Top 5 Homework Hacks for Writing Papers
There is no quick fix method for getting good results and grades. It takes hard work and effort to get top results. However, hard work does not always mean slaving for hours over a laptop or notebook.
The best work is done when broken down into small bite-sized chunks. Below, we go through 5 ingenious homework hacks to help you get the best out of your time when doing homework.
1. Get Rid of All Distractions
For efficient studying, you need to get rid of all distractions. This includes people, television, the internet, and mobile phones.
Start by locating a quiet place to study. It should be away from any television that is playing, as that can distract you as well. The faster you have the work done, the quicker you can go back to playing video games and watching a movie.
Next, you will need to make sure the room is quiet. That means no music or headphones. Many people may advise listening to classical music, but this can be just as distracting as any other genre. Try to work in total silence as it will allow your brain to process information more clearly.
Next, turn off your phone or put it in another room. It is very unlikely anyone will need you in an emergency. Text messages and notifications are designed to distract you, so remove them from the situation.
2. Understand The Task and Plan Accordingly
Many people waste a lot of time in revision, homework, and when writing exams by not taking time to understand the task. If you do not identify correctly what is being asked of you, you may miss valuable points. This can lead to you creating a body of work that is useless and was not was asked for.
If the task is a question, then specifically target what it wants you to answer with. Is it asking for a sentence? A Paragraph?
If it is unclear then ask around. Friends may be able to help you, but the teacher or professor will have a much better idea. As a last option, do some research online.
When planning, it helps to have goals in mind. They do not have to be extensive, but something as simple as pointing out what part of an essay to rewrite, or which part of a book you will read, can help. Jot these down on paper and keep them close by so you stay on track.
3. Homework Hacks and the Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro technique was invented in the eighties by Francesco Cirillo. This Italian gentleman managed his time in chunks of 25 minutes, measured by his small tomato (Pomodoro in Italian) kitchen clock. Many believe it is a great way to increase productivity.
Start by loading up a Pomodoro technique timer from the internet, or simply set another timer (not your phone, that is turned off!) to 25 minutes. Try to be as productive as you can in this period. Once the timer stops, place a check on your paper and give yourself a break.
The break should last for five to ten minutes if you have fewer than four checkmarks. Once you reach four marks, you should give yourself a half an hour break then start again from the beginning.
When you finally finish the whole session it is recommended that you spend time on a short review session. Go back and edit your work, thinking about what you could have done better or improve later. You should also begin planning your next Pomodoro study session.
4. Get an Early Start
Starting early is crucial when you have a lot of assignments or revision. Leaving it until the last moment will leave you panicked, stressed, and unable to absorb necessary information. This does not mean you have to do the whole thing in one go.
As soon as you get an assignment or the date for an exam, begin your planning. Next, move on to a few evenings of research or light revision. After this, you can start doing the bulk of the task.
The night before it is due you can simply browse it leisurely and make any adjustments. This will leave you calm, confident, and prepared for what is to come.
5. Look After Yourself
All of the above techniques will be useless if you do not look after yourself. This includes both your mind and body.
Sleep is vital. No matter how busy your homework schedule is, or how much work you have on, you should be getting a minimum of eight hours of sleep per night. This allows your mind to process the information you have taken in during the day.
Make sure you are eating healthy. Your brain needs to be filled with vitamins, amino acids, and nutrients for it to function properly. Eat a balanced diet, full of grains, vegetables, and oily fish to feed your mind.
Remember to give yourself rewards. If you have done a day of hard work, or spent hours revising, then go out with friends, eat a pizza or watch TV. This period of relaxation allows your mind time to rest and reset itself.
Get Some Help
After all these homework hacks, you should find your homework schedule easier to manage and digest. Remember to keep treating yourself though! You deserve it.
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