify learning gaps with auto-graded Quizzes and detailed reports
• Notify parents when students receive assignments
• Dedicated parent, teacher and student apps
• Mark tasks and view results via the Gradebook
• Differentiate homework to cater to students at different levels
• Access homework tasks made by other teachers in Community Resources
• Import quizzes directly from Neeto

Meet your new AI Sidekick

Get your evenings and weekends back by supercharging your productivity with Sidekick, an AI homework tool that makes creating homework, quizzes, spelling tests and lesson plans as easy as a few clicks. Now available in Satchel One

Here's what our customers have to say about us

"It was a lifesaver in Lockdown. The company quickly adapted further tools. Now it's a comprehensive site."

"Saves time, allows me to send web links and the huge variety of types of homework. Amazing support during lockdown and..."

"It is very efficient; allows parental access; archives tasks; allows 2 way communication between pupils and teachers; keeps records..."

"Very professional, rapid answer to issues, constantly updating in response to feedback - new facilities added regularly"

"I have found it incredibly useful during this period of lockdown, however I was using it to enter homework as well and that has..."

"It makes setting Homework easy and you know everyone in the class is informed."

Facilitate blended learning

With Show My Homework your school has immediate access to powerful distance learning tools, making it easy to combine in-person teaching with online-centred learning. Teachers can set remote Classwork instantly, notifying learners of work to complete via Satchel One.

• Integrations with tech leaders, Microsoft and Google, makes blended learning even more powerful
• Assign Classwork online to students working from home
• Teachers can see how many students have viewed work and completed assignments
• Students can message teachers directly for support with tasks, or begin a task discussion with their peers
• Parents can see assigned tasks via the parent app
• Be ready to switch to distance learning, should the need arise, at any time

• Increase parental engagement in student learning by notifying them when tasks are set on Satchel One and shared to Google Classroom or Microsoft Teams
• Save time and share best practices across your school with easy-to-reuse homework tasks and access to Community Resources
• Have a clear view of how homework is performing across the school with detailed reporting and student insights
• Create a more personalised learning experience for your students and provide thorough feedback and support with combined use of Satchel One and Google Classroom or Microsoft Teams
• Enjoy access to all the tools and features your school needs to provide a complete distance and blended learning experience

Because Satchel One is such a flexible platform, we were able to offer a blended approach. We were still teaching physical lessons, but we also had students joining in via Google Meet.

Integrations

• Import tasks from Google Classroom direct to Show My Homework or easily share tasks to Microsoft Teams
• Students can submit work to Show My Homework via OneDrive and Google Drive
• Schools can change their default submission method to either Google Classroom or Microsoft Teams
• Attach Google Drive or OneDrive documents to assignments
• Open Google Drive and OneDrive documents via the Assess tab for quick access to marking
• Add live lesson links from Google Classroom or Microsoft Teams to Satchel One’s Timetables
• Use either your existing Gmail or Office 365 email address to sign into Satchel One

While we did most of our communication with pupils via Microsoft Teams, we found that posting on Satchel One was key in keeping parents informed.

Used by 1 in 3 UK secondary schools

We’re partners to 1 in 3 secondary schools across the UK, join the Satchel One community today.

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Satchel are an award winning company who currently work with 2500 schools worldwide.

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Distributed work

Homework: How is working from home affecting your productivity?

By Drew Pearce

Published on May 19, 2020

Illustration by Justin Tran

• Work Culture

Talking about productivity during a pandemic feels a bit like  critiquing the musicians who played for passengers on the Titanic  as they ran for the lifeboats. You’ve got enough to worry about without stressing about your output, especially if you’re an essential worker.

If you’re lucky enough to to work from home, just getting  through the day can feel like an accomplishment. And having a job to do right now can give you a sense of purpose. But when people are in survival mode, who’s really focusing on how much they’re getting done? 

Judging from recent surveys, it depends who you ask. Since a large part of the workforce began working from home, there’s been debate about how it will impact productivity. 

“When it comes to writing a plan, crafting a story, or quality 1:1 conversations, I find the peace and focus of my home office is the best place to be.”—Micha Sprinz

According to YouGov , 54% think working from home is improving their productivity thanks to fewer meetings, less commuting, and an absence of distracting co-workers. Employees at the Social Security Administration say telework helps them work at a  faster pace . 

On the other hand, the co-author of the famous  2015 study  showing the positive impact of working of home thinks the current WFH situation could be a “productivity disaster” because we’re “working alongside our kids, in unsuitable spaces, with no choice, and no in-office days.”

In part three of our  Homework  series, we hear from the workers themselves to find out if they’re feeling more—or less—effective on the job since they began working from home. Here are 10 takeaways from Dropbox workers in Ireland, France, Germany, Israel, Australia and the US after their first two months as a fully distributed workforce .

More flexibility and time to focus

“As someone who worked from home 2 or 3 days a week even before the onset of the pandemic in various companies and roles for the past 15 years, I have long been an advocate for the productivity of remote working,” says Micha Sprinz, European Communications Manager at Dropbox. “When it comes to writing a plan, crafting a story, or quality 1:1 conversations, I find the peace and focus of my home office is the best place to be.”

“And as an employee based outside of company headquarters and whose remit covers several geographies, I am used to dealing with international colleagues, partners, and customers through a technological interface. I will admit, however, all virtual interactions work best when the relationships have already been founded by in-person meetings.”

“Working from home also allows flexibility in the structure of your day,” says Sprinz. “I always start my day with a run, then sit down with a coffee to focus on the biggest piece of work for the day while I am fresh and the adrenaline is still pumping before taking a shower and then starting on meetings and more functional tasks.”

“Working from home also gives you the opportunity to decide when not to work because there may be other priorities. During COVID, with my two children at home, I have been able to block time in my day to help with school work, make films, bake cakes, paint furniture or WarHammer sets or, quite simply, when the sun comes out, seize the opportunity to get outside and breathe and play.”

Staying aligned by shifting to new channels

“ Working from home has definitely increased my productivity,” says Edouard Manche, Enterprise Account Executive for Dropbox and HelloSign for Education. “I work from the Paris office, and I realise that the commute takes me almost one hour of my day and is quite exhausting—Paris is a busy city! Having this hour included in my work day allows me to stay focused, as well as avoiding interactions with my colleagues: the balance between social life at work and focus has shifted to the latter.”

“ Keeping everyone aligned does not always require recurring meetings. We use Slack channels or phone calls to keep things moving.”—Edouard Manche

“ As a salesperson, I am accountable on a revenue target, and I set myself goals and actions to (over)achieve it,” Manche says. “This requires cross-functional effort, for example with my colleagues working in indirect sales (channel), marketing, or pre-sales (solutions architects). Keeping everyone aligned does not always require recurring meetings. We avoid these at the maximum, and use Slack channels, or just direct phone calls to keep things moving.”

Balancing childcare and job responsibilities

Jonathan Seroussi, Engineering Manager and Site Lead at our Dropbox office in Tel Aviv, Israel says working from home didn’t have a significant influence on his or his team's productivity when they started on March 8. 

“Everything changed for me and many others when shelter in place was announced and schools were closed, starting on March 15th,” he says. “Me and my wife have 4-and-a-half-year-old twins. Ever since this situation started we split our days to 6 hours shifts, alternating between work and taking care of the kids as both of us are working full time. Narrowing down the amount of time I can spend on work has helped me focus on the top priorities.”

“As it became apparent that we will be in this situation for at least a couple of months, I took my list of tasks and priorities and cut them by half,” Seroussi says. “I took off a lot of the strategic initiatives and kept only the must have ones. I also cut some of my meetings and 1:1s, though I tried to keep as many of those as I could.”

“This is probably the worst hit on my productivity. As a manager, I rely on my ability to meet with people and connect. The lack of reading body language and spending enough time outside of Zoom is definitely something that's increasing my anxiety and hitting my productivity as I'm constantly thinking about my team.”

“Me and my wife have 4-and-a-half-year-old twins. Everything changed for me and many others when shelter in place was announced and schools were closed."—Jonathan Seroussi

“On the team level, projects that were in execution mode saw an uptake in productivity,” says Seroussi. “Milestones were not affected. Projects in the research or startup phase have been slower to get going, mostly because teams were unable to coordinate enough meetings. This is mainly due to scheduling constraints of working parents.”

"I have a young daughter at home,” says Cappi Williamson, Head of EMEA Communications at Dropbox, “So I've found myself planning out my days in advance much more thoughtfully than I might have when I had—what seems like now—a luxurious amount of time in the work day. I ask myself who I need to meet with, how I will balance childcare responsibilities with my husband, and what the top priorities are for each day and week. This has helped me get rid of some of the excess and utilise my time better. It isn't always smooth sailing, but I'm making it work.”

Coordinating with other time zones is easier

“I can say that multiple team members have testified that working with folks in the Bay Area is actually better this way,” says Seroussi. “Scheduling meetings earlier in the evening for us is easier when SF people don't need to commute. Team members are saying that the fact that this situation is so global helps them bond in a unique way that was less possible before. Sort of shelter-in-place camaraderie.”

“Being on the West Coast, coordinating meetings with other time zones has become slightly easier,” says McKenna Haniger, Analyst Relations at Dropbox. “Morning hours that were traditionally blocked for commuting are freed up now, providing a few more openings to meet with folks on the East Coast and in Europe.”

“One advantage is that I don’t need to check where to squeeze in my commute between my my last EMEA call and a catch up with a colleague from SF,” adds Linus Haferkemper, Head of Customer Success for Europe’s DACH and Nordics regions. 

Regional offices seem less “remote”

“Being a fully distributed team has actually been a great equalizer for those of us in regional or remote offices,” says Le Tran, Head of Communications for Asia Pacific & Japan. “Whereas before, it was regional teams that would dial into HQ or the ‘mothership’, that’s now the case for everyone. We’re all distributed and the centre of gravity has been disbanded, so it’s been a good leveller.”

Becoming more accommodating 

Haferkemper says working from home has improved his ability to manage his time for two reasons.“One: I don’t commute anymore. The way I use most mornings is that I go for a walk with my wife. I spend so much more time with my wife. We talk more, our conversations go deeper and our marriage gets better and stronger. Two: People are more accommodating. Compared to friends that cannot work from home for various reasons or even lost their jobs, I am extremely proud and thankful to be working for a company like Dropbox, that is led by such thoughtful leaders that are exactly what I am: A human being.”

“Morning hours that were traditionally blocked for commuting are freed up now, providing a few more openings to meet with folks on the East Coast and in Europe.”—McKenna Haniger

“I was on a virtual EMEA fireside chat with Olivia [Nottebohm, Chief Operating Officer at Dropbox] and just like any one of us, she has the same duties: Cooking, washing, mow the lawn,” he says. “I think there is way more understanding these days that opening hours are limited, that there are more important things in life than sitting in a meeting.”

“I have many customer video conferences and they are all in the same boat. I’ve seen so many kids coming in and out in VCs. I try to stop the conversation there, because normally people go on mute, tell their kids to go away and they are embarrassed. So a quick remark (such as) ‘John, please go, look after her, cook that tea, make that sandwich.’ All of that is more important than us having a conversation about domain verification. I hope the improvements in humanity and business relationships will last.”

Appreciating the comforts of home

“I feel my productivity has definitely gone up in the first few weeks of WFH. I was used to it from my previous job,” says Haferkemper. “I also have to say that I’m better equipped at home than in our office—height adjustable desk, great chair. What a perk. I also want to be mindful that not everyone has a separate room at home for that desk and so on, so I totally get that colleagues on my team cannot wait to get back to the office and so on.”

Haferkemper says working from home hasn’t impaired his ability to get things done. “This might also be due to the fact that even in the small Hamburg office we were relying a lot on people from other offices,” he explains. “So I never really could walk up my boss’s desk or that co-worker from the other team that I work with so much. 75 Slack messages or 25 minutes VC has been and is still the way to go for me.”

Adjusting to monotony

“I think the hardest thing about confinement, as they call it in France, has been the monotony,” says Sprinz. “Remote working is something I am very used to and value highly and my family are obviously hugely important to me but variety is indeed the spice of life - the inability to punctuate the balance of home and work life with the odd live rock concert or singing with my choir or a nice supper on a bistro terrace with a friend for example, has been the toughest part of lockdown.”

“During this time, I've felt more effective, but less creative."—Natalie Mason

“I found it hard at first—and some days I still do—adjusting to a monotonous way of working, communicating, collaborating via just the one digital screen,” says Tran. “I missed being able to break up the work day and mix up my cognitive bearings with in-person 1:1s, casual chats by the coffee queue, office banter, quiet time for deep work.”

“I’ve settled into WFH now and I appreciate the calmness of my mornings. Instead of getting ready for work and running for the bus, I now take my time to make coffee, do yoga or just have a moment to myself before logging on. It’s nice to slowly ease into the day.”

Feeling more effective, but less creative

“My routine has changed so much since shelter-in-place took effect in San Francisco,” says Natalie Mason from our Product Communications team at Dropbox. “ I'm a part-time fitness instructor, so my daily 6am sweat sessions, followed by commuting, and settling into the day at my desk have all been thrown off.”

“During this time, I've felt more effective, but less creative,” says Mason. “I've been very task-oriented because I want to make sure I'm not letting my team down, but without face-to-face communication, it can feel like going through the motions, rather than working together to get to the best possible outcome.”

Finding new ways to get in the zone

“Working from home, I don't have the environmental cues I'm used to at the office, and I've realized how much they impact my work day,” says Haniger. “Typically, meetings and presentations take place in conference rooms. I catch up with coworkers over lunch. I read through reports in a quiet area, and do focused work from my desk. Everything now happens from the same place in my house. It takes some extra effort to adjust to different tasks when I can't rely on a change of scenery to get in the zone.”

This is part three of our Homework series, which looks at our how our team is adjusting to life as a fully distributed workforce.

Read part 1:  How behaviors and habits change in a fully distributed workforce

Read part 2:  How distributed teams are setting boundaries between home and office

Related Articles

Homework: How behaviors and habits change in a fully distributed workforce

How dropbox can support distributed work.

By Dropbox Team

Homework: How distributed teams are setting boundaries between home and office

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Make Your Workday Work for Your Mental Health

• Alice Boyes

From building habits to being purposefully unfocused, you can schedule time to take care of yourself.

When you’re struggling with your mental health, getting through your workday can feel a lot harder than usual. It’s not always the quantity or type of work that is making your anxiety, depression, or other mental health difficulties worse — sometimes it’s that your workday is structured in a way that’s at odds with your natural rhythms or your mental health challenges. You can take steps to structure your workday, using your self-knowledge, doing some experiments, and balancing your needs with your job responsibilities. By building strong habits around when you do focused, deep work; creating routines to make progress on tasks with vague or long-term deadlines; and building in times to let your mind wander to take advantage of unfocused recovery time you’ll boost your mental health — and your productivity.

When you’re struggling with your mental health, getting through your workday can feel a lot harder than usual. If your workload is making your anxiety, depression, or other mental health difficulties worse, it’s not always the quantity or type of work that’s the culprit. Sometimes it’s that your workday isn’t structured in a way that suits your natural rhythms or your mental health challenges.

• Alice Boyes , PhD is a former clinical psychologist turned writer and the author of The Healthy Mind Toolkit , The Anxiety Toolkit , and Stress-Free Productivity .

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There are ways to earn top dollar while working from home as a side gig or full-time employment.

Working from home makes us rethink how we manage our professional and personal lives. Many employees have enjoyed the perks of being able to work from home such as no commutes, lunch breaks with partners and being accompanied by their pets and sometimes children. Studies show that working from home increases employee happiness—a significant finding as those who worked from home 100% of the time were 20% happier on average than those who didn’t have the ability to work from home. And happier employees are more productive. In addition, several science-backed studies show less stress plus a five percent increase in productivity when employees work from home.

The number of companies offering flexible work schedules has increased drastically since the 2020 pandemic. Since November 2023, 62% of companies in America offer flexible schedules, and while there is a lot of talk about returning-to-the office, this won’t be happening for the majority of workers anytime soon because of the risk-averse ploys employees are using to maintain a work-from-home schedule.

With the rise of remote work shaping the future of employment, many workers are seeking ways it can save money: no commute costs, less money for work attire and more personal time for balance. In addition, working from home allows employees to optimize their home setups and finances for greater efficiency and savings. By choosing a well-thought-out home office and adopting savvy strategies for childcare, food and utilities, you can achieve a more fulfilling work-life balance without compromising on productivity, while saving extra money.

Working from home offers a better work-life balance for most employees as side gigs or full-time employment, while also opening up opportunities for significant financial savings. Nicole Magelssen, founder and CEO of Alpine Virtual Assistants and expert in remote work, offers five tips to save money at home while working remotely in 2024.

1-Embrace the Home Office Over Co-Working Spaces

The allure of co-working spaces is undeniable, according to Magelssen. “They offer a hub for creativity, networking and collaboration, attracting diverse professionals. Co-working spaces are an amazing networking opportunity and allow for collaboration and creativity. They attract individuals from various professions, including entrepreneurs, freelancers, remote workers and small businesses, plus they allow their members to learn from and bounce ideas off one another.”

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But she notes a drawback due to the financial implications that must be addressed. “They are incredibly expensive,” she cautions. “For example, getting a co-working space in Arvada, Colorado, can cost $300 for a first-come, first-serve desk, and a dedicated desk can cost up to $500 per month." Given these costs, she posits that setting up a home office becomes a viable alternative and a financially sound decision.

2-Optimize Your Home Office Economically

Creating an effective workspace at home doesn't have to break the bank, Magelssen Advises. “For comfort, you will want to focus on ergonomics and efficiency, such as investing in a good chair and desk. To save money, though, opt for energy-efficient lighting, utilize second-hand finds and embrace the digital minimalism philosophy to avoid unnecessary gadgets that clutter your space and mind.”

3-Navigate Tax Deductions & Home Office Benefits

She suggests that you remember that having a home office can save you money when it comes to tax deductions. “Document your expenses meticulously to claim deductions for your workspace, internet and utility bills,” Magelssen suggests. “This can lead to significant savings come tax season.”

4-Implement Childcare Strategies to Save Money

The conversation around working from home often circles back to managing childcare. Magelssen mentions that while solutions such as co-working spaces with childcare seem like an innovative solution, they come with a hefty price tag. "The co-working spaces with childcare are a nice option, but paying for childcare on top of your monthly co-working cost can easily match daycare costs alone,” she declares.

Magelssen shares her personal experience and how she manages expenses to make the most out of her time at home. "I opt to send my youngest child to part-time childcare for the same cost as the fees at the childcare co-working space and work from home while he is there. We have a desk that comes down from the wall when my husband and I both have video calls since we don't have space for two offices. This approach saves money and allows parents to customize their childcare based on their unique schedules and needs,” Magelssen notes.

5-Manage Utility Bills Wisely & Cut Costs on Essentials

Beyond the office setup, Magelssen says that simple changes in daily habits lead to more savings. “Energy-efficient appliances and homemade meals over takeout drastically reduce monthly expenses and will keep your wallet happy,” she insists. “Invest in smart power strips and energy-efficient appliances. Use natural lighting during the day instead of artificial lights, and instead of heating or cooling the entire house, focus on the room you are working in.”

A Final Wrap

These tips can come in handy for the nearly half of American workers with side hustles —especially those who insist that the return to the office movement diminishes their flexibility, which they want for a better work-life balance.

Flexibility remains the primary driver for individuals switching from typical office hours to flexible gig work with 63% saying that setting their own schedule makes gig work more attractive than a traditional office job. As the cost of living continues to rise (while wages don't), the gig economy offers the flexibility for these workers to earn more money and create multiple streams of supplemental income right in their homes.

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