Homework help - 25 great tips (good for adults too) to deal with procrastination

January 4, 5:49 PMDC Family ExaminerRisa Sanders

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1. Clearly articulate your goals. What is it, exactly, that you want to achieve. Be specific, measurable, and behavioral. Use terms that can be quantified. As an example, I want to earn an “A” in this course, or, I want to receive a “Superior" evaluation. To do this, you need to know that the criteria are for earning that rating. Most schools now use "rubrics" to assist children in understanding exactly what it takes to get an "A", "B", etc; on a project. Ask your child if they received one. Use them!!
2. Examine your workspace. Do you have a place that is designated as your workspace? Is it neat and organized? Do you have all of the tools that you need? Do you have the reference materials you need? This doesn't have to be fancy, but it does need to be yours. Is it quiet and out of household traffic? Free of distractions? Are your materials handy, or do you have to keep crossing through the house to get what you need? If you  don't have space for everything, consider the project you are working on, figure out what you need, and retrieve it to keep it nearby before you begin working. Don't just wing it.
3. Have a set time for homework. Kids, like adults, are different. Some need a break after school, and others lose their steam and need to get it finished before dinner. Know your child and what routine works best for him/her
4. Your child may be over-scheduled. Take a realistic look at how many extracurricular activities he/she can manage
5. Is there a system for keeping track of when projects/assignments are due? Are you using that system? Keep a planner and mark the due dates. Also, mark when incremental steps of the project need to be completed in order to remain on schedule.If yo're helping a younger child, consider a large calendar you can hang on the wall and use big, bright magic markers (in different colors for different projects.  Use “reminders” if you utilize Microsoft Outlook , or some other online calendar system.
6. Learn to make more realistic assessments of how long different tasks will take. One of the main reasons people run late with assignments, is that they grossly under-estimate the amount of time each step will require.This is a skill that even highly effective adults struggle with. Sit down with your child and break down each step of the project from concept to final proofing and help them assess how long each step will take. Your child needs to decide on a topic, time to obtain research materials (how to get a ride to the library or the store to purchase materials), to read the materials on your subject; to write a first draft; decide who will review/edit the draft; time to do at least one (probably more) re-writes; time to complete whatever artwork or public presentation is needed.
7. Break a project down into it’s component parts to help plan for whatever will be needed at each stage. This helps avoid the frantic 10:30pm run to the drugstore for poster board. If it’s a test that’s being prepped for, consider time to read, take notes, re-read, and to self-quiz and perhaps practice questions with a study partner
8. Evaluate whether you are a good note taker, and get help if you need to learn to do a better job with this crucial task. See # 10 below for more info. on this topic. Are you good at identifying the “important points” as your teacher/supervisor perceives them? Do you catch those “cue words or phrases” teachers use to indicate the next thing they say is going to be important?  Are you good at catching what is emphasized in class, or are you surprised by material that shows up on tests? If your teacher writes it on the board, it’s probably important. Catch material that comes after a pause or is repeated.
9. Can you write legibly, or do you need to take your notes on a laptop? Can you type quickly enough to make this method work for you? If not, take a keyboarding class
10. Don’t try to write down every word your teacher says. Do you know how to use abbreviations and symbols? Learn to use symbols to speed up note taking.
11. Practice identifying the key points
12. Are you good at outlining the chapter or reference material? This is a crucial life skill, so seek help if you need it.
13. Do you have a filing system for keeping track of your notes and research work you have done for a presentation? Develop a system that works for you. Use labels, different colors for different subjects,. Etc; But, keep it simple and manageable.
14. Learn to deal with procrastination. Develop a behavior modification (rewards and consequences) for meeting small goals to keep your motivation level up. Don't wait until the entire project is finished to give yourself a treat (a study break; a favorite TV show, using your Ipod, dinner out; a movie;a beauty treatment,  a phone call to a friend; a treat, etc;). Give yourself small rewards after each incremental step is completed.
15. Sit up front in class, be engaged, as though you were in a conversation and not just passively sitting in a lecture. Use all your senses to help encode the information.Actively taking notes also helps you engage.
16. Some of us are more visual (seeing/reading)  than verbal (listening/repeating) learners, or more kinesthetic (writing, physically manipulating/touching) than verbal. Understand more about what works for you and try to capitalize on that. Using several modalities can be helpful.
17. Make a list of questions to ask your teacher. Do it! Improve your communication with teachers. They want to hear from you. Practice with someone if you feel intimidated or nervous.
18. Try to do it right the first time so you don’t waste time having to re-do things. For example, keep track of your resources (websites, etc;) from the first time you visit them, so you don’t have to waste time trying to recreate a bibliography when you are trying to finish a project.
19. A good time management tool for all of us, try handling each piece of paper once. If you need it, use it. If you don't, remove it. Keep clutter to a minimum.
20. Learn at least two of the major note taking methods and USE THEM.A great example of different note taking styles can be found on the Stanford University Academic Coaching site. Take a look.
21. Consider an academic coach or a Licensed Behavioral Psychologist to assist;or a tutor. Many colleges now also offer academic coaching services through their student services or counseling departments. Make sure they're qualified. Consider an assessment with a qualified Psychologist if you are concerned there might be a learning disability, processing disorder, or other issue which might impede traditional learning methods
22. Getting unstuck. Lots of times there are homework problems parents aren't equipped to deal with, or may not have the time. Schools are doing a good job at giving kids on line resources for homework help. Check out your school's website for useful references. An outstanding resource is BJ Pinchbeck's Homework Helper which contains links to over 800 homework helper sites.
23. If your school uses Blackboard.com, helpful research links will usually be included. If you don't find them on  particular teacher's page, try the librarians' page. 
24. A slender but jam-packed paperback I've found useful, is "Homework Help on the Internet" by Marianne J. Dyson (Scholastic Publishing). It/'s designed for elementary-high school and is very user friendly. I especially like this book because it is very cleanly formatted and easy to use, and also reminds everyone about  the rules about giving proper credit and not plagiarizing information obtained over the internet. Parents can't emphasize this enough. The author has also posted updated information to her book at this site, which is very generous
25. Keep track of your progress. Cross items off as they're accomplished. Take pride in your great progress

 For more info: Parents may also find the classic, Homework Without Tears to be a useful resource.

  Please Note: This article is not intended as professional advice, and is for informational purposes only.