Nobody likes getting home tired just to realize there’s a pile of work due at 11:59 PM with no time or energy to do it.
While a big reason for many students having so much homework by the end of the day is not doing work in class and procrastination, the other group of students with too much homework have valid reasons.
The reality is that too much work is being given out in class. Students in programs like International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, and Advanced International Certificate of Education all suffer the most from this, as the work is not only excessive but also complicated.
How can one finish mounds of work having only a few days when a 45-minute class isn’t even enough for one assignment?
It is true that sometimes a 45-minute period is enough to finish an assignment, but the whole 45 minutes isn’t what students get.
Roughly about six to ten minutes are lost in total at the start and end of a period, because students are either arriving at class, getting items out of their backpacks, or packing up, which gives them less class time. As well, the constant chatter from other students and unnecessary talking of teachers reduces even more time, causing there to be only about 20-35 minutes of class time left.
While this doesn’t apply to every classroom, it is common among many.
Not only are students not able to finish their work in that class period, many teachers expect them to finish it by the end of the day. The problem is, there is no time in-between class. Most classes have work given out each day; students aren’t able to work on the assignment they didn’t finish, and that only leaves lunch.
It seriously can’t be expected that students have to do their work at lunch. It would be unfair to not be able to enjoy the only free time there is.
Not to mention, lunch isn’t the ideal place to do work, as it is rowdy and dirty. Students don’t want their papers smeared with food, drinks, or sauces.
As for after school, many students have extracurricular activities ranging from a few minutes to hours. It’s not everyone who can just leave early to work on their assignments, as a lot of those activities are important. Sports and community service are two big takeaways, considering that they play roles when applying to colleges and even jobs.
Some students don’t stay at school or go home after school, they go directly to a job. Now imagine how much time they would have to complete their assignments and get a well-rested night of sleep.
Even those who go straight home after school might not have time for homework. Families can expect chores to be done, like organizing or cleaning the house, chores do take a lot of time. Others might have to watch over their younger siblings, which is a big responsibility.
After school activities, jobs, and chores all require time, there isn’t much left to do homework on top of the work that they hadn’t finished in class.
It is absurd to be caught up in numerous activities, which are non-negotiable, and still be held accountable for not being able to complete so much work. It is unjust that students not only get treated differently when they don’t exceed expectations, but also have different lives that require that extra time.
