We're guessing there are loads of things you'd like to do once you get in from school. Watching a must-see series that's just dropped on iPlayer? Yes please. Hanging out with your mates? Yes please. Doing your latest piece of homework? No thank you.
But what if we told you that by forming good habits with your homework, you'll make it feel like less of a chore? Spend two minutes watching this short video from our Homework Helpline heroes and then scroll down to see some expert tips on creating a good homework routine.
Our Homework Helpline heroes are comedians Louise Young, Inel Tomlinson, and actor Lenny Rush – happy to help!
Inel: Oh guys, we've got one!
Charlotte: My name is Charlotte and my question is: I try to keep my head down and do my homework every night, but sometimes other things get in the way. I also have ADHD which makes it hard to focus. How do I keep myself in a good routine?
Inel: Ah, well, you know what our experts say? They say get rid of all the things that you don't need and only have the things that you really need to help you focus, yeah! Well, you know, different things work for different people. So we've got a whole bunch of different tips to help you get into a routine. Haven't we guys?
Louise: But you know what? I'm gonna say it. Sometimes the last thing we want to do is homework, it's true! And I think in those circumstances just get it done and then we can get on with the things that we do want to do.
Lenny: You've got a really prioritise the urgent assignments, get them done first, they're out the way and then focus on the ones that you, like, have a bit more time on.
Louise: What I do to this day, I still do this, it helps me focus so well, I set a timer on my phone for like 30 minutes, set that and then just work for that time. And then after the 30 minutes I get up, run around, do star jumps, but then go back, set another 30 minutes and then keep working, and it really focuses my mind and also it helps with those really important screen time breaks.
Inel: Yeah, because I get distracted easily. I'm bad when it comes to my phone, I'm constantly scrolling, and once you're scrolling, it's hard to tell yourself away. So what I try and do is put the phone somewhere else. Out of sight, out of mind.
Lenny: Some schools open up the library before and after school, which can help if you've not got a place at home where you can focus.
Louise: Do you know what? I didn't have a desk when I was younger.
Inel: What did you use?
Louise: The kitchen table. It worked really well. Just clear a space on there, and I think that worked better for me than maybe working, like, on a sofa or of bed or something like that.
Inel: So to summarise, make sure to do your homework as soon as you can.
Louise: And also try and find that all important quiet space to get some work done.
Lenny: Yeah, take breaks.
Louise: And stop scrolling. Try your best to stop scrolling, put the phone away, lock the phone away, throw away the key.
Inel: Don't throw away the key Louise!
Louise: Maybe not.
Inel: If you want some more tips and tricks visit ý Bitesize support.
Five expert tips for forming a good homework routine
Do it ASAP
We think you'll probably find it works best to do homework when you first get in from school. You’ll feel so much better once it's done and you can enjoy your evening without that homework dread hanging over you.
Put your phone out of sight
If you have a phone, we recommend hiding it away. That way you won’t get distracted by phone-FOMO. If you have to use your phone for homework, we recommend turning off all notifications.
Find some space
Try and find a space away from other people to do your homework, if possible. Sit at a table rather than on the sofa, if you can. You might not have your own desk or your own room, but if you can clear some space somewhere just while you get your homework done, it will help you. Clearing away unnecessary clutter and only having the things you need can help you focus, but everyone is different, and different things work for different people – you may find something else works better for you.
Check-out the library
If you find it difficult to find a suitable space to work at home, it might be possible to complete homework at school, in a homework club or in the library. If you don’t want to do this every day, or for every piece of work, you could consider it for longer or more difficult tasks.
Take a screen break
If you are using a screen for your homework, try and take regular breaks from it. Stopping every 20 minutes or so, and looking outside through the window, or around you, can give your eyes a well-deserved break!
Bonus tip – you might feel you work best when you’re listening to music, but a general rule of thumb is to choose things to listen to that aren’t too absorbing. It’s very easy to get distracted when listening to things, so avoid music, radio or podcasts if you’re doing a piece of work that needs deep thought and focus.
If you need support
You should always tell someone about the things you’re worried about. You can tell a friend, parent, guardian, teacher, or another trusted adult. If you're struggling with your mental health, going to your GP can be a good place to start to find help. Your GP can let you know what support is available to you, suggest different types of treatment and offer regular check-ups to see how you’re doing.
If you’re in need of in-the-moment support you can contact , where you can speak to a counsellor. Their lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
There are more links to helpful organisations on ý Action Line.
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