Dear Bertha,
I just started my freshmen year and I am a bit overwhelmed. I can’t get over the fact that it is so much different than eighth grade. One thing that is so different is that the homework is so much harder. Do you have any tips on adjusting and tips of how I can manage the homework load?
Sincerely,
Fumbling Freshman
Dear Fumbling Freshman,
The amount of homework is a huge difference between middle and high school, and being conscientious about it is very important. My advice is to figure out how long each assignment will take. Get assignments that will take a long time out of the way first thing each night. I’m sure you’d rather be working on a quick assignment later in the night than a paper. However, if you have a week or longer to work on the paper, save that until last, so you can work on it a little each night, but don’t get side tracked doing too much of an assignment that’s not due the next day.
The most important advice that I can give is don’t procrastinate. Staying up all night never makes for a good essay or project. For shorter assignments, make sure you get them in on time—having to make something up later will just add to your homework load another night. If you have extra time in study hall or at night, it’s a good idea to get started on something that’s due in two days. Homework doesn’t only have to be done the night before it’s due during the week. You also shouldn’t save homework due Monday for Sunday night. Spread it out over the weekend, and you won’t have to spend a long block of time on Sunday completing it. You will feel like you had a more relaxed weekend.
Sincerely,
Bertha
*If you would like to submit a question to Bertha, send an email to tunderwood@hopkintonschools.org*
