Why Students Dislike Doing Homework

After spending more than seven hours in school, five days a week, most students are tasked with the responsibility of completing homework. Although homework is viewed by most educators as an essential component of reinforcing what has been taught in the classroom, for most students homework is a chore that often frustrates and angers them. Many students become so upset about having to do homework that it ruins their educational experience leading to long-term problems with education. If educators must ensure that students remain engaged, understanding why students hate homework is an important step in comprehending student needs and improving the experiences of students both in an out of the classroom.

When looking at the reasons why students hate doing homework, it becomes evident that after seven hours or more of structured classroom instruction, many students feel as if they need a break. Coming home to three or more hours of homework after school is, for many students, tantamount to torture. Arguably, students do have a point. After eight hours at work, few employees are required to go home and put in another three or more hours of work simply to meet the basic requirements of their jobs. Given that adults are not expected to perform in this manner, why is more demanded of school children.

Another reason why students hate homework is the belief that they do not have enough time to complete all of their assignments. Most students receive tasks from multiple teachers throughout the day. Teachers often do not coordinate homework assignments, leaving many students feeling overwhelmed by the sheer amount of homework that they have to complete in a single night. Because homework is typically graded, students have no choice but to complete all of their assignments even if it means missing bedtime or recreational time to relax. In the end, this places a considerable amount of stress on the student.

Most students also hate homework because of its persistent use by educators. Students consistently complain that they are assigned homework each night, on week-ends, and even over scheduled breaks. The constancy of homework assignments leaves many students feeling as if they never get a break from school work. This frustration can translate into disengagement from education and school, impacting both the short-term academic performance of the student and long-term educational outcomes. Again, the level of work demanded of students is not commensurate with the level of work for paid adults leading to a belief that this argument against homework is indeed justified. Finally, students hate homework because they often do not have the tools or supports needed to complete assignments outside of the classroom. Teachers often assign homework that is intended to challenge the student as well as build needed academic skills. If the educator does not provide enough support or resources for helping students learn, the end result is often a considerable amount of frustration on the part of the student. When this happens, students may become angry and disengaged from learning, creating significant challenges for academic development in the classroom.

Synthesis of the issues noted here indicate that the reasons why students hate homework are substantial and justified. Homework is often excessive creating significant stress and time management problems for students. Even though some homework can be useful for reinforcing student learning the reality is that homework is often assigned at levels that are too overwhelming for students to effectively manage. In the end, educators and school demand more from students that most employers demand of adults. While homework has its place, its current use in the educational system borders on abuse.