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By submitting my email address. i certify that i am 13 years of age or older, agree to recieve marketing email messages from the princeton review, and agree to terms of use., 8 easy ways to finish your homework faster.

Spend less time on homework

How many times have you found yourself still staring at your textbook around midnight (or later!) even when you started your homework hours earlier? Those lost hours could be explained by Parkinson’s Law, which states, “Work expands to fill the time available for its completion.” In other words, if you give yourself all night to memorize those geometry formulas for your quiz tomorrow, you’ll inevitably find that a 30 minute task has somehow filled your entire evening.

We know that you have more homework than ever. But even with lots and lots to do, a few tweaks to your study routine could help you spend less time getting more accomplished. Here are 8 steps to make Parkinson’s Law work to your advantage:

1. Make a list

This should be a list of everything that has to be done that evening. And we mean, everything—from re-reading notes from this morning’s history class to quizzing yourself on Spanish vocabulary.

2. Estimate the time needed for each item on your list

You can be a little ruthless here. However long you think a task will take, try shaving off 5 or 10 minutes. But, be realistic. You won’t magically become a speed reader.

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3. Gather all your gear

Collect EVERYTHING you will need for the homework you are working on (like your laptop for writing assignments and pencils for problem sets). Getting up for supplies takes you off course and makes it that much harder to get back to your homework.

The constant blings and beeps from your devices can make it impossible to focus on what you are working on. Switch off or silence your phones and tablets, or leave them in another room until it’s time to take a tech break.

Read More: How to Calculate Your GPA

5. Time yourself

Noting how much time something actually takes will help you estimate better and plan your next study session.

6. Stay on task

If you’re fact checking online, it can be so easy to surf on over to a completely unrelated site. A better strategy is to note what information you need to find online, and do it all at once at the end of the study session.

7. Take plenty of breaks

Most of us need a break between subjects or to break up long stretches of studying. Active breaks are a great way to keep your energy up. Tech breaks can be an awesome way to combat the fear of missing out that might strike while you are buried in your work, but they also tend to stretch much longer than originally intended. Stick to a break schedule of 10 minutes or so.

8. Reward yourself! 

Finish early? If you had allocated 30 minutes for reading a biology chapter and it only took 20, you can apply those extra 10 minutes to a short break—or just move on to your next task. If you stay on track, you might breeze through your work quickly enough to catch up on some Netflix.

Our best piece of advice? Keep at it. The more you use this system, the easier it will become. You’ll be surprised by how much time you can shave off homework just by focusing and committing to a distraction-free study plan.

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Homework Hacks: 8 Tips to Get It Done Faster

how to do 3 months homework in 30 minutes

Homework is no fun, especially if you’ve got a full schedule. You only have a little bit of time and a little bit of energy. And it takes so long to get through it.

Not anymore. We’ve got some helpful homework hacks for you that will make doing your homework faster and less painful.

1. Plan Your Homework and Make a List

When you start your homework, you’ll probably jump right into the first thing on your mind or the first thing you pull out of your backpack, then work your way through the rest of your assignments. There’s a better way.

Figure out how much time you have to do homework, then list out all the different tasks that you have to do. Estimate how long it will take to complete each assignment to see if you need to allow yourself more time. Be realistic. Once your list is complete you can work straight through instead of stopping frequently to figure out what to do next. It will also be extremely gratifying to cross things off after each assignment you finish!

2. Get Out All the Books and Supplies You Need

While you’re working, you discover you need a calculator, you need a certain book, you need a new pencil, you ran out of paper… the list can go on.

Since you’ve now identified all your assignments, figure out everything you need to get each item done and bring it to your workspace so it’s there when you need it.

3. Find a Quiet Place to Work Without Distractions

Speaking of workspace, you probably prefer doing your homework in front of the TV, but that can actually be the biggest distraction of all. Sitting in front of the TV is probably slowing you down, making homework time seem much longer that it actually is.

Find a place that’s quiet, with as few distractions and clutter possible. Remember, the faster you get it done, the faster you can get back to fully enjoying Netflix.

4. Turn Off Your Phone

We know this is probably the last thing you want to hear. How can you live without your phone? But for a couple hours, its totally worth it. Every time you get a notification and check your phone, it breaks your focus. It then takes more brain power to get back on track to what you were working on.

5. Listen to Classical Music While Working

We know what you’re thinking… Classical music? Seriously?

However, classical music is great for background audio. There aren’t any lyrics or beats to distract your focus. And research has shown that students who listen to classical music score higher on tests than students who listen to other genres of music. So find some good classical playlist on Spotify, then celebrate with Queen Bey when you’re done.

6. Eat Snacks and Drink Water

At the end of a long day, you may be mentally and physically tired. If you go straight into homework it may take you a long time to finish and it won’t be your best work.

Having some light healthy snacks and drinking plenty of water helps revitalize your brain and body. Avoid soda, energy drinks, or sugary snacks that will only make you crash before you’re done.

7. Take Short Breaks in Between Homework Tasks

If you have a lot to do, you may feel the pressure to just work straight through hours and hours of homework. But this will likely end up slowing you down, prolonging the entire session.

Do your work in short sprints. Go hard at a task, then take a quick break to stretch and walk around. It’ll re-energize your mind and body to keep going. For starters, try working for 25 minutes, then taking a 5-minute break.

8. Reward Yourself After You’re Finished

Homework isn’t always fun. But negativity can slow you down.

Our brains work off of reward systems. If you give yourself a reward when finishing your homework, it makes it a lot easier to start your homework the next time and you’ll get through it faster. Rewards could be being able to watch a show, eat ice cream, play a game, or going out and doing something fun.

Now that you’ve got all these tips, go get your homework done faster than ever before. It may be hard at first, but keep using these tips and it’ll get easier as you go.

Featured Image: Piotr Marcinski/Shutterstock

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How to Do Homework: 15 Expert Tips and Tricks

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Coursework/GPA

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Everyone struggles with homework sometimes, but if getting your homework done has become a chronic issue for you, then you may need a little extra help. That’s why we’ve written this article all about how to do homework. Once you’re finished reading it, you’ll know how to do homework (and have tons of new ways to motivate yourself to do homework)!

We’ve broken this article down into a few major sections. You’ll find:

  • A diagnostic test to help you figure out why you’re struggling with homework
  • A discussion of the four major homework problems students face, along with expert tips for addressing them
  • A bonus section with tips for how to do homework fast

By the end of this article, you’ll be prepared to tackle whatever homework assignments your teachers throw at you .

So let’s get started!

body-stack-of-textbooks-red

How to Do Homework: Figure Out Your Struggles 

Sometimes it feels like everything is standing between you and getting your homework done. But the truth is, most people only have one or two major roadblocks that are keeping them from getting their homework done well and on time. 

The best way to figure out how to get motivated to do homework starts with pinpointing the issues that are affecting your ability to get your assignments done. That’s why we’ve developed a short quiz to help you identify the areas where you’re struggling. 

Take the quiz below and record your answers on your phone or on a scrap piece of paper. Keep in mind there are no wrong answers! 

1. You’ve just been assigned an essay in your English class that’s due at the end of the week. What’s the first thing you do?

A. Keep it in mind, even though you won’t start it until the day before it’s due  B. Open up your planner. You’ve got to figure out when you’ll write your paper since you have band practice, a speech tournament, and your little sister’s dance recital this week, too.  C. Groan out loud. Another essay? You could barely get yourself to write the last one!  D. Start thinking about your essay topic, which makes you think about your art project that’s due the same day, which reminds you that your favorite artist might have just posted to Instagram...so you better check your feed right now. 

2. Your mom asked you to pick up your room before she gets home from work. You’ve just gotten home from school. You decide you’ll tackle your chores: 

A. Five minutes before your mom walks through the front door. As long as it gets done, who cares when you start?  B. As soon as you get home from your shift at the local grocery store.  C. After you give yourself a 15-minute pep talk about how you need to get to work.  D. You won’t get it done. Between texts from your friends, trying to watch your favorite Netflix show, and playing with your dog, you just lost track of time! 

3. You’ve signed up to wash dogs at the Humane Society to help earn money for your senior class trip. You: 

A. Show up ten minutes late. You put off leaving your house until the last minute, then got stuck in unexpected traffic on the way to the shelter.  B. Have to call and cancel at the last minute. You forgot you’d already agreed to babysit your cousin and bake cupcakes for tomorrow’s bake sale.  C. Actually arrive fifteen minutes early with extra brushes and bandanas you picked up at the store. You’re passionate about animals, so you’re excited to help out! D. Show up on time, but only get three dogs washed. You couldn’t help it: you just kept getting distracted by how cute they were!

4. You have an hour of downtime, so you decide you’re going to watch an episode of The Great British Baking Show. You: 

A. Scroll through your social media feeds for twenty minutes before hitting play, which means you’re not able to finish the whole episode. Ugh! You really wanted to see who was sent home!  B. Watch fifteen minutes until you remember you’re supposed to pick up your sister from band practice before heading to your part-time job. No GBBO for you!  C. You finish one episode, then decide to watch another even though you’ve got SAT studying to do. It’s just more fun to watch people make scones.  D. Start the episode, but only catch bits and pieces of it because you’re reading Twitter, cleaning out your backpack, and eating a snack at the same time.

5. Your teacher asks you to stay after class because you’ve missed turning in two homework assignments in a row. When she asks you what’s wrong, you say: 

A. You planned to do your assignments during lunch, but you ran out of time. You decided it would be better to turn in nothing at all than submit unfinished work.  B. You really wanted to get the assignments done, but between your extracurriculars, family commitments, and your part-time job, your homework fell through the cracks.  C. You have a hard time psyching yourself to tackle the assignments. You just can’t seem to find the motivation to work on them once you get home.  D. You tried to do them, but you had a hard time focusing. By the time you realized you hadn’t gotten anything done, it was already time to turn them in. 

Like we said earlier, there are no right or wrong answers to this quiz (though your results will be better if you answered as honestly as possible). Here’s how your answers break down: 

  • If your answers were mostly As, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is procrastination. 
  • If your answers were mostly Bs, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is time management. 
  • If your answers were mostly Cs, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is motivation. 
  • If your answers were mostly Ds, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is getting distracted. 

Now that you’ve identified why you’re having a hard time getting your homework done, we can help you figure out how to fix it! Scroll down to find your core problem area to learn more about how you can start to address it. 

And one more thing: you’re really struggling with homework, it’s a good idea to read through every section below. You may find some additional tips that will help make homework less intimidating. 

body-procrastination-meme

How to Do Homework When You’re a Procrastinator  

Merriam Webster defines “procrastinate” as “to put off intentionally and habitually.” In other words, procrastination is when you choose to do something at the last minute on a regular basis. If you’ve ever found yourself pulling an all-nighter, trying to finish an assignment between periods, or sprinting to turn in a paper minutes before a deadline, you’ve experienced the effects of procrastination. 

If you’re a chronic procrastinator, you’re in good company. In fact, one study found that 70% to 95% of undergraduate students procrastinate when it comes to doing their homework. Unfortunately, procrastination can negatively impact your grades. Researchers have found that procrastination can lower your grade on an assignment by as much as five points ...which might not sound serious until you realize that can mean the difference between a B- and a C+. 

Procrastination can also negatively affect your health by increasing your stress levels , which can lead to other health conditions like insomnia, a weakened immune system, and even heart conditions. Getting a handle on procrastination can not only improve your grades, it can make you feel better, too! 

The big thing to understand about procrastination is that it’s not the result of laziness. Laziness is defined as being “disinclined to activity or exertion.” In other words, being lazy is all about doing nothing. But a s this Psychology Today article explains , procrastinators don’t put things off because they don’t want to work. Instead, procrastinators tend to postpone tasks they don’t want to do in favor of tasks that they perceive as either more important or more fun. Put another way, procrastinators want to do things...as long as it’s not their homework! 

3 Tips f or Conquering Procrastination 

Because putting off doing homework is a common problem, there are lots of good tactics for addressing procrastination. Keep reading for our three expert tips that will get your homework habits back on track in no time. 

#1: Create a Reward System

Like we mentioned earlier, procrastination happens when you prioritize other activities over getting your homework done. Many times, this happens because homework...well, just isn’t enjoyable. But you can add some fun back into the process by rewarding yourself for getting your work done. 

Here’s what we mean: let’s say you decide that every time you get your homework done before the day it’s due, you’ll give yourself a point. For every five points you earn, you’ll treat yourself to your favorite dessert: a chocolate cupcake! Now you have an extra (delicious!) incentive to motivate you to leave procrastination in the dust. 

If you’re not into cupcakes, don’t worry. Your reward can be anything that motivates you . Maybe it’s hanging out with your best friend or an extra ten minutes of video game time. As long as you’re choosing something that makes homework worth doing, you’ll be successful. 

#2: Have a Homework Accountability Partner 

If you’re having trouble getting yourself to start your homework ahead of time, it may be a good idea to call in reinforcements . Find a friend or classmate you can trust and explain to them that you’re trying to change your homework habits. Ask them if they’d be willing to text you to make sure you’re doing your homework and check in with you once a week to see if you’re meeting your anti-procrastination goals. 

Sharing your goals can make them feel more real, and an accountability partner can help hold you responsible for your decisions. For example, let’s say you’re tempted to put off your science lab write-up until the morning before it’s due. But you know that your accountability partner is going to text you about it tomorrow...and you don’t want to fess up that you haven’t started your assignment. A homework accountability partner can give you the extra support and incentive you need to keep your homework habits on track. 

#3: Create Your Own Due Dates 

If you’re a life-long procrastinator, you might find that changing the habit is harder than you expected. In that case, you might try using procrastination to your advantage! If you just can’t seem to stop doing your work at the last minute, try setting your own due dates for assignments that range from a day to a week before the assignment is actually due. 

Here’s what we mean. Let’s say you have a math worksheet that’s been assigned on Tuesday and is due on Friday. In your planner, you can write down the due date as Thursday instead. You may still put off your homework assignment until the last minute...but in this case, the “last minute” is a day before the assignment’s real due date . This little hack can trick your procrastination-addicted brain into planning ahead! 

body-busy-meme-2

If you feel like Kevin Hart in this meme, then our tips for doing homework when you're busy are for you. 

How to Do Homework When You’re too Busy

If you’re aiming to go to a top-tier college , you’re going to have a full plate. Because college admissions is getting more competitive, it’s important that you’re maintaining your grades , studying hard for your standardized tests , and participating in extracurriculars so your application stands out. A packed schedule can get even more hectic once you add family obligations or a part-time job to the mix. 

If you feel like you’re being pulled in a million directions at once, you’re not alone. Recent research has found that stress—and more severe stress-related conditions like anxiety and depression— are a major problem for high school students . In fact, one study from the American Psychological Association found that during the school year, students’ stress levels are higher than those of the adults around them. 

For students, homework is a major contributor to their overall stress levels . Many high schoolers have multiple hours of homework every night , and figuring out how to fit it into an already-packed schedule can seem impossible. 

3 Tips for Fitting Homework Into Your Busy Schedule

While it might feel like you have literally no time left in your schedule, there are still ways to make sure you’re able to get your homework done and meet your other commitments. Here are our expert homework tips for even the busiest of students. 

#1: Make a Prioritized To-Do List 

You probably already have a to-do list to keep yourself on track. The next step is to prioritize the items on your to-do list so you can see what items need your attention right away. 

Here’s how it works: at the beginning of each day, sit down and make a list of all the items you need to get done before you go to bed. This includes your homework, but it should also take into account any practices, chores, events, or job shifts you may have. Once you get everything listed out, it’s time to prioritize them using the labels A, B, and C. Here’s what those labels mean:

  • A Tasks : tasks that have to get done—like showing up at work or turning in an assignment—get an A. 
  • B Tasks : these are tasks that you would like to get done by the end of the day but aren’t as time sensitive. For example, studying for a test you have next week could be a B-level task. It’s still important, but it doesn’t have to be done right away.
  • C Tasks: these are tasks that aren’t very important and/or have no real consequences if you don’t get them done immediately. For instance, if you’re hoping to clean out your closet but it’s not an assigned chore from your parents, you could label that to-do item with a C.

Prioritizing your to-do list helps you visualize which items need your immediate attention, and which items you can leave for later. A prioritized to-do list ensures that you’re spending your time efficiently and effectively, which helps you make room in your schedule for homework. So even though you might really want to start making decorations for Homecoming (a B task), you’ll know that finishing your reading log (an A task) is more important. 

#2: Use a Planner With Time Labels

Your planner is probably packed with notes, events, and assignments already. (And if you’re not using a planner, it’s time to start!) But planners can do more for you than just remind you when an assignment is due. If you’re using a planner with time labels, it can help you visualize how you need to spend your day.

A planner with time labels breaks your day down into chunks, and you assign tasks to each chunk of time. For example, you can make a note of your class schedule with assignments, block out time to study, and make sure you know when you need to be at practice. Once you know which tasks take priority, you can add them to any empty spaces in your day. 

Planning out how you spend your time not only helps you use it wisely, it can help you feel less overwhelmed, too . We’re big fans of planners that include a task list ( like this one ) or have room for notes ( like this one ). 

#3: Set Reminders on Your Phone 

If you need a little extra nudge to make sure you’re getting your homework done on time, it’s a good idea to set some reminders on your phone. You don’t need a fancy app, either. You can use your alarm app to have it go off at specific times throughout the day to remind you to do your homework. This works especially well if you have a set homework time scheduled. So if you’ve decided you’re doing homework at 6:00 pm, you can set an alarm to remind you to bust out your books and get to work. 

If you use your phone as your planner, you may have the option to add alerts, emails, or notifications to scheduled events . Many calendar apps, including the one that comes with your phone, have built-in reminders that you can customize to meet your needs. So if you block off time to do your homework from 4:30 to 6:00 pm, you can set a reminder that will pop up on your phone when it’s time to get started. 

body-unmotivated-meme

This dog isn't judging your lack of motivation...but your teacher might. Keep reading for tips to help you motivate yourself to do your homework.

How to Do Homework When You’re Unmotivated 

At first glance, it may seem like procrastination and being unmotivated are the same thing. After all, both of these issues usually result in you putting off your homework until the very last minute. 

But there’s one key difference: many procrastinators are working, they’re just prioritizing work differently. They know they’re going to start their homework...they’re just going to do it later. 

Conversely, people who are unmotivated to do homework just can’t find the willpower to tackle their assignments. Procrastinators know they’ll at least attempt the homework at the last minute, whereas people who are unmotivated struggle with convincing themselves to do it at a ll. For procrastinators, the stress comes from the inevitable time crunch. For unmotivated people, the stress comes from trying to convince themselves to do something they don’t want to do in the first place. 

Here are some common reasons students are unmotivated in doing homework : 

  • Assignments are too easy, too hard, or seemingly pointless 
  • Students aren’t interested in (or passionate about) the subject matter
  • Students are intimidated by the work and/or feels like they don’t understand the assignment 
  • Homework isn’t fun, and students would rather spend their time on things that they enjoy 

To sum it up: people who lack motivation to do their homework are more likely to not do it at all, or to spend more time worrying about doing their homework than...well, actually doing it.

3 Tips for How to Get Motivated to Do Homework

The key to getting homework done when you’re unmotivated is to figure out what does motivate you, then apply those things to homework. It sounds tricky...but it’s pretty simple once you get the hang of it! Here are our three expert tips for motivating yourself to do your homework. 

#1: Use Incremental Incentives

When you’re not motivated, it’s important to give yourself small rewards to stay focused on finishing the task at hand. The trick is to keep the incentives small and to reward yourself often. For example, maybe you’re reading a good book in your free time. For every ten minutes you spend on your homework, you get to read five pages of your book. Like we mentioned earlier, make sure you’re choosing a reward that works for you! 

So why does this technique work? Using small rewards more often allows you to experience small wins for getting your work done. Every time you make it to one of your tiny reward points, you get to celebrate your success, which gives your brain a boost of dopamine . Dopamine helps you stay motivated and also creates a feeling of satisfaction when you complete your homework !  

#2: Form a Homework Group 

If you’re having trouble motivating yourself, it’s okay to turn to others for support. Creating a homework group can help with this. Bring together a group of your friends or classmates, and pick one time a week where you meet and work on homework together. You don’t have to be in the same class, or even taking the same subjects— the goal is to encourage one another to start (and finish!) your assignments. 

Another added benefit of a homework group is that you can help one another if you’re struggling to understand the material covered in your classes. This is especially helpful if your lack of motivation comes from being intimidated by your assignments. Asking your friends for help may feel less scary than talking to your teacher...and once you get a handle on the material, your homework may become less frightening, too. 

#3: Change Up Your Environment 

If you find that you’re totally unmotivated, it may help if you find a new place to do your homework. For example, if you’ve been struggling to get your homework done at home, try spending an extra hour in the library after school instead. The change of scenery can limit your distractions and give you the energy you need to get your work done. 

If you’re stuck doing homework at home, you can still use this tip. For instance, maybe you’ve always done your homework sitting on your bed. Try relocating somewhere else, like your kitchen table, for a few weeks. You may find that setting up a new “homework spot” in your house gives you a motivational lift and helps you get your work done. 

body-focus-meme

Social media can be a huge problem when it comes to doing homework. We have advice for helping you unplug and regain focus.

How to Do Homework When You’re Easily Distracted

We live in an always-on world, and there are tons of things clamoring for our attention. From friends and family to pop culture and social media, it seems like there’s always something (or someone!) distracting us from the things we need to do.

The 24/7 world we live in has affected our ability to focus on tasks for prolonged periods of time. Research has shown that over the past decade, an average person’s attention span has gone from 12 seconds to eight seconds . And when we do lose focus, i t takes people a long time to get back on task . One study found that it can take as long as 23 minutes to get back to work once we’ve been distracte d. No wonder it can take hours to get your homework done! 

3 Tips to Improve Your Focus

If you have a hard time focusing when you’re doing your homework, it’s a good idea to try and eliminate as many distractions as possible. Here are three expert tips for blocking out the noise so you can focus on getting your homework done. 

#1: Create a Distraction-Free Environment

Pick a place where you’ll do your homework every day, and make it as distraction-free as possible. Try to find a location where there won’t be tons of noise, and limit your access to screens while you’re doing your homework. Put together a focus-oriented playlist (or choose one on your favorite streaming service), and put your headphones on while you work. 

You may find that other people, like your friends and family, are your biggest distraction. If that’s the case, try setting up some homework boundaries. Let them know when you’ll be working on homework every day, and ask them if they’ll help you keep a quiet environment. They’ll be happy to lend a hand! 

#2: Limit Your Access to Technology 

We know, we know...this tip isn’t fun, but it does work. For homework that doesn’t require a computer, like handouts or worksheets, it’s best to put all your technology away . Turn off your television, put your phone and laptop in your backpack, and silence notifications on any wearable tech you may be sporting. If you listen to music while you work, that’s fine...but make sure you have a playlist set up so you’re not shuffling through songs once you get started on your homework. 

If your homework requires your laptop or tablet, it can be harder to limit your access to distractions. But it’s not impossible! T here are apps you can download that will block certain websites while you’re working so that you’re not tempted to scroll through Twitter or check your Facebook feed. Silence notifications and text messages on your computer, and don’t open your email account unless you absolutely have to. And if you don’t need access to the internet to complete your assignments, turn off your WiFi. Cutting out the online chatter is a great way to make sure you’re getting your homework done. 

#3: Set a Timer (the Pomodoro Technique)

Have you ever heard of the Pomodoro technique ? It’s a productivity hack that uses a timer to help you focus!

Here’s how it works: first, set a timer for 25 minutes. This is going to be your work time. During this 25 minutes, all you can do is work on whatever homework assignment you have in front of you. No email, no text messaging, no phone calls—just homework. When that timer goes off, you get to take a 5 minute break. Every time you go through one of these cycles, it’s called a “pomodoro.” For every four pomodoros you complete, you can take a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes.

The pomodoro technique works through a combination of boundary setting and rewards. First, it gives you a finite amount of time to focus, so you know that you only have to work really hard for 25 minutes. Once you’ve done that, you’re rewarded with a short break where you can do whatever you want. Additionally, tracking how many pomodoros you complete can help you see how long you’re really working on your homework. (Once you start using our focus tips, you may find it doesn’t take as long as you thought!)

body-hand-number-two

Two Bonus Tips for How to Do Homework Fast

Even if you’re doing everything right, there will be times when you just need to get your homework done as fast as possible. (Why do teachers always have projects due in the same week? The world may never know.)

The problem with speeding through homework is that it’s easy to make mistakes. While turning in an assignment is always better than not submitting anything at all, you want to make sure that you’re not compromising quality for speed. Simply put, the goal is to get your homework done quickly and still make a good grade on the assignment! 

Here are our two bonus tips for getting a decent grade on your homework assignments , even when you’re in a time crunch. 

#1: Do the Easy Parts First 

This is especially true if you’re working on a handout with multiple questions. Before you start working on the assignment, read through all the questions and problems. As you do, make a mark beside the questions you think are “easy” to answer . 

Once you’ve finished going through the whole assignment, you can answer these questions first. Getting the easy questions out of the way as quickly as possible lets you spend more time on the trickier portions of your homework, which will maximize your assignment grade. 

(Quick note: this is also a good strategy to use on timed assignments and tests, like the SAT and the ACT !) 

#2: Pay Attention in Class 

Homework gets a lot easier when you’re actively learning the material. Teachers aren’t giving you homework because they’re mean or trying to ruin your weekend... it’s because they want you to really understand the course material. Homework is designed to reinforce what you’re already learning in class so you’ll be ready to tackle harder concepts later.

When you pay attention in class, ask questions, and take good notes, you’re absorbing the information you’ll need to succeed on your homework assignments. (You’re stuck in class anyway, so you might as well make the most of it!) Not only will paying attention in class make your homework less confusing, it will also help it go much faster, too.

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What’s Next?

If you’re looking to improve your productivity beyond homework, a good place to begin is with time management. After all, we only have so much time in a day...so it’s important to get the most out of it! To get you started, check out this list of the 12 best time management techniques that you can start using today.

You may have read this article because homework struggles have been affecting your GPA. Now that you’re on the path to homework success, it’s time to start being proactive about raising your grades. This article teaches you everything you need to know about raising your GPA so you can

Now you know how to get motivated to do homework...but what about your study habits? Studying is just as critical to getting good grades, and ultimately getting into a good college . We can teach you how to study bette r in high school. (We’ve also got tons of resources to help you study for your ACT and SAT exams , too!)

These recommendations are based solely on our knowledge and experience. If you purchase an item through one of our links, PrepScholar may receive a commission.

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10 Tips to Get Your Homework Done Fast

10 Tips to Get Your Homework Done Fast

Introduction

It's a tale as old as time: the clock ticking away ominously as you sit there, a heap of untouched homework glaring at you. The common hurdle many face is not the complexity of homework but the time management and discipline it requires. As the night descends, the looming deadline causes stress levels to skyrocket. However, fret not! Through this article, we unfold ten practical homework tips and hacks aimed at transforming this daunting task into a manageable one. Let's break it down together and achieve ultimate motivation.

how to do 3 months homework in 30 minutes

Make a To-Do List

The first step towards conquering your homework begins on a note of organization. Drafting a to-do list is a classic yet effective homework tip. This list will serve as your roadmap, outlining the tasks at hand. It not only organizes your thoughts but also provides a clear picture of the workload, helping to prioritize tasks accordingly.

Gather Your Resources

Before diving into the homework ocean, ensure you have all the necessary gear. Books, notes, stationery, and any other materials should be at arm's length. This prep step is a significant time-saver. It's also a moment to seek homework help if you realize you're missing crucial information. Having everything ready will smoothen the journey, ensuring you don't have to scurry around searching for a pen or a textbook amidst a study session.

Seek Help When Needed

There's no glory in struggling alone. When a concept seems confusing, seeking homework help from teachers, peers or online platforms can provide clarity. Platforms like Tutorpeers come in handy, offering assistance in over 50 subjects with affordable tutors available 24/7. The best part? All studying happens on the platform, eliminating the need for extra apps. This smart strategy not only saves time but also builds a better understanding, making your homework journey a lot smoother.

how to do 3 months homework in 30 minutes

Create a Timetable

A timetable is your game plan. Allocate time slots to each task based on its complexity and urgency. This structure provides a clear vision, helps in tracking your progress, and ensures that you are on schedule. It's a step closer to mastering the art of time management, a core element in achieving homework success.

Stay tuned as we delve deeper into more insightful homework hacks in the following sections aimed to ease your homework routine, offering a lifeline when you're in dire need of homework help.

Designate a Distraction-free Zone

Crafting the right environment is crucial for homework success. Dedicate a spot that's not only free from distractions like noise or visual clutter, but also inviting and comfortable. Ensure you have a comfy chair, a table at the right height, and enough room to spread your resources. Personalize your space with elements that make it enjoyable to be at—be it a plant, some soft music, or pictures that inspire you. This homework hack goes beyond just limiting distractions—it's about creating a space where your mind can focus and flourish.

Limit Technology Usage

It's easy to lose track of time browsing social media or responding to messages. Create a tech-free bubble during your homework time. Keep your phone, tablet, or other distractions in another room. If you need a device for your work, consider using apps that block distractions.

Team Up With a Study Buddy

Companionship can make the daunting homework journey enjoyable. A study buddy brings a different perspective, and together you can divide tasks, discuss concepts, and keep each other on track. It's a blend of social interaction and productivity. Platforms like Tutorpeers offer a fantastic avenue to connect with peers for one-on-one tutoring sessions. Whether it's homework assignments or exam prep, having a study buddy from Tutorpeers can significantly enrich your learning experience. Ready to elevate your homework game? Sign up as a learner on Tutorpeers and discover a community ready to support your academic journey!

how to do 3 months homework in 30 minutes

Take Scheduled Breaks

Continuous study sessions can lead to burnout, hampering productivity. Techniques like the Pomodoro Technique, working for 25 minutes followed by a 5-minute break, can be effective. However, everyone's rhythm is different. Some might find longer work intervals of 2 hours with a 15 to 20-minute break more suitable. The key is to find a rhythm that keeps you refreshed and focused. Tailoring your break schedule to what suits you best can significantly enhance your concentration and efficiency, making the homework routine more sustainable and less stressful.

Reward Your Progress

Positive reinforcement is a powerful motivator. Set up a reward system to celebrate small and big wins alike. Finished a challenging assignment? Treat yourself to a Starbucks pumpkin spice latte. Maintained a consistent homework routine for a month? Maybe it's time to discuss that iPhone 15 reward with your parents. By associating rewards with accomplishments, you create a motivating cycle that makes tackling homework a more enticing endeavor. This cycle of work and reward fosters a positive attitude towards homework, steering you towards a path of homework success.

Prioritize and Chunk Your Tasks

Start by listing all your assignments and categorize them based on their due dates and importance. Tackle the most urgent and challenging tasks first. This approach not only helps you meet deadlines but also allows you to focus on complex tasks while your energy levels are high.

Once you've prioritized your assignments, break them down into smaller, more manageable pieces. For example, if you have a 10-page essay to write, aim to complete two pages a day instead of cramming it all into one night. This method makes the work less daunting and gives you a sense of accomplishment as you tick off each mini-goal.

By combining prioritization with task chunking, you'll find that your homework becomes much more manageable. You'll reduce stress, improve your focus, and, most importantly, you'll get your homework done more efficiently.

Conclusion:

The voyage through piles of homework need not be solitary or dreary. Armed with these 10 insightful tips, navigating through the homework landscape can be a more organized, less stressful endeavor. Implementing these strategies can usher in a transformative approach towards homework, morphing it from a dreaded task to a manageable, even enjoyable endeavor. Embrace these hacks, seek homework help when needed, and stride confidently on the path of academic success. Your journey towards achieving homework success just got a lot smoother!

Q: How can I enjoy doing homework?

A: To enjoy doing homework, try to make it more engaging. Use colorful notes, listen to calming music, or turn it into a game. The key is to find what makes the task enjoyable for you.

Q: What's the best time of day to do homework for maximum efficiency?

A: The best time to do homework varies from person to person. Some people are more productive in the morning, while others find their focus in the evening. Experiment to find your peak productivity hours.

Q: How long does it take to receive scores?

A: The time it takes to receive scores can vary depending on the type of assignment and the grading process. For most regular homework assignments, you can expect feedback within a week.

Q: Is multitasking an effective way to get homework done faster?

A: Multitasking might seem like a good idea, but it often leads to decreased focus and quality. It's generally more effective to concentrate on one task at a time.

Q: How can I minimize distractions while doing homework?

A: To minimize distractions, create a dedicated, clutter-free workspace. Use apps or techniques like the Pomodoro Technique to manage your time and take short, scheduled breaks to recharge.

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Best Tips on How to Finish Homework Fast

By: Tasha Kolesnikova

Best Tips on How to Finish Homework Fast

An overwhelming 56% of students find homework a primary source of stress with many requirements and strict deadlines imposed. If you're one of these students, we'll give you 7 tips on how to finish your homework assignments fast!

Organize Your Thoughts and Have a Clear Course of Action

Declutter your workstation and unplug from distractions, have proper time management, focus and stay on track, recognize when to take breaks, reward yourself, how to do homework fast: quick study tips for students, know how to finish homework fast, 7 ways to breeze through your homework faster.

Are you a procrastinator with the habit of doing tasks at the last minute? Do you practice piling everything the day before the deadline, ending with you having less time to finish things up? Then the following proven and effective ways to finish your homework are for you.

organize-your-thoughts

Having too many things to do and think about can be overwhelming and can stress you out. You might even end up experiencing sensory overload and subsequently failing to finish anything.

Writing down the things you have to do is an easy way of avoiding overload. Doing so will let you organize your thoughts and will assist you in remembering every assignment's specific instructions and due dates. If you don't want to write on paper, several applications in your cell phone can act as planners and to-do lists. This way, you'll have access to them anytime, anywhere.

You can also print out and hang up a timetable near your workspace. These timetables will remind you what you should do and will be hard to ignore. It'll be easy to see assignments you need to prioritize so you can do those right away.

Of course, just having a timetable is not enough. You need to do what's necessary for the day, week, or month and keep to it. Be careful of mix-ups, which can compromise your plans and get you confused.

declutter-your-workstation

Distractions can prevent you from doing the things you need to accomplish. Only you know what can and will distract you. So get your cell phone, any video games, and even Netflix away from you when you decide it's time to get down to business.

Keep your workspace free from distractions. You need to remove posters, writings, and anything from your workspace that can shift your focus away from doing your assignment.

You also need a quiet place to finish your task. Or, if you prefer to have loud music while you do your homework, space where you will not disturb anyone else. The distractions present around are different for every person. You need to know what causes these distractions and take appropriate actions to prevent or at least manage them.

time-management

Many students delay doing their tasks, thinking they still have a lot of time to accomplish whatever they need to do. Some assume that taking a break now and doing the task later will not hurt their concentration.

Wrong. This trap can lead you to spend several hours scrolling through your social media accounts, which will even affect your eyes' long-term health. When you finally decide to start, your eyes will already be tired. It'll be harder to finish your work with strained eyes and added pressure of the looming deadline. You will regret not starting earlier.

One primary key to avoiding procrastination is to have enough time to finish your homework. Start writing a schedule of your activities. Appropriate your free time for the next days and plan what you can do within that time.

This schedule will be your guide and can include study sessions and breaks as well. You will have less time to procrastinate when you have a lineup of assignments waiting for you. Having proper time management will also give you more time to work on and polish your projects for better grades.

Several applications on your phone can remind you of the tasks you need to accomplish for the day. You can also set alarms several hours before a critical due date so you will not forget to do it.

focus

Setting goals is one of the ways to stay on track and complete your task. These goals will be motivating you to strive and work hard to get things done. Even when you start to think of something else besides what you're currently working on, you can go back to your goals and get inspired to go back and finish your task.

You can choose grand motivations. For example, you want to have a high GPA so you can graduate with flying colors. To do so, you will need to do well in your homework and finish them on time. You can write these grand goals near your workspace to remind yourself why you're studying and doing your homework.

You can also start with small goals. Such as if you finish the first part of your essay assignment, you can play one round of your favorite game on your phone, or you can take a bite of your favorite snack. You just have to be disciplined and not get carried away with the gaming and snacking.

You'll also be able to discover your learning style. Maybe you learn faster by reading your notes, listening to recordings of your lessons, or rewriting what's on your notebooks. When you find out what works for you, you'll be able to quickly focus and strategize how to finish your task on time.

Listening to classical music also helps in staying focused. The lack of lyrics aids in meditation allows deep concentration. So go ahead and add some classical music to your playlist!

take-breaks

Having breaks can be perceived as a distraction. However, studies show that taking breaks boosts productivity.

Taking a short nap, eating snacks, and drinking water can be your way of relaxing after a long study session. But be careful about taking too many short breaks - it can be distracting, and you might end up not getting things done.

The ideal break is 5 to 15 minutes per one hour and 30 minutes for 2 to 4 hours of study sessions or work. You can also follow the Pomodoro technique of a 5-minute break for 25 minutes of work and the Desktime study of a 17-minute break for 52 minutes of work. These breaks will give you enough time to clear your head and finish your tasks on time.

help

Some homework examples cannot be found in your textbooks and lectures. Thankfully, we live in an era where everything seems to be on the internet, and there are even different online resources to get homework help from. These online resources provide information on various topics and tutorials on papers you need to write . However, you need to counter-check these resources to make sure that they're credible and reliable.

Studybay is an online resource you can ask for help from and directly work with experts in different fields. It has over 7,000 experts who can assist you with your homework . They have a review of a 96% satisfaction level from students around the world who used their site.

reward-yourself

There are times when you feel like you aren't in the mood to do your homework or any other schoolwork. When this happens, you can think of a reward that you can have after completing the task. Reward systems are proven to be effective in motivating a person to do something.

After long hours of homework and finishing what you should, reward yourself for all your hard work. Rewards can also motivate you to do the next task you have. You will have something to look forward to once you have completed another work.

The following homework tips can help you get your homework done faster:

  • Have a planner to organize your task for the week or month.
  • Prepare a schedule for the day for your study sessions and breaks.
  • Set alarm reminders hours or minutes before a deadline.
  • Eat healthy foods and drink water to function well for the day.
  • Discover your learning style.
  • Ask for help if you need to.
  • Always check your resources if they are credible and reliable.
  • Clean your workspace.
  • Don't procrastinate and stay focused on the task you need to accomplish.
  • Listen to classical music for concentration.
  • Motivate yourself with rewards.
  • Set goals and display them in your workspace

You can try different things and find what works well for you.

Although you don't have a lot of time within the day to finish what you have to, it will be best to avoid procrastination by spending your time wisely.

There are several time-consuming and distracting activities, and you need to know how to deal with them. Have a proper schedule and follow it so you don't end up compromising other tasks you need to do.

Prioritize the tasks given to you and appropriate the right amount of time needed to finish them.

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how to do 3 months homework in 30 minutes

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Home > Blog > Tips for Online Students > 7 Hacks For How To Do Homework Fast

Tips for Online Students , Tips for Students

7 Hacks For How To Do Homework Fast

how to do 3 months homework in 30 minutes

Updated: June 19, 2024

Published: June 8, 2021

7 Hacks for how to do Homework Fast

Esteemed late and great Coach John Wooden used to say, “Be quick, but don’t hurry.” The phrase that was directed towards his team of basketball players can be applied to virtually every aspect of life, including for students approaching their homework. Learning how to do homework fast is both an art and a skill.

While it’s not a race to the finish, applying the following tips and tricks can help you better manage your time. As a student, time management becomes one of the most important skills you can possess. This then transfers to your work at any job, and even the ability to balance your personal life with professional activities.

But, before we go further down this rabbit hole, let’s focus on the task at hand, which is to adopt techniques to finish your homework quickly.

Student’s workspace for homework with graph paper and supplies / https://unsplash.com/photos/TB3CxSMHqmY

How to do your homework faster.

These homework hacks can be utilized for more than just homework. For anything that you have to get done with immense focus and accuracy, consider applying the following:

1. Create a to-do list

One of the upsides of homework is that it’s black-and-white. You know exactly what you have to get done and by when. This makes it easier to create a prioritized to-do list. While making a to-do list may not seem like a big hack, it ends up being one of the most important and useful things to do along your homework journey.

Instead of opening your notebook and jumping right into the first homework assignment that comes to mind, take a few moments to review what you have to get done. To make this easier, use a homework agenda or planner, so you don’t forget your tasks. Once you have everything written out, consider due dates and the length of time it should take to cross them off the list.

Creating a to-do list that is in order of priority helps you to stay on track and also provides you with a burst of endorphins and a sense of accomplishment each time you put a check in the box of completion.

2. Remove distractions

Distractions come in many different shapes and sizes. From cell phone chimes and notifications to a sibling throwing jelly beans at you, distractions can be of any type. While you cannot control how others affect you while you work, you can take control of your own study space and habits.

Turn off your phone and electronic devices, leave them in a different room, or at least put them on silent. It’s become a habit that as soon as the screen lights up, most people stop what they are doing and take a peek. Whether you act on the notification or not, you’ve lost valuable time with the distraction. Then, you need to refocus your brain on your homework all over again. These small bouts of broken concentration add up to a lot of wasted time.

3. Estimate time

Getting your homework done quickly means that you have to first be aware of the time it takes. You can time yourself on different tasks to start gaining an understanding and general idea of what takes the most time. This way, you can work to sharpen specific skills to move faster. For example, if you’re a slow reader, then you can try to learn more about speed reading so that you can shave off time on this task.

Timing yourself is also a good idea because if all your due dates are the same for tasks, then you can at least order your to-do list based on time. If a certain homework assignment takes less time than another, it may be best to start off with that task. This not only helps you to reserve your energy for time-consuming tasks, but it also means that you get started off on a positive note by completing something quickly. You can use that momentum to continue pushing through your list.

4. Find your study location

Find the type of environment that best suits you to get work done. This could mean a coffee shop with some ambient background noise, or it could be a library so quiet that you can hear a pin drop. Every person has their own preferences when it comes to where they work the best. As long as you minimize your distractions, you can get your work done quickly given you’re in an optimal workspace.

5. Gather supplies

Say you sit down to do some math homework. Then, you realize you need a graphing calculator. So, you go to get one. You sit back down and get into the groove. But now, you have forgotten the graphing paper you need to draw the equation. It may not seem like a big deal to get back up and run to the next room for your supplies, but again, you’re losing time.

In the endeavor of minimizing wasted time, you should gather all your supplies in advance and take them with you to your workspace. In order to do this successfully, review your to-do list once again and make a mental note of everything you’ll need to get each line item done.

6. Take breaks

Breaks are not bad. Breaks are actually beneficial. However, not all breaks are made equally.

By taking breaks, you can recharge your energy and focus. This could actually translate into being able to focus for longer stretches of time. Approach your homework like you would a high-intensity interval training exercise regimen. This means that you’ll go hard for a certain amount of time (say 45-60 minutes), and then you’ll take a quick, but meaningful break (say for 15-20 minutes).

If you focus for longer amounts of time, then take a slightly longer break. This helps to avoid burnout. Your body and mind will thank you for taking healthy breaks (i.e., a short walk, stretching, or any other activity that doesn’t require too much mental capacity).

7. Reward yourself

You’re the master of your own fate (and homework). So, if you thought that it would take you 45 minutes to finish your coding exercise, but you finished it in 30 minutes, you can apply those saved 15 minutes to a reward.

By celebrating small wins, you will continue to motivate yourself to get your work done in a timely manner. Alternatively, if you don’t want to take long breaks between your tasks, you can accrue your time and spend it all doing whatever brings you joy once you finish your homework to-do list.

Woman writing in a daily planner / https://unsplash.com/photos/N9uOrBICcjY

Wrapping up.

The desire to finish homework quickly is a universal feeling. When you look at the big picture, the ability to complete homework without wasting too much time turns out to be a lesson in time management. Having strong time management skills is paramount in education, especially if you choose to do so in a self-paced and online learning environment.

Try some or all of these homework hacks so that you can know how to do homework fast. Have fun while finding out which ones prove to be most beneficial for you.

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At UoPeople, our blog writers are thinkers, researchers, and experts dedicated to curating articles relevant to our mission: making higher education accessible to everyone. Read More

Daniel Wong

30 Tips to Stop Procrastinating and Find Motivation to Do Homework

Updated on June 6, 2023 By Daniel Wong 44 Comments

Student

To stop procrastinating on homework, you need to find motivation to do the homework in the first place.

But first, you have to overcome feeling too overwhelmed to even start.

You know what it feels like when everything hits you at once, right?

You have three tests to study for and a math assignment due tomorrow.

And you’ve got a history report due the day after.

You tell yourself to get down to work. But with so much to do, you feel overwhelmed.

So you procrastinate.

You check your social media feed, watch a few videos, and get yourself a drink. But you know that none of this is bringing you closer to getting the work done.

Does this sound familiar?

Don’t worry – you are not alone. Procrastination is a problem that everyone faces, but there are ways around it.

By following the tips in this article, you’ll be able to overcome procrastination and consistently find the motivation to do the homework .

So read on to discover 30 powerful tips to help you stop procrastinating on your homework.

Enter your email below to download a PDF summary of this article. The PDF contains all the tips found here, plus  3 exclusive bonus tips that you’ll only find in the PDF.

How to stop procrastinating and motivate yourself to do your homework.

Procrastination when it comes to homework isn’t just an issue of laziness or a lack of motivation .

The following tips will help you to first address the root cause of your procrastination and then implement strategies to keep your motivation levels high.

1. Take a quiz to see how much you procrastinate.

The first step to changing your behavior is to become more self-aware.

How often do you procrastinate? What kinds of tasks do you tend to put off? Is procrastination a small or big problem for you?

To answer these questions, I suggest that you take this online quiz designed by Psychology Today .

2. Figure out why you’re procrastinating.

Procrastination is a complex issue that involves multiple factors.

Stop thinking of excuses for not doing your homework , and figure out what’s keeping you from getting started.

Are you procrastinating because:

  • You’re not sure you’ll be able to solve all the homework problems?
  • You’re subconsciously rebelling against your teachers or parents?
  • You’re not interested in the subject or topic?
  • You’re physically or mentally tired?
  • You’re waiting for the perfect time to start?
  • You don’t know where to start?

Once you’ve identified exactly why you’re procrastinating, you can pick out the tips in this article that will get to the root of the problem.

3. Write down what you’re procrastinating on.

Students tend to procrastinate when they’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed.

But you might be surprised to discover that simply by writing down the specific tasks you’re putting off, the situation will feel more manageable.

It’s a quick solution, and it makes a real difference.

Give it a try and you’ll be less likely to procrastinate.

4. Put your homework on your desk.

Homework

Here’s an even simpler idea.

Many times, the hardest part of getting your homework done is getting started.

It doesn’t require a lot of willpower to take out your homework and put it on your desk.

But once it’s sitting there in front of you, you’ll be much closer to actually getting down to work.

5. Break down the task into smaller steps.

This one trick will make any task seem more manageable.

For example, if you have a history report to write, you could break it down into the following steps:

  • Read the history textbook
  • Do online research
  • Organize the information
  • Create an outline
  • Write the introduction
  • Write the body paragraphs
  • Write the conclusion
  • Edit and proofread the report

Focus on just one step at a time. This way, you won’t need to motivate yourself to write the whole report at one go.

This is an important technique to use if you want to study smart and get more done .

6. Create a detailed timeline with specific deadlines.

As a follow-up to Point #5, you can further combat procrastination by creating a timeline with specific deadlines.

Using the same example above, I’ve added deadlines to each of the steps:

  • Jan 30 th : Read the history textbook
  • Feb 2 nd : Do online research
  • Feb 3 rd : Organize the information
  • Feb 5 th : Create an outline
  • Feb 8 th : Write the introduction
  • Feb 12 th : Write the body paragraphs
  • Feb 14 th : Write the conclusion
  • Feb 16 th : Edit and proofread the report

Assigning specific dates creates a sense of urgency, which makes it more likely that you’ll keep to the deadlines.

7. Spend time with people who are focused and hardworking.

Jim Rohn famously said that you’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with.

If you hang out with people who are motivated and hardworking, you’ll become more like them.

Likewise, if you hang out with people who continually procrastinate, you’ll become more like them too.

Motivation to do homework naturally increases when you surround yourself with the right people.

So choose your friends wisely. Find homework buddies who will influence you positively to become a straight-A student who leads a balanced life.

That doesn’t mean you can’t have any fun! It just means that you and your friends know when it’s time to get down to work and when it’s time to enjoy yourselves.

8. Tell at least two or three people about the tasks you plan to complete.

Group of students

When you tell others about the tasks you intend to finish, you’ll be more likely to follow through with your plans.

This is called “accountability,” and it kicks in because you want to be seen as someone who keeps your word.

So if you know about this principle, why not use it to your advantage?

You could even ask a friend to be your accountability buddy. At the beginning of each day, you could text each other what you plan to work on that day.

Then at the end of the day, you could check in with each other to see if things went according to plan.

9. Change your environment .

Maybe it’s your environment that’s making you feel sluggish.

When you’re doing your homework, is your super-comfortable bed just two steps away? Or is your distracting computer within easy reach?

If your environment is part of your procrastination problem, then change it.

Sometimes all you need is a simple change of scenery. Bring your work to the dining room table and get it done there. Or head to a nearby café to complete your report.

10. Talk to people who have overcome their procrastination problem.

If you have friends who consistently win the battle with procrastination, learn from their experience.

What was the turning point for them? What tips and strategies do they use? What keeps them motivated?

Find all this out, and then apply the information to your own situation.

11. Decide on a reward to give yourself after you complete your task.

“Planned” rewards are a great way to motivate yourself to do your homework.

The reward doesn’t have to be something huge.

For instance, you might decide that after you finish 10 questions of your math homework, you get to watch your favorite TV show.

Or you might decide that after reading one chapter of your history textbook, you get to spend 10 minutes on Facebook.

By giving yourself a reward, you’ll feel more motivated to get through the task at hand.

12. Decide on a consequence you’ll impose on yourself if you don’t meet the deadline.

Consequences

It’s important that you decide on what the consequence will be before you start working toward your goal.

As an example, you could tell your younger brother that you’ll give him $1 for every deadline you don’t meet (see Point #6).

Or you could decide that you’ll delete one game from your phone for every late homework submission.

Those consequences would probably be painful enough to help you get down to work, right?

13. Visualize success.

Take 30 seconds and imagine how you’ll feel when you finish your work.

What positive emotions will you experience?

Will you feel a sense of satisfaction from getting all your work done?

Will you relish the extra time on your hands when you get your homework done fast and ahead of time?

This simple exercise of visualizing success may be enough to inspire you to start doing your assignment.

14. Visualize the process it will take to achieve that success.

Even more important than visualizing the outcome is visualizing the process it will take to achieve that outcome.

Research shows that focusing on the process is critical to success. If you’re procrastinating on a task, take a few moments to think about what you’ll need to do to complete it.

Visualize the following:

  • What resources you’ll need
  • Who you can turn to for help
  • How long the task will take
  • Where you’ll work on the task
  • The joy you’ll experience as you make progress

This kind of visualization is like practice for your mind.

Once you understand what’s necessary to achieve your goal, you’ll find that it’s much easier to get down to work with real focus. This is key to doing well in school .

15. Write down why you want to complete the task.

Why

You’ll be more motivated when you’re clear about why you want to accomplish something.

To motivate yourself to do your homework, think about all the ways in which it’s a meaningful task.

So take a couple of minutes to write down the reasons. Here are some possible ones:

  • Learn useful information
  • Master the topic
  • Enjoy a sense of accomplishment when you’ve completed the task
  • Become a more focused student
  • Learn to embrace challenges
  • Fulfill your responsibility as a student
  • Get a good grade on the assignment

16. Write down the negative feelings you’ll have if you don’t complete the task.

If you don’t complete the assignment, you might feel disappointed or discouraged. You might even feel as if you’ve let your parents or your teacher – or even yourself – down.

It isn’t wise to dwell on these negative emotions for too long. But by imagining how you’ll feel if you don’t finish the task, you’ll realize how important it is that you get to work.

17. Do the hardest task first.

Most students will choose to do the easiest task first, rather than the hardest one. But this approach isn’t effective because it leaves the worst for last.

It’s more difficult to find motivation to do homework in less enjoyable subjects.

As Brian Tracy says , “Eat that frog!” By this, he means that you should always get your most difficult task out of the way at the beginning of the day.

If math is your least favorite subject, force yourself to complete your math homework first.

After doing so, you’ll feel a surge of motivation from knowing it’s finished. And you won’t procrastinate on your other homework because it will seem easier in comparison.

(On a separate note, check out these tips on how to get better at math if you’re struggling.)

18. Set a timer when doing your homework.

I recommend that you use a stopwatch for every homework session. (If you prefer, you could also use this online stopwatch or the Tomato Timer .)

Start the timer at the beginning of the session, and work in 30- to 45-minute blocks.

Using a timer creates a sense of urgency, which will help you fight off your urge to procrastinate.

When you know you only have to work for a short session, it will be easier to find motivation to complete your homework.

Tell yourself that you need to work hard until the timer goes off, and then you can take a break. (And then be sure to take that break!)

19. Eliminate distractions.

Here are some suggestions on how you can do this:

  • Delete all the games and social media apps on your phone
  • Turn off all notifications on your phone
  • Mute your group chats
  • Archive your inactive chats
  • Turn off your phone, or put it on airplane mode
  • Put your phone at least 10 feet away from you
  • Turn off the Internet access on your computer
  • Use an app like Freedom to restrict your Internet usage
  • Put any other distractions (like food, magazines and books unrelated to your homework) at the other end of the room
  • Unplug the TV
  • Use earplugs if your surroundings are noisy

20. At the start of each day, write down the two to three Most Important Tasks (MITs) you want to accomplish.

Writing a list

This will enable you to prioritize your tasks. As Josh Kaufman explains , a Most Important Task (MIT) is a critical task that will help you to get significant results down the road.

Not all tasks are equally important. That’s why it’s vital that you identify your MITs, so that you can complete those as early in the day as possible.

What do you most need to get done today? That’s an MIT.

Get to work on it, then feel the satisfaction that comes from knowing it’s out of the way.

21. Focus on progress instead of perfection.

Perfectionism can destroy your motivation to do homework and keep you from starting important assignments.

Some students procrastinate because they’re waiting for the perfect time to start.

Others do so because they want to get their homework done perfectly. But they know this isn’t really possible – so they put off even getting started.

What’s the solution?

To focus on progress instead of perfection.

There’s never a perfect time for anything. Nor will you ever be able to complete your homework perfectly. But you can do your best, and that’s enough.

So concentrate on learning and improving, and turn this into a habit that you implement whenever you study .

22. Get organized.

Procrastination is common among students who are disorganized.

When you can’t remember which assignment is due when or which tests you have coming up, you’ll naturally feel confused. You’ll experience school- and test-related stress .

This, in turn, will lead to procrastination.

That’s why it’s crucial that you get organized. Here are some tips for doing this:

  • Don’t rely on your memory ; write everything down
  • Keep a to-do list
  • Use a student planner
  • Use a calendar and take note of important dates like exams, project due dates, school holidays , birthdays, and family events
  • At the end of each day, plan for the following day
  • Use one binder or folder for each subject or course
  • Do weekly filing of your loose papers, notes, and old homework
  • Throw away all the papers and notes you no longer need

23. Stop saying “I have to” and start saying “I choose to.”

When you say things like “I have to write my essay” or “I have to finish my science assignment,” you’ll probably feel annoyed. You might be tempted to complain about your teachers or your school .

What’s the alternative?

To use the phrase “I choose to.”

The truth is, you don’t “have” to do anything.

You can choose not to write your essay; you’ll just run the risk of failing the class.

You can choose not to do your science assignment; you’ll just need to deal with your angry teacher.

When you say “I choose to do my homework,” you’ll feel empowered. This means you’ll be more motivated to study and to do what you ought to.

24. Clear your desk once a week.

Organized desk

Clutter can be demotivating. It also causes stress , which is often at the root of procrastination.

Hard to believe? Give it a try and see for yourself.

By clearing your desk, you’ll reduce stress and make your workspace more organized.

So set a recurring appointment to organize your workspace once a week for just 10 minutes. You’ll receive huge benefits in the long run!

25. If a task takes two minutes or less to complete, do it now.

This is a principle from David Allen’s bestselling book, Getting Things Done .

You may notice that you tend to procrastinate when many tasks pile up. The way to prevent this from happening is to take care of the small but important tasks as soon as you have time.

Here are some examples of small two-minute tasks that you should do once you have a chance:

  • Replying to your project group member’s email
  • Picking up anything on the floor that doesn’t belong there
  • Asking your parents to sign a consent form
  • Filing a graded assignment
  • Making a quick phone call
  • Writing a checklist
  • Sending a text to schedule a meeting
  • Making an online purchase that doesn’t require further research

26. Finish one task before starting on the next.

You aren’t being productive when you switch between working on your literature essay, social studies report, and physics problem set – while also intermittently checking your phone.

Research shows that multitasking is less effective than doing one thing at a time. Multitasking may even damage your brain !

When it comes to overcoming procrastination, it’s better to stick with one task all the way through before starting on the next one.

You’ll get a sense of accomplishment when you finish the first assignment, which will give you a boost of inspiration as you move on to the next one.

27. Build your focus gradually.

You can’t win the battle against procrastination overnight; it takes time. This means that you need to build your focus progressively.

If you can only focus for 10 minutes at once, that’s fine. Start with three sessions of 10 minutes a day. After a week, increase it to three sessions of 15 minutes a day, and so on.

As the weeks go by, you’ll become far more focused than when you first started. And you’ll soon see how great that makes you feel.

28. Before you start work, write down three things you’re thankful for.

Gratitude

Gratitude improves your psychological health and increases your mental strength .

These factors are linked to motivation. The more you practice gratitude, the easier it will be to find motivation to do your homework. As such, it’s less likely that you’ll be a serial procrastinator.

Before you get down to work for the day, write down three things you’re thankful for. These could be simple things like good health, fine weather, or a loving family.

You could even do this in a “gratitude journal,” which you can then look back on whenever you need a shot of fresh appreciation for the good things in your life.

Either way, this short exercise will get you in the right mindset to be productive.

29. Get enough sleep.

For most people, this means getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night. And teenagers need 8 to 10 hours of sleep a night to function optimally.

What does sleep have to do with procrastination?

More than you might realize.

It’s almost impossible to feel motivated when you’re tired. And when you’re low on energy, your willpower is depleted too.

That’s why you give in to the temptation of Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube videos more easily when you’re sleep-deprived.

Here are ways to get more sleep , and sleep better too:

  • Create a bedtime routine
  • Go to sleep at around the same time every night
  • Set a daily alarm as a reminder to go to bed
  • Exercise regularly (but not within a few hours of bedtime)
  • Make your bedroom as dark as possible
  • Remove or switch off all electronic devices before bedtime
  • Avoid caffeine at least six hours before bedtime
  • Use an eye mask and earplugs

30. Schedule appointments with yourself to complete your homework.

These appointments are specific blocks of time reserved for working on a report, assignment, or project. Scheduling appointments is effective because it makes the task more “official,” so you’re more likely to keep the appointment.

For example, you could schedule appointments such as:

  • Jan 25 th , 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm: Math assignment
  • Jan 27 th , 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Online research for social studies project
  • Jan 28 th , 4:30 pm – 5:00 pm: Write introduction for English essay

Transform homework procrastination into homework motivation

Procrastination is a problem we all face.

But given that you’ve read all the way to here, I know you’re committed to overcoming this problem.

And now that you’re armed with these tips, you have all the tools you need to become more disciplined and focused .

By the way, please don’t feel as if you need to implement all the tips at once, because that would be too overwhelming.

Instead, I recommend that you focus on just a couple of tips a week, and make gradual progress. No rush!

Over time, you’ll realize that your habit of procrastination has been replaced by the habit of getting things done.

Now’s the time to get started on that process of transformation. 🙂

Like this article? Please share it with your friends.

Images: Student and books , Homework , Group of students , Consequences , Why , Writing a list , Organized desk , Gratitude

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January 19, 2016 at 11:53 am

Ur tips are rlly helpful. Thnkyou ! 🙂

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January 19, 2016 at 1:43 pm

You’re welcome 🙂

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August 29, 2018 at 11:21 am

Thanks very much

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February 19, 2019 at 1:38 pm

The funny thing is while I was reading the first few steps of this article I was procrastinating on my homework….

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November 12, 2019 at 12:44 pm

same here! but now I actually want to get my stuff done… huh

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December 4, 2022 at 11:35 pm

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May 30, 2023 at 6:26 am

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October 25, 2023 at 11:35 am

fr tho i totally was but now I’m actually going to get started haha

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June 6, 2020 at 6:04 am

I love your articles

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January 21, 2016 at 7:07 pm

Thanks soo much. It’s almost like you could read my mind- when I felt so overwhelmed with the workload heap I had created for myself by procrastination, I know feel very motivated to tackle it out completely and replace that bad habit with the wonderful tips mentioned here! 🙂

January 21, 2016 at 8:04 pm

I’m glad to help 🙂

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January 25, 2016 at 3:09 pm

You have shared great tips here. I especially like the point “Write down why you want to complete the task” because it is helpful to make us more motivated when we are clear about our goals

January 25, 2016 at 4:51 pm

Glad that you found the tips useful, John!

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January 29, 2016 at 1:22 am

Thank you very much for your wonderful tips!!! ☺☺☺

January 29, 2016 at 10:41 am

It’s my joy to help, Kabir 🙂

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February 3, 2016 at 12:57 pm

Always love your articles. Keep them up 🙂

February 3, 2016 at 1:21 pm

Thanks, Matthew 🙂

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February 4, 2016 at 1:40 pm

There are quite a lot of things that you need to do in order to come out with flying colors while studying in a university away from your homeland. Procrastinating on homework is one of the major mistakes committed by students and these tips will help you to avoid them all and make yourself more efficient during your student life.

February 4, 2016 at 1:58 pm

Completely agreed, Leong Siew.

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October 5, 2018 at 12:52 am

Wow! thank you very much, I love it .

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November 2, 2018 at 10:45 am

You are helping me a lot.. thank you very much….😊

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November 6, 2018 at 5:19 pm

I’m procrastinating by reading this

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November 29, 2018 at 10:21 am

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January 8, 2021 at 3:38 am

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March 3, 2019 at 9:12 am

Daniel, your amazing information and advice, has been very useful! Please keep up your excellent work!

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April 12, 2019 at 11:12 am

We should stop procrastinating.

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September 28, 2019 at 5:19 pm

Thank you so much for the tips:) i’ve been procrastinating since i started high schools and my grades were really bad “F” but the tips have made me a straight A student again.

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January 23, 2020 at 7:43 pm

Thanks for the tips, Daniel! They’re really useful! 😁

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April 10, 2020 at 2:15 pm

I have always stood first in my class. But procrastination has always been a very bad habit of mine which is why I lost marks for late submission .As an excuse for finding motivation for studying I would spend hours on the phone and I would eventually procrastinate. So I tried your tips and tricks today and they really worked.i am so glad and thankful for your help. 🇮🇳Love from India🇮🇳

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April 15, 2020 at 11:16 am

Well I’m gonna give this a shot it looks and sounds very helpful thank you guys I really needed this

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April 16, 2020 at 9:48 pm

Daniel, your amazing information and advice, has been very useful! keep up your excellent work! May you give more useful content to us.

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May 6, 2020 at 5:03 pm

nice article thanks for your sharing.

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May 20, 2020 at 4:49 am

Thank you so much this helped me so much but I was wondering about like what if you just like being lazy and stuff and don’t feel like doing anything and you don’t want to tell anyone because you might annoy them and you just don’t want to add your problems and put another burden on theirs

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July 12, 2020 at 1:55 am

I’ve read many short procrastination tip articles and always thought they were stupid or overlooking the actual problem. ‘do this and this’ or that and that, and I sit there thinking I CAN’T. This article had some nice original tips that I actually followed and really did make me feel a bit better. Cheers, diving into what will probably be a 3 hour case study.

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August 22, 2020 at 10:14 pm

Nicely explain each tips and those are practical thanks for sharing. Dr.Achyut More

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November 11, 2020 at 12:34 pm

Thanks a lot! It was very helpful!

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November 15, 2020 at 9:11 am

I keep catching myself procrastinating today. I started reading this yesterday, but then I realized I was procrastinating, so I stopped to finish it today. Thank you for all the great tips.

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November 30, 2020 at 5:15 pm

Woow this is so great. Thanks so much Daniel

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December 3, 2020 at 3:13 am

These tips were very helpful!

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December 18, 2020 at 11:54 am

Procrastination is a major problem of mine, and this, this is very helpful. It is very motivational, now I think I can complete my work.

' src=

December 28, 2020 at 2:44 pm

Daniel Wong: When you’re doing your homework, is your super-comfortable bed just two steps away? Me: Nope, my super-comfortable bed is one step away. (But I seriously can’t study anywhere else. If I go to the dining table, my mum would be right in front of me talking loudly on the phone with colleagues and other rooms is an absolute no. My mum doesn’t allow me to go outside. Please give me some suggestions. )

' src=

September 19, 2022 at 12:14 pm

I would try and find some noise cancelling headphones to play some classical music or get some earbuds to ignore you mum lol

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March 1, 2021 at 5:46 pm

Thank you very much. I highly appreciate it.

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May 12, 2023 at 3:38 am

This is great advice. My little niece is now six years old and I like to use those nice cheap child friendly workbooks with her. This is done in order to help her to learn things completely on her own. I however prefer to test her on her own knowledge however. After a rather quick demonstration in the lesson I then tend to give her two simple questions to start off with. And it works a treat. Seriously. I love it. She loves it. The exam questions are for her to answer on her own on a notepad. If she can, she will receive a gold medal and a box of sweets. If not she only gets a plastic toy. We do this all the time to help her understand. Once a week we spend up to thirty minutes in a math lesson on this technique for recalling the basic facts. I have had a lot of great success with this new age technique. So I’m going to carry on with it for now.

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  • Published on September 15, 2022
  • September 15, 2022

How to Focus on Homework and Actually Get Things Done: 12 Hacks for Busy Students

A teen using his laptop and learning how to focus on homework

Jump to section

Rapid Transformational Hypnotherapy for Abundance

Chances are, you’ve had some days when you felt overwhelmed after a long day at school. You couldn’t imagine doing anything other than plopping down in front of the television, let alone finding out how to focus on your homework. 

How can you overcome the resistance and get it done? How do you get your mind to include this task in your day as well?

With just a few adjustments, you will be able to expand your capacity to concentrate.

Why Can’t I Focus on My Homework?

Countless factors constantly fight for your attention : social media, people, overthinking, and anxiety. All of this can make you feel as though you have little control over your mind. 

If you want to start to focus better on your homework, you’ll need to set your mind up for success. Remove all distractions .

Here are two key principles that can help you be more successful in your studies:

1. Identify the distractions in your surroundings

What are the things in your daily life that take your mind away from your studies? Clearly identifying these distractions can help you understand both the problem and what causes it.

Among our environmental distractions, digital distractions are one of the worst kinds, and according to a number of studies , their effect is on the rise in the classroom.

If you’re looking to gain more concentration and, thus, form better study habits, question your online behavior first and foremost.

2. Limit the use of technology to find focus

What’s the role of social media in your daily life? Have you ever sat down to calculate how social media distracts you from doing the things you should be doing?

When you are wondering how to focus on homework long after you’ve put your phone away, you’re still thinking about the last posts you saw on Instagram. The sound of new notifications can be enough to reroute our attention from the task at hand.

And then comes the information overload, the fear of missing out, and the all-too-common signs of addictive behavior. Technology is affecting your mind more than ever, and it’s taking your focus away.

A teenager learning how to focus on homework

How to Focus on Homework: 12 Things You Can Do to Be More Indistractible

Here are 12 tips on how to stay focused while completing your homework, taught by superbrain coach Jim Kwik and habit transformation expert Nir Eyal .

  • Make a routine
  • Set up a study-friendly environment
  • Avoid heavy meals
  • Organize your study notes
  • Tell others to stay away
  • Listen to study music
  • Set deadlines
  • Take brain breaks
  • Use discomfort as motivation for productivity
  • Use time blocking
  • Let go of thoughts that distract you
  • Reimagine your task

Let’s look at each study hack in more detail.

1. Make a routine

Routines help you be productive without exerting as much effort. When you have homework to do, a study routine can be the reason you actually sit down, set enough time aside, concentrate, and stay focused until you complete the project.

This process doesn’t need to be complicated: just tell yourself that you will sit at your desk at home once you’re back from school. Put your phone on silent, make an outline of the work that needs to get done, and simply begin with what’s most important.

2. Set up a study-friendly environment

A place for everything and everything in its place. That applies to studying, too.

Lying in bed with your notebook is considered a distraction, as is being in the living room with your laptop while others are doing their activities.

You need an isolated place when you decide to focus on your homework. Make it feel comfortable, keep it organized, keep it clean, and consider putting up some motivational posters or positive affirmations .

3. Avoid heavy meals

It’s not advisable to have a big meal beforehand. Big meals can ruin your focus and make you feel sluggish and lazy because it takes a big amount of time and energy for your body to digest. A snack is okay.

There are also some foods , though, that are just plain bad for your productivity. For example, soda, candy, and fried foods are all full of sugar and have no nutritional value. They make your insulin spike up, but then it crashes very fast, which makes you feel depleted of energy.

4. Organize your study notes

Prioritize your work. Keep lists and place the most important items on top. Then work on the items that you should get done first.

It helps to outline what you need to do, breaking it down into smaller, more manageable steps. Use colors to highlight the essentials . 

This makes it all look much simpler and you’re more likely to actually get started. The brain loves organization and it won’t be so likely to procrastinate when it knows you have a structure set in place.

5. Tell others to stay away

Don’t be afraid to let others know that you’re studying and require some time and space to get your work done. Decide on fixed hours for studying and tell your friends and family members that you won’t be available during that time of the day.

If others respect your study time, you’ll be more inclined to respect it as well. 

6. Listen to study music

There are many tracks out there designed to help your mind focus. Whether you use binaural beats or just instrumental music, the right sounds can really help to tune your brain into a productive frequency.

This meditation is also great to listen to; it puts your mind in a clear, concise, and ready-to-take-on-the-world mode:

7. Set deadlines

Even if your teacher has already given you deadlines for each assignment, set new ones yourself at earlier dates.

This helps you build discipline, learn how to focus on studying, and prioritize every day.

8. Take brain breaks

Frequent breaks actually increase your productivity and focus. You’ll see that after each study session, the brain needs to be engaged with something different —  you need to activate other parts of your brain before going back to your studies so that you can reach top performance.

You can also use the Superbrain Yoga Technique. In the Superbrain Quest, Jim talks about implementing it during your breaks. It goes as follows:

  • Massage the left lobe of your ear with your right hand, and the right one with your left hand
  • Inhale and squat down
  • Exhale and come back up while continuing massaging your opposite ear with the opposite hand
  • Keep going for a few minutes
As your body moves, your brain grooves. — Jim Kwik, trainer of Mindvalley’s Superbrain Quest

9. Use discomfort as motivation for productivity

The brain is wired to protect us from danger, and our ancestors needed this function of the psyche to survive. Discomfort is associated with danger, and whenever they felt it, they knew it was time to run away or protect themselves in one way or another.

In today’s world, danger isn’t so imminent. However, discomfort is, and the brain still works to protect us in the same way. 

So why not use it to your advantage?

Once you have this mindset shift, you can see the discomfort that comes with doing your homework as fuel for moving forward, from pain to pleasure. So instead of procrastinating and avoiding the discomfort, just use it as motivation to get things done.

And maybe you can even save yourself a fun activity to do later in the day, so you have something to look forward to.

10. Use time blocking

You can use time blocking and set a specific amount of time for parts of your homework that needs to be done. For example, you block 30 minutes of reading, then another 30 minutes of writing down highlights from the text. 

This method will give you more structure and support you when you need to focus on school work, as you will have a dedicated structured time to do so.

11. Let go of thoughts that distract you

When you need more concentration, but your thoughts keep getting in the way, here’s a fun visualization exercise you can use:

  • Before you start working on your homework, close down your eyes and imagine a flowing river in front of you. 
  • Now, place every thought on a leaf and let it run down the river while watching it move away from you. 

Do this repeatedly for 5-10 minutes and see how your mind becomes clearer, more productive, and more inspired.

12. Reimagine your task

How can you make the process of doing your homework more fun? Is there any way you can think of to make it more exciting and engaging?

As you introduce play and fun into any task, your capacity to stay focused will increase. So just try out different methods to engage more in your homework. 

For example, what if you made a trivia quest about your history lesson homework? Or what about riddles to make you remember all the characters from the novel you have to read? 

Once you play around with these kinds of games, you might find that focusing on your homework isn’t as boring as you thought it would be.

Unleash the Power of Your Focus

Discovering how to focus on your homework can go beyond schoolwork and actually support you in many other activities you want to do. Concentration is one of the best skills to nurture for your growth.

If you need a little guidance at the beginning of your focusing journey, Mindvalley has it in store for you. 

By unlocking your FREE Mindvalley access , you can check out sample classes from quests that help you develop better focus and study habits, such as Becoming Focused and Indistractable by Nir Eyal and Superbrain by Jim Kwik. You can also immerse yourself in beautiful sounds and guided meditations designed to improve concentration and help you enter the flow state.

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how to do 3 months homework in 30 minutes

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How to Finish a Huge Assignment or Project Overnight

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The great American writer Mark Twain once said,

“Never put off till tomorrow what may be done the day after tomorrow just as well.”

When we live by that advice, though, we sometimes find ourselves chugging concentrated coffee at 2 a.m. in a valiant effort to stay awake and finish a huge project that’s due in 6 hours.

As productive as I’d like to think I am… I’ve been there.

If you’ve been there as well – or maybe if you’re there right now – this week’s video is for you. I’m not going to waste time lecturing you about the importance of planning, there are other videos for that – let’s just look at the best plan of attack when you find yourself in a time crunch.

Now, we’re going to look at some specific concepts related to planning and willpower in a minute – The Impact Effort Matrix, Ego Depletion – but let’s start with the foundation: location selection .

I think your location is vital when you’re working under pressure, and personally I like to pick my study locations based on their “vibe” – that is, what’s going on around me. I tend to favor coffee shops and libraries – I still go to my university library at times even though I’ve graduated – because I work well when I’m surrounded by other people who are also working. Also, close proximity to caffeine is helpful.

The most important part of location selection, though, is avoiding the “call of the pillow”. When you’re studying in a time crunch, it’s likely you’ll be doing it late into the night. That’s why you want to get as far away from your bed as possible.

The later it gets, the more you’ll start rationalizing how good a nap might be and the more you’ll start deciding that certain parts of your project don’t matter. So pick a place where going to bed would be more effort than finishing the next part of your project.

That piece of business taken care of, it’s now time to plan your efforts . Before you start working, take some time to break down your workload into individual parts. Then, it’s time to figure out which ones should get the bulk of your attention.

Dwight Eisenhower often remarked that,

“What is important is seldom urgent and what is urgent is seldom important.”

In the book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People , Steven Covey popularized the “Eisenhower Decision Matrix”, which is based on this principle. In the matrix, tasks are categorized based on their importance and urgency.

When you’re in a time crunch, though, everything can seem urgent – so importance is the factor you should focus on in this case. To that end, let’s use a similar but more fitting tool – the Impact/Effort matrix .

Impact/Effort Matrix

Here, tasks in a project are given scores based on their impact to the overall success of the project and the effort it will take to implement them. To illustrate how this works, here’s an example from my life.

When I was a senior in college, one of my final projects was building a web app. My idea was called AMPanic, and it was an app that would require you to log in and tell if you’re awake before a certain time – otherwise it would send an embarrassing email to someone. This was actually the precursor to the early wake-up system I use now, which I detailed in this video .

With this project, though, I found myself in a time crunch trying to finish it. So I broke my project down into different parts that I’d have to code and prioritized them using this Impact/Effort matrix.

The core functionality – the code that would let you set an alarm and an email message, the code that would schedule and send the email on time, and the function to cancel the email if the user checked in on time in the morning – those required a lot of effort to build, but they also had the highest impact on the project.

On the other hand, some parts of the site – like the About, FAQ, and Contact pages – didn’t have as high of an impact, but they were low-effort tasks. Since they didn’t take much time to create, I made sure to include them to make the site look more complete.

The main element of the site that I chose NOT to focus on was the user registration and login system. A proper one needs functions for resetting passwords, but I decided that the core alarm setting functionality would be more important to my grade since that was the point of the whole project. So I used a login system I had written for an old project and didn’t bother creating a way to reset passwords.

In the end, it was a worthwhile decision; the alarm system was more advanced than most of the other projects in the class, so I ended up getting an A.

To assign Impact/Effort scores to each component of your project – or each assignment if you’re juggling multiple – consider the following factors:

  • What the core deliverables are
  • The grading criteria for the project, what which components count for the most points
  • What percentage of your grade each assignment counts for
  • How much each component will contribute to the knowledge you need to have for tests, which usually impact your grade the most

Once you’e assigned scores to each component, I think it’s a good idea to tackle the ones with the highest impact and highest effort first. This is due to Ego Depletion – a phenomenon explained in Daniel Kahneman’s book Thinking, Fast and Slow . Citing research from the psychologist Roy Baumeister, he reveals that:

“…an effort of will or self-control is tiring; if you have had to force yourself to do something, you are less willing or less able to exert self-control when the next challenge comes around.”

Use the bulk of your willpower to complete the harder tasks first; that way, you’ll only have to deal with low-effort, high-impact tasks when you’re feeling drained.

That’s where we’re going to close for this week. If you select your location well, plan based on impact and effort, and tackle your tasks in a way that utilizes your willpower effectively, you’ll make if through your time crunch in one piece.

Need help finishing a personal project you’ve been procrastinating on? Read this next .

If you’re unable to see the video above, you can view it on YouTube .

Looking for More Study Tips?

10 Steps to Earning Awesome Grades - Thomas Frank

You’ll find more tips on planning, study environments, and maintaining willpower in my free 100+ page book called 10 Steps to Earning Awesome Grades (While Studying Less) .

The book covers topics like:

  • Defeating procrastination
  • Getting more out of your classes
  • Taking great notes
  • Reading your textbooks more efficiently

…and several more. It also has a lot of recommendations for tools and other resources that can make your studying easier.

If you’d like a free copy of the book, let me know where I should send it:

I’ll also keep you updated about new posts and videos that come out on this blog (they’ll be just as good as this one or better) 🙂

Video Notes

How to Finish a Huge Assignment or Project Overnight

  • Eisenhower Decision Matrix
  • Impact/Effort Matrix
  • Ego Depletion

What other topics related to working under tight deadlines would you like to see covered in the future?

Do you have any additional tips? Share them below 🙂

If you liked this video, subscribe on YouTube to stay updated and get notified when new ones are out!

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How To Finish Summer Homework Assignments: 14 Tips To Save Your Child’s Summer

  • July 19, 2018

how to do 3 months homework in 30 minutes

Many schools assign homework for students to complete before they return to class in September. This results in both parents and students having to learn how to finish summer reading and homework while balancing fun summer activities.

This summer, school is out and homework is in.

If your child has been putting off a pile of summer homework and reading assignments—he or she is not alone.

Reading books and writing assignments during the summer may not sound appealing to many students—or parents. Students can also get UK homework help if they need the some help with completing their assignment! But summer assignments are a great way to combat the effects of Summer Learning Loss and keep your child’s brain active over the break.

The Facts On Summer Learning Loss

Six weeks in the fall are spent re-learning old material Two months of reading skills are lost over the summer One month of overall learning is lost after summer vacation

With the right mindset, goals, and structure, you’ll have no problem finishing summer reading and homework between BBQ’s, ball games, and beach trips.

Follow these 14 steps to learn how to complete summer homework—without sacrificing summer fun.

14 Tips For Finishing Your Summer Homework Assignments

Make a game plan, tip 1: take a (quick) break.

It’s hard to go from a full year of schoolwork to tackling summer homework right off the bat. Let your child take a week off of homework at the start of the summer. This will give his or her brain a chance to relax and reset, and enjoy taking part in fun summer activities like sports.

Tip 2: Review Project Requirements

Don’t have your child dive head-first into his or her homework assignments. Review the expectations of each project with your child and discuss how much time he or she will need to complete them.

It would be a shame to waste time redoing a project because your child didn’t understand it initially. Reviewing all requirements is an important first step to starting off on the right foot.

Tip 3: Break Down Each Project Into A Series of Goals

Think about which assignments will take the longest and what your child will need to complete them during the summer. Break these larger assignments into a series of goals that need to be met to complete the project.

Examples of goals include “read 2 chapters per week” or “write essay introduction by July 15th”.

Set Aside The Right Amount Of Time

Tip 4: plan a weekly summer homework schedule.

This should be similar to a school year homework schedule, but altered for the summer. T he ideal amount of time to spend doing summer homework per week is 2-3 hours , so figure out where that time fits into your child’s average summer week.

Tip 5: Make A List Of Supplies & Resources

Your summer adventures could take you and your child to a wide variety of places. Make sure you both know what to bring with you so your child can tackle homework when not at home.

Examples of supplies include:

  • Textbooks or Assigned Novels

Tip 6: Choose Assignment Topics Based On Interest, Not Length

Sometimes students are given options when it comes to topics to research or books to read over the summer. Encourage your child to make these decisions based on the topics that interests him or her most—not which is “easiest”. This will result in your child enjoying his or her work, and allow him to benefit more from it.

Help Your Child Do Work On-The-Go

Tip 7: adjust your homework schedule for trips & vacations.

Exploring new places is an amazing learning experience, so don’t feel like you should sacrifice them for more homework time. Instead, plan your child’s homework schedule around these day trips and vacations.

If you know your child won’t have time to complete work while you’re away on a longer trip, make up those hours in the weeks before and after your trip.

Tip 8: Tackle The Work Your Child Can Do On-The-Go

While writing an essay is a project to save for when you return home, there are assignments that your child can tackle from just about anywhere. Options for homework to do on vacation include projects that are doable in small chunks—like reading a book or completing a math worksheet.

Tip 9: Bring Your Child’s Supplies With You

Remember that supplies list you created? Make sure you pack that backpack and bring it with you on your trip! It’d be a waste to find a spare hour to finish that math assignment, only to realize your child left his or her calculator at home.

Tip 10: Capitalize On The Quiet Times

Even the busiest trips include some quiet time. If you’re early for a dinner reservation, have your child complete a chapter of reading while you wait. Or, encourage your child to wake up 20 minutes early to answer some math questions without disruption.

Build A Support Team For Your Child

Tip 11: schedule a weekly workdate for your child & a friend.

There’s no reason your child has to work through summer homework alone. Make a weekly work date with a friend where they can tackle summer assignments together. If that friend is in the same class as your child, they can even discuss questions and challenges together. Build A Support Team For Your Child

Tip 12: Review Your Child’s Progress Every Week

Each week, speak with your child about the work he or she accomplished, and what is planned for the week ahead. If you know your child will be busy soon, work together to reorganize his or her homework schedule.

Tip 13: Touch Base With a Tutor (Or Enrol In Summer Learning Program)

A new set of eyes can make all the difference in making sure your child gets his or her summer assignments done efficiently and effectively. Your child’s tutor will be able to give constructive feedback and turn this feedback into goals for the upcoming school year.

If you want an extra head start for your child this school year, enroll him or her in a Summer Learning tutoring program to get started on the right track.

And Most Importantly…

Tip 14: reward your child with summer fun.

While schoolwork is important during the summer, it doesn’t have to come at the sacrifice of having fun. Whenever your child completes a new project or achieves a goal, reward him or her with a treat or fun summer activity.

Work Hard—And Play Hard—This Summer

Summer might seem like it will last forever, but the school year will be here before you know it. Don’t let your child fall into the habit of procrastination—instead, make a plan together and stick to it.

If you follow these tips, your child will finish summer homework and summer reading in no time…and develop great learning and study habits that will already be in place for next year!

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Overwhelmed with homework? Can’t seem to stay on top of it all? We know the feeling. At times, it can feel difficult, or perhaps even impossible, to tackle all of your homework, deadlines, assignments, and studying. After all, you’re probably participating in multiple extracurriculars, working, volunteering, and taking care of family responsibilities. You might even be worrying about applying to college. So how can you learn to handle all of your homework while remaining sane?

By setting good studying habits now, you will be setting yourself up to become a better student in the future. There’s no better time to begin improving yourself as a student than right now—you’ll also give yourself a fresh start for college and beyond. Keep reading for tips and tricks on how to finally get a handle on all your homework!

Create a study space

It can be difficult — or even impossible—to study if the environment in which you are studying is distracting you. If you try to do your homework in your bedroom or at a friend’s house, you might find it impossible to focus. After all, who wouldn’t be distracted in these scenarios?

Instead of doing your homework on your laptop while lying in bed, try sitting up at a desk in a quiet room. Be sure you have all the supplies that you need, like pencils, pens, paper, your school worksheets, a calculator, and a ruler. You don’t need to create a ridiculously high-tech study room, this just needs to be a place that will help you feel productive and that won’t distract you.

Be sure to eat a healthy snack before you do your homework so that you don’t get distracted by your grumbling stomach. Consider eating something that isn’t too sugary or fatty, rather, you should eat something with protein or with fruits and vegetables that will give you lots of energy over a longer period of time.

If you don’t have a sufficient study space at home, consider visiting a local library or coffee shop to do your work. These spaces will usually be filled with other people who are doing work as well, which can be a useful motivational tool!

It’s always a good idea to take a moment to think about your deadlines and the time commitment that is required for each of your assignments. Try to tackle the biggest and most strenuous assignments first, keeping in mind the due dates for each.

Remember to be realistic . For instance, if you have a 10 page paper due on Friday, don’t wait until Thursday night to start writing it. Instead, you should make a plan to tackle approximately 3 or 4 pages of your per day, which means that you should start on Sunday or Monday. Be sure to also leave a buffer day so that you can edit your paper, proofread it and cite your sources!

Your plans for completing your homework might vary based on your ability and/or level of familiarity with the subject or assignment. This is totally ok, and the more familiar you are with your own abilities, the better! Whatever you do, just make sure that you don’t end up lying to yourself about deadlines. Don’t tell yourself that you can slack off and tackle a ridiculous workload at the last minute—you can’t!

In terms of planning, it might also help you to make a schedule, a google calendar, a to do list or a weekly plan. Many people like being able to see the amount of free time they have available laid out visually so that they can plan when they will get all of their homework done!

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Develop a routine

Developing a routine can help you become more effective at doing your homework. Try to do your homework at the same time each day, or at a similar time each week. Devote a certain amount of hours to a certain assignment that you have, and stick to this amount of time.

Forming a routine will help you build good habits, and it will also help you get into the  routine of reviewing the new information that you learned in your classes each day!

It is much easier to break off little pieces of your assignments and do them over time rather than cramming them in at the last minute. The same thing goes with studying; if you develop a routine, then you will end up retaining more information, whereas cramming at the last minute will make it much more difficult for you to remember anything!

Learn your own learning style

Everyone learns a little bit differently, and it’s important that you get to know yourself and your own learning style: are you a visual learner? Auditory? Kinesthetic? A mixture?

You can try finding out which type of learner you are through online quizzes, or perhaps you’ve already determined what type you are in school. You might also figure it out through trial and error—perhaps flashcards don’t help you retain important information, but writing an outline of the chapter or unit in your textbook does. Don’t be afraid to try out new methods of studying; you never know what will work for you!

Try to determine the circumstances under which you study best: in the library? At your desk? At the kitchen table? Do you work well under pressure, or do you prefer to finish your assignments well before the deadline? Do you study more effectively late at night, or early in the morning? Take note of your own tendencies, and again, don’t be afraid to experiment and try out new methods.

Understanding the best ways in which you can learn will also be a great head start for college—just remember to be patient and kind to yourself throughout this process of discovery.

Ask for help

If you’re really stuck on a certain assignment, try asking for help from someone you trust: a friend, a classmate, an older sibling, a parent…

If you’re still stuck even after receiving help from your loved ones, consider asking your teacher for help. You might even consider staying to talk to your teacher after school to make sure you really understand the assignment! After all, learning your limitations and figuring out who to turn to when you’re stuck is another really wonderful step to take before starting college!

Take breaks

It doesn’t matter who you are, no one is able to study or do homework effectively for 12 hours straight. The average human attention span is around 30 minutes, so if you feel yourself starting to get distracted, don’t hesitate to get up from your seat and take a quick break!

Try going for a jog, making yourself a healthy snack, practicing playing an instrument, sending a text to a friend—just be sure to get back to work once you’re done!

If you find that you’re going to have to work for a particularly long period of time, be sure to take breaks periodically and set up rewards for yourself. Use these rewards to motivate yourself to focus your full attention on the task at hand up until your next break. For instance, you might say to yourself, “if I study calc for 3 hours, then I can take a 30 minute break by watching an episode of my favorite tv show….” There’s nothing wrong with rewarding yourself as long as you use these breaks to keep yourself motivated and focused.

Having a lot of homework can feel difficult and overwhelming, but you can use these feelings to motivate yourself. Getting a handle on this workload will also help you prepare for college!

Overall, the more you are able to understand yourself and your study habits, the more successful you will be. Take the time to learn how to build yourself the perfect study space, how to motivate yourself, and how to work under circumstances that will allow you to be the most productive. Your bad habits can always be transformed into good habits, you just need to be willing to take that first step.

For more tips and information on studying, check out these blog posts:

10 Real World Study Tips to Improve Processing and Retention

How to Organize a High School Study Session

CollegeVine’s Top Six Study Tips for High School Students

5 Ways to Actively Learn During Class

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October 13, 2022

How to Create a Daily Homework Routine

By Adina Levitt, Instructor

Homework. Often a dreaded task students want to get through as quickly as possible. However, with an intentional and executive function focused approach, homework time can be a more effective and manageable process.

Here are 7 tips students can use to create an effective homework routine:

  • Get situated in a quiet, distraction-free space.

As much as students may think otherwise, the human brain does not allow us to multitask well. Removing distractions from the environment provides students with an optimal space where they can fully attend to their work. Encourage them to leave their phone in another room, turn desktop notifications off, close extra tabs, and work in a quiet space with minimal visual distractions to set them up for a successful homework environment.

2. Set a timer.

Our attention spans are finite. As much as a student may think working for 4 hours straight is what they need to do to get that assignment done, our brains need breaks in order to function best. The Pomodoro Technique offers a helpful framework that maximizes productivity and supports executive functions of attention, motivation, decision making, and time management (25 minutes on, 5 minutes off). With an end goal in mind, students can engage in more focused work knowing that a respite is coming.

3. Make an agenda.

It’s homework time, but does your student know where to start? Have them consult their school planner or online school calendar and write down a list of the assignments they want to work on during this homework block. After creating the list, they can assign each task an order of operations. Some factors to consider when prioritizing tasks could be: when it’s due, how many points it’s worth, or the difficulty of the task.

4. Read directions.

Now it’s time to jump in! A thorough approach to doing an assignment involves carefully reading directions to understand expectations. But what does that really mean? Try reading directions aloud, underlining important information, and restating them using different wording. Rubrics also provide helpful guidance on assignment directions; Try turning rubrics into simple checklists to follow while working through a task.

5. Take a break.

When that work timer goes off, it’s time for a well-deserved break. Put 5 minutes on the clock and enjoy! Some break options include a movement break, mindfulness, a music break, or a puzzle break. A walk around the house or a snack break work too! When the timer goes off, set it for another work interval and repeat the timer cycle.

6. Review work.

To avoid careless mistakes, students should review their work by checking that all requirements (found in the directions or in a rubric) were completed. They can read their written responses aloud and redo their math computations as a check. Students can also check in with themselves: “Did I do my best work? Do I feel ready to submit this assignment?”

7. Hit submit.

Students have done amazing work up to this point, now let’s help them get to the finish line! Online assignments need to be submitted (hit that submit button!) and paper assignments need to be placed neatly into backpacks so they make it back to school on time.

BONUS TIP: Once a student has determined a homework routine that works for them, they can create a checklist that serves as a visual reminder and holds them accountable for following each step.

These tips will help students develop an effective homework routine that will strengthen their executive function skills and serve them well throughout their academic career.

With Pomodoro Timer Online, you will achieve your goals by staying focused and painless in the process. With Background Music , Custom Timer , To Do List , and Desktop Notifications

Two guys achieving goals

How does it work?

It works like a 20 minute timer on steroids! designed to study or work without procrastinating. Based on Pomodoro Technique, you can keep focused listening to soft music, checking your to do list, customizing the timer, and taking challenges to stay motivated, all with a clean and aesthetic design.

Man beeing productive

Who uses the Pomodoro Technique?

People

The Pomodoro Technique is used by people who need to focus on their activities to achieve certain goals. Many of your favorite YouTubers , influencers and entrepreneurs are likely to use this technique to be more productive.

The science behind the Pomodoro Technique

An alien in laboratory

The attention span is the ability to concentrate on a single task, the greater our concentration, the easier it will be for us to do it. Studies have estimated that this interval lasts approximately 20 minutes.

Frequently asked questions

How to use the pomodoro technique.

In essence these are the steps but consider that times can change and the app helps you in the adoption process. 😉

  • Make a to-do list and get a timer.
  • Set the timer for 20 or 25 minutes and focus on one task until the alarm goes off.
  • Upon completion of the session, check off a pomodoro and record what you completed.
  • Take a 5 minute break to refresh your concentration.
  • After 4 pomodoros, take a long 15-minute break.

What to do during pomodoro breaks?

Make sure they are activities that do not exhaust you mentally. Here are 7 ideas for your breaks :

  • Do a little stretching routine.
  • Get out and sunbathe.
  • Listen to one of your favorite songs.
  • Make yourself a drink.
  • Eat a fruit.
  • Do breathing exercises.
  • Organize your desk.

Can it be installed on Windows, Mac, Android or PC?

Yes! It can be downloaded and used as a native app with Chrome, Firefox and Safari browsers by adding it to the home screen on smartphones and from the search bar on PC or Desktop (using the install icon ).

Can I get more features?

Yes! For the sake of simplicity, we've tried to keep the basics in addition to these cool features:

  • Background music with volume control.
  • Default and custom times.
  • Challenges and prizes.
  • Control of automatic starts.

If you need more features such as control of tasks and their times, teams, projects, etc.

* This web app was inspired by the technique developed by Francesco Cirillo .

11 Tips for Making Homework Time Fun

Oaklee’s Guest Post By Mandy Ginsberg, CEO of Tutor.com

According to The National Center for Family Literacy, almost 50% of parents feel they can’t help their child with homework because they don’t understand the material. And let’s face it, for most parents it’s been a long time since they’ve been in a classroom.

Below are tips to make homework time fun (really) and stop the tears, complaints and stress that both kids and parents face:

  • Set up a homework routine.  If you don’t have a routine set up yet, do it as soon as you can. Kids work better when they have a routine that is right for them. Some kids do better right after school. Other kids need to come home and decompress for a while before they can face their homework. It doesn’t matter what time you choose, just make a conscious choice with your child and try to stick to it.
  • You can help, but not too much.  If you’re lucky enough to understand your child’s homework, it’s tempting to help a bit too much. It is okay to do one sample problem with them to get them “unstuck”, but don’t do three or four or soon you are the one doing the homework.
  • Make it Fun.  It is easier than you think! If your daughter is a visual learner go online and find a great video that can help her. Or, if your child is studying and needs to memorize equations for a test, help them create a goofy song. This helps make kids more relaxed and ready to learn.
  • Become a Time Management Ninja.  Middle school and high school students need to balance academics, extracurricular activities and their social life. Help your children put together a schedule either online or use an erasable whiteboard– whatever works for your family.Make sure you add in study/homework time each school night to help your child see when he/she is truly free. Several months in your child may be able to take over the calendar with less help.
  • Big Projects? Start Small.  Older children have more long-term assignments such as a research paper or essay assigned in October but due in November. It’s easy to procrastinate and then find your son or daughter in a panic a few days before the due date. Help them map out a plan where they complete a piece of the assignment every few weeks such as going to library for research followed by completing an outline. Having regular due dates will help keep projects on track and reduce last-minute meltdowns.
  • It All Counts.  If your child is planning on going to college, their freshmen GPA will go on their college transcript. Make sure your child is taking the right mix of classes and see what support is available at the school. You can make an appointment with your child’s school counselor to ensure you are on the right track.
  • Take A Break.  Research shows students don’t concentrate well for long periods. Rather than demanding your child finish all his/her homework in one sitting, encourage him/her to take breaks every 20-30 minutes. That’s a great time to check their phone, get a snack or just get up and stretch. They’ll complain less and be more productive.
  • Not Good at Math or Writing? Don’t Tell Your Kids.  Instead tell them you understand math or writing is really tough but you know they can do it. If you can’t help, make sure you know who can or look online for great resources like tutorials and videos that break down tough concepts.
  • Time to Tell the Teacher.  If your child has worked on a problem for hours and is no closer to getting it, then it’s time to write a note to the teacher. The teacher will be glad to know that your child had problems with the assignment and needs some extra help.
  • Celebrate.  A great biology grade, finished essay or a week of completed homework assignments deserves some recognition. Come up with something that works for your family – maybe it’s dessert at your favorite ice cream shop or a new app. Your child will appreciate being celebrated!

Mandy Ginsberg is the CEO of Tutor.com, the world’s largest and highest-rated online tutoring company with a community of more than 3,000 expert tutors, and almost 10 million one-to-one online tutoring sessions served. Professional tutors are available 24/7 in 40 plus subjects, including AP courses and SAT test prep. Ninety percent of students who use Tutor.com get better grades, feel more confident and complete their homework on time. Tutor.com, an IAC company, powers tutoring and homework help programs for the Department of Defense; thousands of public libraries, school districts, colleges and universities; and the states of Alabama, Alaska, Louisiana, Montana, North Dakota, Rhode Island and the District of Columbia.

30-minute workout at home

The Best 30-Minute Workout at Home for Every Muscle

Are you having a hard time finding an hour or more to exercise? Do you want to improve your fitness level without having to go to the gym? This 30-minute workout at home gives you the tools to build strength and muscle in the comfort of your living room in half an hour or less.

All you need is a set of dumbbells, your own body weight, and to be prepared for a high-intensity session that will leave you sweaty but feeling great.

This workout is available in our workout tracker , which you can download for free using the button for your device:

how to do 3 months homework in 30 minutes

Click here to jump directly to the 30-minute workout!

Who Is the 30-Minute Workout at Home For?

This workout is for anyone who wants to get in shape and stay fit and healthy with short but highly effective strength training workouts. It’s perfect if you have a busy schedule and can’t dedicate hours to a fitness routine, enjoy quick but effective at home workouts, or want to squeeze in a superb 30-minute full-body workout during your lunch break.

  • If your goal is to gain muscle and size, it will help you gain lean mass when combined with a moderate caloric surplus.
  • If you’re on a weight-loss diet, it will ensure you’re losing fat, not muscle.

Regardless of age, sex, or training experience, this 30-minute workout routine is ideal for almost anyone who wants to maximize their results in less time with a combination of compound exercises and isolation work – all with dumbbells.

“Almost anyone,” because high-level bodybuilders and powerlifters need more specialized and extensive training for the best results. But even then, you can use this workout to tide you over if you ever find yourself with little to no time to train or without a gym.

Benefits of Full-Body Workouts

Full-body workouts have been around since the dawn of strength training. They are the best way to maximize the benefits of a strength workout when you have a short period of time to train.

  • You exercise your whole body in one go. Instead of having separate days for different body parts, you get a complete workout in less time, which is great for busy schedules.
  • Since you’re working all major muscle groups in a single session, it doesn’t matter if you happen to miss a workout. Miss a session on a split routine and your entire schedule gets thrown out of whack.
  • Training your whole body in the same session often means a higher calorie burn during the workout, a great way to boost fat and weight loss.
  • It’s easier to track strength improvements because you’re doing the same exercises more frequently.

how to do 3 months homework in 30 minutes

Can You Build Muscle and Strength Using Only Dumbbells?

You might think that you need a fully equipped gym to get an effective workout.

That is not true. Your body has no idea if the resistance and tension you place on your muscles come from a barbell, an exercise machine, a resistance band, your own bodyweight, or a pair of dumbbells. 

As long as you practice progressive overload, meaning you train a little heavier or do one more repetition when you can, your muscles respond by getting bigger and stronger.

Dumbbells are incredibly versatile, and you can train your entire body without any other equipment. These are a few of the many benefits dumbbells offer:

  • You can train every single part of your body with just one set of equipment. You can do curls for your arms, squats for your legs, presses for your chest, and even deadlifts, all with dumbbells.
  • Dumbbells allow you to work out at home without spending money on expensive training equipment or a recurring gym membership. Dumbbells are a one-time investment and last you a lifetime.
  • Dumbbells are small and portable, ideal for when you work out at home or have limited space for training equipment. You can get an excellent workout for your entire body in your living room.
  • With dumbbells, you don’t have to worry about getting stuck under a heavy weight if you work out alone at home. You don’t need a spotter, as you can drop them to the floor if you get stuck. Just make sure you have a protective mat on the floor, or failing a set can get very expensive!
  • Last but not least, dumbbells have proven to be one the most effective tools to build muscle and gain strength for more than a century. There is no need to change a winning concept.

What Equipment Do You Need for StrengthLog’s 30-Minute Workout at Home?

A set of dumbbells.

You can use regular dumbbells, but if you don’t want to collect enough of them to fill a dumbbell rack, you should consider getting a pair of adjustable ones. 

You will require heavy dumbbells for some exercises, and light dumbbells for others. 

Adjustable dumbbells allow you to change the load on the fly with the flip of a switch, and you won’t have to find room to store half a dozen dumbbells of various sizes.

how to do 3 months homework in 30 minutes

A yoga mat or a soft carpet for comfort and to protect the floor will also be helpful.

StrengthLog’s 30-Minute Workout at Home: The Exercises

This 30-minute workout is divided into four parts: two circuits consisting of three exercises each and two superset bouts.

You perform three rounds of each circuit and two rounds of each superset. Rest ~30 seconds between rounds and ~60 seconds between different circuits and supersets.

Perform each circuit or superset with as little rest between exercises as possible. For example, after one set of goblet squats, you immediately move into dumbbell floor presses.

Goblet Squat

Dumbbell floor press, dumbbell row.

Do one set x 10-12 reps of each exercise in a row, rest for 30 seconds, then do them again for a total of three rounds .

Rest: 60 seconds

Dumbbell Lunge

  • Dumbbell Shoulder Press

Dumbbell Curl

Do one set x 10-12 repetitions of each exercise, rest for 30 seconds, then do them again for a total of three rounds .

Do one set of each exercise: 10-15 reps of push-ups and 30-60 seconds in the plank. Rest for 30 seconds, then do them again for a total of two rounds .

Dumbbell Romanian Deadlift

  • Oblique Sit-Up

Do one set of each exercise: 6-8 reps of deadlifts and 10-15 reps of sit-ups. Rest for 30 seconds, then do them again for a total of two rounds .

You can view the 30-minute workout at home in detail with sets and repetitions for all the different exercises in StrengthLog .

Warming Up for the 30-Minute Workout at Home

Increasing your heart rate, blood flow, and muscle temperature makes your muscles more flexible and ready for movement. 

A warm-up prepares your body for your training session, may reduce the risk of injuries, and should precede all great workouts. A proper warm-up also helps to improve your range of motion and coordination.

Here’s a step-by-step warm-up routine for a full-body workout.

Start with a few minutes of light cardio to boost your heart rate and body temperature. A brisk walk, a light jog in place, or jumping jacks will do the trick.

After the cardio, do some dynamic stretches that involve your major muscle groups:

  • Arm circles : Extend your arms out to the sides and make small circles in the air, gradually increasing the size of the circles.
  • Torso twists : Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and twist your torso from side to side, keeping your hips stationary.
  • Leg swings : Stand with your feet hip-width apart and swing one leg forward, keeping it straight, then swing it back and repeat with the other leg.
  • Squats : Hold a light dumbbell to your chest and do nice and deep goblet squats.

Do 15–20 reps of each movement, and your body should be warm and ready to go.

StrengthLog’s 30-Minute Workout at Home

Let’s break the 30-minute workout at home down, with detailed descriptions of every exercise.

30-Minute Workout: Circuit 1

You start the workout with a three-exercise circuit consisting of goblet squats , dumbbell floor presses , and dumbbell rows .

Perform each exercise in order, resting as little as possible between exercises. Once you finish one round, take a 30-second breather, then start over. Do this for a total of three rounds .

Easy to learn, yet effective regardless of fitness level and experience: that’s the goblet squat in a nutshell.

The goblet squat targets your core muscles, quadriceps (the muscles at the front of your thigh), and glutes. The instruction gif above shows the kettlebell version of the exercise, but a dumbbell works equally well.

how to do 3 months homework in 30 minutes

Holding a dumbbell in front of your chest helps you squat right by removing much of the mobility requirements of the regular barbell squat . It’s an excellent exercise for all levels, whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been lifting weights for a while.

How to Perform Goblet Squats

  • Stand with your feet hip-width, holding a single dumbbell or kettlebell with both hands at chest level, close to your body, and with your toes pointing slightly outward.
  • Inhale, brace your core muscles and keep your chest up with your shoulders back and down.
  • From the starting position, squat down as deep as you can comfortably go. At the bottom of the squat position, your elbows should be inside your knees.
  • Straighten your legs and return to the standing position, exhaling and pushing your hips forward as you rise.
  • Repeat the movement for your desired number of repetitions.

Without resting, adjust your dumbbells to the appropriate weight and get your yoga mat out – it’s time for the dumbbell chest press on the floor.

The  floor press  is a great exercise for building your chest, shoulder, and triceps muscles using nothing but dumbbells. It’s a compound exercise with complete stability where you can use heavy weights.

While the dumbbell floor press takes your chest muscles somewhat out of the equation due to the limited range of motion, you can target them by focusing on squeezing your pecs at the top of the movement.

Note : if you do have a training bench at home, do the regular dumbbell chest press instead.

How to Perform the Dumbbell Floor Press

  • Sit on the floor with your legs straight and a pair of dumbbells beside you.
  • Pick the dumbbells up and place them in your hip creak.
  • Lay down while you bring the dumbbells up to your chest.
  • Press the dumbbells to straight arms, bend your knees, and place your feet flat on the floor.
  • Lower the dumbbells slowly until the back of the arms hit the floor, keeping your lower and upper back on the floor at all times.
  • Reverse the motion and push the dumbbells up to straight arms again.
  • Repeat the movement for your desired number of repetitions, then gently drop the dumbbells to the floor to finish the set.

Once again, with as little rest as possible, get ready for the next exercise. This time, you’re targeting your upper back with one of the best exercises for the purpose: the dumbbell row.

The dumbbell row is a fantastic exercise for the entire back of your upper body: your lats, rhomboids, trapezius, and rear deltoids. As a bonus, it even hits your biceps.

You don’t need a training bench to perform the dumbbell row. Anything stable you’ve got in your home, like a chair, a couch, or even a staircase, will do fine.

When rowing with your right arm, place your left leg on the chair and your right foot on the floor. Conversely, put your right leg up and your left foot down when rowing with your left arm.

How to Perform Dumbbell Rows

  • Place a dumbbell on the floor beside a bench or chair. Stand facing the bench or chair and place your left hand and left knee on top of it. 
  • Grip the dumbbell with your right hand and pull the dumbbell up, keeping your elbow close to your body.
  • Pull the weight until it touches the side of your body, around the belly button level. Keep your back flat and parallel to the ground throughout the movement.
  • Contract your lats and squeeze your shoulder blades together at the top of the movement, then lower the dumbbell back down to the start position with your arm fully extended.
  • Go for a complete range of motion with a nice stretch at the bottom, then repeat the movement for your desired number of repetitions.
  • Place your right knee on the bench or chair, grip the dumbbell with your left hand, and repeat the movement for the other side of the body.

That’s your first circuit done! Take half a minute to rest, then get right back into it by starting over with another set of goblet squats.

Once you have completed three rounds , you’re ready to move to the next circuit. But first, take a minute to regain your breath and let your muscles recover.

30-Minute Workout: Circuit 2

Circuit number two consists of another three exercises: lunges , overhead presses , and biceps curls , all with dumbbells. They translate smoothly into one another, and the muscles worked don’t overlap, so you should be able to maintain a steady pace without getting overly fatigued.

Like last time, perform each exercise in order, resting as little as possible between exercises. Take a 30-second rest after one round, then start over. Do this for a total of three rounds .

The dumbbell lunge has a lot going for it. Not only is it one of the best lower body exercises for your thighs and glutes – it also works your hamstrings to a lesser degree, and it helps you train your balance, coordination, and body control.

For variation, you can step backwards instead of forwards as in the instruction gif above. Doing so involves your hamstrings a bit more, and some people feel that the reverse lunge is easier on their knees.

How to Perform Dumbbell Lunges

  • Stand up straight with your feet shoulder-width apart with a dumbbell in each hand by your sides. Your palms should be facing your body.
  • Take a big step forward and sink as deep as your comfort and flexibility allow into a lunge position. The front knee should be directly above your ankle, and the back knee should hover just above the ground. Your rear knee should not touch the floor.
  • Return to the starting position by pushing yourself back with the front leg.
  • Repeat the movement for the desired number of repetitions, switch legs, and perform the exercise on the other side.

Without resting, move into the second exercise of the circuit, the dumbbell shoulder press.

Dumbbell Overhead Press

The dumbbell overhead press is one of the best overall upper body exercises, perfect for a 30-minute workout when you want the most bang for your lifting buck. It works multiple muscle groups in your upper body, including your shoulders, triceps, and traps. In addition, it effectively engages your core to keep your body stable as you push the dumbbells over your head.

Remember to maintain good form even when you get tired at the end of the set, and avoid using your entire body to move the weights.

You can also perform the dumbbell press seated, but doing so removes some of the core action from the exercise.

How to Perform the Dumbbell Shoulder Press

  • Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a dumbbell in each hand. Bring the dumbbells up to shoulder level with your palms facing forward.
  • Engage your core and press the dumbbells up overhead, fully extending your arms.
  • Pause momentarily at the top of the movement, then slowly lower the dumbbells back down to shoulder height.

Once you’ve completed your last rep, lower the dumbbells to your sides and get ready for the third and last exercise of the circuit.

Some people claim that you don’t need to train your biceps directly, and while it is true that they get their fair share of work when you train your back, the dumbbell curl makes sure they don’t get left behind.

It’s the perfect final exercise to close the second circuit of your 30-minute workout: it is easy to do and allows your larger muscle groups to rest up and prepare for your next bout while you’re getting things done.

How to Perform Dumbbell Curls

  • Hold a pair of dumbbells in an underhand grip (palms facing forward), arms hanging by your sides.
  • Curl the dumbbells up towards your shoulders by only moving your forearms.
  • Don’t let your upper arms travel back during the curl. Keep them at your sides or move them slightly forward.
  • Reverse the movement and lower the dumbbells back to the starting position.
  • Repeat the movement for the desired number of repetitions.

Whew! That’s the second circuit done! If it was your first round, you still have two more to go. Rest for 30 seconds and get back to work!

Once you have done three rounds of the circuit, take a minute to recover, then get ready for the superset part of this 30-minute workout at home.

30-Minute Workout: Superset 1

The toughest parts of the workout are over, but you’re not quite done yet. The first of two supersets await you: push-ups combined with the plank .

The push-up is a classic exercise for training your chest muscles using your own body weight. In addition, it works your shoulders, triceps, and core muscles. It’s as close to a perfect exercise for at-home workouts as you can get because it doesn’t require any equipment and can be done anywhere.

You can make the exercise easier by standing on your knees or harder by using a resistance band to increase the load:

resistance band push-up

How to Perform Push-Ups

  • Place your hands on the floor or an exercise mat, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
  • Assume the push-up position by extending your legs straight behind you, keeping your toes on the ground. Your body should form a straight line from your head to your heels. If you’re doing the kneeling variant, form a straight line from your head to your knees instead.
  • Engage your core muscles to keep your body stable and maintain a neutral spine position. Avoid arching your back or letting your hips sag.
  • Lower your body towards the ground by bending your elbows while inhaling. Keep your elbows close to your body at about a 45-degree angle from your torso. Your chest should lead the way.
  • Continue to lower your body until your chest is just above or lightly touches the floor. Keep your body in a straight line throughout the descent.
  • Push through your palms and straighten your arms to raise your body back up. Exhale as you push up.

Once you’ve completed your reps, stay on the floor, as it is time for the second exercise of the superset, everyone’s favorite: the plank.

Plank exercise technique for 30-minute workout at home

The plank is an excellent exercise for your entire core. When done right, it doesn’t require any additional weight to strengthen every muscle fiber in your midsection.

In the plank position, move your elbows closer to your head and focus on squeezing your glutes as you hold the plank position. Research shows these two slight modifications make the plank five times more effective! 3 In addition, they make the exercise that much more challenging, meaning 30–60 seconds is enough.

Do kneeling planks if you can’t hold the position for 30 seconds.

How to Perform the Plank

  • Stand on your elbows and feet (or knees).
  • Brace your abs and lower back, and form and hold a straight line from your head to your feet. If you’re doing the kneeling variant, form a straight line from your head to your knees instead.

Take 30 seconds of rest, do one more round of push-ups and the plank, rest a minute, then get ready for the final act of StrengthLog’s 30-minute workout at home. And you guessed it: it’s another superset! This one features more core work and one of the best exercises for your entire posterior chain.

30-Minute Workout: Superset 2

This is it: the home stretch. Keep the tempo up and grind out the final supersets to complete this 30-minute workout in time.

The dumbbell Romanian deadlift is a variation of the dumbbell deadlift and the most efficient way to develop your hamstrings using dumbbells. It’s also a great exercise for the rest of your posterior chain, including your glutes and lower back.

How to Perform Dumbbell Romanian Deadlifts

  • Stand with your feet hip width apart and a dumbbell in each hand at arm’s length by your sides.
  • Inhale, brace your core slightly, and lean forward by hinging your hips. Imagine pushing your hips backward as if you were trying to close a car door with your butt. Keep your back straight and maintain a neutral spine throughout the exercise.
  • Lower dumbbells down the front of your legs, keeping them close to your body. Your back should remain straight, and your knees should slightly bend.
  • Continue to lower the dumbbells until you feel a stretch in your hamstrings. Keep going until your back is almost parallel to the ground or as far as your flexibility allows. Avoid rounding your back.
  • Return to the starting position by pushing your hips forward and bringing your torso back up to a standing position. Keep the dumbbells close to your body during the ascent.

Once you’ve completed your Romanian deadlift reps, immediately get down on your back for the finishing move, the oblique sit-up.

Oblique Sit-Ups

The oblique sit-up works both your six-pack muscle (the rectus abdominis) as well as your obliques located at the sides of your abdominal area. It improves your core stability and helps you get stronger in movements that require trunk rotation.

If you’re struggling to complete full sit-ups, feel free to do oblique crunches instead.

How to Perform Oblique Sit-Ups

  • Lie down on your back with your knees bent at a 90-degree angle and your feet flat on the floor. You can place your hands behind your head or across your chest, but be careful not to pull on your neck during the exercise. Use your dumbbells or something stable to stick your feet under so they don’t lift from the ground.
  • Lift your shoulders off the floor and twist your torso to one side, bringing your right elbow towards your left knee. As you twist, exhale, and squeeze your obliques.
  • Lower your upper body back to the starting position while keeping your core engaged. Avoid resting your head or shoulders on the ground.
  • Repeat the movement for the desired number of repetitions, then twist your torso to the other side, bringing your left elbow toward your right knee. You can alternate sides in a controlled and rhythmic manner instead of doing one side at a time if you prefer.

After the first superset, take a short rest and repeat the two exercises one more time.

Congratulations! You’ve successfully completed this 30-minute full body workout! Give yourself a pat on the back – you deserve it.

How Often Should You Do StrengthLog’s 30-Minute Workout at Home?

This 30-minute exercise program is designed for two or three weekly workouts.

If you can only do it once per week, it is much better than not working out at all. However, you should get at least two sessions for the best results on your fitness journey.

Two weekly workouts produce much better results than one, but the jump from two to three, while still significant, is less dramatic than going from one to two.

In short, if you can squeeze in three 30-minute weekly workouts – fantastic. If you can’t, two are sufficient to make progress and get stronger.

Just make sure you have a rest day between workouts. Your muscles don’t grow bigger and stronger during your workouts but when you rest and recover afterward.

Follow the 30-Minute Workout at Home in Strengthlog

Want to start   StrengthLog’s 30-Minute Workout at Home?

It’s available exclusively in our  workout tracker app .

While this program requires a premium subscription, StrengthLog itself is entirely free. You can download it and use it as a workout tracker and general strength training app – and all basic functionality is free forever.

It even has a bunch of free programs and workouts. However, our more advanced programs (such as this one) are for premium users only.

Want to give premium a shot? We offer all new users a free 14-day trial of premium, which you can activate in the app.

Download  StrengthLog  for free with the buttons below:

>> Click here to return to our list of training programs.

  • Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research: January 2015 – Volume 29 – Issue 1 – p 246-253. Bench Press and Push-up at Comparable Levels of Muscle Activity Results in Similar Strength Gains.
  • Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness. Volume 15, Issue 1, June 2017, Pages 37-42. Low-load bench press and push-up induce similar muscle hypertrophy and strength gain.
  • Sports Biomechanics, Volume 13, 2014 – Issue 3. An electromyographic comparison of a modified version of the plank with a long lever and posterior tilt versus the traditional plank exercise.

Related Posts

Photo of author

Andreas Abelsson

Maximize your gains and build the body you want with our guide on the best exercises for every muscle group. 

Watch CBS News

The Fed holds interest rates steady. Here's when a rate cut could happen.

By Aimee Picchi

Edited By Anne Marie Lee , Alain Sherter

Updated on: July 31, 2024 / 4:37 PM EDT / CBS News

Although the Federal Reserve on Wednesday left its benchmark interest rate unchanged, as widely expected, Chair Jerome Powell said the "time is drawing near" for the central bank to begin trimming borrowing costs. That could occur as soon as the Fed's next policy meeting in September, assuming economic data continues to show cooling inflation, he added.

Members of the Federal Open Market Committee, the central bank's rate-setting panel, said in a policy statement  on Wednesday they will hold the federal funds rate in a range of 5.25% to 5.5%, leaving it at its highest level in 23 years. 

The Fed's announcement, which was widely expected by investors, means the federal funds rate has been parked at that level since July 2023, when the central bank last raised rates. 

The statement included a few important changes in the Fed's outlook. For one, the Fed described inflation as "somewhat elevated," a more moderate description than its June characterization as simply "elevated." And it stressed its mandate to focus on full employment, as well as taming inflation. Those changes were underscored by Powell, who stressed that the Fed has been pleased by recent data showing a slowdown on prices. 

The time for a rate cut "is approaching, and if we do get the data we hope we get, then reduction of our policy rate could be on the table at our September meeting," Powell told reporters at a press conference following a two-day meeting on monetary policy. 

Prior to Wednesday's statement, about 9 in 10 economists had penciled in the September meeting for the Fed's first interest rate cut since 2020, pointing to inflation that is easing faster than expected . But Powell stressed that the decision will depend on forthcoming inflation data, and he sidestepped a question on whether there might be additional rate cuts in 2024. 

"You would think, base case, that policy rates would move down from here, but I don't want to give specific guidance on the pace of when that would happen," he noted. 

Some Wall Street analysts still forecast multiple rate cuts in 2024, which they predict will kick off with the September meeting. Earlier this year, the Fed had  projected just one reduction  this year.

"As expected, the Fed is setting the table for interest rate cuts starting at their next meeting in September," said Ryan Detrick, chief market strategist at Carson Group, in an email. "The reality is inflation is slowing and the Fed doesn't need rates this high anymore."

Labor market concerns

A growing concern is the nation's labor market, which is showing signs of fading. Job growth has slowed to an average 177,000 a month for the past three months, compared with a three-month average of 275,000 a year ago. 

The July jobs report will be released on Friday, with economists forecasting payroll gains of 175,000 this month and the unemployment rate holding steady at 4.1%, according to financial data service FactSet.

Fed officials have said they are seeking to balance the need to keep rates high enough to quash inflation with avoiding a recession. The Fed's dual mandate is to keep prices stable to ensure maximum employment. 

"We look at the two goals, and if one of them is farther away than the other, you concentrate on the one that is farther away," Powell said. "For the last couple of hears the best service we could do for the American people was to focus on inflation."

He added, "But now, labor market has softened, the inflation is probably a little farther from its target than employment, but the risks to the employment mandate are real now."

Rate cuts before the election?

Powell was asked by CBS News' Jo Ling Kent about the timing of rate cuts, given that a September cut would occur two months before the U.S. presidential election. Former President Donald Trump recently told Bloomberg News the Fed should refrain from easing rates shortly before voters head to the polls.

But Powell stressed that the Fed is a non-political agency, with a mandate from Congress to focus on maintaining price stability and full employment. The FOMC's discussions focus "strictly" on economic data, he added. 

"We never use our tools to support any political outcome," Powell said. "If we stick to our part, that will benefit all Americans — if we get it right, we will have price stability, people will find jobs. Everyone will benefit."

  • Jerome Powell
  • Interest Rates
  • Federal Reserve

Aimee Picchi is the associate managing editor for CBS MoneyWatch, where she covers business and personal finance. She previously worked at Bloomberg News and has written for national news outlets including USA Today and Consumer Reports.

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The Fed Suggested That Rate Cuts Could Come Soon

The Federal Reserve left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at a two-decade high but suggested that recent progress in lowering inflation could enable it to cut interest rates soon.

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Rate Cut ‘Could Be on the Table’ at Next Fed Meeting, Powell Says

Jerome h. powell, the federal reserve chair, suggested an interest rate cut could be on the horizon after the central bank held rates steady at its most recent meeting..

The labor market has come into better balance and the unemployment rate remains low. Inflation has eased substantially from a peak of 7 percent to 2.5 percent. We are strongly committed to returning inflation to our 2 percent goal in support of a strong economy that benefits everyone. Today, the F.O.M.C. decided to leave our policy interest rate unchanged and to continue to reduce our securities holdings. We have made no decisions about future meetings, and that includes the September meeting. The broad sense of the committee is that the economy is moving closer to the point at which it will be appropriate to reduce our policy rate.

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Jeanna Smialek

Powell says a rate cut ‘could be on the table’ at the Fed’s next meeting.

how to do 3 months homework in 30 minutes

Federal funds

target rate

how to do 3 months homework in 30 minutes

Federal Reserve officials left interest rates unchanged at their July meeting, as economists had expected, and hinted that recent progress in lowering inflation could enable them to cut interest rates soon.

The Fed decided on Wednesday to hold interest rates steady at about 5.3 percent — a two-decade high where they have remained for a year now.

Notably, though, officials also tweaked their post-meeting policy statement to call price increases only “somewhat elevated” and to underscore that officials are attentive not just to the risk of lingering inflation but also to the threat of a job market slowdown.

Jerome H. Powell, the Fed’s chair, said at a news conference that a rate cut “could be on the table” at its next meeting on Sept. 18.

Investors widely expect them to cut borrowing costs at that gathering, and then to cut rates a second and even third time before the end of the year.

Mr. Powell explained why the Fed was not ready to cut rates at July’s meeting, saying “we’re getting closer to the point” at which a cut will be appropriate, but “we’re not quite at the point.”

The Fed’s statement on Wednesday is likely to reinforce expectations for a coming rate reduction, because officials used it to stress both that inflation is cooling and that they are increasingly focusing on the health of the labor market. “The economic outlook is uncertain, and the committee is attentive to the risks to both sides of its dual mandate,” the Fed said in its statement, replacing previous language that said the Fed was “highly attentive to inflation risks.”

As of their June economic projections, Fed forecasts implied that central bankers could cut roughly every other meeting once they got started. That would lower rates to 4.1 percent by the end of next year and 3.1 percent by the end of 2026.

Fed officials will release their next set of economic projections after their September meeting, which will give a hint at whether they still think that pace of rate cuts is appropriate.

Danielle Kaye

Danielle Kaye

After the market’s rally accelerated during Powell’s news conference, stocks pared back those gains heading into the close. The S&P 500 was up 2 percent on Powell’s comments before fading back to a gain of 1.5 percent. And notably, the Russell 2000 index of smaller companies, which are poised to benefit from rate cuts, jumped 2.4 percent during the news conference before pulling back slightly.

That’s a wrap. Here are a few takeaways from the Federal Reserve’s July meeting and Chair Jerome Powell’s news conference.

* The Fed left interest rates unchanged at 5.3 percent, where they have been for a year

* Powell suggested a rate cut could come in September, the Fed's next meeting

* Powell also said he could see anything "from zero cuts to several cuts" later this year depending on the data, which is notable because it allows for the possibility of three rate cuts

* Powell made it clear that the Fed is very focused on the labor market. They think it's settling into a normal groove, but are watching and ready to react if it shows signs of cracking

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“We follow the many economic commentators who bless us with their commentary,” Powell says, snarkily, as he winds up to a bigger point about what drives the Fed’s thinking.

Powell makes it clear that the Fed is focused on doing what is best for the economy, not what is best for a political party ahead of the election. “Anything we do before, during, or after the election will be based on the data” and outlook, Powell says.

Jim Tankersley

Jim Tankersley

Jeanna, that was a funny little aside in a broader effort by Powell. He’s trying to explain the Fed’s process to make it appear totally divorced from politics.

Powell says he “absolutely” believes the Fed can stay out of politics with its rate decisions, even in the months before the presidential election.

Powell makes it clear that a “strong” majority of officials supported not moving rates lower today, but it was something that was discussed. “It’s a conversation that we had today, certainly.”

Investors appear to like what they’re hearing from Powell, who said the Fed is getting closer to a rate cut. The S&P 500 rose 2 percent on his comments, pushing it higher than this morning’s rise.

The market’s positive reaction “suggests traders and investors alike see the Fed easing at the September meeting because inflation continues its path lower, rather than an emergency cut because the labor market is deteriorating,” said Quincy Krosby, chief global strategist for LPL Financial.

Alan Rappeport

Alan Rappeport

In a continuation of the split screen, Trump just said if elected he would “bring interest rates way down.”

Hard to oversimplify it more than this, from Powell: “We’re in a good place.” Inflation is coming down, he’s saying, and the economy is still good. So why move fast and risk either one?

“It’s just a question of seeing more good data,” Powell says. Basically: Fed officials are not fully convinced the current downward trend in inflation will stick, so they want more evidence.

Why not today? Powell’s answer: We just aren’t in a place where the committee feels comfortable cutting rates.

Jeanna asks Powell a fastball question: Are markets wrong to expect a September cut, and why not just cut now?

And Powell does not really answer the second part of it: He just says that “we’re getting closer to the point” at which a cut will be appropriate, but “we’re not quite at the point.”

“We have made no decisions about future meetings, and that includes the September meeting,” Powell says, saying that the question for that meeting is whether the totality of the data points to a case for a rate cut. A cut “could be on the table as soon as” the next meeting in September.

“The second quarter’s inflation readings have added to our confidence” that inflation is coming down sustainably, Powell says, a line that clearly keeps the door open to an upcoming rate cut without going so far as to specify a month for the move.

“High inflation imposes significant hardship as it erodes purchasing power,” Powell reiterates. He often reinforces that the Fed knows how much inflation hurts normal people, especially those with limited wiggle room in their budgets.

“Conditions in the labor market have returned to about where they stood on the eve of the pandemic, strong, but not overheated,” Powell says today. That’s the sweet spot for the Fed, which wants a solid but sustainable job situation.

Powell sounds pretty optimistic about the economy at the start of the news conference, stressing improvements in areas like investment.

Trump, speaking at an event hosted by Black journalists in Chicago, said that “inflation is absolutely destroying our country” and reiterated his complaints about housing affordability during the Biden administration years. It’s worth remembering that while Trump was very critical of Powell when he was president, he recently said that he would not try to remove him from the Fed before his term ends, though caveated that with "especially if I thought he was doing the right thing."

Jerome Powell is starting his news conference.

Harris was clear at her rally last night in Atlanta that she was in no way declaring victory on inflation and acknowledged that prices are still too high. She pledged to pressure big pharma and corporate landlords on prices, and to crack down on hidden fees, saying: “On Day One, I will take on price gouging and bring down costs.”

Powell will speak to reporters in about 20 minutes. His news conferences are always closely watched by markets, but this one feels particularly weighty. Many investors will be expecting a cut in September based on this Fed statement, and they’ll be looking for any signs from Powell to support or undercut those expectations.

Stocks are holding steady as the Fed’s announcement reinforces investors’ confidence that interest rates will start to come down in September. The S&P 500 is up 1.6 percent, in line with its rise in late-morning trading.

Omair Sharif, founder of Inflation Insights, writes that “this was a baby step on the way to a September rate cut.”

The stock market grew turbulent this month as investors began to position for a rate cut.

S&p 500.

July was an unusually bumpy month for Wall Street, as investors reconsidered their appetite for big technology stocks and piled into shares of smaller companies.

Small companies are particularly sensitive to borrowing costs and the outlook for the domestic economy, so falling borrowing costs bolster their prospects. Futures markets are now pricing in a rate cut of a quarter of a percentage point in September, according to CME FedWatch, and as Wall Street’s confidence in that cut has grown, shares of these businesses have rallied.

Also driving this shift is a rethink among investors about the potential for artificial intelligence to continue to drive gains at big companies like Microsoft, Nvidia and Alphabet, after shares of those businesses surged in the past year.

By early Wednesday, the Russell 2000 index of small capitalization stocks had rallied 9.7 percent for the month — on track for its best monthly performance of the year — while the technology heavy Nasdaq Composite was down more than 1 percent.

This broadening market rally is welcome news to those who had worried that big technology companies had become too dominant in the stock market. Whether it continues could depend on what signals the Fed sends later on Wednesday.

Here’s where markets stand before the statement.

The S&P 500 is up 1.6 percent as of noon.

Yields on 10-year government bonds were little changed, at 4.1 percent.

Yields on two-year government notes, which are particularly sensitive to changing expectations for short-term interest rates, also held steady at 4.3 percent.

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How to Do All Your Chores Within 30 Minutes

Last Updated: July 22, 2024 Approved

This article was co-authored by Guy Peters . Guy Peters is the Owner of MOP STARS Cleaning Service, a complete house cleaning service for residential and commercial clients, based in Denver, Colorado. Founded in 2014, MOP STARS provides regular, move in/out, deep, and commercial cleaning services. Guy has a BA in Finance from the California State University - Sacramento and an MBA from Cornell University. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, several readers have written to tell us that this article was helpful to them, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 127,237 times.

Chores may not be fun, but they are a necessary evil. Chores keep your house from looking like a sty, and doing them regularly will ultimately cut down on the time you spend deep cleaning your home. Thirty minutes a day is the perfect amount of time to cross a few chores off your list, without feeling like you’re spending your whole day cleaning.

Cleaning Everything in 30 Minutes

Step 1 Clean your bathroom.

  • Scrubbing Bubbles is a great all-purpose product for bathroom cleaning.
  • Allocate ten minutes to clean your bathroom.
  • If you have time, wipe down the bathroom mirrors as well.

Step 2 Clean your bedroom.

  • Allocate five minutes to clean your bedroom.
  • Save time off your bed making by leaving the flat sheet untucked - hospital corners take a long time to construct and your comforter will cover them anyway, [4] X Research source
  • Open windows as you go to eliminate odors and get a nice cross-breeze going.

Step 3 Straighten out your living room.

  • Tuck a trash bag into your pants so you don’t have to keep running between the room you’re cleaning and the garbage.
  • Allocate five minutes to clean the living room.

Step 4 Do your dishes.

  • Allocate ten minutes to clean your kitchen.
  • Empty the trash you’ve been carrying around from the living room into your kitchen trash can.
  • If your pots and pans are scorched through, fill the pans with water and a cup of vinegar, then allow them to simmer on the stove. Remove the pan from the stove, add two tablespoons of baking soda, then scrub the pans till they’re clean. [6] X Research source
  • If your backsplash is covered in oil from cooking, use a damp paper towel with some soap to cut through the grease.

Managing and Motivating Yourself During Chores

Step 1 Set time limits.

  • Make sure you’ve completed each task to the best of your ability before moving onto the next one.
  • If you have fewer chores, choose longer songs or set a timer for the amount of time it takes to do each chore.
  • Use fun as motivation. If your favorite TV show comes on at a certain time, start your chores thirty minutes before that time. That way, you’ll be motivated to finish your chores within those thirty minutes in order to catch your show.

Step 2 Swap chores with a sibling.

  • If you’re going to trade chores, make sure you both hold up your end of the bargain. The work still needs to get done.
  • If you’re spending time cleaning their room, be respectful of their property. If you betray their trust, they may not want to trade chores again.

Step 3 Turn chores into a game.

  • You can’t win the game if your work is done sloppily, so make sure to be thorough.
  • Ask your parents to help you find a phone app that tracks and rewards chore performance. Check out Chore Wars, which gives you experience points for completing household tasks. [10] X Research source

Creating a 30 Minute a Day Cleaning Schedule

Step 1 Do your toughest chores on Monday.

  • As you start to vacuum each week, the length of time it will take to complete this chore will decrease. Soon, you’ll be deep cleaning less and maintaining your clean more.

Step 2 Clean your bathrooms on Tuesday.

  • To save even more time, leave cleaning product and a rag in your shower and clean your shower as you use it.
  • For bonus points, spray your shower down after every use. This will make your weekly bathroom cleaning sessions go by much faster.
  • Cut a grapefruit in half, sprinkle salt on it, and use it to help get soap scum out of your bathtub. [14] X Research source

Step 3 Use Wednesday to clean all surfaces.

  • If you’re mopping, mix a floor cleaning product (like Pine Sol) in with your mop water for the ultimate shine on your floors.
  • Use an already used dryer sheet to dust. The anti-static will help repel dust. [18] X Research source

Step 4 Tidy up on Thursdays.

  • Don’t be afraid to get rid of stuff you don’t use. Donate it to charity or throw it out, but if you’re not using it, it’s got to go.
  • Strategically place bins or baskets in each room to corral random items. This will make each room look cleaner and more polished, and will also help you cut down on the time you spend cleaning up.

Cleaning Tips and Tricks

Step 1 Clean as you go.

  • Never leave a room empty-handed. If you see something that doesn’t belong, take it with you.
  • If your house has two floors, make a rule that you never go upstairs empty-handed; always bring something with you that needs to be put away upstairs.
  • Institute the one-minute rule: if something takes less a minute to do, do it right now.

Step 2 Clean your microwave in five minutes.

  • Allow the water to boil while you wipe down your counters and appliances for a five-minute kitchen clean.
  • Keep an eye on the water in the bowl to make sure it doesn’t boil over. Otherwise, it will take you twice as long to clean up.

Step 3 Set a timer.

  • Reward yourself with a treat or fun activity for completing your work.
  • Invite friends over to help (but keep in mind, you may end up having to help with their chores as well.)

Expert Q&A

Guy Peters

Reader Videos

Share a quick video tip and help bring articles to life with your friendly advice. Your insights could make a real difference and help millions of people!

  • It takes two weeks to establish a routine. Do your chores every day for two-weeks and you’ll be surprised how much you start to enjoy doing them (or at least the feeling you get when they’re done.) Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
  • Play music while you clean! It makes it seem shorter and fun! Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

Tips from our Readers

  • Give each family member a specific room to clean. Add a timer—you can adjust the times based on room difficulty levels. Have your family race against the clock, sort of like when you go to an escape room and only have 60 minutes to solve the puzzles.
  • Give yourself a small reward for getting your chores done early. For example, if you finish your chores in twenty minutes, give yourself extra time to play video games.

how to do 3 months homework in 30 minutes

You Might Also Like

Clean a Derma Roller

  • ↑ http://www.gq.com/story/apartment-fast-clean
  • ↑ Guy Peters. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 27 September 2021.
  • ↑ http://cleanmyspace.com/how-to-make-a-bed-in-two-minutes/
  • ↑ http://distractify.com/geek/2015/05/04/creative-cleaning-hacks-1197924424
  • ↑ http://www.parents.com/kids/development/social/motivate-kids-to-do-chores/?slideId=40371
  • ↑ https://www.empoweringparents.com/article/ill-do-it-later6-ways-to-get-kids-to-do-chores-now/
  • ↑ http://www.artofmanliness.com/2012/09/19/the-art-of-dadliness-how-to-get-your-kids-to-do-their-chores-and-why-its-so-important-they-do-them/
  • ↑ https://funcheaporfree.com/deep-clean-your-house-with-one-task-per-day-printable-cleaning-schedule-included/
  • ↑ https://www.sparkpeople.com/blog/blog.asp?post=clean_up_in_minutes
  • ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/kitchen-cleaning-hacks-264886

About This Article

Guy Peters

If you want to finish your chores within 30 minutes, you can quickly make your room seem cleaner by simply making your bed! Next, pick up any stray clothes and shoes and put them back where they belong, making sure to put dirty items into a hamper and clean items back into the closet. If you have dirty dishes lying around, don’t forget to return them to the kitchen. Additionally, you can try opening a window to get rid of any odors and to freshen up the room. For tips on how to stay motivated while cleaning, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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    Dumbbell Romanian Deadlift. Oblique Sit-Up. Do one set of each exercise: 6-8 reps of deadlifts and 10-15 reps of sit-ups. Rest for 30 seconds, then do them again for a total of two rounds. You can view the 30-minute workout at home in detail with sets and repetitions for all the different exercises in StrengthLog.

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    Just make sure to save enough time to circle back and give it another shot. 4. Take a break every hour. Set a specific amount of time you will spend every hour doing something besides homework, and stick to it. Be sure you set how long after the start of the hour, and how long you will take.

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