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8 Best Places to Do Homework

You reach home after school, greet your parents, and head over to your room—all while thinking of the pile of homework your teachers just left you. You gather yourself and promise to stay focused until everything is done.

As if by cue, the TV blares in the background, the vacuum makes annoying noises, and your parents keep insisting that you do household chores. What’s a good student like you to do?

Thankfully, there’s a simple solution to these common after-school woes. By picking up your stuff and getting out of the house, you’ll find the peace and quiet you need to focus on your assignments. Here’s a list of the 8 best places to do homework outside your home.

If your place has several public parks, you may want to visit one. Sure, plenty of people are taking a stroll and children may be shouting at each other while playing games. But you’ll find the ambient noise somewhat soothing, especially relative to all the noise you hear at home. More interestingly, you’ll listen to the sounds of nature such as the waves on the sand and the wind in the trees. Wi-Fi might be a problem, though, but a park is still an excellent option if you need to knock out a few chapters or do some creative writing.

The Public Library

Teachers never fail to remind students to go to the library and do some extra research. If you just couldn’t focus at home, then it pays to heed the advice finally. The library inspires learning. Yes, it sounds cliché, but there’s a reason why even professionals visit public libraries from time to time when they need crystal clear focus. You’ll have everything you need—from your own little corner and a power outlet to plug in your devices to a secure Wi-Fi and loads of books to use as a reference. And if you need to print anything, doing it at the public library will save you a lot of money.

The Coffee Shop

Now here’s a popular place for students and professionals alike. College students, in particular, love going straight to coffee shops after classes. If you need a quick energy boost, caffeine is always at your fingertips. Nearly everyone around you is busy doing their thing, which might inspire you to focus on yours. While the door never seems to close, there’s just the right amount of ambient noise, so you’re not always distracted. Of course, not all coffee shops are the same. Try to find a less popular shop if you want a quieter place.

The Laundromat

What do you do while waiting for your laundry to finish at the laundromat? If you’re just swiping away at your smartphone, then you’re wasting precious time which you could you to complete some schoolwork. The laundromat is an odd place to do your homework, but you might surprise yourself at how much work you could finish in such a white-noise filled environment. Not to mention, you’re killing two birds with one stone.

A Friend’s House

Co-working spaces have increased in popularity, and you can experience the same benefits they offer by merely visiting a friend’s house. It’s a great feeling to get things done with another person, even if your friend comes from a different class. This also offers the advantage of covering your weaknesses. For example, you can visit a friend who majors in math to help you understand your math assignments. Just don’t forget to bring something whenever you visit. You’d always want to be a good house guest.

Even if you’re not into arts, you now have a reason to visit the museum. It can serve as a fantastic place to study. The good news is that most museums offer free admission and free Wi-Fi. Just find a corner where you can do your work. And if you need to take a break, you can bet that you’ll have plenty to see. Appreciating the masterpieces and enjoying the breathtaking views allows your mind to wander a bit, a welcome break from all the school stuff to be done.

The Classroom

Many students will raise their eyebrow upon hearing this advice. After all, students can’t wait to leave the classroom as soon as the bell rings. But you may want to stay for an hour or two. The classroom is always associated with learning, and you may use the momentum of your previous classes to get you to work. Yes, you have nobody to see and nothing else to do, but that’s precisely the point. Staying in the classroom after school hours may be just what you need to finish your homework and head back home with nothing but rest in your mind.

Somewhere in Nature

It’s always peaceful and relaxing when you become one with nature. This practice does wonders for stress relief, freeing your mind from all your worries and focusing your attention on what needs to be done. This doesn’t entail going to the woods for a hike. It can be as simple as going to the park or doing your homework on the patio. It’s easy to forget what a little bit of sunlight can do for you. It clears your mind and boosts your energy, an excellent alternative to caffeine especially if you’ve already had a cup too many.

Start Doing Your Unfinished Homework

Now that you have a list of the best places to do your homework, the next step is to act and see which places works best for you. And in case you find yourself still unable to finish everything, there’s no reason to feel ashamed. It happens to the best of students. Instead of pushing on and forcing yourself to do your homework, just head back home and let professionals take care of your assignments.

Assignment Expert is an online homework assistance service that helps students complete their homework on time. With a diverse team of real professionals, you can rest easy knowing that an expert will work on your assignment based on your unique specifications. Submit your instructions, specify the deadline, and let the pros do the rest.

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Taking Homework Outside: 5 Steps to Start Studying Outdoors

Home » Blog » Taking Homework Outside: 5 Steps to Start Studying Outdoors

You picnic outdoors, play outdoors, explore outdoors – why not have your student study outdoors? Studies have shown that time outside can improve concentration, focus, and memory . Plus, the sunlight will also help put your student in a better mood .

Below are a few steps you can take to get your student started:

• Decide what homework can be completed outside. While it’s difficult to work on a computer outdoors (the glare on the screen can make it hard to see), there are many other types of assignments that can be done. Reading a novel or a textbook, doing math problems, or working on a project or art assignment can all be done outside.
• Determine what is needed to complete those tasks. Does your student need a table to work on? A place to sit to read? Easy access to pens, pencils, or paper?
• Consider the possibilities. As you gather the items on your list together, think about the different options available. For example, a place to sit and read might be a porch swing, a hammock, a hammock chair, or a lawn chair. A writing surface can include a picnic table, a patio table, or even a lap desk. (Remember to bring something smooth to write on if the table’s surface is uneven.) Pencils and other supplies can be stored in a portable caddy or plastic box. Together with your student, decide what would make studying outside both convenient and inviting.
• Keep them hydrated. Easy access to a water bottle and snacks will cut down on trips to the kitchen.
• Minimize distractions. No tablets or cell phones allowed in this study space. Keeping the electronics indoors will help your student stay focused on the task at hand. But remember — distractions can be cute and furry, too. If you have pets, consider putting them inside while your student is working.

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Do Homework Outside – 5 Benefits That are Hard to Deny

Since my last blog post, I’ve had some readers reach out about how excited they are to start officially tracking their outside hours but are waiting until January. Of course you can start any time but we did the same thing and I totally get it—I love the feeling of resetting in January.

I do think August has similar “new year” vibes as far as goals and intentions. After years and years of going back to school in August, I often times find myself wanting to “get back on track” in the fall. Whether it’s with new meal ideas, waking up a little earlier, or getting organized for the influx of school papers coming home.

So, I wanted to suggest a little “challenge” to for anyone who wants to start this August.

Back to school time, for us, means way more inside time verses the summer day program my kids attend. There is the school day itself with lots of indoor time and then the homework afterwards.

I decided the easiest way to boost our outside hours this fall is to do homework outside!

Going over spelling words while on a hike

Reading on a blanket under a tree

Doing worksheets on your patio or balcony table

Working on sight words or math problems with sidewalk chalk

Practicing multiplication tables while your child climbs a tree

Why do homework outside?

I’ve put together 5 perks of outdoor homework that just might convince you to make this switch with us:

1. Fresh air! I think we can all agree just some basic fresh air is a  need  in this day and age of Covid 19 spread. After being inside a full classroom possibly with a mask on all day, going outside to breathe fresh air is a must.

2. To soak up the Vitamin D. The worldwide Vitamin D deficiency makes sense when you think of how often we are indoors compared to say, 200 years ago. Just by swapping homework from inside the kitchen table to the backyard a few days a week we can help combat this. Absorbing Vitamin D through sunlight helps with bone growth and development as well as a strong immune system, just to name a few.

3. The feel-good stuff, Serotonin! Bright light helps stimulate the production of serotonin which helps regulate mood. Since homework can occasionally bring the mood down…why not give yourselves the advantage by being outside?

4. Better distractions! I won’t say there will be less distractions outside, but I think they may at least be better ones. Inside homework is often times not too far from a shut off tv, computer, or iPad screen, and those distractions can taunt kids. I remember my oldest trying for find a good quiet spot for homework while his 3-year-old brother watched cartoons and that was HARD. Maybe getting up to go down the slide or swing every so often isn’t so bad. Or maybe appreciating the sight of a rabbit in the yard is the right kind of distraction.

 5. Improved attention span. I have been reading so much lately that children who struggle to pay attention in classrooms or have ADHD tendencies actually listen better outdoors. This side by side study  shows that outside might actually be the best place to learn.

A bonus reason:

All of these benefits impact not only your child, but also you! Sign me up for all the stress reducing, mood boosting and immune supporting goodness there is, please.

Obviously, this is not always feasible because of weather or because of shortening daylight hours. But,there are plenty of days in the school year you could pull this off. 

Whether we end up doing homework outside daily, once a week, or even just on the prettiest days that demand we get out of the house, this is an idea I’m really excited for! Post

Check out my IG (mid.century.mom)and tag your outside homework along with us this school year! Use hashtag #homeworkoutside

Good luck to all the students, parents, and teachers, I hope you all have a wonderful back to school experience.

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How to Study Outside

Last Updated: November 18, 2023 References

This article was co-authored by Josh Jones . Josh Jones is the CEO and Founder of Test Prep Unlimited, a GMAT prep tutoring service. Josh built the world's first and only score guarantee program for private GMAT tutoring. He has presented at the QS World MBA Tour and designed math curricula for Chicago Public Schools. He has over 15 years of private tutoring and classroom teaching experience and a BA in Math from the University of Chicago. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 39,176 times.

When the weather is warm, studying outdoors can be a nice change of pace. Some research has linked outdoor study with more creative thinking, less stress, and even better recall of information. For people with ADHD and other problems with focus, these effects may be even more powerful. [1] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source So grab your books and head for the great outdoors. You'll be glad you did.

Getting Settled Outside

• If you'll be reading, it's a good idea to load several e-books onto the same device. This makes your homework more portable, and ensures you don't run out of things to do.
• Bring a snack and a water bottle. Hunger and thirst can be distracting and will eventually send you off in search of sustenance.

• A park or common area of your school can be a great choice because it's free. The downsides here are that there can sometimes be too much activity going on around you, and you often end up sitting on the ground, which can get uncomfortable after a while.
• A cafe with outdoor seating is a good option because you get to work at a table, and if you start to get hungry or thirsty, you can order something to eat. The downside here is that you usually MUST order something, so this option costs a bit more. Some cafes also won't want you to stay for a long time unless you keep ordering things.
• Your own backyard, patio, deck, or balcony can be a good choice because you have more control over your environment than in a public place. However, if you're looking to get out of your house or make this a social experience, working just outside your own back door may not satisfy those wishes.

• Sitting on the ground can get uncomfortable after a while, and that can make it hard to focus on your studies. So, make sure you find a spot where that won't be a problem. [2] X Research source
• Don't get too comfortable, however, or you may fall asleep. You may not want to stretch out on your back with a blanket and pillow.

• Pick a place where you'll get plenty of light, but where you won't be blinded. The sun on the white paper of your textbook pages can be a bit much, and can also make screens hard to read. Pick a spot that works for you, and bring your sunglasses!
• If you are going to study in direct sunlight, make sure to put on some sunscreen first. Partial shade is often your best option.

• The park can be a great place to study, but setting up right next to a playground full of screaming children or an off-leash dog area can it make a lot harder to keep your focus.

Dealing with Outdoor Distractions

• Some people can study just fine in noisy environments, but for others, the sound of a barking dog or people talking as they pass by can really hinder their study efforts. [5] X Research source Music can help you block these sounds out.
• Music that you've heard before and that isn't too loud is often easier to tune out than noises in your environment. [6] X Research source
• Listen to music without lyrics if you need to read so you won’t be distracted.
• If the situation allows, bring speakers to use instead of headphones. Some research shows that listening to music on headphones can make it harder to retain information.

• If you get a lot of text messages or calls, you may wish to consider putting your phone in silent mode or even just turning it off for a little while to minimize distractions. Keep your phone in a backpack or away from you to avoid temptation.
• Many people find it easier to go without technology when working outdoors. In your bedroom, it's easy to fall into the routine of checking Facebook "just for a few minutes," but you probably do this less when you are in outdoor settings. [8] X Research source

• Read a chapter of a novel for English class, then switch to some math problems or go through some foreign language flashcards. Changing things up keeps it interesting and makes it less likely that you'll be distracted by what's going on around you.

Getting the Most from Outdoor Studying

• Just being out with other people can produce this feeling of social connection, even if you don't bring anyone with you.

• Scientists believe studying in multiple settings enriches the information with more contextual stimulation, and this, in turn, makes the brain less likely to forget it. [12] X Trustworthy Source American Psychological Association Leading scientific and professional organization of licensed psychologists Go to source

• Take a short walk or throw a Frisbee around for a few minutes instead of logging on to social media. You'll feel invigorated by some exercise, and that can give you renewed focus when you return to your studies.

Supercharge Your Studying with this Expert Series

Expert Q&A

• Be aware that some people have a lot of trouble studying outside. If you are someone who needs silence and a complete lack of distraction to study, outdoor academics may not be for you. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• If you're studying outside on a sunny day, make sure to put on sunscreen before you go out, especially if you'll be studying for a long time. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1448497/
• ↑ https://www.educationcorner.com/study-location.html
• ↑ https://www.wgu.edu/blogpost/improve-online-study-environment#
• ↑ Josh Jones. Academic Tutor. Expert Interview. 15 November 2019.
• ↑ https://www.hercampus.com/school/washington/why-outdoor-studying-key-staying-focused-spring-quarter
• ↑ https://www.studygs.net/concent.htm
• ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/07/health/views/07mind.html?_r=0
• ↑ https://www.apa.org/gradpsych/2011/11/study-smart.aspx

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28 Ideas On How To Make Homework Fun For Students

Do your children seem to need continual nagging to complete their homework? If your answer is “yes,” then don’t worry; we’ve all been there. Parents naturally want their kids to advance and do well in class, but after a full day of paper, pens, and books, many students won’t feel like doing their assignments.

No matter what the ages or grades of the students are, academic burnout may happen to any student, which affects overall learning and development. To solve this issue, we have brought 28 ideas on how to make homework fun and interesting for students of any age. Not only for parents but also if you are a tutor, these tricks and tips will come to your use.

28 Ideas on How To Make Homework Fun for Students

Homework enables the students to revise and evaluate the classroom learning and develops a habit of self-study, which in turn helps the students to score better. But it can be energy-draining, challenging, monotonous, and difficult to focus upon for students of any age.

Getting students to enjoy their homework and assignments could be immensely difficult at times. Especially after a long break or vacation, they find it difficult to focus on homework. Simultaneously, the importance of home tasks cannot be ignored. Wondering what the solution is?

It’s easy – why not make the homework fun and engaging? Yes, this is the ALL-IN-ONE solution to create a spark of interest in homework. There is practically a plethora of ways to let students feel enthusiastic while doing homework. However, not every strategy suits every student.

For instance, some students love to go outdoors and complete their homework or study amidst nature. On the other hand, some students simply want to stay indoors and complete home tasks in their study area.

So, while implementing a strategy or adopting ways to make homework fun and interesting, you must make sure you are doing the right thing for the right individual so that the student receives maximum benefits.

Here are 28 brilliant ideas that will guide you on how to make homework fun for elementary, middle, and high schoolers. Take a look:

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1. rewards are magical motivators.

It’s nothing new to provide children with little rewards in the classroom. But when it comes to the concept of homework for students, these approaches are rarely used. Instructors aren’t always aware of what’s offered or if it’s useful, and some parents may create their rewards. A great idea is to offer rewards inside the classroom.

Giving out vouchers, stickers, snacks, toys, or meal coupons that let youngsters earn money by doing their homework is something we advocate. The advantages of these magical motivators include having a friend sitting next to you in class, access to the internet, and unscheduled time in the classroom. If they link accomplishing their tasks to positive classroom experiences, students will be more engaged and motivated both inside and outside of the classroom.

2. Get Some Favorite Snacks

How to make homework fun and captivating? Let’s face the truth: A hungry student will be disinterested, uninspired, and miserable. Give them something healthful and palpable to eat while they do their schoolwork because most young kids are ravenous when they get home from school. Some options are apple slices, popcorn, grapes, crackers, flapjacks, and cheese.

If you want to attempt something a little more systematic, make a list of nutritious after-school snack suggestions and recipes and try them out every day. A delicious, crunchy apple is one of the healthiest nutrients for youngsters’ brain development. Some other nutritious and palpable snacks for students are Pancakes, Butter Popcorn, Fruit-flavored Yogurt, nut mix, sliced pears with ricotta cheese, Banana Smoothies, etc.

3. Beat the Clock

This is perfect for young kids who are reluctant to complete their schoolwork. Try it out, and you’ll thank us later. Young children like competing in races. By creating timed tasks, you may make schoolwork feel more like a race. For instance, keep track of the number of words they can spell properly or the number of arithmetic problems they can do in five minutes. Challenge your child to beat their previous best the next day.

To make it more fun, a little competition with siblings or best friends will work great. Nevertheless, make sure that the competition is healthy and doesn’t turn into an aggressive one. Often, students’ psychology works differently, and they tend to be violent in these kinds of situations.

4. Get A Homework Buddy

Allow your child to have a buddy or two over to study if they struggle with a particular topic or have difficulties concentrating in a quiet, empty room. If a second child is too distracting, set an example by helping your youngster. You may pay bills, prepare supper, respond to emails, or even work on a crossword puzzle or other mental exercise while they are doing their schoolwork.

Working on homework teaches children that work is a part of life, not just school, and fosters friendship without being overpowering.

5. Design an Awesome Workspace

Improve the area where your kids complete their schoolwork to increase efficiency, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. Have tools and materials available, such as cool notepads or notebooks, colored pens, highlighters, and sticky notes, to assist students in completing difficult projects.

Use calendars, whiteboards, chalkboards, corkboards, or even simply paper and tape to help them visualize and keep track of all they need to complete. You may also decorate it with art and other items that inspire you. For pupils older than 5 years old, you may also hang up some aesthetically pleasing motivating quotations and photos in their study space to help them stay focused and goal-oriented.

6. Make Them Feel Comfortable

The comfort level of the students is the first and foremost thing you have to take care of while making them complete their homework. Not every learner has the same comfort level in the same ways, and these levels tend to differ from one person to another. It’s the responsibility of a parent or a teacher to understand their comfort zone and then plan accordingly.

For instance, provide them with a variety of alternatives or let them design their strategy. You might also inquire as to what time they like to complete their assignment. You won’t need to repeatedly remind people of their duties if you reach an agreement.

7. Incorporate Intervals and Breaks

Some learners might be able to finish their entire load of homework in one sitting. If your class has any pupils that can’t sit still, think about introducing breaks into the assignment process. Weekly study regimens can accommodate breaks.

Give a food break, allow them to complete one level of a video game, or let them talk to a buddy during a quick break. To establish expectations for when and how homework breaks should be taken, teachers might talk about these concepts with parents and students.

This functions in two main ways. It first rewards pupils for finishing their schoolwork. In addition, it gives them a mental break so they can come back to their job reenergized and motivated.

8. Role Plays Work Wonders

Create your little school and let your youngster take the role of the instructor to make enjoyable learning-based games. Assume the position of the student, and have your youngster explain a concept to you in the teacher’s role. This game will help players better comprehend the topic and develop their logical and reasoning abilities. It works especially well with courses that call for theory, like science.

By letting your kid pick their favorite stuffed animals and playthings and placing them in their little classroom, you can make schoolwork enjoyable. Begin by registering, saying “mummy,” “gift,” “Mr. Teddy,” etc. Since kids love to pretend to be teachers, you’ll soon notice that your kid is becoming more self-assured.

9. Make Them Stay Positive and Focused

Ensure to keep the students’ attitudes toward school and the values of their schoolwork are always positive. To keep them inspired and on track, shower your youngster with compliments on how great they’re doing. If they are getting pissed off with the pressure of homework, make them understand its importance and how positively it can impact their learning.

Spend five minutes after each homework session going over your child’s accomplishments. Have a look at our selection of free-to-download home learning packs if you’re out of things to do. To keep them motivated, you can reward or recognize their achievements in front of their peers. This will not only boost their confidence but also will help them maintain a positive outlook toward homework and studies.

10. Take It Outside

Outdoor learning is one of the most feasible ways to do homework with fun in a natural environment. If the weather is good, create a cozy and safe study space outside and let the student finish all the homework outdoors.

Studies also demonstrate that being outside, nearer to nature enhances productivity. The fresh air can aid students’ attention if they have spent the entire day in a classroom. In between jobs, rewarding them with a brief game of football or Frisbee will keep them engaged. You can conduct some fun outdoor Math or English fun homework activities.

11. Altering the homework concept

Many kids feel burdened by their homework assignments. What if, though, you adopt a whole new approach to homework? It can be argued that schoolwork has a lot of unfavorable associations. These concepts usually start early in life and persist into college.

By referring to assignments in different ways, teachers can change these mental habits. Better ways to describe homework include home learning, brain workouts, and study time. You might try using these phrases in place of homework in the classroom.

12. Get Help If You Need

Homework can be frustrating if your child doesn’t understand the material or gets bored easily. Furthermore, excessive pressurizing or insisting on too much can mess up the student’s psychology. To be honest, in extreme cases, none of the methods will work. If your child or student is struggling beyond the normal limit, get them some expert help!

Education Advisors have plenty of advice for students who are not able to cope with homework. They also conduct counseling sessions from time to time in case it’s required.

13. Go for Audio-Visual Resources

Engaging additional senses in the at-home learning process is another technique to cheer up your boring assignments. Focus may be improved by using a child’s perception of touch, smell, or taste in a unique manner.

Sending kids home with instructions for making scented play dough, for instance, improve learning. The dough may be used in classes including math and spatial concepts. Plus, the aroma of scented/colored clays keeps kids focused while they work. Additionally, it enables children to link the smell to what they learned, improving memory and recall.

Another item that teachers might give their pupils as a take-home is a stress ball. Before, during, or after tasks, using a stress ball can encourage creative thinking and anxiety reduction positively.

14. Meditation Can Reduce Stress

Stress is not something that happens only to adults. With the increased competition in academics, young learners nowadays are suffering from severe stress, which ushers’ negative impacts on their mental health. Sometimes, both the little children and older students can’t express this stress and fail to explain how they are feeling.

Homework pressure often creates such challenging situations which disrupt the emotional equilibrium of youngsters. In situations like this, meditation can reduce stress and improve focus. Positive thinking, fear and the tension and anxiety that lead to depression may all be lessened by meditation. Being aware without judgment is one of the foundational elements of meditation, and this attitude of acceptance may ward against unpleasant thoughts.

15. Make It a Group Effort

Since time immemorial, team working is super effective for any activity. The same applies to homework as well. If students sit for the home task in a group, they will be able to wrap all the assignments up quickly.

Now the question is – how? Teamwork involves group discussions as well as brainstorming, which gives rise to new ideas. Students try to develop new ways to complete homework through mutual discussion.

16. Take Help from Learning Apps and Libraries

If your child struggles with their homework, it can be difficult for you as well. Games and visual examples in amusing math practice applications may be a terrific way to give your youngster practice with things he is having trouble with. Therefore, make schoolwork enjoyable for your youngster by downloading an app that simplifies the subject.

There are so many online applications and libraries that will help students enjoy fun and encouraging homework sessions. If the toddler or an older student specifically refers to a particular app or a website, talk to him/her about it properly. Then visit the online resource, and if you think it is a legit and helpful one, let your child or student use it during his/her homework time.

17. Tell Them Not to Take It Too Seriously

There are more important things in life than homework and grades. Too much focus on grades can affect your child’s love for learning. Think about what values you want to instill in your child and make sure the homework is not getting in the way.

If you believe your child’s teacher is giving out too much homework after you see your child demonstrate an understanding of the subject, don’t be afraid to voice your concern. Even if nothing changes, it will show your children that you care and empathize with them. That matters a lot!

18. Storytelling Can Be a Great Idea

Storytelling is a fantastic idea to make children complete their homework without facing any boredom. Especially for specific subjects like Math, History, and Literature, storytelling develops a context that allows the students to grasp things very easily.

If you find a student is finding it difficult to understand a concept and complete assignments on it, you can give a try to the storytelling method a since it works well. Storytelling has the power to captivate learners and keep them engaged irrespective of their age and grades.

19. Create A Homework Mood

Creating a mood for homework is a bit difficult for younger students but setting the right environment can help them complete the tasks as quickly as possible. However, it’s not an issue for the senior students but can be a bit overwhelming for the little kids.

You can select a comfortable location for them to study and use their favorite stickers, lights, etc., to decorate the space. Keeping in mind the results as well as their abilities to take the pressure, set goals and establish rewards. It’s vital to make them understand the goals and disclose a bit about the rewards but don’t let them know exactly what’s going to happen. This will create an enthusiasm to complete the homework in no time.

20. Turn on Some Music

The psychological effects of music are undeniable. Music brings concentration and helps to focus on a particular work pleasantly. Then why not use it for your children’s homework? Science dictates that music is the best aid for studying.

Play some soft music while the student is doing his/her homework and this will help to create an ambiance. You can also play cool, energetic, upbeat music since it radiates energetic vibes and the student will find immense energy as well as positivity to complete the tasks.

21. Ask Them to Do the Tough Tasks First

One more cool thing to try out is doing the tough tasks first. It’s a perfect strategy if the student has a list of various tasks of different levels of complexity. You will be able to realize how much time he/she needs to complete the tasks and edit afterward if needed.

Completing the more complex tasks at first enables a student to think and decide critically. The remaining time can be enjoyed with much lower stress while doing the easier assignments. If your child gets bored very quickly you can try this method out.

22. Get Creative

Wondering how to make homework fun creatively? Homework doesn’t sound exciting to students. To be more specific, solving sums after sums or writing science projects doesn’t sound fun alone. Rather, if you mingle these tasks with an artsy adventure, the same old boring homework sessions become interesting.

For instance, you can ask them to paint out the math problems, prepare a model for their science projects, or act a portion of the history or literature books. Some other effective ideas may include creating a range of paintings while explaining a paragraph to a child, making clay characters, and doing some moves with the music.

23. Doing Homework at School

Nowadays, as the syllabuses are changing, students have too much pressure from homework to deal with. After coming home from school, it’s quite natural for them to feel exhausted. At times it becomes impossible for a kid to keep their eyes open for homework.

The best remedy here is to complete the majority of their homework at school. Your child also doesn’t have to stay up all night looking for answers or trying to understand how to remember academic facts. They can use their free time at school to complete some of the homework to stay relaxed later. Also, completing homework with peers involves so much engagement and fun.

24. Ask Them to Work on Different Subjects in a Session

Are you trying to know how to make homework fun without putting in much effort? Plan a routine for your child so that they can work on different subjects in a single session. Try to mix and match the subjects to make them feel comfortable with the pace of the study.

Working on a maximum of 3 subjects a session will help a student to get rid of the homework quickly without considering it as a pressure. Ensure they are not in a rush to complete one subject after another. Make it as systematic and orderly as you can to avoid any unwanted confusion.

25. Get Academic Help

Getting a little homework help is a feasible way to make homework fun. Nevertheless, you must make sure that none of you, the teachers, or the program facilitators are not spoon-feeding them, or else it will affect the student’s development in terms of learning.

If there is a math problem that is too difficult to solve or a paragraph with heavy words, you or the tutor can give your helping hand to the student so that he/she can complete it on his/her own. For instance, you can give a clue to solve the sum or narrate the context of the paragraph.

26. Planning Is the Key

Planning is a powerful habit to make homework sessions fun and organized. Not only at school, but also this habit will help a student throughout his/her life. It’s required for a student to be extremely serious about homework in a studying period and systematic planning can help in completing all the assignments on time.

If your child is in high school or middle school, you can guide him/her to make homework routines. However, elementary school kids and preschool students need their parents’ or teachers’ assistance to make advanced homework plans.

27. Ask Them to Write on Their Favorite Topics

Working on something you love will make you feel more connected to the work. The same applies to both the kids’ homework and older students’ homework. If you are thinking about how to make doing homework fun, you can ask them to write a paragraph or a short essay on their favorite topics.

To implement this strategy, first, talk to the students on a one-on-one basis and try to know their individual preferences in terms of writing. Then assign them a task where they will write whatever they want on their favorite topics. This will act as a warm-up session before doing the homework.

28. Provide Choice

One of the key reasons why younger and older students become disengaged with their homework is they find it meaningless. This is where the mentors and the parents have to play the biggest role. They need to make the student understand why homework is important and how it can benefit them in the future.

This will make the kids’ homework sessions more engaging and they will be able to connect emotionally or personally. How to make homework fun in this way? It’s simple, provide the students with more choices while assigning the homework. For instance, if there is a tough project, they can choose to work alone on it or work with partners.

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Elementary school homework tips.

Homework gives elementary students a way to practice the concepts. But you have to be very careful while making them do the home tasks as at this age they don’t develop an understanding regarding the benefits of homework. To them, homework is just something that parents and teachers use to restrict them from doing what they want.

Below are some effective tips on how to make homework fun for kindergarten students.

• Make sure kids have a creative, engaging, and well-lit place to do the homework.
• Give the kids delicious snacks from time to time so that they don’t get distracted due to hunger.
• Encourage the children to complete their homework by giving them small rewards or recognizing their efforts to make the entire process more manageable.
• Instead of dictating to them what to do and threatening them, be a mentor, a leader, and a motivator.
• Create a homework routine for elementary students manually or use desktop app for planning your homework. Don’t forget to keep short breaks in between.
• Try to keep distractions to a minimum. This means no phone calls, loud music, and TV during homework time.

Set good examples for them but without comparing them with anybody. Have you ever seen your little one saving money? Point that quality out, praise him/her for it, and set it as an example.

Middle School Homework Tips

Middle school students develop a fair understanding of the importance of homework. So, you are not supposed to face much trouble to make them complete their tasks. Check out these middle school homework tips below. These tips will work wonders if you are looking for ways to make homework fun for 7th graders or 8th graders.

• Designate a specific amount of time for homework. This will help them to complete work on time.
• Help them prioritize which tasks to do on a priority basis. In this way, they will develop the ability to make decisions.
• Continuously encourage them to evaluate their work so that they can find the mistakes and correct them on their own.
• Put away the phone to prevent them from being distracted from time to time.
• When needed, help them to complete homework instead of spoon-feeding the whole thing. Give clues to solve a sum, point out some important areas, or explain them in a paragraph so that they can complete the next tasks by themselves.
• Don’t pressurize or force yourself to do homework. Parents need to know when to stop, especially when they are feeling exhausted, frustrated, and confused.

High School Homework Tips

When it comes to homework, high school students are better able to manage their time, stay focused and finish their tasks. This enables them to understand the value of homework. They don’t do any tantrums and get less distracted because they understand the consequences of not completing home tasks on time. But if you want to know how to make homework more enjoyable for high school students throughout the school year, here are some effective tips:

• Tell them to write down their homework every day in a notebook, or a planner to keep it more organized.
• Ask them to write their homework with a blue pen on a white sheet to remember their writing. Also, it’s the best combo to do homework faster.
• Help your teens to divide their homework schedule in a planned way and keep short breaks to freshen up their minds. For instance, if they work for 30 minutes, they can take a 5 minutes break.
• Doing homework with buddies is a proven method to complete homework on time and also in an accurate manner.
• If they get stuck while doing any specific homework, ask them to take help from online resources, libraries, video demonstrations, and journals.

Homework Dos and Don’ts

Let’s face it – nobody loves homework although it’s super important for your child’s learning and development. While high school students understand the importance and need of doing school assignments at home, elementary and preschool children can’t develop the understanding at their age.

Several things are to be kept in mind while expecting homework from students in proper time. To make the students complete their homework happily, we have brought some amazing dos and don’ts that parents or teachers need to follow:

Homework Do’s

1. monitor the answers.

After your child has completed his/her homework, check it once to find what went right and what went wrong. If you find any mistake in his/her work, try not to point that out directly. Instead, give your youngster clues so that he/she can find out the mistakes now.

2. Remove the Distractions

Thinking about how to make homework more fun for your child? Remove the distractions from the study room first including social media on the computer, mobile phones, unnecessary toys, etc. Remember, a decluttered environment is the reason behind a decluttered head. They will be able to focus more on the homework when there isn’t a pile of distractions around them.

3. Be A Cheerleader

Always be your child’s motivator when he/she is doing homework. Students may not be correct always but humiliating them may make them demotivated and frustrated at the same time. Celebrate small successes such as completion of the tasks within time, the maximum number of correct answers, the maximum time the child has devoted to homework, etc. Give treats like candies, stickers, pens/pencils, and colored boxes to celebrate their success.

4. Work in Collaboration

The parents and the children need to work together in terms of homework. There must be a proper channel of communication between both parties so that the child’s overall performance can be monitored.

Homework Don’ts

1. don’t force them to homework.

Forcing a student to do the homework can bring immensely negative results. Children won’t like homework – it’s quite normal but forcefully making them do it is tremendously fatal as it will develop a permanent fear or discomfort that will hamper their overall growth.

2. Don’t Show Them Your Frustration

Kids have a lot of tantrums. Especially, the tantrums increase while doing homework. Often teachers and parents get frustrated but showing them the frustration is not at all a good idea. Not only will the child become stubborn but also, they will develop a fear of doing assignments or getting help from you. If you want to make homework fun for 6th graders or students of any other grades, don’t show your frustration in front of them.

3. Don’t Compare with Their Peers

Comparison is something that demotivates a child to a great extent. It develops a deep resentment in their mind which doesn’t fade away even after growing older. Comparing their grades or skills with their peers is probably the worst idea to make students do homework.

4. Don’t Keep Electronic Devices in Front of Them

Yes, you can give the students electronic gadgets for a few minutes as small rewards but don’t keep the devices in front of them all the time when they are doing homework. This may loosen their concentration and will make them distracted from their respective tasks.

How A Homework Planning App Can Help a Student?

A homework app is the best time-management tool that enables students to organize everything they need to do throughout a week, month, academic year, or semester. It’s an easy way to keep your homework sessions organized. In case you are still thinking about how to make homework fun for your child, software with proper features of homework planning can help him/her out.

The academic pressure on school children sometimes becomes too difficult to handle, especially when there is so much to do. This is where student planners for their home assignments are found to be beneficial. Here is an explanation of how an efficient home assignment planning tool can help students finish their tasks on time:

1. Gives Students A Break

It might also be helpful to make sure that kids have some downtime to unwind and not become overburdened with assignments. If teachers are assigning homework through software, they will see how long a piece of homework will take to be completed, and they can allocate the tasks accordingly scheduling breaks in between.

2. Reduces Stress

Homework pressure may not sound like a big deal to you because you have already left those days behind but to your child, it’s a headache. The fear of being scolded by parents/teachers is one of their biggest concerns to them. Thanks to digital planners, these tools know exactly how to help each student in a customized way.

3. Increases Productivity

How to make homework interesting? Students who use a school planner are more productive and can manage their time more effectively. Students today struggle with procrastination because the internet age offers so many diversions. However, if they have noted down the tasks they must complete, they will be more motivated to complete them.

4. Easier for Parents and Teachers

A homework app with intuitive features of planning helps to complete an assignment within time in a systematic manner. Younger students who still rely on the help of their parents and teachers to do their schoolwork often fail to inform them about their homework status. Having homework software can easily sort this problem out and reduces mentors’ work and hassle.

Our Product

How to make homework fun with clarifi.

To assist students to achieve their highest potential, Clarifi is a homework software that acts as an ideal digital homework attention coach. We are dedicated to helping students achieve their academic goals. The pupils may complete their homework independently with the help of this digital planning app for homework.

It is a straightforward and uncomplicated desktop program that gives them more confidence to finish their assignment as quickly and effectively as possible. It is the only research-backed desktop application that enables children who are easily distracted to do their schoolwork without a parent watching over them. Monitoring student behavior is the only way to be sure they are doing their assignments.

However, keeping track of pupils’ activity is a time-consuming and important duty. However, Clarifi is available to make this procedure as easy as possible. With the aid of this program, students can effortlessly enter each homework assignment and keep track of the due dates for each one based on the class or the current day.

They receive prizes from the automated coach for maintaining concentration and doing their homework. When all pupils turn in their schoolwork on time, they will receive diamonds as a reward. This element motivates pupils to develop the positive habit of finishing their home assignments on time. Clarifi is an easy digital homework attention planner that provides kids with the ability to filter out distractions, improve their executive functioning, and keep all of their assignments organized in one location.

Clarifi guarantees to raise their capacity for concentration and focus as well as their academic performance. It incorporates functions that provide users the means to remain centered, motivated, and organized while finishing their schoolwork on their own. When kids use the app, it is specially designed with cutting-edge technology that blocks all other apps.

Generating an undistracted and focused environment for students with Clarifi is the answer to “how to make homework less boring.”

Students Can Now Complete Homework with Fun!

With these tricks and tips, students can now efficiently engage themselves in homework. Learners need to study and complete their homework/assignments with a positive mindset and not forcefully. As soon as a student starts doing his/her homework strenuously, the interest is eventually lost, leading to mistakes and burnout.

But with the tricks mentioned above, homework sessions can now be immensely fun and interesting. Whether you are a teacher, parent, or student, these are some tried and tested ways to complete home tasks engagingly. Stay tuned to Clarifi for similar informative blogs like this. If to need help with your children’s homework and know more about how to make homework fun get in touch with Clarifi today.

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How To Get Outdoors When You Are A Busy College Student

• August 20, 2019

Guest Author

• Tips / Tricks

How to Get Outdoors When You Are a Busy College Student

By: alyssa miele.

College is hard. Period.

You’re juggling classes, homework, extracurriculars, internships, jobs and more all while trying to maintain your health and maybe get a few hours of sleep each night. In the midst of all the craziness college brings, it’s hard to find time to get outdoors. Here are just a few easy ways to do just that!

1. Eat your Lunch Outside

Order from a takeout place on campus– or bring your own– and sit outside on the grass or at an outdoor table. Doing so gives your body a break from the stale, recycled indoor air and harsh fluorescent lights of classrooms while also providing you with some much-needed Vitamin D.

2. Skip the Bus

This is my favorite tip. If you have time between classes, walk to class instead of taking the bus or driving! In addition to being outside, you’re up and moving which increases the blood flow to your whole body and helps your cognitive abilities. Walking to class may help you perform better in that class!

Consider biking to class too. Have you tried Pittsburgh’s bike share system, Healthy Ride ?

3. Do Homework Outside

If your assignment doesn’t require an internet connection to complete, consider completing it outside! Reading multiple chapters of an Intro to Ethics book may seem like a bummer, but doing so surrounded by the trees on campus may make it a little more rewarding. The fresh air is also great for refreshing your mind!

4. Join an Outdoors Club

Spend your weekends outside! Most colleges have outdoors-centered clubs that students can join that range from hiking, climbing, skiing, snowboarding, and more. Some of those clubs even offer discounted or free events! Get outdoors while also meeting new friends with your same interests by signing up.

5. Do your Workout Outside

Skip the gym and opt for an outdoor workout! Take a jog, or if you’re like me and hate running, do some bodyweight strength training or yoga in your backyard or at a nearby park. Some parks around Pittsburgh even offer small outdoor exercise stations that use your body weight as resistance. Check out this article for more information on the exercise stations.

6. Get an Outdoor Internship

Here’s our shameless plug, as a Venture Outdoors intern you’ll have plenty of opportunity to get outdoors while you’re learning. We always have positions available outdoor photographers, communications interns, and youth educators. If you love to get outside and want to share that with others, apply this semester .

It might seem downright impossible to make time for the outdoors with such a busy college schedule, but these unconventional methods are sure to get you out of the classroom and into the fresh air!

Student Discount

Students get $5 off at Kayak Pittsburgh locations. Try kayaking, stand up paddleboards, or canoes.

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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

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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.

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.

The earlier you start, the greater your journey of self-discovery will be. Welcome in.

— Images generated on Midjourney.

Recommended free masterclass for you

Discover Powerful Hacks to Unlock Your Superbrain to Learn Faster, Comprehend More and Forget Less

Join the foremost expert in memory improvement and brain performance, Jim Kwik, in a free masterclass that will dive into the one skill you will ever need — learning how to learn Enroll for free

Alexandra Tudor

Jim Kwik is a brain coach and a world expert in speed reading, memory improvement, and optimal brain performance. Known as the “boy with the broken brain” due to a childhood injury, Jim discovered strategies to dramatically enhance his mental performance. He is now committed to helping people improve their memory, learn to speed-read, increase their decision-making skills, and turn on their superbrain.

He has shared his techniques with Hollywood actors, Fortune 500 companies, and trailblazing entrepreneurs like Elon Musk and Richard Branson to reach their highest level of mental performance. He is also one of the most sought-after trainers for top organizations like Harvard University, Nike, Virgin, and GE.

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Study: digital distraction in class is on the rise, you might also like.

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The secret to getting students to work outside class

Lauren Condon

Marketing Specialist at Atomi

You can lead a horse to water but you sure can’t make it drink and when it comes to giving students homework, it’s a pretty similar situation.

So, if we’re really looking to make learning beyond the classroom more effective then maybe we should be looking more closely at when and how students study outside of school.

Although measuring homework data might have once been a little difficult (unless you were willing to ask kids to keep a homework diary which they absolutely would not have done), we’re pretty lucky that new forms of digital learning give us new insights into how students work outside of class.

We’ve taken a look back through our own data to see when students are watching our videos and when students are actually studying. The results have a lot to say.

So yes, students are actually studying on weekends and yes, students also pretty much flatly refuse to work on Friday night. But we probably could have predicted that!

But how can we take this data and use it to make actionable insights about how we can manage out-of-class learning. Well, buckle in, here are three ways we can use homework effectively based on students’ natural study patterns.

1. Capitalise on students’ ability and willingness to work outside of class

The good news is that students really are willing to work outside of class hours. We can see that, particularly at the beginning of the week from Monday to Wednesday, students genuinely sit down for intense bouts of learning that, with the right direction and resources, can really enhance their whole learning experience.

So, the first step in effectively extending the learning experience beyond the classroom is having the confidence to set the crucial, fundamental work before the classroom using online resources and know students will actually do the pre-work. That way, you can capitalise on class time for application skills and complex understanding.

For example: before a class on creating theses for English essays, assign students a video explaining the definition and purpose of a thesis, asking them to bring a draft thesis for their essay to class. That way, the class time can be spent assessing and fine tuning each student’s thesis and they walk out of class with a solid, approved idea.

2. Play to the students’ study pattern

Now that you’ve got a decent idea of when students are willing to study - and more importantly, when they aren’t - you can use this information to get the most out of student’s motivation to study outside of class.

The Wall Street Journal investigated the peak time to complete different tasks based on the research of psychologists and biologists and the verdict? If there’s a natural rhythm, work with it not against it for maximum effectiveness.

Friday afternoons seem to be universally recognised as the time to mentally check out and begin the weekend. The great news is they aren’t checking out for the whole weekend, they just need a break after that intense Monday to Wednesday sprint. What this means, is that planning learning should be done with a healthy consideration of the cycle of the week and the need for varying pace.

When macro-planning, or laying out the broad structure of learning for a whole topic or term, alternate between the points that require some serious cognition and the lighter, more manageable aspects. If you have a particularly challenging topic to tackle like thesis development and you know students will need to really work beyond the classroom to grasp the complexity, bring that topic to the beginning of the week. We can see from the data that Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are the times when most work gets done. Leverage that to set more complex tasks earlier rather than later and then you know students will actually work over the weekend if you want to set work to help them consolidate the topics.

3. Students need to be fully equipped for independent study

Finally, it’s pretty important to note that the study is happening later at night than we might have expected. The main takeaway here is the later students are studying, the less likely it is that teachers will be available to support them if they hit a roadblock or have a question. Even the most dedicated teacher can’t be checking emails up until 11pm each night and consistently over the weekend!

So our challenge is that students need to be fully equipped and supported so they can be successful in their study, even when it’s late at night or over a weekend. One answer is to pinpoint struggling students or particularly tricky subjects in class and preempt any roadblocks. (If you set some of the fundamental work before class, it’s much easier to catch any potential problems early on). Another answer is to be as clear and thorough as possible when setting tasks - the importance of examples can’t be stressed too much here!

Beyond the classroom, it’s important students are given access to resources they can use 24/7 such as a Google Classroom that has the task, sample answers, links to quality sources of evidence and even video lessons/lectures in one place. This way, students are able to work effectively and with minimal interruption and we aren’t asking teachers to be on call at all hours of the day and night.

Knowing when students are primed and motivated to study outside of the classroom is a serious opportunity to reflect on the way you set homework. Capitalise on their willingness to work outside of class by extending the learning environment beyond the classroom and then their study schedules and patterns so the homework is as effective as possible and no longer a nightmare for everyone!

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August 12, 2017

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Places to Do Homework

The majority of students are unaware of the significance of finding the right places to do homework . They don’t always know that they aren’t as productive as they should be.

As you already know, doing homework in a crowded and noisy setting is not a good idea. It’s impossible to do when your friends call you on the phone, or your Facebook account is open on your computer in front of you. 

The best places to do homework aren’t always where you’d expect to find them. You’re in luck if you can spot one. You will be able to increase your speed, grades, and GPA . 

What is the reason for this? And you will be able to maintain your concentration.

You’ll make it even more exciting if you can find many such locations. Going to the same location over and over again will not bore you. That is why so many students use Google to look for “places to do homework near me.”

Why are you looking for a place to do your homework?

Table of Contents

Do you wish there were other Places to Do Homework where you could do your homework to keep things interesting? When you need peace, you may want to go somewhere else. 

Other times, you can need more room or simply a change of environment to boost productivity. Personal preferences play a role in determining where to go to complete schoolwork assignments. 

When it comes to space, you’ll have to think about what you like and hate. In today’s blog, we share some suggestions to help you decide when you can do your schoolwork.

Explaining why you need to find great places to do homework because you avoid using the screen, TV, or PlayStation as a diversion source, You’ll find the calm you need to concentrate on your work. Gradually, the grades should rise.

Why Finding Good Homework Locations is Important

Encourage your child to try a different place if he has trouble concentrating in a specified homework area. Because

• Productivity has increased
• Boredom is broken
• Friends, stay away
• There are fewer distractions
• Make your homework more effective

The most serious thing for high school, graduate, and college students is not getting to class. It’s not even about doing homework; it’s about finding the right places to do homework in comfort, satisfaction, and without feeling rushed. Most students, especially those pursuing MBAs and PhDs, prefer to complete their homework assignments in pleasant surroundings. It’s the same thing about homework – finding areas conducive to learning.

It’s just not about searching for the perfect place to do your homework; it’s about finding a spot where you can rest, innovate, relax, and finish your work on time. It’s insane to do coursework anywhere. For example, you can’t compose an essay at a railway station, a cafe, or a picnic. For obvious reasons, doing homework at home may be off your checklist.

Features That Make a Place Great for Doing Homework

• It is well lit
• There is silence
• Distraction-free
• It’s relaxing

Best Ideas For Places to Do Homework

At Home, the Best Place to Do Homework

There are several other places to do homework now, some of which might be just around the corner from your house.

Here are a couple of the best Places to Do Homework at home to do work.

• Kitchen 

The kitchen may be an outstanding study spot if so many distractions do not exist. Most kitchens have good lights and seats so you can sit up.

• Your Bedroom

Due to its convenience and comfort, this can be an excellent study spot. All your study materials can also be provided easily. However, a bedroom is not always the best place to study if there is too much entertainment or comfort.

The Best Nearby Places to Do Your Homework

These are the following places to do homework near me, it is such as;

Public Library

Teachers constantly remind students to visit the library and do further study. If you can’t concentrate at home, the library can help you learn. Yeah, it may sound cliche, but there’s a reason why even professionals go to public libraries when they need to concentrate. 

You can find books, free Wi-Fi, and research materials in libraries . And, with everyone else preoccupied with their affairs, you will find the motivation to complete your homework without interruption. 

Social networking and phone calls would be unaffected because libraries have a phones-off or silent mode policy. 

There are also printing rooms where you can print your reading materials for a low price.

Coffee Shop

Coffee shops are well-known haunts of authors for a cause. Though caffeine will help you write page after page of excellent fiction, coffee shops often sell snacks, meals, and juices to keep you fueled and efficient.

Learners also turn to this staple of studying for a caffeine boost when preparing for an exam or getting through a report. While a coffee shop has more background music than a library, it can be a pleasant substitute for a radio or TV sound for certain people.

These can be relatively quiet areas, similar to libraries. For inspiration, sit on a bench in front of your favorite painting or sculpture.

On a break, sitting on a bench near inspirational paintings or taking in the natural history will refresh your mind and provide an opportunity to get some work done in a different environment.

Try buying an annual membership and using the museum as your office from time to time if you enjoy a local museum.

While it may seem to be an unusual location for doing homework, the point is to remind you that time is money. As you wait for your laundry to finish, you will undoubtedly have some free time, which you will rarely use productively. Think about it: you can shoot two birds with one rock, then why not?

Quick Link: Pay someone to do my homework for me

Book Stores

Consider working in a bookstore if you like the library atmosphere but don’t want to be completely alone. Many bookstores offer free Wi-Fi and a calming atmosphere where customers can read and work. In contrast to libraries, bookstores normally have cafes where you can get some snacks or a cup of coffee. In New York, several bookstores have a cafe where beer and wine are served.

If the teacher is okay with you sitting in their empty classroom, go ahead. This environment may be ideal for studying. Since class sessions are based on schoolwork, merely being in the classroom can cause your mind to adopt a studied attitude automatically.

Try sitting in an empty classroom if you’re having trouble concentrating on work in other ways.

As a result, if your brain immediately moves to a research mentality, you will learn more effectively.

Coe Library

Coe Library is the most visible research spot on campus. The library has plenty of comfortable seats, couches, and countless tables and computers and a range of reservable study spaces . 

These study rooms are ideal for obtaining an empty, quiet space to study for a test or simply complete homework. 

The library’s other best research spot is by the windows on a quiet study level. Working by a window with natural daylight makes things seem more accessible and less crowded, and working on a quiet study floor helps people work in peace.

Friend’s House

Cooperating spaces are becoming more popular, and you can get some of the same benefits by simply visiting a friend’s house. 

It’s a strong desire to accomplish tasks for someone else, regardless of whether the partner is from a different social class. This also has the added advantage of masking your flaws. 

For example, you might ask a friend who studies math to help you understand your math homework. Remember to bring something with you everywhere you go. You’d have to be a good house guest in general.

A little sunshine and a gentle breeze will work wonders. It clears your mind and gives you more focus, and it’s a perfect caffeine substitute. 

Your performance will benefit from studying in such a calming and relaxing environment. Clear your mind of all your concerns and focus solely on the task at hand.

Bookshops are ideal for study since they are relatively quiet and focus on school work. Moreover, everyone in the shop reads, learns, and educates himself. Consequently, when you are learning and doing work, you feel better concentrated.

These shops allow you to rest and maybe read a book or two. This not only helps you read, but it also encourages you to research and learn new knowledge. Be sure that this action is encouraged in the bookstore.

The park can be a great place to write or read a few chapters, particularly if you’re doing some creative writing . It’s unlikely that you’ll be completely silent, but the sounds you do hear will be calming. You’ll be listening to natural noises like the waves on the beach and the wind in the trees.

More Extra Sites to Learn and Complete Homework

• Shopping Malls
• Hotel Lobby
• Your Local Library
• Botanical Gardens
• Bus or Train Station
• Local Universities
• Co-Working Spaces
• Public Park

Conclusion (Places to Do Homework)

In conclusion, there are many different good places to do homework. It ultimately depends on an individual’s personal preferences and needs. Some people prefer quiet, isolated places like libraries, bedrooms, or coffee shops to minimize distractions. Others prefer the social atmosphere of a study group or a co-working space. It’s important to find the right balance between comfort and productivity when choose places to do homework. Additionally, having a designated study area can help create a routine and improve focus, leading to better results. Whatever the choice, it’s crucial to establish a comfortable and organized workspace to get the most out of studying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you do your homework at starbucks.

People can go to Starbucks to do their homework, whether students or adults. Starbucks is also a great third meeting place to catch up on homework, projects, presentations, etc.

Can I pay someone to do my homework for me?

Yes, it is 100% legal to pay people to do your homework is just like asking a parent or guardian for help.

How much is homework per credit hour?

Research suggests that students should spend 2-3 hours per credit hour studying to be successful in their courses.

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The Top 3 Best Places To Do Homework (And Where To Avoid)

In this post, we, together with an expert paper writer from a top  write my college paper  writing service for students, will outline  our top 3 choices for best places to do homework , along with some areas we recommend you avoid.

Are there actually best places to do homework? It depends…

Now let’s start off by saying, even though we’ll outline some good choices for homework spots, each child has their own particular learning preferences.

This means that although the kitchen table might bit a great choice for one kid, it might be loud, distracting, and not conducive to focused work for another.

So first things first, recognize that your child may already have their favorite places to do homework in mind, and involve them in the process of making it a regular habit to work in the most productive spots. And the research actually supports this idea.

Metacognition: Self-aware students do better

Metacognition is defined as, “awareness and understanding of one’s own thought processes.” This term’s origins are in the field of psychology, but a study out of Vanderbilt University  actually ties metacognition or self-awareness to college success.

The study looked at college freshman and found  that those who were more effective in choosing their study habits (and locations) were much more successful in the classroom.

In other words, the students who knew themselves and the way they learn best performed better and got better grades. It’s important to note that these successful students didn’t all use the same study habits; but rather, they were able to identify what worked best for them and stick to those strategies . This is because every person takes in, processes, and learns information a little differently.

Keep this in mind when choosing the ideal homework location.

Best Homework Spot #1: The Kitchen Table

If you’re like me, when you grew up your parents expected all homework to be completed at the kitchen table. For some kids, this is a great option. It allows them to spread out all their books in the hum of a busy area, which for some kids who hate the quiet, is absolutely perfect!

But for others, like me, this isn’t a great spot because it’s in the center of the house and there are so many distractions. Every time someone walks by to the fridge, sink, or garage is yet another opportunity to lose focus.

Best Homework Spot #2: The Couch Lap Desk

While this won’t work for some due to the temptation of the TV (or the ability to slowly sink into napping mode) we’ve found that some students are really successful on the couch with a lap desk.

Comfortable, quiet, and free from distractions, this is usually a good spot if your child likes the ability to “sink in” and focus from the lounging position.

Best Homework Spot #3: The Outside Deck Dweller

A lot of students prefer the nice, cool, air conditioned indoors over going outside for homework time, because there’s less of a chance of discomfort (or your papers being blown away!).

But we do come across those few students who just absolutely love being outside. For these kids, you can blend the best of both worlds, and have them do their homework outside on the deck.

Hey, maybe they’ll even get some much needed Vitamin D in the process!

The ONE homework location to avoid…

As we said before, much of your child’s choice of homework location depends on their personal preferences. But there is one place that’s generally regarded as a “no-no.” And thats… the bedroom.

Because this is the one place in the house your son or daughter are most likely to be distracted by toys, phones, computers, and all other forms of impulse to NOT study or do homework. So you should probably keep that one off the list.

How to help your child figure out what their ideal learning environment is

First of all, you want to give your child the flexibility to try a few different places.

If you find that your child is having a hard time focusing in a designated homework area, encourage him to try a different location and then ask leading questions such as:

“How focused did you feel in the ____?”

Or  “did you feel like you got a lot done when you were studying in the ___?”

You want to avoid asking the question “which did you prefer?” because many times students will choose the convenient location over the one that leads to productivity.

If there’s a lot going on and you still find that your student is having a hard time focusing, encourage her to find outside locations. This could be a public library, or staying after school for a homework club or a teacher’s office hours. Sometimes there’s just too many distractions in the home for a student to get a lot done.

Finally, if you find yourself caught up in arguments with your child over where she is doing her homework (e.g. she insists on doing her homework in her bedroom though she’s not getting a lot done), try bringing in a neutral third party  such as a tutor . Many times, this third party will eliminate the stress between the parent and the student while working with the student to figure out what learning environment they perform best in.

What study locations have your kids found to be most productive?

Take a moment to share in the comments! We’d love to hear some new creative ideas.

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Outdoor living areas are meant to be enjoyed by the whole family. They make everything a bit more fun and festive, and can be enjoyed throughout the year in areas like Southern California. Taking your dinner party outdoors creates a completely different experience, and family game nights are much more fun when they take place outdoors. So, if there is anything that can make homework a bit more enjoyable, it just might be taking it outside.

Creating an outdoor homework space encourages your children and teenagers to spend more time outdoors and is a great way to extend your indoor living spaces outside. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air often has two to five times more pollutants than outdoor air, which may be one of the reasons studies show that we think clearer, concentrate better and make fewer mistakes when completing tasks outdoors. Studies also show that being outside and closer to nature can increase productivity. All of these sound like some pretty good reasons to create an outdoor space where your children and teenagers can complete homework assignments – or where you can hold homeschool classes.

Before we get into how to set up an outdoor homework space, we should note that it is important to get your gets involved in the process. This will help create excitement about using the space and help them claim the space as their own. Even if their taste varies greatly from yours, let them help pick out the furnishings, paint some mason jars for storing supplies, or personalize the space. It will be worth it in the end if it helps them actually want to do their homework so that they can spend time in their special space.

13 Tips for Creating an Outdoor Homework Space

1. Select the Space: If you have the space, it is nice to create a dedicated area that your child or teenager can, at least partly, claim as their own. It should be away from direct sunlight, protected from the weather, close to electricity and, for younger kids, in a spot where you can keep an eye on them while making dinner or folding laundry. This can be as simple as dedicating a corner of your covered patio or as extensive as installing an office pod for a complete, outdoor workroom. A gazebo, playhouse, garden shed or other structure may also be converted to create their own space for an outdoor study station, but folks with less space available can just carve out part of their patio or deck to make a cozy spot to do homework.

2. Extend Your WiFi: If your wireless internet does not quite reach the spot you have chosen for your outdoor homework area, you may need to purchase an extender. This is an affordable, easy-to-obtain option for expanding your WiFi to include more of your outdoor living areas.

3. Consider Required Equipment: Can your children, teenagers or adult learners complete their homework with just a laptop, textbooks and a notebook? Or, do they also need additional equipment, like a scanner, printer or other electronic devices? You may be able to set up a situation where they can do their work outside and send it to an indoor printer for printing, or you may need to set up a space that can support this equipment outdoors. If so, you will need to ensure that the area is well protected from the elements, dust, pets and your irrigation system.

4. Choose a Desk: An outdoor desk does not have to be an actual desk, but you will definitely need a workspace for your outdoor study station. If your space is particularly small, you could consider a bistro set, a fold-down table that can be folded up and put away when not in use – or your outdoor dining table can do double duty as a homework station when you are not entertaining or enjoying a family meal outside. If you have the space, you can include an actual desk or a table that is dedicated solely to homework time.

6. Choose a Chair: Have you ever noticed that adults usually have super-comfy office chairs, but purchase cheap, plastic chairs for spaces solely used by their children? Kids and teens deserve comfy chairs too, which can help avoid back problems and allow them to more comfortably work on their assignments for longer periods of time. Choose a comfortable chair that can withstand the elements, and consider adding a seat cushion for added comfort – just make sure it is covered in material that is designed for outdoor use.

7. Consider Electricity Needs: It is possible that younger children may not need electricity in their outdoor homework space, but it is not likely. It is far more often the case that students will at least need access to a computer for research and writing papers, so you will need to make sure electricity is available near the study station.

8. Add a Desk Lamp: Good lighting is important when completing assignments, so make sure your students have the lighting they need to easily read textbooks, make notes and write papers. Even during the day, a covered patio can have dark corners as the sun moves through the sky, and once the days begin to shorten in the winter months, you may find that your patio loses light as early as late afternoon. This is easy to remedy with a simple desk lamp that will allow your students to do homework outside any time of the day.

9. Add a Clock: Adding a clock to your outdoor homework space allows your children to better schedule their homework time, to know how long they have before they need to come inside for dinner, or to know how quickly they need to work to be able to watch their favorite television programs once their work is completed.

10. Stock the Space with Supplies: Make sure your students have any necessary supplies on hand to avoid having to run inside every five minutes for a stapler or a paperclip or to throw something away in a waste basket. Of course, if you are going to keep supplies or books outside, it is even more important to ensure the area is well protected from inclement weather, pets, dust and your irrigation system.

11. Keep It Organized: While it is most important to make sure that the students in your family have everything they need, it is also important to keep your outdoor homework area organized so that your outdoor living areas do not become cluttered. Baskets are an option if you do not have a lot of dirt or dust in your yard, but drawers or boxes with lids are often a better option for outdoor storage. If you opt for a traditional desk, it may have enough drawers to accommodate any necessary supplies. You could also consider a wall-mounted unit with a fold-down table that opens to reveal storage cubbies inside.

For desktop storage, or for use on shelves, you can get your kids involved by having them help you paint mason jars or small, terra cotta flowerpots for organizing pens, pencils, scissors and other school supplies.

12. Add a Message Board or Note Board: An erasable writing space allows your children or teens to make notes, work out math problems or record important due dates in a visible spot. For younger children, it might be fun to use chalkboard paint to turn a wall or piece of wood into a chalkboard that they can use for both school work and play. For teenagers, it is likely more useful to have a dry erase board in their outdoor homework space.

13. Minimize Distractions: While we want our children to enjoy spending more time outdoors, we do want them to finish their homework. Therefore, you may need to minimize distractions in and around your outdoor homework space. This might mean keeping the dogs inside with you while homework is happening outside, making sure tablets and Gameboys are left indoors, and keeping toys stored in a deck box until their homework is finished. If your backyard is particularly inviting, you may need to create a privacy wall around the homework area to help keep students focused.

Additional Resources

If you need a little more inspiration for creating an outdoor homework area for your kids or teens, check out these previous posts:

• How to Get Your Backyard Ready for Back to School
• Backyard Back to School Party Guide + Tips
• The BEST Outdoor Kids Toys to Enhance Your Child’s Mind & Body
• How to Create an Outdoor Office Space

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The Pros and Cons of Homework

Updated: June 19, 2024

Published: January 23, 2020

Homework is a word that most students dread hearing. After hours upon hours of sitting in class , the last thing we want is more schoolwork over our precious weekends. While it’s known to be a staple of traditional schooling, homework has also become a rather divise topic. Some feel as though homework is a necessary part of school, while others believe that the time could be better invested. Should students have homework? Have a closer look into the arguments on both sides to decide for yourself.

Photo by  energepic.com  from  Pexels

Why should students have homework.

Homework has been a long-standing part of the education system. It helps reinforce what students learn in the classroom, encourages good study habits, and promotes a deeper understanding of subjects. Studies have shown that homework can improve students’ grades and skills. Here are some reasons why homework is important:

1. Homework Encourages Practice

Many people believe that one of the positive effects of homework is that it encourages the discipline of practice. While it may be time consuming and boring compared to other activities, repetition is needed to get better at skills. Homework helps make concepts more clear, and gives students more opportunities when starting their career .

2. Homework Gets Parents Involved

Homework can be something that gets parents involved in their children’s lives if the environment is a healthy one. A parent helping their child with homework makes them take part in their academic success, and allows for the parent to keep up with what the child is doing in school. It can also be a chance to connect together.

3. Homework Teaches Time Management

Homework is much more than just completing the assigned tasks. Homework can develop time management skills , forcing students to plan their time and make sure that all of their homework assignments are done on time. By learning to manage their time, students also practice their problem-solving skills and independent thinking. One of the positive effects of homework is that it forces decision making and compromises to be made.

4. Homework Opens A Bridge Of Communication

Homework creates a connection between the student, the teacher, the school, and the parents. It allows everyone to get to know each other better, and parents can see where their children are struggling. In the same sense, parents can also see where their children are excelling. Homework in turn can allow for a better, more targeted educational plan for the student.

5. Homework Allows For More Learning Time

Homework allows for more time to complete the learning process. School hours are not always enough time for students to really understand core concepts, and homework can counter the effects of time shortages, benefiting students in the long run, even if they can’t see it in the moment.

6. Homework Reduces Screen Time

Many students in North America spend far too many hours watching TV. If they weren’t in school, these numbers would likely increase even more. Although homework is usually undesired, it encourages better study habits and discourages spending time in front of the TV. Homework can be seen as another extracurricular activity, and many families already invest a lot of time and money in different clubs and lessons to fill up their children’s extra time. Just like extracurricular activities, homework can be fit into one’s schedule.

The Other Side: Why Homework Is Bad

While homework has its benefits, there are also many arguments against it. Some believe that homework can cause increased stress, limit time for extracurricular activities, and reduce family time. Studies and expert opinions highlight the drawbacks of too much homework, showing how it can negatively affect students’ well-being and academic experience. Here are some reasons why homework might be bad:

1. Homework Encourages A Sedentary Lifestyle

Should students have homework? Well, that depends on where you stand. There are arguments both for the advantages and the disadvantages of homework.

While classroom time is important, playground time is just as important. If children are given too much homework, they won’t have enough playtime, which can impact their social development and learning. Studies have found that those who get more play get better grades in school , as it can help them pay closer attention in the classroom.

Children are already sitting long hours in the classroom, and homework assignments only add to these hours. Sedentary lifestyles can be dangerous and can cause health problems such as obesity. Homework takes away from time that could be spent investing in physical activity.

2. Homework Isn’t Healthy In Every Home

While many people that think homes are a beneficial environment for children to learn, not all homes provide a healthy environment, and there may be very little investment from parents. Some parents do not provide any kind of support or homework help, and even if they would like to, due to personal barriers, they sometimes cannot. Homework can create friction between children and their parents, which is one of the reasons why homework is bad.

3. Homework Adds To An Already Full-Time Job

School is already a full-time job for students, as they generally spend over 6 hours each day in class. Students also often have extracurricular activities such as sports, music, or art that are just as important as their traditional courses. Adding on extra hours to all of these demands is a lot for children to manage, and prevents students from having extra time to themselves for a variety of creative endeavors. Homework prevents self discovery and having the time to learn new skills outside of the school system. This is one of the main disadvantages of homework.

4. Homework Has Not Been Proven To Provide Results

Endless surveys have found that homework creates a negative attitude towards school, and homework has not been found to be linked to a higher level of academic success.

The positive effects of homework have not been backed up enough. While homework may help some students improve in specific subjects, if they have outside help there is no real proof that homework makes for improvements.

It can be a challenge to really enforce the completion of homework, and students can still get decent grades without doing their homework. Extra school time does not necessarily mean better grades — quality must always come before quantity.

Accurate practice when it comes to homework simply isn’t reliable. Homework could even cause opposite effects if misunderstood, especially since the reliance is placed on the student and their parents — one of the major reasons as to why homework is bad. Many students would rather cheat in class to avoid doing their homework at home, and children often just copy off of each other or from what they read on the internet.

5. Homework Assignments Are Overdone

The general agreement is that students should not be given more than 10 minutes a day per grade level. What this means is that a first grader should be given a maximum of 10 minutes of homework, while a second grader receives 20 minutes, etc. Many students are given a lot more homework than the recommended amount, however.

On average, college students spend as much as 3 hours per night on homework . By giving too much homework, it can increase stress levels and lead to burn out. This in turn provides an opposite effect when it comes to academic success.

The pros and cons of homework are both valid, and it seems as though the question of ‘‘should students have homework?’ is not a simple, straightforward one. Parents and teachers often are found to be clashing heads, while the student is left in the middle without much say.

It’s important to understand all the advantages and disadvantages of homework, taking both perspectives into conversation to find a common ground. At the end of the day, everyone’s goal is the success of the student.

FAQ Section

What are the benefits of assigning homework to students.

Homework reinforces what students learn in the classroom, helps develop good study habits, and promotes a deeper understanding of subjects. It also encourages practice, improves time management skills, and encourages parents to participate in their children’s education.

How much homework is too much for students?

Generally, it is recommended that students receive no more than 10 minutes of homework per grade level per day. For example, a first grader should have no more than 10 minutes of homework, while a fifth grader should have no more than 50 minutes.

What are the potential drawbacks of excessive homework assignments?

Excessive homework can lead to increased stress, a sedentary lifestyle, lack of free time for extracurricular activities, and diminished family time. It can also create a negative attitude towards school and learning.

How does homework impact students’ stress levels and well-being?

Too much homework can significantly increase stress levels and negatively affect students’ well-being. It can lead to anxiety, burnout, and reduced time for physical activity and relaxation.

Does homework promote independent thinking and problem-solving skills?

Yes, homework can promote independent thinking and problem-solving skills by encouraging students to tackle assignments on their own, manage their time effectively, and find solutions to problems without immediate assistance from teachers.

Are there any long-term effects of excessive homework on students?

Excessive homework over long periods can lead to chronic stress, burnout, and a negative attitude towards education. It can also hinder the development of social skills and reduce opportunities for self-discovery and creative pursuits.

How can technology enhance or supplement traditional homework practices?

Technology can provide interactive and engaging ways to complete homework, such as educational apps, online resources, and virtual collaboration tools. It can also offer personalized learning experiences and immediate feedback.

Are there any innovative approaches to homework that schools are adopting?

Some schools are adopting innovative approaches like flipped classrooms, where students watch lectures at home and do hands-on classroom activities. Project-based learning and personalized assignments tailored to individual student needs are also becoming more popular.

How do educators balance the workload with diverse student needs?

Educators can balance the workload by differentiating assignments, considering the individual needs and abilities of students, and providing flexible deadlines. Communication with students and parents helps to ensure that homework is manageable and effective for everyone.

In this article

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

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Family vows during funeral to push for charges after Black man pinned to ground outside hotel

The Rev. Al Sharpton delivered a eulogy for a Black man who died after being pinned to the ground by security guards at a Milwaukee hotel. Sharpton’s visit to Milwaukee comes just days before the Republican National Convention begins there. (AP Video: Melissa Winder)

DeAsia Harmon speaks at the funeral for her husband D’Vontaye Mitchell Thursday, July 11, 2024, in Milwaukee. Mitchell died June 30 after an incident at a hotel. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

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Rev. Al Sharpton speaks at the funeral for D’Vontaye Mitchell Thursday, July 11, 2024, in Milwaukee. Mitchell died June 30. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Rev. Al Sharpton hugs DeAsia Harmon at the funeral for her husband D’Vontaye Mitchell Thursday, July 11, 2024, in Milwaukee. Mitchell died June 30. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

This undated photo provided by Samantha Mitchell shows D’Vontaye Mitchell, left, with his sister Nayish Mitchell and cousin Samantha Mitchell. D’Vontaye Mitchell died on Sunday, June 30, 2024, after being pinned to the ground by hotel security guards in Milwaukee, prompting investigations by police and the Milwaukee County district attorney’s office. (Samantha Mitchell via AP)

Rev. Al Sharpton pauses at the funeral for D’Vontaye Mitchell Thursday, July 11, 2024, in Milwaukee. A medical examiner has determined homicide as the preliminary cause of death. Mitchell died June 30 after an incident at a hotel. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Rev. Al Sharpton, right, hugs attorney Ben Crump at the funeral for D’Vontaye Mitchell Thursday, July 11, 2024, in Milwaukee. Mitchell died June 30. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Attorney Ben Crump speaks at the funeral for D’Vontaye Mitchell Thursday, July 11, 2024, in Milwaukee. Mitchell died June 30. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

With chants of “Justice for D’Vontaye,” family and friends gathered Thursday for the funeral of a Black man who died after being pinned to the ground by security guards outside a Milwaukee hotel.

And while remembering D’Vontaye Mitchell as a son, husband and brother, they vowed to push for charges against those responsible for his death.

“We’re going to fight. We’re not going to give up,” his mother, Brenda Giles, said at Milwaukee’s Holy Redeemer Institutional Church of God in Christ.

Mitchell, 43, was held down on his stomach June 30 outside the hotel. Police have said he entered the hotel, caused a disturbance and fought with the guards as they were escorting him out.

A medical examiner has said the preliminary cause of death was homicide, but the cause remains under investigation. No one has been criminally charged, so far.

Aimbridge Hospitality, the company that manages the hotel has said several employees involved in Mitchell’s death have been fired.

“The conduct we saw from several associates on June 30 violated our policies and procedures, and does not reflect our values as an organization or the behaviors we expect from our associates,” a spokesperson for Aimbridge Hospitality said in an email. “Following review of their actions, their employment has been terminated. We will continue our independent investigation and do everything we can to support law enforcement with their investigation into this tragic incident.”

The spokesperson did not say how many employees had been fired or what their positions were.

But the Rev. Al Sharpton, the civil rights leader who delivered the eulogy Thursday, said being fired is “not enough.”

“You should not lose just your job when D’Vontaye lost his life,” he said. “What they did was a crime and criminals need to be prosecuted. And criminals need to face the penalty of their action.”

“This wasn’t a mistake at the job,” Sharpton continued. “This was taking somebody’s life, and there is no justice until you pay for the life you’ve taken. We’re not asking for an apology. We’re asking for justice.”

The Milwaukee County District Attorney’s office said Wednesday that it and police investigators were awaiting full autopsy results and that the case was being reviewed as a homicide.

Family members of Mitchell and their lawyers reviewed hotel surveillance video provided Wednesday by the district attorney’s office and described seeing Mitchell being chased inside the hotel by security guards and then dragged outside where he was beaten.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is part of a team of lawyers representing Mitchell’s family, has said video recorded by a bystander and circulating on social media shows security guards with their knees on Mitchell’s back and neck.

He said Wednesday that they have a signed affidavit from a hotel employee who said a security guard was striking Mitchell with a baton and that Mitchell posed no threat when he was on the ground. The worker said a security guard ordered him and a bellman to help hold Mitchell down, Crump said.

Sharpton, a longtime activist and leader who serves on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, asked if a white person would have been treated the same.

“White folks don’t get in disturbances in Milwaukee?” Sharpton said during the funeral. “Do y’all throw white folks to the ground and put your knee on their neck? The sentence for disturbance is death?”

“The only difference between D’Vontaye and any of us is they didn’t grab us, yet,” Sharpton said. “This man did nothing for what he got.”

It is unclear why Mitchell was at the hotel or what happened before the guards pinned him down.

DeAsia Harmon, Mitchell’s widow, described what she saw on the surveillance videos as “disgusting.” Harmon said video showed a bleeding Mitchell being dragged outside the hotel.

“It makes me sick to my stomach,” Harmon said during a news conference Wednesday. “He ran for his life. He was trying to leave. He said ‘I’ll go,’ and they didn’t let him go.”

Sharpton compared Mitchell’s death to the death of George Floyd, a Black man slain in May 2020 by a white police officer in Minneapolis. Floyd’s death spurred worldwide protests against racial violence and police brutality.

Then-Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin was videotaped with his knee on Floyd’s neck . Chauvin later was convicted of Floyd’s murder.

“I thought ya’ll learned that you can’t put your knee on our necks,” said Sharpton, who is Black. “But if we have to go from Minneapolis to Milwaukee, you’re going to learn to keep your knees off of our necks.”

Mitchell’s death comes as Milwaukee is preparing for Monday’s start of the Republican National Convention and amid heightened security concerns around political protests.

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ADHD Child Refuses to Do Schoolwork: Top Tips to Help | Beyond Booksmart

By Sean Potts and Jackie Hebert

Let’s be honest… No student loves homework - and for good reason. When we consider the full school day, extracurriculars, and various social components that are all part of a typical school week, it’s no wonder why students want to relax and recharge when they finally get home. However, part of growing up is learning to roll up our sleeves and do those essential things we might not want to do - and for students, this means working through that algebra worksheet or history reading despite being drained from the 10+ hour day they just had. 

In this blog, we’re going to explore homework refusal and what you can do as a parent to nudge your student toward a healthier relationship with their homework. We’ll organize this exploration through four key questions: 

• What is homework refusal? 
• What causes homework refusal?
• How do you overcome homework refusal? 
• What outside support is there for homework refusal? 

Let’s dive right in.

1. What is homework refusal?

Homework refusal is when a student develops a strong avoidance of homework to the point of regularly refusing to complete their school work. A typical student who struggles with homework refusal may procrastinate to start their assignments, freeze up when they sit down to work, struggle to resist distractions after school, and release outbursts of anger or frustration when confronted about homework. 

Over time, these issues often devolve into worsening grades, frequent conflicts at home, and increased stress levels for caregivers and students. As a result, the parent-child relationship can become strained due to nightly battles over homework that make time at home increasingly unpleasant for the whole family. So now that we understand what homework refusal is, how does it develop in the first place? 

2. What causes homework refusal?

Homework refusal is a pattern of avoidance that’s developed to cope with the stress of completing homework. Understanding the core cause of homework refusal starts with identifying what exactly about homework is so stressful for your child. We’ll explore a few common reasons for this stress so you can identify which is most relevant to your situation. It’s also important to remember that attributing homework refusal solely to inherent character flaws (like laziness or apathy) is almost always counterproductive. Homework refusal can develop around the same age that other latent challenges around learning or mental health do. In other words, what may seem like laziness at the surface may simply be the tip of a much deeper iceberg with a core problem that exists outside of your student’s control. Let’s explore some of those potential underlying causes. (Note: It’s possible that more than one of these causes is relevant to your student - many can and do coexist.) 

Learning Differences & Disorders

If homework feels overwhelming for your student, it’s possible they might be struggling with a learning or neurological difference or disorder that makes completing homework harder than it is for their unaffected peers. These are the most common:

ADHD & Homework Refusal

One of the most common ones to consider is Attentive-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), which generally makes it harder to do difficult or boring tasks because of differences in the ADHD brain’s reward circuit. As a result, those with ADHD struggle with self-management abilities like task initiation , organization, planning & prioritizing, and emotional regulation. You can learn more about ADHD specifically here. 

Dyslexia & Autism Spectrum Disorder Impact and Schoolwork Struggles 

Two other common learning differences to consider include dyslexia, which involves difficulty reading due to problems identifying speech sounds and learning how they relate to letters, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD is a developmental disorder that impairs the ability to communicate and interact with the world. If you suspect that any of these examples could be relevant to your child, then we encourage you to have them evaluated by a neuropsychologist or other qualified clinician. Identifying the core struggle is a critical step in conquering the issues surrounding homework. Most importantly, remember that a learning difference can make work feel impossible and overwhelming, so the more parents can do to reduce that stress around homework, the more likely they'll be able to actually help their student - which leads perfectly into our next cause...

Micromanaging

When students refuse to do homework, caregivers find themselves with a difficult choice - either directly intervene to make sure homework is completed or disengage and let them suffer the academic consequences that come with missing homework assignments. Both options are unappealing, yet it can be easy to rationalize direct involvement as the best course of action. After all, you want your kid to succeed, right? If you see that a child has trouble staying motivated, organized, and on top of things, shouldn’t caregivers be willing to do whatever it takes to help them overcome that?

Not necessarily! This approach has two big problems: first, it keeps our kids dependent on us instead of helping them learn to do things for themselves. Second, in the context of homework refusal, you have to remember that a student’s avoidance is often a coping mechanism to avoid the stress of homework. When parents start micromanaging homework time by nagging them to start, hovering over them while they work, checking for completion, and enforcing their attention on the task at hand, it's actually making homework more stressful for them. As a result, our noble intention can suddenly have unforeseen consequences. If you’ve found your direct involvement with your child’s work has resulted in more conflict, more stress around school work, and continued avoidance of homework, then the evidence indicates that that approach is likely making the problem worse. Luckily, there are other options parents can do to support this issue that we’ll be covering later on in this article. 

Anxiety 

Although homework can feel stressful (even for the most successful students), it needn’t be at a debilitating level. If your student has developed high emotional responses to homework that involve crying, shaking, hyperventilating, or tantrums surrounding homework, then anxiety may be the core issue at play. If anxiety is the core issue fueling homework refusal , then micromanaging will likely make it worse. Instead, it's important to seek out mental health support for the anxiety specifically and work through the underlying beliefs around homework that are reinforcing your student’s avoidance. 

Perfectionism 

Some students set unrealistically high expectations for themselves and their work, which can make it overwhelming to finish or even get started in the first place. This phenomenon is called perfectionism , and it’s often misunderstood as only applying to the highest performing students. In reality, perfectionism does not mean your work is actually perfect. In fact, that initial expectation can significantly decrease the quality of work as students may feel they can’t reach the ideal they’ve set for themselves and decide there’s no point in trying at all. Breaking down this core belief is central to overcoming the larger issue of homework refusal and can be done with the support of a coach or mental health professional. 

Untreated Executive Dysfunction

Executive Function skills enable us to plan, focus attention, remember instructions, get started on work, and manage multiple tasks. When an individual struggles with these types of tasks on a regular basis, they're experiencing Executive Dysfunction - a catch-all term for the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral difficulties that impact one's ability to succeed in their academic, professional, and personal lives. These include issues with time management, organization, task initiation, emotional regulation, planning & prioritizing, and impulse control. Up to 90% of those with ADHD struggle with Executive Dysfunction, which impairs goal-directed behavior such as completing homework. However, you don’t need to have a diagnosis of ADHD to struggle with these skills. Many other issues, including the ones we covered so far, can cause issues in those areas. Regardless of the cause, strengthening Executive Function skills can make homework much more manageable. 

Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is a type of behavior disorder defined by children being uncooperative, defiant, and hostile toward peers, parents, teachers, and other authority figures. If the issue of refusal extends beyond homework, this may be a core cause to consider. Seek out a clinician who specializes in this issue, as it’s not an easy one to navigate alone as a parent. Treatment for ODD often includes psychotherapy, parent training, and could involve medication to treat underlying conditions such as depression, anxiety, or ADHD, as well.

3. How do you overcome homework refusal?

Now that we’ve covered the most common causes of homework refusal, let’s explore some of the most practical solutions available to overcome it.

If your ADHD child refuses to do schoolwork or has trouble finding motivation, simple methods like dividing homework into smaller tasks, rewarding little achievements, scheduling breaks, and modeling behavior can make a big difference in their motivation to complete assignments. It can also prove helpful to seek outside help from professionals like therapists, coaches and counselors.

We’ll break these solutions up into three categories: parenting strategies, Executive Function strategies, and seeking outside support. Let’s start with parenting solutions first.

5 Parenting Solutions for Homework Refusal

1. reconsider what your parenting role could look like .

As we explored earlier, there are a number of reasons why caregivers ideally shouldn’t be deeply involved in their student’s daily homework routine if that student is working through homework refusal. So that leaves an important question: what might the most useful caregiver role be? 

Answering this question starts with talking to your student about what they think is a fair level of involvement with their homework. Is it simply checking in to make sure they know what needs to get done or are they okay with a more involved role that includes setting the environment up for success? The answer will depend on the student, but the important thing is to involve your student in the conversation. If you can speak to them at their level and involve them in the process of establishing your role, you’re already showing them that you’re their ally - not their enemy. Over time, you can evaluate that role in action night-to-night and see how it impacts their ability to get homework done. If something isn’t working or needs to change, return to the initial conversation to come up with a new plan to experiment with. If this doesn’t work or the refusal is still extreme, then you’ll know it’s time to look for outside support, which we’ll cover near the end of this article. 

2. Set Clear Homework Expectations (and get your child’s buy-in!)

On the opposite end of micromanaging, there’s also the potential for enabling bad habits. This is why it’s important to set clear expectations around homework but also involve your child in creating those expectations. Talk through what seems reasonable and what happens if work isn’t done - and make it clear that you simply want them to succeed. Also, understand that each kid is different regarding how they feel about and approach their school work. Some may find English to be easy but have no patience at all for algebra, some may love math but get frustrated even just thinking about writing an essay. Whatever the case may be for your child, it’s important to know your child’s strengths and challenges, and what conditions allow them to learn best. This includes considering the frequency of breaks while working, how they can transition into work time, what environment allows them to be most productive, and which assignments give them the most trouble. After a month or two, you should have a clearer indication of what’s working, what’s not, and whether your child needs additional support beyond what you can provide.  

3. Celebrate Small Wins 

Completing all their homework may look like a typical night for some students, but for a student with homework refusal, it’s a big deal to even take out their materials to get started - or to have a conversation about what needs to be done. Celebrating these types of small wins with rewards or encouragement can be a great way to motivate students by reminding them that homework time doesn’t have to be such an excruciating experience. Small wins can include trying out a new tool or strategy, sitting down to focus for a given time, or starting homework without a fight. Whatever the wins might be, be sure to acknowledge them so your student knows you see the changes they're making, no matter how small. It reminds them that progress happens often a little bit at a time and even those small increments can feel really great when you shine a light on them.

4. Model What You’d Like to See 

If your child gets upset at the idea of homework, then simply staying calm through their emotional outbursts and demonstrating a solution-oriented attitude can go a long way. When kids see that their caregivers are calm, collected, and ready to find solutions, it can lay the groundwork to help them regulate themselves and mirror that calmer approach. At the very least, this technique helps caregivers be mindful of keeping their own emotions on a even keel during a challenging interaction with their child.

5. Connect with Your Child’s Teacher

As you’re working through these changes, work on building a good relationship with your child’s teacher and involve them in the process of change. Start off at the beginning of the school year by sharing your goals and worries with them, and stay in touch as the year progresses to share what you’ve been working on at home and where they can help in the classroom. Your relationship with your child’s teachers will pay off during the good times, but even more so during the challenging ones. 

6 Executive Function Strategies for Homework Refusal

Executive Function strategies are helpful for all students regardless of whether they’re a child with ADHD that refuses to do school work or any other core reason for refusing homework. We know they’re effective because our coaches use them in video sessions with the students they work with and they’ve seen how transformative they can be for all areas of a student's life, including homework. One reason that they’re so effective is that they rely on the belief that when there’s a way there’s a will . In other words, when students know how to get their homework done (the way), they’ll be more motivated to actually do it in the first place (the will). Hopefully, these strategies will help pave that road for your student’s own transformation, too.  

5-Minute Goals

Sometimes big tasks are just too overwhelming to even start. To reduce the burden and motivate students out of inaction, have them choose the first assignment to do and spend just 5 minutes on a timer seeing what they can get done.

When we’re given permission to stop after 5 minutes of work, starting may not seem so overwhelming. We’ve seen this tactic become a springboard to more extended periods of work simply due to the fact that it eliminates the fear of getting started. You may find that the 5 minutes lead your student into becoming immersed in the work at hand and continuing to work past that stopping point. If not, then try pairing this tactic with our next strategy…

Scheduled Breaks

Every homework assignment is its own task to conquer and may deserve its own scheduled break, too. Maintaining constant focus over a few hours and many assignments is challenging, even for adults. After a while, your student may lose steam and not want to do more. This is where structured breaks come in. When your student makes substantial progress or finishes one assignment, encourage them to take a timed 5 or 10-minute break to transition to their next assignment. Scheduling this into the homework session can make the burden seem less overwhelming overall and the individual assignments easier to start, knowing that there will be breaks in between. This strategy works best when the student has a say in how long the break should be relative to the assignment and what the break should consist of. Activities like listening to a favorite song, shooting a dozen freethrows, or grabbing a healthy snack can recharge a student without deraling their progress entirely

Cognitive Pairing

Homework time doesn’t always have to be just doom and gloom. One effective way to make homework time less scary is by pairing work with something fun and rewarding. This could be a pet curled up by your child’s side, their favorite treat waiting for them before they start, or a playlist of music they can enjoy listening to while they work (instrumental tends to be best!) Whatever it might be, pairing homework time with something they enjoy can greatly reduce the urge to avoid whatever assignment needs to get done.

Body doubling

One of the most challenging parts of starting homework is simply the feeling of having to tackle it alone. The chances that your student has a friend or someone from their class they can do homework with is likely high - so why not buddy up with them to get work done? This technique is also called body doubling and can be done with a friend, sibling, or even a caregiver who also needs to get work done, too. On top of making homework time less intimidating, it also can put kids on their best behavior if they’re with a friend that they’re not comfortable melting down in front of. This can be a great way for them to learn firsthand that homework doesn’t have to feel like such an unbearable burden.

The Pomodoro Technique 

The Pomodoro Technique is a method of working in pre-determined chunks of time. It’s essentially a combination of short, productive intervals (like 5-minute goals) and short breaks. For example, your student could work for 25 minutes, take a 5-minute break, and then go back to work. Coach and podcast host, Hannah Choi, encourages her clients to pay attention to diminishing returns when using the Pomodoro Technique. In this context, diminishing returns means that the effort being put in doesn’t necessarily yield the same results as it did when first starting the activity. Finding out when your student is most productive can be an effective bit of insight to have when deciding the sequence of the work they have to do. There are a number of apps that have Pomodoro Timers that can be used to set the working and break periods ahead of time ( like this one ).

Soften the blow

Transitioning from something fun or relaxing to a dreaded non-preferred task like homework is often going to pose a challenge. "Softening the blow" is one way to ease into these types of tasks or responsibilities. Some examples of this could be eating a snack, calling a friend, or even just stepping outside for a quick walk before sitting down to start homework. These all can work well as structured transitions. Best of all? In addition to reducing homework refusal, this approach also builds cognitive flexibility and task initiation - two critical Executive Function skills. 

4. What Outside Support Can Help with Homework Refusal? 

If you’ve read through all this and at any point said to yourself “this is too much for me to do alone,” then it might be worth looking for outside support. For homework refusal, one of these three options might be the best choice, depending on your student’s core challenge area. 

Executive Function Coaching

Executive Function coaches work on strengthening the core self-management skills of time management, task initiation, organization, emotional regulation, and planning & prioritizing. Since challenges in these areas can make homework much more difficult to approach (let alone finish), working with a coach 1:1 to apply strategies in their week to strengthen these key areas can prove to be the missing ingredient for overcoming homework refusal. Best of all, coaches provide a different perspective from a parent or teacher and can be viewed as an ally in a student's journey rather than another person telling them what they need to do. You can learn about our approach to Executive Function coaching here. 

Behavioral Therapy 

If your child has more involved core issues such as anxiety, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, or other  neuropsychological profiles, it’s worth researching occupational or behavioral therapists near you who specialize in those particular areas. Once those support links are in place, parents, coaches, and tutors all have a much higher likelihood of success at empowering kids to overcome their homework refusal.

Tutoring 

If every Executive Function and behavioral factor are accounted for and homework is still a battle, then a tutor in the subject area your student is struggling in may be the best support option. A good tutor can fill in gaps that are holding a student back in a particular subject and give them a new teaching perspective to make the information really stick. 

The Takeaway

Your student's homework refusal can feel like an exhausting problem with no solutions, but there are a number of approaches you can use to improve the situation at home. A good combination of understanding why your child is refusing homework, what role your parenting plays in the equation, and what strategies and supports you can lean on all provide the foundation your student needs for a lasting transformation. Above all, know that change is possible!

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

About the Author

Sean potts and jackie hebert.

Sean Potts is the Marketing Specialist at Beyond BookSmart and a recent graduate of Ithaca College’s Integrated Marketing Communications program. As a former coaching client and intern at BBS, Sean has spent the better part of the last ten years witnessing firsthand the positive impact Beyond BookSmart's mission has on transforming students’ lives. Jackie Hebert is the Director of Marketing for Beyond BookSmart. Whether it's managing our websites, overseeing our social media content, authoring and editing blog articles, or hosting webinars, Jackie oversees all Marketing activities at Beyond BookSmart. Before joining Beyond BookSmart in 2010, Jackie was a Speech-Language Pathologist at Needham High School. She earned her Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Boston University, and her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

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Home > online presence > Places To Go When Home Distractions Keep You From Studying

Places To Go When Home Distractions Keep You From Studying

If the home life is full of distractions, whether they’re interruptions from siblings, roommates, or parents or your own desire to reach for the remote, you may need to just head out the door.

Libraries. The go-to place for most students is the campus or local public library, where they can be assured of the quiet because, well, they’re libraries. A look through the stacks also might lead you to informational treasures that can kick your work up a notch.

Recommended quiet spots. Many colleges will provide a list of quiet places on campus that are ideal for studying. Do a Google search on your own school or ask other students for their top choices.

Coffee houses. The need to cram for a test or push through a paper often leads students to this staple of study time for a boost of caffeine. More background noise than the library, but for some people, a coffee shop provides a nice alternative to the noise of a television or radio.

A friend’s house or apartment. Sometimes, it’s just about getting away. If a friend is known to be quiet or will be away from home, this might provide a place that has the comforts of home without all the distractions.

Local parks. When the weather is nice, a park can be a great place to write a paper or complete homework, especially when all the research already has been completed. Just plant yourself on a bench or bring a blanket and spread out.

Museums. Like libraries, these can be relatively quiet places. Plant yourself on a bench in front of your favorite painting or sculpture for inspiration or find a spot in the coffee shop or restaurant.

Cabin or inn. If you can, renting a cabin at a state park with its spare furniture and ready access to nature may be just the thing you need to get that paper written. Depending on the time of year and location, a cabin may be had for less than $50 per night.

These places may offer good environments for working – but keep your Internet needs in mind because not all places may provide WiFi.

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25 things to do in Greater Cleveland this weekend and beyond from live music to cultural festivals

• Updated: Jul. 12, 2024, 1:07 p.m.
• | Published: Jul. 10, 2024, 2:50 p.m.

Alanis Morissette, Walkabout Tremont, the Asian Lantern Festival and 21 other things to do in Greater Cleveland this week. Astrida Valigorsky/Getty Images; Tim Harrison, special to The Plain Dealer; David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

• Alex Darus, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Northeast Ohio is never lacking in fun events and entertainment in the middle of summer, and 2024 is proving to be no different.

Greater Cleveland is in the middle of the best season for outdoor concerts, street festivals and other warm-weather activities, and the calendar proves it. Here are 25 things to do in Greater Cleveland this weekend and beyond, from sporting events to outdoor markets.

Kaulig Companies Championship rounds

The Kaulig Companies Championship kicks off at Akron Firestone’s South Course on Thursday. Every day through Sunday will feature a different round, with a trophy ceremony on the final day. Concerts are held at the course after play concludes during the first three days, with artists like Marc Lee Shannon, Kameron Marlowe and The Vindys with The Commonheart on the schedule. One-day tickets start at $30.

Gates open at 9 a.m. on July 11-12; 8:30 a.m. on July 13-14

Firestone Country Club, 452 East Warner Road, Akron

kauligchampionship.com

Norah Jones with Mavis Staples

Nine-time Grammy winner Norah Jones is touring her ninth studio album “Visions” this summer. She’ll perform in Cleveland with soul legend Mavis Staples, one of her many past duet partners and influences. Tickets start at $78.25.

8 p.m. July 11

Blossom Music Center, 1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls

concerts.livenation.com

Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody

The Cleveland Orchestra will perform Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody as part of its Summers at Severance program. The show will feature pianist Inon Barnatan’s debut at Severance Hall, with Oksana Lyniv as conductor. Tickets start at $19.

7 p.m. July 11

Mandel Concert Hall at Severance Music Center, 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland

clevelandorchestra.com/

Stories by Alex Darus

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Slightly Stoopid and Dirty Heads: Slightly Dirty Summer Tour

The eclectic SoCal septet, which describes itself as “a fusion of folk, rock, reggae, and blues with hip-hop, funk, metal, and punk,” teams up with the reggae/ska and fellow SoCal band Dirty Heads for a hip-swiveling evening of horn-heavy grooves. Common Kings and the Elovaters open. Tickets start at $60.

6 p.m. July 11

Jacobs Pavilion, 2014 Sycamore St., Cleveland

jacobspavilion.com/

RELATED : Every concert coming to Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica in 2024: How to get tickets

Lake County Captains vs. Lansing Lugnuts

The Lake County Captains have four games in a row at home against the Lansing Lugnuts. Promotions for these games include fireworks, Dawgs Day, Halloween in July, ‘Merica Night and more. Tickets start at $10.

7 p.m. July 11-13; 1 p.m., July 14

Classic Auto Group Park, 35300 Vine St., Eastlake

milb.com/lake-county

Luke Bryan: Mind of a Country Boy Tour 2024

Bryan, an “American Idol” judge and five-time Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year, is stopping by Northeast Ohio. Dillion Carmichael, Alana Springsteen Larry Fleet and DJ Rock will open. Tickets start at $89.25.

7 p.m. July 12

Be Our Guest: The Disney DJ Night

House of Blues Cleveland is hosting Be Our Guest – a Disney-themed DJ night for adults. The 18-and-older event will be in the Cambridge Room and feature a medley of nostalgic tracks from Disney movies, TV shows and beyond. Tickets start at $20.

House of Blues, 308 Euclid Ave., Cleveland

houseofblues.com/cleveland

Walkabout Tremont

It’s the second Friday of every month, meaning it’s time for another Walkabout Tremont. The event highlights the walkability of Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood with its many restaurants, shops, art galleries and beyond. Pop-up vendors, food and drink specials, live music and more is in store for the celebration, with July’s theme being “American Classics.”

5 p.m. July 12

experiencetremont.com/featured-events/walkabout-tremont/

2024 Pan-American Masters Games

The International Masters Games Association is hosting the 2024 Pan-American Masters Games in Cleveland. Thousands of athletes of all ages will travel to town from around the globe to participate in more than two dozen sports. The full schedule is available online.

Several venues across Greater Cleveland

clevelandmasters2024.com/

Brad Williams with special guest J.B. Ball

Brad Williams will bring his hilarious stand-up comedy to Northeast Ohio. Williams is known for several TV appearances, including his stand-up specials like “Fun Size” and “The Degenerates.” Tickets start at $30.

Goodyear Theater, 1201 E. Market St., Akron

goodyeartheater.com/

Summerfest at Hofbrauhaus Cleveland

Hofbrauhaus Cleveland is hosting four parties all year long to celebrate its 10th anniversary, with Summerfest set for this weekend. Live music, games and $10 liters are a few of the specials in store for the celebration.

Hofbrauhaus Cleveland, 1550 Chester Ave., Cleveland

hofbrauhauscleveland.com/

Lake Erie Crushers vs. Evansville Otters

The Lake Erie Crushers will take on the Evansville Otters in three back-to-back games at home. Promotions during the trio of weekend games include two fireworks shows, Barbie Day and Women in Sports Night. Tickets start at $11.

7:05 p.m. July 12-13; 2:05 p.m. July 14

Crushers Stadium, 2009 Baseball Blvd., Avon

lakeeriecrushers.com/

FarmFest returns this weekend to celebrate the 34th anniversary of the Lake Metroparks Farmpark. Animal encounters, wagon rides, educational activities, pony rides and more will be available during the all-day event. Free admission.

9 a.m. July 13

Lake Metroparks Farmpark, 8800 Euclid Chardon Road, Kirtland

lakemetroparks.com/events-activities/events/farmfest

Apparatus Day at Western Reserve Fire Museum and Education Center

Fire-truck fans will have to stop by the Western Reserve Fire Museum for Apparatus Day. Many restored and original trucks will be on display in the museum’s plaza alongside food vendors, kids’ activities and museum tours.

10 a.m. July 13

The Western Reserve Fire Museum and Education Center, 310 Carnegie Ave., Cleveland

Twist Social Club 25h Anniversary

Twist Social Club, a beloved LGBTQ+ bar and nightclub on Cleveland’s West Side, is celebrating its 25th anniversary. As part of the party, Twist will be hosting a drag showdown with performers Malibu Peruu, Betty Aboddum, Anhedonia Delight and Erica Martinez. No cover charge.

8 p.m. July 13.

Twist Social Club, 11633 Clifton Blvd., Cleveland

twistsocialclub.com/

Summer Nights City Market

City Goods hosts its City Market on the second Saturday of each month during the warm-weather season. In July, City Goods opts to host a night market. The event will feature a variety of items to peruse from local vendors alongside food, drinks and live music.

4 p.m. July 13

City Goods, 1442 W. 28th St., Cleveland

citygoodscle.com/

St. Vladimir Cathedral Ukrainian Festival

St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Parma is hosting its annual Ukrainian Festival. Ukrainian food, art, live music and more will take over Parma’s Ukrainian village for the all-day event. Admissions is free.

Noon July 13

St. Vladimir Cathedral, 5913 State Road, Parma

stvladimirs.org/

Great Lakes Medieval Faire and Marketplace

‘Tis the season for the Great Lakes Medieval Faire and Marketplace. The festivities, entertainment, performances, themed weekends and more are every Saturday and Sunday this summer. Tickets start at $25.

11 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Aug. 11

3033 Ohio 534, Rock Creek

medievalfaire.com/

Cleveland Fashion Gala 2024

The 2024 Cleveland Fashion Gala is a joint-charity fashion show raising money for the Sweetest Day Foundation and David Njoku’s God Is Excellent Foundation. This year’s theme is “The New Roaring Twenties of Fashion” and will feature a variety of celebrity collaborators.

5:30 p.m. July 14

Cleveland City Hall Rotunda, 601 Lakeside Ave. E., Cleveland

clevelandfashiongala.com/

Train & REO Speedwagon – Summer Road Trip 2024

Pop hitmakers Train team up with REO Speedwagon, one of their classic pop-rock progenitors, giving fans a night of hits. Tickets start at $48.65 for Monday’s performance.

6 p.m. July 15

Chicago and Earth, Wind & Fire: Heart & Soul Tour 2024

A pair of Rock Hall inducted groups, Chicago (2016) and Earth, Wind & Fire (2000), team up for an evening filled with tunes that resemble the sound of middle and late 1970s radio. So many memorable horn charts on top of so many classic grooves should have the likely Boomer-heavy crowd dancing in their seats. Tickets start at $38.55.

7:30 p.m. July 16

RELATED : Biggest summer concert season at Blossom Music Center since the ‘80s: How to get tickets

“MJ,” the musical based on the making of Michael Jackson’s 1992 Dangerous World Tour, kicks off its stint in Cleveland next week. The show will be performed at the KeyBank State Theatre through August. Tickets start at $39.

7:30 p.m. July 16-17

KeyBank State Theatre, 1519 Euclid Ave., Cleveland

playhousesquare.org

Alanis Morissette: The Triple Moon Tour

Canadian alt-rock goddess Alanis Morissette returns to Blossom with 2015 Rock Hall inductee Joan Jett & The Blackhearts and up-and-coming Nashville singer-songwriter Morgan Wade opening. Tickets start at $25.55.

7 p.m. July 17

Asian Lantern Festival

The Asian Lantern Festival returns at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Attractions include a 50-foot-tall pagoda, walk-through tunnels and immersive themed areas, including Crystal World and the Blooming Gardens. Live acrobatic performances will be featured every hour, and culturally inspired food will be available. Advance tickets start at $24 ($21 for members).

Through Aug. 25

3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland

clevelandmetroparks.com

Related : Asian Lantern Festival returns to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Redd Kross & Dale Crover

Dale Crover, Melvins drummer, supports the legendary band in a show at Beachland Ballroom presented alongside Grog Shop. Tickets start at $25.

Beachland Ballroom, 15711 Waterloo Road, Cleveland

beachlandballroom.com/

Alex Darus writes about food, dining and drinking for Cleveland.com, check out her latest posts here . You can reach her with story ideas at [email protected] . Follow her on Instagram @alex_darus.

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What to know about Milwaukee police rules for handling mass demonstrations outside RNC

Thousands of police officers are expected to assist Milwaukee police with securing the Republican National Convention next week .

Will they have body cameras? Who is in charge of them? What should the public expect?

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has compiled these answers based on the department’s standard operating procedures, documents sent to partner agencies for the RNC including a five-page summary of the rules of engagement , city records and an interview with Milwaukee Police Inspector David Feldmeier.

Here’s what to know.

How many officers will be present during the 2024 RNC?

As many as 4,500 officers from outside law enforcement agencies may be assisting the Milwaukee Police Department, according to city records requesting bids to house and feed officers.

Which agencies are sending officers?

Officers are coming from across the country.

As of late June, 16 agencies from Wisconsin and 42 from outside the state had agreed to assist with the RNC. 

Do the outside officers have to follow Milwaukee police department rules?

The officers are required to follow the department’s standard operating procedures on use of force, crowd control and rules of engagement.

What roles will outside officers have?

“Our intent is to place them in positions where they're not necessarily forward facing,” Feldmeier, the police inspector, told the Journal Sentinel.

“We would like our officers, our MPD officers, to be the ones to have contact with the community,” he said.

He added that assisting agencies from Milwaukee County are the next preferred group to have interaction with the public.

Any assignments given to outside officers will include at least one Milwaukee police officer, according to the mutual aid agreement.

Are outside officers allowed to make arrests?

Yes, but it’s highly discouraged.

Officers from outside agencies are not to conduct stops or arrests except in “emergent circumstances” in which a Milwaukee officer is not available, according to the mutual aid agreement. 

If such a circumstance does arise, the arresting officer is to involve a Milwaukee officer as soon as possible.

What happens if an outside officer is accused of misconduct?

Any disciplinary matters that arise with an outside officer will be referred to the home agency. 

If the matter rises to the level of probable cause for a crime, it will be referred directly to MPD or an external law enforcement agency for investigation “with appropriate notice to Contractor,” according to the agreement.

What gear will outside officers have?

Outside officers are expected to bring their patrol uniform and service equipment, including duty gun and radio, according to the agreement.

Those outside officers are not allowed to bring or use any demo equipment provided at low or no cost by a supplier, the agreement says.

Will officers be in uniform?

“Everybody that we have that will be interacting with anyone from the public will be in a uniform, will have a badge,” Feldmeier said. “Some will have either a number or a name.”

Milwaukee policy prohibits officers from covering up their name or identification number.

Any visible changes to officers’ uniforms or equipment position is considered an escalation of force, according to the rules of engagement given to partner agencies.

Will all officers have body cameras?

Every Milwaukee police officer assigned to wear a body camera will be required to do so. The department has made plans to make sure the cameras are charged and footage downloaded during long shifts, Feldmeier said.

Officers from other jurisdictions will follow their home agency’s policies on body cameras. Some do not have body cameras . 

Feldmeier said he expects additional video footage from businesses, demonstrators and others.

“We're in downtown Milwaukee,” he said. “We have cameras everywhere."

Why isn’t Milwaukee requiring body cameras for all officers at the RNC?

Milwaukee officials have said the city does not have the funding to pay for body cameras for all visiting officers and the required training to use them. 

They also have said if they had limited recruitment to only agencies with body cameras, they may not be able to meet the number of officers needed for the event.

What is Milwaukee’s policy for releasing body camera footage?

Milwaukee's Fire and Police Commission suspended the policy requiring the release of body camera or other video footage within 15 days of a critical incident during the RNC.

The policy also has been paused while court proceedings play out after the Milwaukee Police Association, the union representing rank-and-file officers, sued over the policy.

In general, the Police Department has a goal of releasing body camera footage within 45 days of an incident.

What will private security firms be doing?

As many as 1,000 private security personnel may also accompany convention attendees to Milwaukee, according to city records.

They will not be engaging with crowds, said Feldmeier, the police inspector. He referred additional questions about private security to RNC planning committees.

Who is in charge?

There will be several different emergency operations centers during the RNC.

In general, federal authorities will be leading the response for security within the hard perimeter, which encompasses the main RNC venues downtown and requires credentials to enter, while local authorities will be responsible for law enforcement outside that area.

What is the Milwaukee Police Department’s approach for policing mass demonstrations at the RNC?

At news conferences, Police Chief Jeffrey Norman has said officers will show "patience" but will not tolerate violence or property destruction.

"We understand there's going to be challenges, but look at us and how we handle it," he said. "The expectation is we're a last resort."

“This is not going to be where we’re going to look for trouble or instigate, but we are ready to respond,” Norman added. “As long as we do it within the legal measures, the lawful measures, the rules of engagement, that is success.”

The department's rules of engagement outline a use-of-force continuum. Police are to start with presence and communication to try to de-escalate crowd situations, but can use pepper spray and other tools if the situation escalates.

What rules does the department have on using pepper spray during the RNC?

Officers are banned from using pepper spray on peaceful demonstrations.

The policy defines a peaceful demonstration as “a gathering of people expressing a position in a cooperative manner without violation of the law.”

Experts interviewed by the Journal Sentinel said the definition does not grapple with the main challenge of policing a large demonstration: how to effectively handle the few who are disruptive and violent amid a crowd of otherwise peaceful people without further escalating the situation.

READ MORE: How Milwaukee police plan to handle protests at the RNC — and what experts had to say about it

When can police use tear gas or less-lethal munition, such as rubber bullets?

The rules of engagement for the RNC indicate police can consider the use of stinger balls, tear gas and "direct impact munitions" such as rubber bullets if the crowd is throwing projectiles and visibly escalating its behavior.

Feldmeier said any tools that can cause serious injury are only to be used as a last resort.

“It has to reach a threshold where we've lost control and there's imminent risk of bodily harm, death, major property destruction, where it's just unsafe for anybody to be out there,” he said.

Who can authorize the use of tear gas or less-lethal munitions?

Any use of pepper spray, tear gas or less-lethal munition like rubber bullets must be authorized by Norman, the police chief, or an assistant chief. 

The policy does list an exception in cases of emergencies with an imminent threat.

What is the policy on mass arrests?

The department’s standard operating procedure says mass arrests “shall be avoided” while the RNC rules say mass arrests “may be made in the interest of safety and security.”

Does the policy ban kettling?

The RNC guidelines do not explicitly reference kettling, a controversial practice when police force a large group of people into a confined area, such as a park or a bridge, in order to arrest them.

Feldmeier said kettling is not a trained tactic and is to be avoided.

“It’s not something that we do intentionally,” he said.

Alison Dirr of the Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this report.

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Beyond the Classic Barbecue: Three Other Ways to Cook Outdoors

Chefs from different global culinary traditions demonstrate how they do it — not a hamburger or hot dog in sight.

By Lauren Joseph

Grilling is often associated with a certain brand of meat-centric, backyard machismo, but, really, cooking outside is for everyone — and has been since humans first applied flame to food, about 780,000 years ago. From the South American asado to the Indian tandoor, the fires are varied but often the process that surrounds them is communal. Some use raging heat, searing cuts of meat or a tangle of vegetables on a planchas or iron grate, while others smoke or braise low and slow in underground ovens, tank-style barbecues or kitted-out Green Eggs. Anything can be grilled: stone fruit, pizzas, parcels of banana-leaf-wrapped fish, bouncy cubes of mochi. It’s not air-fryer easy. Yet the effort is well worth it, say the three chefs who share their favored methods and recipes below. “There’s a romance to it — the smell of fish oil burning, mixed with wood smoke,” says the chef Jeffrey Ozawa. “It doesn’t get better than that.”

T’s 2024 Summer Entertaining Issue is a guide to celebrating the season in less expected ways, featuring recipes and ideas from hosts with styles all their own.

- How a Death Doula Throws a Dinner Party : At the Baroque guesthouse she runs in Portugal, Rebecca Illing hosted old friends for a meal suffused with nostalgia.

- Lazy Susans Make Meals More Fun : Long overlooked as throwback novelties, spinning trays are making a comeback.

- An Easy, Beautiful Tomato Tart to Make All Summer Long : The chef Yann Nury updated his childhood favorite with cherry tomatoes and an olive oil crust.

Jeffrey Ozawa, Ozu, Santa Fe, N.M.

Ozawa, 36, loves the “uniquely social aspect of grilling,” he says, pointing out that “it’s something you can reasonably do both in front of and with guests.” He looked to his Japanese heritage as well as the time he spent cooking in South America and Los Angeles to come up with a style he can take from a camp stove to the front yard of his year-old Japanese restaurant, Ozu. The traditional Japanese grilling technique of robatayaki relies on binchotan, a nearly smokeless type of charcoal, to cook meat, fish and vegetables, often on skewers. Ozawa, however, prefers the “flavor of wood” and opts for local ingredients whenever possible so, instead of importing binchotan, he “searches Craigslist for people getting rid of fruit trees,” which then become his kindling. His dishes are similarly hybrid: He prefers Anaheim peppers to more typical Japanese shishitos and leaves his fish whole rather than partaking in what he calls “prep-intensive” skewering. His go-to marinade is shio koji, a deliciously funky-tasting, porridge-textured mix of fermented rice, salt and water that he applies liberally to chicken, grouper, bass, bream, salmon and scallops. “It has a creamy rich flavor to it, which complements fish with any sweetness,” Ozawa says, adding that while you can find it at Asian grocery stores, it’s “super simple and more economical” to mix at home.

Jeffrey Ozawa’s Shio Koji Marinade

Yield: approximately 1 ½ kilos

Ingredients

20 ounces dried koji (Ozawa prefers Cold Mountain brand)

3 ½ cups warm water

10 tablespoons salt

Mix the koji, water and salt well, then put in a lidded container with the lid ajar and leave at room temperature. Fermentation will take one to 10 days; Ozawa’s sweet spot is eight days. The shio koji is ready when it has thickened slightly. To use, apply 10 percent shio koji marinade in relation to the weight of whatever meat or fish you plan on marinating. Pour generously over meat or fish and allow to marinate in the fridge for between one and five days. Wipe off excess marinade before cooking and take care when grilling: The shio koji will caramelize quickly and burn if left over high heat unattended. The yield of this recipe is enough to marinate 15 kilos of fish or meat; take care to seal and store in the fridge and it will last for months.

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Britain wakes up to new government as Labour Party wins election in a landslide 

LONDON — Britain woke Friday to the scene of a political earthquake. The opposition Labour Party , after 14 years in the political wilderness, has handed a brutal defeat to the ruling Conservatives.

In his first speech outside his new home at number 10 Downing Street, the country's new Prime Minister Keir Starmer said people had voted “decisively for change” and the country could “move forward together.”

“When the gap between the sacrifices made by people and the service they receive from politicians grows this big, it leads to a weariness in the heart of a nation, a draining away of the hope, the spirit, the belief in a better future,” he said as his party took power after more than a decade in opposition. “But we need to move forward together. Now this wound, this lack of trust can only be healed by actions not words, I know that.”

He added that the U.K. could “make a start today with the simple acknowledgement that public service is a privilege and that your government should treat every single person in this country with respect.”

Starmer was formally appointed by King Charles III as prime minister — a formality in Britain’s constitutional monarchy — swiftly replacing his Conservative Party counterpart, Rishi Sunak .

It was Charles’ first post-election prime ministerial appointment, a private meeting that typically lasts just 30 minutes. His late mother, Queen Elizabeth II , saw 15 leaders come and go during her 70-year reign.

Upon their return from nearby Buckingham Palace, cheers and tears greeted a smiling Starmer and his wife Victoria, who hugged and kissed crowds of party faithful who lined the road to 10 Downing St., the prime minister’s official residence and office.

“Now our country has voted decisively for change, for national renewal and a return of politics to public service,” Starmer said, a reference to widespread anger at perceived political venality and a virtual revolving door of Conservative party leaders.

Unlike the U.S., Britain has no monthslong transition. Sunak himself had resigned to monarch earlier Friday after the presiding over one of the worst electoral losses in British political history. Tradition dictates that the outgoing leader leaves a handwritten note wishing his successor luck. 

“This is a difficult day at the end of a number of difficult days. But I leave this job honoured to have been your prime minister,” Sunak said in his final speech as the U.K.'s leader on Downing Street, before he head to Buckingham Palace to resign.

As election night rolled through the small hours, the scale of Labour’s win sharpened into focus. With the counts remaining in just two of the 650 constituencies represented in Parliament, Labour had secured 412 seats — six short of its highest-ever total. The Conservatives won just 121 seats, which would be the worst result in its almost 200-year history.

The Party’s victory was confirmed at around 5 a.m. local time (12 a.m. ET) when it secured the 326 seats necessary for a parliamentary majority.

Starmer has acknowledged that things will not be easy for Labour. “Now this wound, this lack of trust can only be healed by actions not words, I know that,” he said.

The party inherits a stagnant economy, crumbling public services, rising child poverty and homelessness, and a National Health Service that, though taxpayer-funded and beloved, has become decrepit and dysfunctional. 

Meanwhile, prisons are about to overflow, and some city and regional governments are about to go bankrupt or have already done so. Several colleges also look likely to go bust.

The party itself also has potential problems. Opinion polls and interviews suggested that many voters were motivated not by love for Labour but rather by a desire to punish the Conservatives for 14 years of scandals and policy missteps. It raises the prospect that Labour’s support — while wide — could be shallow and brittle, shattering just as easily as it came together.

Shifting to middle

Labour victories, especially landslides, are rarities in British politics, which has been dominated by the Conservative Party since World War II . Throughout its 120 years, Labour has been in power for only a little over 30 of them. And since the war, only three of its leaders have beaten the Conservatives, the last of them Tony Blair back in 2005.

Labour is traditionally seen as a left-of-center party. But like Blair, Starmer has shifted to the middle ground.

He has hewed closely to some Conservative policies by vowing to control budgetary spending and not raise taxes, as well as talking tough on immigration and social security. He has also been unafraid to deploy the Union Flag and other imagery that plays well with older, more socially conservative voters, even though plenty of younger, left-wing voters find it trite and nationalistic.

Some commentators have criticized Starmer for being too cautious and even timid given the scale of challenges Britain faces on both the domestic and international fronts.

Looming largest is the possibility that he may have to work with former President Donald Trump , not exactly a natural bedfellow for a self-described socialist. 

He has made it clear he will work with whoever wins the presidency in November, although that relationship is likely to be made more awkward by comments his foreign policy chief made in 2018.

David Lammy , back then still a regular lawmaker, called Trump a “woman-hating neo-Nazi-sympathizing sociopath” and a “profound threat to the international order.” 

Mindful of the possibility of this impending trans-Atlantic relationship, Starmer distanced himself from Lammy’s comments last week. “I know the job of the person who leads our country is to deal with the leaders of other countries, who are elected by their people,” he told the BBC. “You don’t always get to choose the leaders of other countries.”

The U.K. has always touted its “special relationship” with Washington, and President Joe Biden , who is certainly closer to Labour’s politics and style of governance, has called London his closest ally. 

On defense, Starmer has mirrored the Conservative promise to raise military spending to 2.5% of the country's gross domestic product — a slight rise over last year and above NATO’s recommended 2% target . But, with fears that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine might one day spread into other parts of Europe, military officials say the British armed forces remain dangerously threadbare.

Rob Johnson, until recently the official tasked with gauging Britain’s military strength, told The F inancial Times newspaper this week that the U.K. was unprepared for a “conflict of any scale” and was operating at a “bare minimum” needed for peacekeeping and humanitarian operations.

One of Trump’s major criticisms of Europe is that for too long it has relied on American military might for protection against Russia.

On the environment, Labour says it will not grant any new oil and gas licenses, and it vows to roll out green energy across Britain. However, the charity Greenpeace says that “their investment in the green transition doesn’t go far enough.”

When it comes to China , the party is likely to continue with the policy of strategic ambiguity that characterizes all of Europe’s main powers. They routinely criticize Beijing’s human rights record while recognizing that their economies would collapse were it not for trade with China.

Alexander Smith is a senior reporter for NBC News Digital based in London.

What Really Happens When You Get A Sunburn?

Most Texans are all too familiar with the pain and irritation that come from soaking up too many rays under the blazing Texas sun. While they tend to be annoying or even agonizing, sunburns are an important defense mechanism used by the body to protect the skin from lasting damage, a Texas A&M University researcher says.

Though the sunburn following a day outside may feel like a punishment, it’s actually the body’s attempt to deal with ultraviolet damage and prevent further harm in the long run — though anyone who’s had to deal with tomato-red skin can confirm that it’s by no means a perfect system.

Dr. Jean-Philippe Pellois, associate head of research in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences   Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics , discusses what causes sunburns and why they’re a necessary physiological evil.

What Causes Sunburns

Ultraviolet, or UV, light is a high-energy type of light outside the visible spectrum. Pellois said it has so much energy that it can literally break molecules in your skin — most problematically, DNA.

Sometimes a cell can repair the damage, but after a certain amount of exposure to UV, cells initiate apoptosis, or programmed cell death.

“They basically self-destruct because they would otherwise become very unstable and potentially dangerous,” he said. “A thermal burn from a fire or scalding water on the other hand causes cells to die from the rapid damage, rather than by apoptosis. What you see and experience in the aftermath is similar, but the cells are dying for different reasons and in different ways.”

Once cells begin to die from UV exposure, blood vessels dilate to help immune cells reach the affected areas and digest the cells. An inflammatory cascade begins as well, together causing the redness you associate with the sunburn. Your body then replaces the surface-level skin and pushes the next layer of skin up, leading the layer of dead cells to flake off.

UV Sensitivity Factors

For cells that get a heavy dose of UV and manage to survive, Pellois said it can cause some crazy things.

“Millions and millions of cells end up with different levels of damage when we get a sunburn,” he said. “If even one cell starts to grow without control, that’s enough to theoretically form a tumor and develop into skin cancer.”

Fortunately, that’s rarely the case following a single sunburn. But the more damage your DNA experiences over time, the more likely mutations are to accumulate and get out of hand, which is why repeated sunburns increase the risk of skin cancer.

The body also has ways of adapting to UV exposure. For instance, Pellois said cells respond to UV by producing more melanin, the pigment involved in tanning and skin color. Melanin can absorb some UV and convert it to a form that won’t cause harm, making people with more melanin more resistant to sun exposure.

Chemical sunscreens work similarly to melanin  by changing UV light to a non-harmful form, while mineral sunscreens, like those with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, work by creating a physical barrier that reflects the light.

Many other factors, even the antioxidant content of foods, can change a person’s sensitivity to UV exposure.

“In the body, everything is connected by biochemistry,” Pellois said. “Our cells are amazing at responding to injury naturally, but you should do whatever you can to keep them from having to do so.”

This article by Ashley Vargo originally appeared on AgriLife Today .

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The required read time to post on the forums should be reduced

I completely understand why there are requirements on forum read time before being able to post. While I do not have much development experience in Roblox, I have a good bit of development experience outside of Roblox. I understand that having a minimum read time before being able to post is critical for keeping basic homework-like questions out of the forums. It can also teach people how to have an educated conversation and properly ask questions.

With that being said, it is extremely frustrating having to spend so long to even be able to post. It is completely unnecessary to have to read over 100 topics, and over a thousand posts. I have seen many developers simply not use these forums due to the ridiculous requirements to be able to post. Instead, we should set the requirements much lower but require people to read through the documentation.

From what I currently understand, the requirements to post are as follows:

• 4 hours of forum read time
• 150 topics read
• 1.5k posts read

Reading 150 topics is redundant. If people don’t learn how to post properly after reading 50 topics, reading 150 won’t help much more either. As the increased number of posts doesn’t help teach people how to properly ask questions, it is unnecessary.

More reasonable requirements would be as follows:

• 1.5 hours of forum read time
• 50 topics read
• 500 posts read

The only problem is that creating accounts to spam becomes much easier with these new requirements. To counter this, we should require users to read through Roblox’s documentation. Forcing users to read through the documentation will teach people to answer their own questions, which will reduce basic homework-like questions. If users are not reading through documentation, then they definitely are not experienced enough to be on developer forums.

We should use the following requirements:

• 1 hour of documentation read time
• 10 pages visited in the documentation

Using these requirements will better teach people how to answer their own questions, reduce the amount of unnecessary work to be able to post, and still keep out spam.

Another problem is the lack of transparency about the requirements needed to join the forums. This is a problem as when I was trying to read enough to be able to post, I had no clue how much I needed to be reading or what I should be reading. Posting the exact requirements would be a poor idea, as it would make it easier to bot the process. Instead, we should make the discobot message the user with something along the lines of the following:

Welcome to the forums! In order to reduce spam, new users cannot immediately post. We require users to read through topics, posts, and Roblox’s documentation. Expect to have to read for at least a few hours before gaining access to posting. We hope you enjoy the forums!

When viewing a topic or documentation page, if you are not signed in you should get a message alerting you that you are not signed in. Over the past year I have been reading through topics but I was never signed in since you are automatically signed out after a certain amount of time. Because of this, I got no credit for those many hours reading through posts.

TLDR: Having to read 150 topics over the course of 4 hours is completely unnecessary to be able to post. If people do not learn how to properly post questions after reading 50 topics, then 150 won’t help much more. Due to this, we should decrease the number of topics read and time reading required to be able to post. As decreasing the time needed to post will increase spam, we should require users to read through Roblox’s documentation. This will teach users how to answer their own questions, and make it harder for spammers to create accounts.

Edit: FroDev1002 made a good point, we shouldn’t reduce the amount of time required as we shouldn’t fix what isn’t broken. I think it would be more reasonable to require a total of 4 hours of read time across forums and documentation. I still think the reduced standard of 50 topics and 500 posts read would be a good idea. Then, also add in the minimum of 10 pages of documentation being read. This way it is easier to access forums, while still discouraging inexperienced developers from asking basic homework-like questions due to still requiring 4 hours of total time required. Even better, people will be forced to learn how to read and use documentation, a vital skill for development.

Feel free to give me feedback! Thank you for reading!

I like the idea, but I still digress, I think it should still be required the amount of time. But I like the idea of people reading the docs and I think that should be added

Why do you think the 4 hours reading the forums is so valuable? I think only 1-2 hours is really needed, because that’s all that is needed to know how to properly post questions and discourages most spam.

I personally don’t think the requirements are too high; I was able to start posting just 2 days after joining

Cause kids will get bored by then. Not to mention it works really well right now to keep annoying people out so Id say it doesnt need in any way to be reduced!

Fun fact I had 3 days of read time before I got in :3

I heavily disagree, the forum is already prone to many trollers and stupidity that decreasing it would be even more catastrophic. Rather, I think t should be increased!

Cause kids will get bored by then.

I feel as if 2 hours would be enough, but you make a point, if already works so why change it. I think they should require 4 total hours of read time across topics and documentation, with at least one hour of read time in either forums or documentation.

Also, I think it is important to emphasize that not all kids are script kiddies! I am in high school, and have worked on open source projects, machine learning, and many other advanced topics that are on a college level. But yes, a majority of my fellow high schoolers are… not intelligent… that’s a nice way to put it.

Edit: I bet you had to get 3 days of read time due to either not meeting the 150 topic minimum or 1.5k post minimum.

The problem with increasing it further is that this restricts legitimate users from joining even more. I think if it was ever increased further, Roblox should give forms to fill out to apply to get in quicker. These forums should ask for general development experience, not just Roblox related. I haven’t seen many trolls or stupidity, but I’ve only been on the forums for 4 hours.

Good idea but 1 hour documentation is a bit excessive. Maybe 25 minutes tops but it’d be a bit hard to track that without privacy invasions such as ecsv2 which thankfully a lot of people have blocked. (and you should). Discourse measures read times in its own without the help of Roblox’s spying services.

That is true. I think it would be a good idea to reopen the form to get access.

What is ecsv2?

Tracking domain Roblox uses to pretty much learn everything about how you interact with the page. Go to the homepage, open the network console, and hover over a bunch of stuff and you’ll learn.

I think its best to keep it at what it is already at. Lowering it would make it easier for spam/alt accounts to join and having a higher bar of entry filters out some people who would be less likely to follow the rules of the forum.

Hard disagree, it’s easy to fake it as it currently is, and it still doesn’t get people to read the rules.

I disagree, if you are so legitimate then waiting a few hours or just looking at posts isn’t a big deal, forums would be bad as they could be exploited as well as the chance of it being AI reviewed.

Oppose to this feature request. I don’t support this suggestion, because of trolls, spammers, and bots.

I had access to posting in the forums in the same day I signed up.

The current limits seem fine but I think we need to make it slightly stricter. Not really enough staff to monitor it, but users should be asked why they need access to the forums. A Mastodon server that I currently run two accounts on, https://wetdry.world , does this and it helps shield out bad actors.

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Stamp prices skyrocket for second time in 2024.

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The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) will raise the price of its postage stamps again on Sunday, the second price hike in 2024 , with the increase tying the record for the biggest hike ever.

From Sunday, a first-class mail Forever Stamp will cost 73 cents each — a 5 cent, or 7% jump from its current price of 68 cents. The only other 5 cent increase occurred in January 2019, when first-class stamps increased from 50 to 55 cents.

In January 2023, the price of stamps was 63 cents each. That increased to 66 cents in July of the same year and then to 68 cents in January 2024.

In April, the USPS announced that it had filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission about its proposal for new stamp prices. The proposal also suggested that the mailing price of international postcards and letters be raised from $1.55 to $1.65.

The USPS in April explained that the new prices were “needed” for the agency’s financial health and that USPS prices remain “among the most affordable in the world.”

“As changes in the mailing and shipping marketplace continue, these price adjustments are needed to achieve the financial stability sought by the organization’s Delivering for America 10-year plan,” the USPS said. Delivering for America is a 10-year restructuring plan that was announced in 2021 and aims to eliminate $160 billion in predicted losses.

In 2021, first-class mail Forever Stamp prices rose from 55 cents to 58 cents.

However, while the USPS had hoped to break even in 2023 as part of the plan, it instead reported a $6.5 billion net loss for fiscal year 2023 . The Postal Service said operating revenue fell $321 million, or 0.4%, to $78.2 billion compared to the same period last year, as first-class mail fell to the lowest volume since 1968.

The federal entity pointed to $2.6 billion in inflation costs and a decrease in mail volume for the significant losses. The 2023 fiscal year ended on Sept. 30.

Other USPS price hikes this weekend include seeing metered 1-ounce letters going up from 64 cents to 69 cents, postcards sent domestically will go from 53 cents to 56 cents, while international postcards and 1-ounce letters will go up 10 cents to $1.65. The additional-ounce price for single-piece letters will jump four cents, from 24 cents to 28 cents.

In April, USPS said there would be no price increase for post office box rental fees, and the Postal Service will apply a price reduction of 10% for postal insurance when mailing an item.

Beth Dozier, a spokesperson for Keep US Posted, a nonprofit watchdog, told Axios that it is calling on Congress to file legislation to fix the Delivering for America plan and reject the twice-annual stamp increases.

Dozier told the outlet that USPS will continue to “hike postage rates twice each year at percentages far above inflation, delay mail, and slip further into financial ruin.”

FOX Business reached out to the USPS for comment but did not immediately hear back.

Fox Business’ Andrea Vacchiano contributed to this report.