How Much is too Much: Heavy Homework Loads

Is there an issue with students’ efficiency at the School, or are teachers simply assigning too much homework? Due to virtual learning and the flexible standards that followed, students became accustomed to a lighter workload. However, as the School returns to its past standard, students feel that there is too much homework. 

Homework loads differ drastically from class to class, depending on the teacher. This has led to widespread confusion among students, who aren’t sure whether they are learning the same curriculum. When asked about the differing homework loads and assignments, sophomore Dylan Batra commented, “I feel like we are learning completely different subjects than another class.” The high rate of turnover for teachers is part of the reason, since new teachers may not yet understand the optimal homework load for students.

However, it may also be because of inefficient time use on the students’ part. I know many students who procrastinate their schoolwork, leading to stress and panic due to the amount of work that quickly piles up. Sure, putting things aside to prioritize other assignments can sometimes be good time management. Completing homework right after it is assigned is often helpful, leaving students less likely to forget it or let schoolwork pile up.  

It comes down to what each student decides is most important. Whether they prioritize homework or something else in their life is their choice. Allowing assignments to build up due to procrastination and then complaining about the workload is unfair to teachers, who work hard to create a difficult yet fair curriculum, and hardworking peers, who do their schoolwork without complaining. Overall, although some teachers are still adjusting and may need to fix the amount of homework that they assign, the main issue seems to be the way students manage their workload.