11 Ways to Deal With Homework Overload

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What you can do to make your homework to-do list more manageable

Co-authored by Jennifer Kaifesh

Last Updated: May 22, 2024 Fact Checked

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Making a Plan

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Staying Motivated

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Starting Good Homework Habits

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A pile of homework can seem daunting, but it’s doable if you make a plan. Make a list of everything you need to do, and work your way through, starting with the most difficult assignments. Focus on your homework and tune out distractions, and you’ll get through things more efficiently. Giving yourself breaks and other rewards will help you stay motivated along the way. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you get stuck! Hang in there, and you’ll knock the homework out before you know it.

Things You Should Know

Create a checklist of everything you have to do, making sure to include deadlines and which assignments are a top priority.
Take a 15-minute break for every 2 hours of studying. This can give your mind a break and help you feel more focused.
Make a schedule of when you plan on doing your homework and try to stick to it. This way, you won’t feel too overwhelmed as the assignments roll in.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Making a Plan

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Before diving in, make a list of all the things you need to do for your homework. As you complete each task, cross it off your list. The satisfaction of checking things off will keep you motivated to continue.^{[1]
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Tackle the hardest homework first. Your first thought might be to procrastinate and put off the most difficult homework. If you get the hard stuff out of the way when you’re most alert, however, it will be easier to get through the rest of the pile.^{[2]
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- Make a plan to go through your work bit by bit, saving the easiest tasks for last.
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Work in a comfortable but distraction-free place. If you have a ton of homework to get through, giving it your whole attention will help you get through it as fast as possible. Find a comfortable chair and table to work at, but make sure they’re not in a noisy or high-traffic area, or you risk potentially getting distracted by your family.^{[3]
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- Put phones and any other distractions away. If you have to do your homework on a computer, avoid checking your email or social media while you are trying to work.
- Consider letting your family (or at least your parents) know where and when you plan to do homework, so they'll know to be considerate and only interrupt if necessary.
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Ask for help if you get stuck. If you come to a part of your homework that you don’t know how to do, ask a family member to help you. That way, you won’t get bogged down and discouraged. With a little help, you can quickly move on to the next thing.^{[4]
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- If you have the option to do your homework in a study hall, library, or other place where there might be tutors, go for it. That way, there will be help around if you need it. You'll also likely wind up with more free time if you can get work done in school.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Staying Motivated

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1
Take a break now and then. You might think that tearing through all of your homework tasks from start to finish is the fastest way to do it. If you have a ton of homework, however, you’ll probably get burnt out if you don’t take a break every now and then. At least every two hours, take a 15 minute breather.^{[5]
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- To take a break, get up and move away from your workspace. Walk around a bit, and get a drink or snack.
- Moving around will recharge you mentally, physically, and spiritually, so you’re ready to tackle the next part of your homework.
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Remind yourself of the big picture. If you start to feel discouraged by all the homework you have to do, take a minute and think about why you need to do it. After taking a break, take 1 minute and jot down all the reasons why you really need to do your homework. What are your big goals? How will doing your homework help you achieve them?^{[6]
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- For instance, you might write “I need to do this chemistry homework because I want a good average in the class. That will raise my GPA and help me stay eligible for the basketball team and get my diploma.”
- Your goals might also look something like “I’m going to write this history paper because I want to get better as a writer. Knowing how to write well and make a good argument will help me when I’m trying to enter law school, and then down the road when I hope to become a successful attorney.”
There’s no shame in thinking about a little reward to stay motivated and get through all of your homework. Tell yourself that as soon as you do your homework, you’ll go for a walk to the park with your friends, or just relax with a movie for a while. You can also say something like “If I get through all of my homework today, I’ll have more time tomorrow to go hang out with everyone.”^{[7]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Starting Good Homework Habits

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When your teacher gives you a homework assignment, take a minute to look it over and make sure you understand it. If there’s anything that’s not clear to your teacher, talk to them right away. That way, you won’t be stuck at the last minute with no idea what to do.^{[8]
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Make a homework schedule. Try to do your homework at the same time each day. If you set a schedule, then you’ll be prepared and know exactly what to do. This will also keep you from feeling guilty about putting homework off.^{[9]
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- Try doing your homework as soon as possible after it is assigned. Say you have one set of classes on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and another on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Do the Monday homework on Monday, instead of putting it off until Tuesday.
- That way, the class will still be fresh in your mind, making the homework easier.
- This also gives you time to ask for help if there’s something you don’t understand.
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Try a study group. If everyone in your group is serious about getting homework done, this can be great. You can help each other out with assignments, and quiz each other to prepare for exams.^{[10]
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- If you want to keep everyone accountable, write a pact for everyone in your study group to sign, like “I agree to spend 2 hours on Monday and Wednesday afternoons with my study group. I will use that time just for working, and won’t give in to distractions or playing around.”
- Once everyone’s gotten through the homework, there’s no problem with hanging out.
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Let your teacher know if you’re having trouble keeping up. If you’re devoting regular time to doing your homework, and it still feels like you have a ton to do, talk to your teacher. They can give you advice about how to get through it most efficiently, and help you out if there’s something you don’t understand.^{[11]
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- Most teachers are willing to listen if you’re trying and legitimately have trouble keeping up. They might even adjust the homework assignments to make them more manageable.

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How do I stop being lazy with homework?

Jennifer Kaifesh
Founder, Great Expectations College Prep
Jennifer Kaifesh is the Founder of Great Expectations College Prep, a tutoring and counseling service based in Southern California. Jennifer has over 15 years of experience managing and facilitating academic tutoring and standardized test prep as it relates to the college application process. She takes a personal approach to her tutoring, and focuses on working with students to find their specific mix of pursuits that they both enjoy and excel at. She is a graduate of Northwestern University.

Jennifer Kaifesh

Founder, Great Expectations College Prep

Expert Answer

A pile of homework can seem daunting, but it's doable with a plan. Make a list of everything you need to do and start working your way through it, starting with the most difficult assignments. Giving yourself breaks and other rewards will help you stay motivated along the way.

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How should I study for a hard test?

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When studying for a test, it's best to start off a week or more before the test. Don't try to cram everything in at the last minute. Use repetition. On the first day of studying, simply take the time to reread your notes. Maybe even correct them. Day Two, highlight your notes. Highlight important information. Day Three, write down questions and answer them yourself. For the last few days before your test, answer your questions that you wrote down, memorize what you highlighted, and study your corrections.

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How can I avoid being distracted from my homework?

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It's recommended that you study in a secluded area, such as your room. Go to areas that have less traffic, and be sure to remove any potential distractions if possible (ex: electronic devices). Make sure to ask for privacy so that people won't disturb you. If you find yourself becoming distracted, remind yourself of the consequences of not finishing your work (ex: low grades, having to stay up, etc.). If it helps, you could ask someone to occasionally check on you and make sure that you're being productive.

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