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Homework Strategies
By Alyssa Christianson
As a full-time and busy student I have discovered the need to develop simple, yet necessary studying strategies.

As the school year progresses, I find more and more of my contemporaries feeling the same way.

So what can you do to help you concentrate and get the most out of the time you spend doing homework? I have a few ideas that have worked for me ...

I believe that one of the major factors involved is that we aren't organizing our time properly. It's important to take advantage of free time you have.

If I catch a free moment after my homework before it gets too late, I'm already in front of my computer since it sits at my desk so I automatically being surfing the Internet and lose track of time.

As a result, I really haven't felt like I've stopped working even when I have. I decided that in order to appreciate your time away from work, you need to actually be away from it.

The first part in my plan to organize my time is to understand that saying "no" to your friends or family won't make you a bad person. If your friends are all going out on a Tuesday night but you know you really should get your homework done, don't feel guilty, no matter what they say. You're doing the right thing.

Next is to take short breaks during homework. If you know you're up for a long night of difficult homework, don't burn yourself out too quickly.

Now, this doesn't mean you should be getting up every five minutes to check the refrigerator for a snack. If you start feeling overwhelmed or just exhausted, step out of your workplace.

Separating yourself from the place where you're doing work can be a refresher, especially if you work in a small, closed room like I do.

Also, studying for more than two hours at a time can have a negative effect on the brain, causing you to begin forgetting more than you're remembering. Cramming isn't the best policy and should try to be avoided

Next, don't put off your homework until too late. It's actually been proved that working during daylight hours in natural light is more helpful to learning.

Try doing the hardest part of your work first. I know that math is usually my most difficult subject, so I always do that first so that I know my brain is awake and focused.

As a side note, contrary to what most will say, it has been proven that studying with soft music in the background can actually improve your concentration.

Try actively learning by studying while walking around your room or while you're at the gym on the treadmill. Getting your body moving can also help to get your brain moving.

Sitting in a soft chair or somewhere where you feel extremely comfortable may not be the best idea for reading a difficult chapter in history or writing up a lab report for physics. You might find yourself drifting off before you get anything done.

Once you've finished your homework, avoiding staying in your work area for too long. Go out and be with your family. If it's still early and there's a sporting event at the school, go out and meet up with your friends.

Getting human contact outside of work or school offers a release from what can sometimes be a lonely or frustrating night of homework.

If it's late, make sure you get to bed. Teenage students as well as adults should get at least seven hours of sleep a night. Don't rile yourself up by watching a dramatic TV show or by eating a lot of food.

Relax by reading a book or just simply resting. After the hard work you've done, your body could use a break.

Finally, tutoring is never a negative. If you feel you need extra help in a subject, there will always be someone out there who is willing to help you. It can't hurt and will only help you better understand your subjects.

These are just small things I've picked up throughout my years in school. My way isn't the only way, but it usually helps me to focus and take advantage of my limited time and also maximize the results of my studying periods.

Figure out what works best for you and try different things. Once you've found a successful strategy for yourself you'll begin to see the positive effect on your academics.

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Alyssa Christianson is a member of the Oakmont Regional High School Class of 2008. She resides in Ashburnham.