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LIBRARY: Homework & Study Skills: Homework vs Study

Secondary: Homework & study skills

Homework

Most students regard homework as being work set by a teacher that has to be completed by a certain time.

Homework should be an integral part of the student’s learning and should fall into two categories:

  • on-going study/review for understanding.
  • additional work set by the teacher, to be completed out of class time.

Work set by the teacher may be:

  • work to be completed that night, or
  • work to be done over a period of time, usually for an assessment.

There should be a maximum time set for homework each night to ensure adequate sleep but, within that time, you will need to be flexible.  Some nights you will have more set work to complete whilst others you will have a small amount of set work and you can give more time to study.

All students are encouraged to read for pleasure each day. 

LEARN:

L         To learn facts or information read them over at night and then again in the morning and repeat this process until they are committed to memory.

  •     Practice writing down the main points under headings. 

E         Practice example test/exam questions and answers.

A         Use active revision - redo test answers and request feedback from a teacher.

R         Read in short bursts, close the book and write down or say the main points.

  •   Recite facts onto a tape and listen to it while you are doing other tasks.
  •   Re-draw science and geography diagrams and label them from memory.

N         Make your own notes, numbering and listing the points where possible.

  •   Make note cards or fact cards of important information and read through regularly.

What is Study?

Study:  the devotion of time and thought to understanding a subject or facts, with a view to learning.

Study is work you make the decision to complete in order to improve your own knowledge.  The ability to study is not something that comes naturally to each student. It involves a degree of self discipline and a set of skills that can be learnt and practiced in all your subjects. Success also depends on you having confidence in your own ability.

Study also involves goal setting, problem solving, information collection, comparison of facts and the formation of opinions. 

By having a positive attitude towards study, using effective study techniques and organizing yourself, you will have more chance of success. 

Self Organisation:

Always use a diary (print or digital) to record the due dates of homework and assignments, as well as your other commitments outside school.

  1. Learn to recognize the time of the day when you are able to concentrate best.  These may be the best times for you to spend studying your hardest subjects.
  2. Draw up a study and homework timetable to suit your lifestyle—everyone’s will be different.
  3. Try to do your homework as soon as you get home from school or early in the evening thereby allowing the rest of the night for studying or writing up assignments.
  4. Plan ahead - don’t leave research for an assignment until the last minute.  Reading requires time and the materials may not always be available.
  5. Use your diary—pages have been set aside for :

          (a) School Timetable

          (b) The Big Picture (Study/Homework Timetable)

When and Where to Study:

Where you study and work is very important. It needs to:

  1. be a quiet place to facilitate concentration.  Leave the radio or music turned off.
  2. have good lighting and heating.
  3. have plenty of space to leave books spread out.
  4. be away from the noise and distraction of the TV.
  5. be tidy - pens in containers, files for papers etc.
  6. have a comfortable chair.

How to Study:

Set yourself a target that is manageable, then work to achieve it.

  1. Spend the first five minutes of any study session reviewing (going over) what you last did on the subject.
  2. Read teacher handouts.
  3. Review tests/text books or reference material.
  4. Allow yourself a short beak between each session of studying. Use the time effectively - go for a short walk, have something to eat, do some light exercise.  Take your mind off study briefly but make sure you go back to work.