Introduction
Doing homework can be difficult to motivate yourself to do, especially when there are so many other tempting distractions like phones, TV, video games and spending time with friends. Completing homework assignments is an important part of academic success. This flow chart provides a logical process to help you determine if you should do your homework now or if it can wait. By following the steps, you can make informed choices about your homework while also balancing other priorities and responsibilities in your life.
Step 1: Do I have any assignments, projects or tasks due tomorrow?
The very first consideration is whether you have any homework assignments, large projects or other academic tasks due the next school day. Work that is due the very next day should always take priority over other activities so you can complete and submit it on time. If you have assignments due tomorrow, you will want to progress to Step 2. If nothing is due the next day, move to Step 3.
Step 2: How long will it take me to complete the work?
Now that you’ve identified homework specifically due the next day, take stock of exactly what is required and how long you estimate it will reasonably take you to finish. Be realistic in your time estimate – don’t underestimate just to get to fun activities more quickly. You want to leave yourself ample time to complete high-quality work. If the estimated time is 3 hours or less, move to Step 4. If it will take longer, move to Step 3 to reconsider your schedule.
Step 3: Do I have time later to work on it?
If your estimated homework completion time is longer than 3 hours for work due tomorrow, you’ll need to consider if you have an alternate block of time later that would allow you to finish. Look at your schedule for the rest of the evening and coming days. Is there at least a 4 hour stretch without major commitments where you could focus? If yes, you could reasonably wait to start. If no solid alternate time is available, move to Step 4 to prioritize starting now.
Step 4: Start working on the homework now.
At this point, you’ve determined you have assignments or projects specifically due the next day that will reasonably take 3 hours or less to complete. You also don’t have a clear alternate time block to complete them later. This means it’s time to set aside other activities and devote your focus to getting the work done now so it’s submitted on schedule. Set a timer and get to work!
Step 5: Do I have any regular daily homework?
Once you’ve taken care of anything due tomorrow, the next consideration is regular ongoing homework like daily reading, practice problems, journal responses or other recurrent assignments. Check your class syllabi or communicate with teachers if you’re unsure what qualifies as daily homework. If you have regular daily work to attend to, move to Step 6. If not, skip to Step 7.
Step 6: How long will the daily work take?
Just like with assignments due tomorrow, realistically assess how much time the regular daily assignments will require. If you estimate an hour or less, go to Step 8. More than an hour means proceed to Step 7 first to see if rearranging your evening is warranted. The goal is still to leave adequate time for quality completion of academic responsibilities while balancing other priorities.
Step 7: Do I have time for it later in the evening?
If your regular daily homework is projected to take over an hour, look at the remainder of your evening. As with assignments due tomorrow, is there at least a 2-hour block after dinner or other commitments where you could reasonably focus on schoolwork then without feeling rushed? If yes, other pressing activities may take priority for now but the daily work still needs attention tonight. If no ideal later time is available, move to Step 8.
Step 8: Start working on the daily homework now.
You’ve estimated the regular daily assignments will reasonably take an hour or less to complete. Or, your evening schedule doesn’t provide an ideal alternate block of time to work later. In either scenario, you’ll want to prioritize the schoolwork now rather than risk it getting postponed or rushed through with insufficient focus or quality. Set a timer and tackle the daily homework.
Step 9: Do I have any non-daily homework remaining?
After taking care of assignments due tomorrow and regular daily work, check if you have any remaining non-urgent homework like multi-day projects,optional enrichment assignments or test preparation. If you do, proceed to Step 10. If all obligations are fulfilled for now, feel free to skip to enjoying free time guilt-free in Step 12!
Step 10: How important is this work relative to my priorities?
While not strictly due tomorrow, assess the value and importance of any remaining assignments relative to your overall short and long-term academic goals and priorities. Is early completion smarter to spread the workload out? Will it free up more time later for other important activities? If high priority, go to Step 11. If low priority, consider delaying for Step 12.
Step 11: Do I have at least 1 hour available now to work on it?
For schoolwork you’ve deemed as high value relative to your goals and priorities but not strictly urgent, can you reasonably commit at least an hour of solid, focused time to making progress now? If yes, go ahead and get started. If no, it’s reasonable to delay for a more opportune later slot, then proceed to Step 12 to enjoy free time.
Step 12: You’re free to enjoy your other activities!
If you’ve arrived here, it means you’ve completed or reasonably decided to delay all current academic responsibilities based on their priorities, deadlines and your available time. Feel free to engage in other relaxing or social activities, confident you’ve made good choices about your school obligations!
Conclusion
Following a logical step-by-step flow ensures homework gets the attention it deserves without causing unnecessary stress or depriving you of personal time. Revisit this process each evening and be flexible, as commitments evolve daily. With diligent time management and focusing first on the most essential assignments, you can achieve academic success while still enjoying your balanced life as a student. Use the chart regularly to optimize your studies within the realities of your schedule.
Andrew Stroud