Have you [or your child] ever waited until the last minute to complete your math homework? You may have procrastinated because you didn’t know how to do the work, or the assignment may have just slipped your mind altogether.
As an experienced math tutor in Colorado Springs, I know that every student’s day-to-day looks different, and math homework isn’t the only thing on their schedule after classes; sports practices, club meetings, time with family and friends, and more all have to fit into the remaining hours of a student’s week.
Having graduated from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs in 2019, I understand the importance of developing solid homework habits, especially when it comes to difficult classes like math. However, I also know how hard it can be to begin establishing those healthy habits. This is why, during our math tutoring sessions, we focus on learning math concepts and skills, while also helping students develop homework habits that will allow them to effectively manage their workload and feel confident in their abilities to tackle any homework assignment.
Effective Homework and Study Habits
When it comes to excelling in math, consistency is key. By developing a system and habits that work with your schedule and your learning style, you set yourself up for success.
Now, I understand how difficult it is to try to start forming habits. Much like a New Year’s Resolution, student’s often set lofty goals about all the habits they are going to implement, only for them to ditch the process a week in. (Trust me, I have definitely been guilty of this before.) This is why I recommend starting small and taking incremental steps towards the student you want to become. Two great habits to start implementing include the following:
Set Up a Schedule
Nowadays, students are pulled in so many different directions. Between classes, extracurriculars, and time with friends and family, time for homework is quickly diminished and finding a healthy balance can be difficult. Setting a schedule is a great way to counteract this. Having a rough outline of time that is dedicated to particular activities will help you manage your time more effectively. Moreover, having a consistent time for math homework will help ensure it is not forgotten and there is plenty of time to do quality work.
Limit Distractions
In this fast-paced, technology-centric life, it is easy to get distracted. When you do math homework, you will be better able to maintain your focus by doing the following:
- Turning off your phone or muting notifications.
- Working in a quiet environment.
- Tucking away other homework until you complete your math assignment. (You only want to have out the materials you need instead of trying to multitask.)
If you’re looking for more ways to improve your math learning skills, especially in an online environment, check out our six tips for learning math online.
Benefits of Math Homework Habits
Now, you may be wondering, “Will these habits actually help?” Glad you asked. As long as you genuinely put in the effort, establishing healthy math homework habits will positively impact your math experience no matter which level of math you’re in. Primary benefits include:
Using Time More Effectively
By taking the time to establish healthy habits, you will develop better time management skills. This is beneficial in many ways. In the now, working more effectively will allow you to have more time overall. This means you will have more time to do quality work on your math assignments, practice a wider variety of math problems, or delegate your time to another area that needs attention. Not to mention, your future self will thank you for managing your time effectively, as this habit will serve you well beyond school.
Improving Your Confidence
Another benefit of math homework habits is the boost in confidence you can experience. By giving yourself the proper space and time to do a quality job on your math homework, you will improve your understanding of math, which will also allow you to feel more confident in your math abilities.
Allowing You to Better Retain Math Skills
Giving yourself ample time to do a math assignment, as well as working in a consistent and positive environment, can help you retain math concepts. With healthy homework habits, you will not find yourself doing a math assignment so quickly that you won’t be able to recall that information later on in the course or cramming for an exam.
This is especially beneficial for math classes because math is a concept that builds on itself. So, if you don’t take the time early on in the course, then understanding other assignments down the line can become even more difficult.
Develop Healthy Math Homework Habits
Are you ready to start your math success story? Costa Comprehensive Tutoring can help you develop homework habits that will further solidify your understanding of key math concepts, boost your confidence, and help you feel prepared for your next math assignment or an upcoming math test. Schedule your tutoring session today to discover how healthy homework habits can elevate your math success.
