How to Stay Focussed On Homework – 15 Teacher Tips

Homework is an integral part of your learning career, but that doesn’t mean it’s always fun. Staying focused on homework is something that many kids struggle with. Luckily, there are many things you can start doing today to help yourself remain focussed on your homework so that you can achieve academic success.

Here are fifteen easy things you should try if you’re struggling to stay focussed on homework.

15 Easy Ways to Stay Focussed On Homework

Get Rid of Distractions 

One of the most common reasons kids struggle to stay focussed on their homework is too many distractions in the environment around them. When it’s time to do your homework, find a quiet place where you are comfortable and free of loud noises or other distractions.

Another important thing you should do to stay focussed on homework is to avoid using electronic devices. Getting on your cellphone or tablet can shift your attention away from your homework, making it difficult to get back on track. Turning your phone and other devices off or keep them in a different room is the best approach you can take.

Dress Comfortably

Studies have shown that students who dress comfortably have an easier time staying focused and scoring higher grades on assignments and tests. So, when it’s time to sit down and do your homework, make sure you dress accordingly. You can opt for your favorite lounge set or a pair of pajamas – it doesn’t matter! Just make sure you are comfortable and ready to work. 

Have a Plan

The biggest mistake you can make when going on a mission to stay more focused on homework is going into a session blind. The structure is an essential part of staying focussed because it helps you to set your expectations of yourself. Creating a battle plan before you sit down is the best way to ensure you know what needs to be done and how you will do it. 

One essential part of creating your plan is setting priorities. If you have multiple homework assignments that need to be completed this week, consider which ones are due first and how much time each will take you. When you are planning your homework session, aim to complete the ones that are due sooner first. Then, you can move on to other assignments.

Pro tip: after you get the most urgent assignments out of the way, try completing the most straightforward tasks first. Checking several things off your to-do list in a short amount of time can help you stay motivated to conquer the big ones when the time comes.

Focus on One Thing at a Time

Even though multitasking is usually a great skill to utilize, it’s better left in your back pocket when it comes to doing homework. When you’re having trouble focusing, dividing your attention across too many areas ends up making matters worse since you can’t devote your full attention to the tasks that are most important to complete. 

Use your homework plan to decide what you should focus on first and for how long. Make sure you are finishing your homework from start to finish before moving on to the next task. This ensures that you work as effectively and efficiently as possible while eliminating stress and distractions along the way.

Use a Timer 

If you have trouble managing your time effectively when doing homework, it can be helpful to use a timer. Decide how long you want to work on an assignment before taking a break. Then, set your timer accordingly and get to work. The key here is to be sure not to stop working until that time is up.

Another technique you can use in combination with a timer is called the Pomodoro technique. This method was developed to help people break down large amounts of work into smaller sections, making them easier to overcome. This approach typically requires you to work for 25 minutes at a time with 5-minute brain breaks in between. After three cycles of this, you are rewarded with a 15-minute break. 

Using the Pomodoro technique can help you increase your productivity while staying focused on homework at the same time.

Find a Homework Buddy 

When you have trouble motivating yourself to do your homework, you might find it helpful to enlist a friend or family member to help you succeed. It would help if you reached out to those around you whenever you are struggling with something in life.

Chances are, you aren’t the only one that’s struggling with staying focussed on homework. Enlisting a friend who shares this struggle is a great way to make steps toward overcoming the obstacle. The two of you can brainstorm ideas to stay focussed, hold one another accountable, and offer helpful tips on getting the most out of your homework sessions.

Create a Routine

Staying focussed on homework becomes a lot less complicated when you make it a part of your routine. Creating a set schedule for homework each day is a beautiful way to set expectations for yourself and to hold yourself accountable to get your work done each day. 

When forming your new routine, make sure to leave some time to relax when you first get home from school. It’s essential to give your brain and body some time to rest before jumping into your academics. This allows you to come to your desk with a clear head, ready to take on whatever your homework throws at you.

Avoid Heavy Meals

Part of your homework routine should undoubtedly include consuming a light, healthy snack, but you should take special precautions to avoid heavy meals. Overeating can make you feel tired, lazy, and unmotivated. So, skip the nachos and opt for a fruit or vegetable instead. You will thank yourself later!

Take Breaks When Needed

It can be tempting to sit down and work for as long as you can bear when you have a mountain of homework in front of you. However, this isn’t always the best approach. If you don’t give your brain time to decompress and process what you are doing, you actually are more likely to become distracted. 

If you start to feel overwhelmed or tired, there’s no harm in taking a break. You can opt for a five-minute brain breather or step away from your homework station for ten to fifteen minutes at a time. 

Try Listening to Music

Listening to music can help you be more productive and less distracted from your homework. Studies show that when you listen to music while working, you are more likely to perform better on the task at hand. It also helps you to focus and creates a relaxing environment where you can dedicate all your attention to the task at hand. 

Here are some suggestions for music you can try:

  • Acoustic instrumentals
  • Classical arrangements
  • Calming piano music
  • Smooth jazz
  • Indie/Folk 

Stay Organized 

Staying organized is one of the easiest and most effective ways to keep on top of your homework. Nothing zaps concentration worse than a cluttered, disoriented work station in your homework area. 

Ensure that you have a place for everything and that all your things are in their rightful place. This will help you stay organized and be better equipped to handle your homework since you won’t need to rummage around for items you need on your desk.

Get Plenty of Sleep

If you’re having trouble staying focused on your homework, it could be from a lack of sleep. When we aren’t getting enough z’s at night, it can negatively impact our brains, making it difficult to pay attention and complete essential tasks. Make sure that you are devoting at least eight to nine hours a night strictly to sleep. 

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

When you feel like you’ve tried everything you can think of and you still can’t focus on your homework, it can be very defeating and discouraging. This problem can only become worse when your grades start to slip as a result. If you are still struggling after trying to take action on your own, don’t be afraid to speak up. 

Your parents, teachers, and even your guidance counselor can offer you many different solutions. Some kids also have underlying health conditions that must be treated to help them focus on their schoolwork. 

Talk to a trusted adult about your struggles and what you have done to try to fix them on your own. Then, you can talk about what next steps you can take to overcome your obstacles once and for all. 

Conclusion

Staying focused on homework can certainly be easier said than done, but it isn’t impossible. Making small changes like getting rid of distractions and creating a routine are a great way to overcome your focus challenges. Making these changes will help you build a straight path to academic success, which means you can look forward to a bright and exciting future as an adult after you finish school.

About Jessica Phillips
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