Too much homework stressing students out

By Jakiyah Mack Features and Entertainment Reporter A Stanford University study found that 56 percent of students identify homework as a primary stressor. As the semester ends, students may lose motivation. A massive number of kids are trying to hurry and catch up on work, which may affect their mental health and how efficiently they get work in. 

Student Kemari Thomas and Emely Anaya Ortiz work hard taking notes in journalism class. Photo by Genevieve Van Drunen.

Initially, to avoid getting behind on work, students should commit to completing it when it was first assigned. 

¨Commit to consistently completing all assigned work and turning in those assignments,¨ Ms. Pagliuco said. 

Commitment helps students persevere through challenges and obstacles, building resilience and overcoming difficulties. However, if you get behind, there are ways to catch up.

Catching up could feel complex, and it may be hard to stay consistent. Students can focus on the most current work they have missed to catch up. 

¨Communicate with your teacher to see what assignments they will still accept,¨ Ms. Pagliuco said. 

Being realistic will relieve the pressure of getting everything done; don’t try to do everything simultaneously. 

Balance is also a good thing to have. Being able to balance your school and home life will benefit you. Staying organized will lead you to success.

 ¨I balance my school and personal life by having a schedule,¨ Jayvien Pearson said. 

Keeping a set schedule can be beneficial. Tracking due dates and when assignments were assigned can help you stay on track. Staying organized can also create space for your personal life. 

“Personally, to have time for my personal life, I keep track of assignments. I set a reminder a day before the assignment is due, so it is marked as a missed assignment,¨ La'Rena Coleman said.  

If students want to have time for their personal lives, working on their time management can assist them. Setting ¨SMART goals¨ will ensure getting things done promptly. A smart goal is a goal that is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. 

According to an article entitled "Achieving your goals: An evidence-based approach" out of Michigan State University, a recent study by psychology professor Dr. Gail Matthews results showed that 76 percent of participants who wrote down their goals and actions and provided weekly progress to a friend successfully achieved their goals.

Having a rest day can also be helpful. It can help you become ready for the tasks at hand. It will relieve the strain of your workload and help you decompress, preventing debilitating emotions and fostering improved mental health. Taking a pause can result in a new perspective and an improved method of completing everything quickly.

All things considered, setting goals and having a schedule can set you up for success. It will lead to a healthy school and personal life.