Many students are puzzled by homework. Their teachers convince them that it’s a good thing for them. They try to perceive it as such, but they can’t force themselves to like it.
Homework has been an essential part of the educational system since forever. The point is to encourage students to repeat what they learned at school, so they would retain the knowledge before they forget this information.
But not all teachers and students understand the concept well.
We’ll list 10 surprising facts about homework, which will make them reconsider their practices.
5 Facts about Homework that Teachers Should Know
- There’s Not Enough Research to Support the Usefulness of Homework
The practice of homework has been deeply embedded in the educational system for centuries. Teachers take their usefulness for granted, and they are convinced that it does well to students.
The truth is: there’s not enough research to support the assumption that homework has positive academic and nonacademic effects.
One study found that homework may have positive effects on a student’s achievements only if it’s limited to two hours of work per night for high-school students. Anything beyond that mark is detrimental to their motivation.
Most students get more homework than that. They have to study for at least two hours, so they would retain the knowledge that they got that day at school. Add multiple assignments for each class to that.
- Many Students Find a Way Around It
It’s no secret: when students get stuck, they hire professional writers to do the work for them. They see no other way to solve the situation.
Most professors know that such services exist. They don’t know that most students use them at least once throughout the academic year. They don’t know that when the students hire a reliable service, there’s no way for them to prove that the work was purchased online.
- Homework Causes Stress
A study by Stanford University found that 56% of students see homework as their primary source of stress.
Many students develop somatic symptoms, mainly headaches, when they get too much homework to do. They feel pressured by their teachers and parents to do this homework. They don’t like that they are constantly being compared to other students. All those factors cause substantial levels of stress in their lives.
- Homework Is Detrimental to a Student’s Social Life
When the student gets too many assignments, they don’t have time to engage in their hobbies and socialize throughout the week. They feel isolated, when other friends use their free time to refresh and get ready for tomorrow.
- Homework Is a Cause of Burn-Out
Imagine spending an entire day at work and taking three hours of work for home. That’s not cool, is it? Then why do professors think that it’s okay for students to take some of the work home?
Too much homework easily burns them out. When they get to that point, students feel completely uninspired and incapable of doing the assignments.
5 Facts about Homework that Students Should Know
- Essays Are Not That Hard to Write
When students get an essay assignment, they feel trapped. Most of them think that they are not good at writing, so they don’t bother getting better.
The truth is: they can get better with practice. They should make the attempt. With a solid research and a well-planned outline, they will write a decent paper.
- Students Have a Say
Students perceive the teacher as an authority. When they get an assignment, they feel like they have an obligation to complete it.
We’re not saying that students should rebel and stop listening to anything that the teachers say. We’re only emphasizing the fact that students have a say. When they get together and explain that they are getting too much work for home, most teachers will pay attention to their requirements.
- Time Management Is Essential for Successful Homework Writing
Let’s get real: students hate homework even when it’s not too much. They procrastinate even when they get a single assignment that can be done in half an hour. The truth is that they lack proper management skills.
Various time management apps can help them get into a productivity routine. With enough commitment, they will change their habits and stop seeing homework as something that takes away their entire free time.
- Homework Won’t Go Away
No matter how much students hate it, professors don’t plan to stop assigning it. They are convinced in its necessity. If students reasonably explain the problem, they may start assigning less of it. But homework will never go away.
- Homework Can Replace Part of the Studying
When students do their assignments regularly, they reduce the time needed for test preparation. Homework helps them go through the material while it’s still fresh. When done with attention, it has beneficial effects that shouldn’t be neglected.
Both Students and Teachers Should Know the Facts
Teachers must understand that too much homework does more harm than good. Students, on the other hand, should realize that if they stop hating assignments so much, they might actually benefit from them.
Both sides should find a balance. The teachers should reconsider the volume of homework that they assign, and they should engage students by making the tasks more fun. Students, on the other hand, should get out of their fixed mindset and understand that when they make a bit more effort, they will achieve excellent results.