HOMEWORK & STUDY

Whereas homework is usually considered to be the work actually set by the teacher, study
comprises the work students do to retain information, to practise skills and to prepare for
assignments, tests and examinations.

Most students find it harder to do study than homework even though study often results
in higher grades. Students can never truthfully say they have no study to do.

SETTING UP A STUDY
Ideally a student should have a regular place to study. It should have a table with drawers,
a straight backed chair, a clock and should be well away from distraction such as the
mobile phone, social networking sites, TV and radio. Close by should be a waste paper
basket, a dictionary, calculator, spare writing and drawing implements.

A study is like a library. It should be quiet and essential reading and writing materials
should be at hand.

GOOD STUDY RULES

1. MAINTAIN A HOMEWORK DIARY
Be diligent in keeping track of homework, tests and assignments by entering all
details in the Homework Diary. All Year 7 and Year 8 students receive a school
diary.

Treat your Homework Diary as your prized possession. Its the first step in planning.

2. KEEP REGULAR HOURS

Try to start at the same time each day and do the same amount of work each
evening four days a week. The minimum amount of homework and study is
generally accepted as :
PER NIGHT PER WEEK

Year 7 40 minutes 2.5 hours

Year 8 60 minutes 4 hours
Year 9 90 minutes 6 hours
Year 10 2 hours 8 hours
Year 11 (ATAR) 3 hours 12 hours
Year 12 (ATAR) 3 + hours 15 + hours

Poor students delay their start time and often say they have no homework or study to do.
In order to develop organisational skills student should keep to study times four days a
week. Ask them to read silently if they insist they have no home study.

U:\Administration\Associate Principal 7 - 8\2016\HOMEWORK STUDY POINTS1.doc

3. PLAN YOUR HOMEWORK/STUDY PERIOD
Each afternoon your first job is to plan what you intend to do in the time allocated.
This might take you five minutes and might look like this :
TIME
45 4.15 5.00 Maths Exercise page 36.
5.00 Break.
15 5.05 5.20 Complete map for HaSS.
15 5.20 5.35 Revise Science formulae for test.
5.35 7.00 TV and tea.
30 7.00 7.30 Read novel page 60 70.
1hr.45mins

Try keeping a daily and weekly record of your study hours by using a special notebook

4. Try to use a variety of senses and methods in your home study.

Underlining your notes and writing summaries are standard methods of study.
Creating your own tests for use later in the term can be useful and having a white or
black board on which to work maths and draw maps provides some variety in study
methods.

Dividing your study before and after tea is highly advisable as is taking a five minute
break every 45 minutes.

5. AVOID DISTRACTIONS
The most common distractions are mobile calls, social networking, friends visiting,
radio, television, social media and house noises.
Distractions can reduce learning by 50% or more so avoid them like the plague.

Studying with another student might be easier if you are an interpersonal learner.
However, you need to ensure that you both have the self-discipline to stay on task.

6. NO HOMEWORK?
Good! This is an ideal time to do some of the following :

Reading your notes.

Compiling summaries of notes or books.
Learning formulae.
Compiling your own tests (and answers) to be used later.
Filing.
Attempting spelling by using your parent to call the words.
Reading ahead in all texts.
General reading.
Preparing for tests and assignments.

A small white or black board is useful to highlight reminders about school or study.

U:\Administration\Associate Principal 7 - 8\2016\HOMEWORK STUDY POINTS1.doc