Studying
How do I concentrate on homework?
Short answer
To concentrate on homework, write down every assignment with its deadline and a time estimate, start at the same time each day, and warm up with a quick easy task before tackling the hardest one. Work at a cleared desk with your phone in another room, use timed 25–40 minute sprints, and only check messages after each sprint. A fixed routine removes the daily argument with yourself.
How to be more productive with homework
- Make tonight's list. Write each assignment, when it is due and how many minutes you think it will take, then add a quarter. Seeing the whole load stops you from guessing and worrying.
- Pick a fixed start time. For example, 30 minutes after you get home, once you have eaten a snack. When homework always starts at 4:30, there is nothing to decide.
- Warm up, then do the hardest. Spend five to ten minutes on something easy, like a short worksheet, then move straight to the assignment you dread most while your energy is highest.
- Phone in another room. If you need a device for the work, open only the tabs the assignment requires and close chat apps on the computer too.
- Work in timed sprints. Set 25–40 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. Tick a box for every sprint so you can see progress across the evening.
- Use a stuck rule. If one question has beaten you for ten minutes, mark it, move on and plan to ask a teacher or classmate the next day.
- Pack it the moment it's done. Put finished work straight into your bag or upload it, so nothing gets lost or forgotten.
Why homework is harder to concentrate on than classwork
At school, the setting does part of the work: there is a timetable, a teacher and classmates doing the same thing. At home, homework competes with family noise, the TV, games and, above all, the phone. An experiment with university students found that simply having their smartphone in the room, even switched to silent and face down, reduced performance on tests of working memory compared with leaving it in another room. The effect was strongest in people who rely heavily on their phones.
Homework does pay off, but mostly when it is actually completed with attention. A large research synthesis found a positive link between homework and achievement that was clearly stronger for secondary school students than for younger pupils. Hours spent half-watching a screen with a worksheet open count for little, while shorter, focused sessions get the work done and leave the evening free.
| Type of homework | Best approach |
|---|---|
| Maths or science problems | Timed sprints, stuck rule after 10 minutes |
| Reading for class | Read with a question, write three key points |
| Essay or report | Outline first, then write one section per sprint |
| Memorising vocabulary or facts | Self-quiz with flashcards in short bursts |
Common mistakes
- Doing homework on the bed or sofa with the TV on.
- Starting with the easiest subjects and leaving the hardest assignment for when you are exhausted.
- Answering every message as it arrives, so a 40-minute task stretches over two hours.
- Waiting for motivation to arrive instead of starting at the same time every day.
Try it with a calculator
Frequently asked questions
How long should homework take?
It depends on age and school, but a short, focused session usually beats a long distracted one. If homework regularly takes far longer than your teacher expects, tell them; the task or your method may need changing.
Should I listen to music while doing homework?
Quiet music without lyrics can help with repetitive tasks like problem sets. For reading and writing, lyrics compete with the words you are processing, so silence often works better.
How do I concentrate on homework when I am bored?
Make it a game against the clock: estimate the time, then try to beat it. A short sprint with a clear finish feels far less dull than an open-ended evening of homework.
Sources
- Ward A.F., Duke K., Gneezy A., Bos M.W. Brain drain: the mere presence of one's own smartphone reduces available cognitive capacity. Journal of the Association for Consumer Research, 2017. doi.org/10.1086/691462
- Cooper H., Robinson J.C., Patall E.A. Does homework improve academic achievement? A synthesis of research, 1987–2003. Review of Educational Research, 2006. doi.org/10.3102/00346543076001001
This article is for general information and does not replace advice from a doctor. If you have persistent sleep or health problems, consult a qualified professional.