A good day indeed starts with a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast. But who has the time to prepare all of that when they are just seventeen minutes into the school day?
Fortunately, there are some things you can do immediately to improve your productivity and get your homework done faster. For example, have a list of what you have to do for each class, plus notes about any calculations needed for each question.
Don’t feel like you need an elaborate list to succeed. Instead, think of it as a reminder of what needs to be done, instead of the long list written on pieces of paper that always falls behind.
How to get the best results from your math homework
Make sure you ask the correct questions before starting. Don’t take any shortcuts (like copying answers from another student’s sheet), and make sure you are not dependent on someone else to do your work for you.
Research as much as you can about the topic/subject before beginning. Read multiple books and articles on the same topic or research other resources that might be available for your class.
Set realistic goals for your homework. Don’t expect to remember everything on a due date, because it will be impossible.
If you have a deadline, review your notes and get down to the important bits first. Getting everything done before class will decrease time spent in class and increase time for other activities (like studying for exams).
How do you handle your math homework?
- Work as a Group
Remember that you are working together to complete this assignment, so make sure everyone is doing their part. You don’t have to wait for the person who is about to start working for it to go fast; just be prepared, and you’ll be fine.
- Focus on Getting Started
You should start your homework by asking yourself, “What’s this homework about?” It will give your brain the room to focus on getting started. Additionally, you don’t want to be wasting time trying to find out what the homework is about. Instead, take a quick look at the instructions, see if you are missing anything (maybe it’s a problem), and then dive right in.
- Make use of a calculator
If you don’t have a calculator and need to use one, you will want to use your calculator as early as possible. Be sure to put your calculator away when you aren’t using it, and don’t rely on another individual to execute your work for you. If you need to use a calculator for more than five minutes, then it’s time to take a quick break for 5 minutes. A calculator speeds up your homework time by helping you with your math homework.
- Read through the instructions
The instructions will guide you through what you need to do, so read it carefully and pay attention to the details. For example: “When you are ready, write a 4-digit number in one of the boxes that correspond with the numbers on the page.” [Hint: Don’t just start writing your numbers down since this may get skipped on. Also, if you are asked to write a number in two different boxes, make sure you pay attention to where the second one is.]
- Check the back of the text
If you are missing anything, you can double-check on the back of the text. If there is a summary or practice problems, this is great “extra credit” that will help you out if you are unsure of your answers. If nothing else, check to ensure that the answers to what you’ve already done check out.
- Ask for help with math homework
Sometimes we need help. It can happen you get the wrong idea (by either skipping steps or getting the right answer but not in the right format), so you should always ask for clarification if you are unsure of what to do next.
