How to Catch Up on Your Homework

Unfortunately, it can be really easy to fall behind on homework. Being sick or having lots of responsibilities outside of school can often lead to work piling up. But you shouldn’t panic! Once you’ve come up with a plan of action and figured out how to stay productive when doing your work, you’ll be able to catch up with your homework in no time!

EditSteps

EditMaking a Plan

1. Make a master list of all the things you need to get done and when. This will instantly help you clear your head and give you a solid idea of what kind of situation you are in. Be sure to write the due dates for each assignment or task on your list, as well.^[1]
   
   • The items you add to this list should include your homework, upcoming tests and quizzes, and any extracurricular responsibilities you also have.
   • Draw up this list on your computer for best results, as you’ll be constantly correcting or adding things to it.
2. Organize the tasks on your master list in order of priority. Place the most important assignments or the ones that are due earliest at the top of the list. If you wrote out your list on paper and can’t change the order of the items, use different color highlighters to color code your to-do list.^[2]
   
   • For example, mark the most important tasks with a yellow highlighter, the moderately important ones with a green highlighter, and the least important ones with a blue highlighter.
   • If you’re not sure how to prioritize an item, ask your teacher or your parents which assignment or task ought to be completed first.
3. Create a schedule for completing each task in a certain amount of time. Estimate how long each task will take you to complete, then mark the hours or days that you will use to complete each task. Make sure you will complete each assignment before it’s due.^[3]
   
   • To estimate how long an assignment will take to complete, look at all the individual components of the assignment (e.g., all the questions on your homework), estimate how long it would take to do each component, then add all of this estimated time together.
   • For best results, write out this schedule in a planner or a calendar that you normally use to track your days.
   • If any assignment or task doesn’t already have a deadline, give it one. Pick a date by which you’d like to have the assignment off your to-do list and use that as your deadline, as long as it’s a reasonable amount of time in which to do your assignment.
4. Be sure to add any new assignments to the master list. You won’t get caught up with all your work if you neglect the work you’re assigned in the present. Insert your new assignments into the right spot in your list based on their priority.^[4]
   
   • For example, if you receive an assignment one morning that is due by the end of the day, add that assignment to your list somewhere near the very top.
5. Break your assignments down into smaller, manageable chunks. Create “mini assignments” that address the individual components of a larger assignment and that you can focus on one at a time. Doing this will help keep you from feeling overwhelmed by your work and give you a stronger sense of accomplishment whenever you finish each mini assignment.^[5]
   
   • For example, if you have to write a research paper, the mini assignments for this task could be selecting your topic, researching your topic, creating an outline for your paper, and then writing the paper.
   • Be sure to set “mini deadlines” for each of these mini assignments, as well.

EditStaying Productive

1. Do your homework in a distraction-free zone. You need to be able to concentrate in order to be as productive as possible. Stay away from anything that might steal your attention, such as your phone, the TV, or gaming devices.^[6]
   
   • If you have to bring your phone with you, turn it off and put it in your bag somewhere you can’t see it. If you keep it in your pocket, this will only tempt you to look at it when you’re working.
   • If you’re working around other people, ask them to not disturb you until you’re no longer working.
2. Set aside a dedicated time for working on your assignments every day. This should be time that you can spend solely on your homework, instead of other activities that you normally do in the day. Try to give yourself at least an hour every day, if not more, ideally during the part of day where you feel most productive.^[7]
   
   • For example, if you do your best work in the mornings, set aside an hour right after you wake up every day to work on your homework.
   • Aim to give yourself more than 1 hour each day if you can to work on getting caught up. However, if you’re struggling to find the time to work on schoolwork, 1 hour is the minimum amount of time you should set aside every day for working on assignments.
3. Make sure you have everything you need before starting a work session. Bring your pencil, pen, computer, books, and anything else you might need to your session. Taking the time do this beforehand will not only give you extra time, but ensure that the session is less stressful.^[8]
   
   • If you plan to work for longer than an hour, consider bringing some food and water with you as well.
4. Work on only one assignment at a time. You won’t be able to concentrate as much if you try to tackle 2 different tasks at the same time. Focus on the most important task you have to do that day and don’t start another task until you’re done with that one.^[9]
   
   • If you can’t finish that first assignment in a single setting, you can also opt to work on that assignment for a set period of time, then switch over to a different assignment.
5. Go into your work session with a relaxed, positive attitude. If your hand is shaking, you're sweating all over and your temper is short, you aren't going to get through things very fast, and the session certainly won't be an enjoyable one. A relaxed, focused attitude will help you get through your homework faster and prevent distracted mistakes from happening.^[10]
   
   • Try to reward yourself at the end of your session with a relaxing, fun activity to keep up your positive attitude.

EditPreventing Yourself from Falling Behind

1. Finish assignments as soon as you can to keep them from piling up. It’s important to stay on top of your homework as you go and always complete your assignments on time. Give yourself 1 hour of homework time each day to make sure you’re keeping up with your assignments as they come.^[11]
   
   • If you have extracurricular activities that also make demands on your time, try to find a healthy balance between doing schoolwork and keeping up with these activities. Remember to prioritize your schoolwork if the extracurricular activity is less important.
2. Hold regular homework sessions with a study buddy, if you can. Having this kind of arrangement can force you to make time for your homework and help keep yourself accountable to someone. Set aside time every day to work on your homework with this person in a quiet, distraction-free environment.^[12]
   
   • If you’re easily distracted when doing homework with someone else, though, this may not be the best idea for you.
3. Ask for help if you feel yourself falling behind again. Reach out to your teacher, your friends, or some other source of support. If you’re concerned about getting your work done on time, ask your professor if you can have a small extension. Remember, it never hurts to ask.^[13]
   

EditRelated wikiHows

• Finish Your Homework
• Plan a Homework Schedule
• Balance Homework and Chores

EditReferences

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