5 Reasons Why Doing Homework Is Actually Important
There is an ongoing discussion about how homework is infringing on children’s free time outside of school. However, I think that making homework a priority will improve your life for years to come.
Pic: Pexels Creative Commons / Tookapic
Here is why I think that doing homework is still worthwhile, even if it does take time.
1. Independent learning (do it yourself!)
Completing homework at your own home allows you to teach yourself to work independently. You could learn how to use the resources given (e.g. textbook, local libraries, and the internet) to your advantage. No matter how good you thought you were in class, homework allows you to revise and memorise the material given in the class. That said, there will be moments when you will get stuck trying to complete or fully understand the homework set, and when you face these specific challenges, learn how to get help and how to deal with the inevitable frustration.
2. Homework is linked to better overall grades
Homework is a big part of your grade in class and if you do not finish it to its full potential, it will most definitely hurt you, no matter how well you do on exams overall. There is scientific evidence to back this up: a study conducted from 1998 to 2012 found that spending over two or more hours a night doing homework is connected to achieving better results in subjects like English, mathematics and science.
3. Homework helps teachers
Homework can tell you what your teacher thinks is important and not important to learn in that specific subject, so you will have a better idea on what to expect in a quiz or test, meaning that the teacher’s work is easier.
4. Homework teaches responsibility and accountability
Doing homework can help you learn to be responsible and accountable for your own actions. For example, if the homework is a long piece (e.g. an essay or a test) and you choose to cheat or not do it at all, then you, and only you, will be held accountable for that choice. It is also a test in not blaming anyone else but yourself and coming to terms with that.
5. Is too much homework bad?
If I had to give my own opinion on the subject, I would agree, as children do have their own lives to live and it shouldn’t be dictated by what is given in school. That said, group project homework is an exception, as the point of these is to do them in groups and create a poster or a model. If you don’t do it, you let other people down.