Tips to Mange Homework Stress

You’ve often seen the glamorous college and university life depicted in dramas and movies. None of the students in those depictions have dark shadows under their eyes. They’re not tired ALL the time. That’s why nothing really prepares you for the overwhelming homework and academic stress that comes with higher studies.

What is Homework Stress?

Homework stress refers to the emotional and physical strain experienced by students due to academic assignments. The pressure to excel academically, meet deadlines, and manage multiple tasks can contribute to heightened stress levels. The phrase "do my homework" encapsulates the plea for assistance, reflecting a common sentiment among students seeking relief from the demands of their assignments. It highlights the desire for support in managing the academic workload, acknowledging the challenges that can lead to stress and the need for effective coping strategies.

You'd think only college or university students would have stress. But that's not so. Many students in American middle and high schools have admitted to being "often or always feeling stressed” by their homework. It’s heartbreaking to see young minds being burdened by academics. But the situation has escalated to a point where their mental and physical health is being affected. A solution is well overdue. But before you can navigate the stress, you must first address a fundamental issue – Does homework cause stress?

What’s the Truth Behind Homework Stress?

If you were to give homework to a Grade 1 or Grade 3 kid, do you think they’ll be stressed about it? Will they lose their sleep over it? 99% of the time, they won’t. That brings up many questions about the role of homework in increasing academic stress.

In reality, it's not homework that stresses out students. But it's the expectations associated with it. Just think about it. You wouldn't be losing sleep over your assignments if your professors didn't threaten you with a poor grade for late submission. What matters if you get a poor grade? Well, in that case, your GPA will suffer. A poor GPA means you might not get the job of your dreams. It might also mean you won’t get to graduate. Then all your effort will be in vain.

Therefore, it’s the consequences that cause stress. You’re made to think you must achieve good grades, that you must submit your paper within impossible deadlines. Otherwise, you’re on the road to failure. Some students can handle this pressure. But others don’t fare so well. In fact, almost 32% of 97,357 students who participated in a survey blame homework and academic stress for low grades and dropped courses. So, what’s the solution?

How Can You Overcome Academic Stress?

You can’t live with overwhelming stress. It’s going to wear you out eventually. That's why you can't let it fester for too long. It's easier for others to say, “Just get over it! Stop stressing out. Live life and have fun,” when you share your anxiety with them. If they have not experienced the stress themselves, they won’t be able to relate. But it’s alright! Their beliefs shouldn’t make you feel invalidated.

Instead, it should motivate you to find a better solution than “just stop stressing!” Want to discover some genuinely helpful tips? Then scroll down. This blog has compiled some excellent suggestions to tackle homework stress. Some might work for you; others might not. It's up to you to see which ones fit your needs best.

1. Clarify all doubts in class

You’re a student. No one expects you to know everything that’s being taught in class. That’s what classes are for – to learn. So, don’t be afraid to ask questions and clarify your doubts. Otherwise, how will you ever solve your homework? Homework can cause stress when you don’t understand the subject. No matter how hard you try, you’ll face challenges if your fundamentals are not strong.

So, remove all doubts. The moment you have a question about a topic, get your answers. Don't stop pestering your professors with questions and follow-up questions until you're satisfied. Keep this in mind – no question is stupid. It's unwise not to clarify your doubts because you're worried your peers will laugh at you.

If you’re nervous, approach your professors with your doubts after class. Sign up for tutoring on that particular subject. Look up educational videos on the topic. You have many resources to browse. Go old school and browse reference books in the library. Just make sure you clear all your doubts before you start working on your homework.

2. Improve your time management

As a high school, college, or university student, time is your most precious ally. It can also be your worst enemy. You're going to be assigned lots of homework. PPT presentations, dissertations, essays, case studies, and research papers are just the beginning. How can you manage them all? Well, for starters, treat every minute like it's precious. You can't afford to waste any minute. The more you improve your time management skills, the easier it becomes to complete your papers on time.

Easy Time Management Techniques

• Plan your day with daily schedules.
• Figure out if you’re wasting time during the day.
• Break complex tasks into simpler segments.
• Set daily goals to understand your progress.
• Set realistic goals.
• Time your breaks properly.
• Do not multitask.
• Remove all distractions from sight.
• Reward yourself for completing tasks on time.

Try these suggestions at least once. See which ones work best for you. Remember that it’s going to take time for you to develop these habits. Don’t give up early. Do your best to use your time more diligently!

3. Take detailed notes

If you don't have a note-taking habit, it's time to develop it. You might think you'll retain all the information in your head. Who needs notes, right? You can trust your memory. But surprise! The moment your return back from your classes and try to recall what you've learned, you'll be in for a rude shock. You can't recall everything. It's easy to remember the gist of what was taught. But the details will become blurry.

That's why you should ALWAYS take notes. It doesn't matter how insignificant the information seems at first. You ARE going to forget it unless it's noted somewhere. Here are some tips that are going to help you with note-taking –

• Be mindful of your handwriting – make sure it’s legible.
• Avoid writing full sentences.
• Jot down the important points only.
• Organize your notes properly.
• Slip in abbreviations wherever possible.
• Do NOT write like a robot – THINK and UNDERSTAND what you’re writing.
• Note down questions that arise in your mind.
• Write the notes by hand, and type the more legible version later.

Your notes can make writing homework a piece of cake. You can refer to them for minor details any time you want. Include the discussions from class, and you'll impress your professors.

4. Keep up with your classes

The best suggestion to lessen your assignment stress is to keep up with classes. Don't fall behind. Sometimes, homework can be overwhelming. But it becomes easier when you understand the concepts. Then, it just becomes a race against time to complete the paper on time. If you are well-versed in the topic, you can complete your assignments quickly.

So, don't underestimate your classes. They might seem like a pain to attend, especially if you have to attend lectures early in the morning. But if you skip, you'll fall behind your peers. You might think you can catch up. Unfortunately, most students just keep falling behind. The gap increases, and before they know it, they're in deep trouble.

You don’t want to experience that nightmare, do you? Your homework will only cause stress when you give it the power. So, don't let yourself fall behind. Revise everything you learn in classes daily. Clarify your doubts. Make an extra effort to understand complex topics. Don't leave anything for later.

5. Test yourself every week

Let's assume you've followed the previous tip. You go through your class notes diligently. Every day after class, you revise what you've learned. This keeps going on and on until it's time to work on your homework. If the assignment topic is from something you covered a few weeks ago, you might not recall everything. That's because you didn't revise.

Keeping up with your studies is a great attitude. But you must test yourself every week on what you've learned. Otherwise, you can't check if you have retained all the important information. Solve question papers. You can also find exercises in your textbooks. Look up questions online and revise the concepts. This will make it easier to solve your homework.

6. Get plenty of sleep

Deadlines might force you to pull all-nighters a few times. Don’t make it a habit. You need your sleep if you want to reduce academic stress. Researchers have found many harmful side effects of sleep deprivation. Some of these are –

• Impaired memory
• Lack of alertness
• Reduced immunity
• High blood pressure
• Sleepiness during daytime

All of these can affect your grades. You can’t complete your homework or keep up with assignments when you’re drowsy. How will you remember important details with poor memory? Lack of alertness can hamper your note-taking in class. In short, if you don’t get enough sleep, your stress will escalate. So, try to avoid all-nighters as much as possible. Prepare your daily schedule and make sure to assign at least 7-8 hours of sleep daily. You’ll be surprised at how refreshed you will feel.

7. Kick out procrastination

Procrastination is your greatest enemy. You’re a human, and humans are susceptible to temptations. The moment you let the thought, “I don’t want to work on my homework today," inside your head, you'll find a million excuses for procrastinating. The trick is to not let the temptation get the better of you. It's easier said than done. But you need to focus on the big picture.

Every time you feel like procrastinating, think of the consequences.

• You’ll have to increase your workload.
• Your free time will be reduced.
• The homework will be rushed, thus lowering quality.
• There will be higher chances of spelling & grammatical errors.

In other words, procrastination just increases your workload. So, weigh the pros and cons whenever you want to procrastinate. Think of the big picture. You’ll realize it’s eventually not worth it.

8. Take care of your body

You can’t expect to keep up with the increasing assignment demands when you’re sick. A healthy body means a healthy mind. You need to be strong mentally and physically to overcome your academic worries. How can you complete your papers if you’re in bed sick? Don’t neglect your health. Follow these suggestions if you’re not sure how you can take better care of yourself –

• Eat at least healthy meals daily.
• Cook your food if possible.
• Incorporate greens and brain food into your diet.
• Exercise regularly.
• Do not ignore headaches and nausea.
• Consult a doctor immediately if you feel sick.

Do not underestimate the energy you can gain when you’re healthy. If you’re physically sick, homework becomes a greater burden. You can’t focus on it. That just hampers the quality. So, make your effort count. Be more conscious of what you eat. Avoid junk food and try to keep a balanced diet. Get plenty of sleep and rest. You’ll feel your anxiety and stress lessen significantly when you don’t have to worry about your body as well.

9. Give yourself a break

It's important to take breaks every now and then. As mentioned before, you're a human, not a robot. It’s impossible to work on your homework 24/7. Unless you give yourself room to breathe, you’re going to experience burnout quickly. This can lead to excessive stress. You need to relax and treat yourself to a good time.

Don’t use your weekends to catch up on your pending assignments. Try to complete everything within the week. Make sure your weekends are free so you can catch up with your friends and family. If you like to spend time alone, snuggle in your bed and read a book (that’s not in your syllabus!). Try out gardening. Figure out what hobby you can pursue.

10. Be kind to yourself

Maintaining straight A’s in every assignment is a miracle. Even if you work hard day and night, it’s possible to slip up. But a poor grade doesn’t define you. Don’t be harsh on yourself. It won't be productive at all. Instead, the harsher you are on yourself, the worse your self-confidence gets.

It won’t hurt to be a bit more kind. Try to understand why you’re so stressed about your papers. Identify the root issue. Are you worried about your grades? So you feel stressed about choosing the wrong major? Once you know the main issue, you can find a solution. But be gentle while doing so. It might seem like your peers are progressing rapidly while you’re stuck. But everyone has their own pace. There’s nothing wrong with taking some time. The world is always in a rush. You should take your time. If you’re worried about tight deadlines, just hire online academic writing services like TopHomeworkHelper.com.

In summary,

Homework and academic stress make things more challenging for students. If you let the anxiety and stress fester, you'll be in trouble. The more stressed you are, the easier it is to make mistakes. You might be too overwhelmed to figure out how to improve the situation. Well, go through the blog thoroughly. You'll find 10 suggestions to get your anxiety under control. Try them out one by one. There's no guarantee that ALL of them will work for you. But one or two might. So, give them a chance.