For many students with hyperlexia, the best way to learn is to go back and do their homework past continuing repetition. This is done by allowing them to take an extra break from reading or listening to textbook information. Some teachers encourage this by providing stickers or markers to remind the student of what he was reading or studying the prior lesson. Others use a time limit, like fifteen minutes, to restrict the extra study to a few select topics or points. Still others rely on the concept of “practice makes perfect.”
In order to have the best chance to learn effectively from these “get ahead-of-me” sessions, it is important to first do your homework. Do not start your homework when you first enter the class; rather, do it at the end of each day, after class has ended. Make sure that you do not leave it half-way through the next class, as this will cause you to feel anxious and will cause you to skip more classes. I know this sounds counterproductive, but you need to feel comfortable doing your homework. If you do not feel at ease with doing it, then you are not going to get any real learning done.
In addition to your regular homework and reading periods, plan some extra time for yourself to do your homework. If possible, do your homework when it is off-limits to the rest of the class. For example, if you are taking notes during discussion in lecture, make sure that you do so outside of the classroom as well. This way, you can still be fully engaged and absorbed in the lecture.
Another way to stay motivated and on task while taking notes or doing homework is to schedule regular breaks. Schedule regular breaks in your work-life balance. Some of us tend to get caught up in our work; we do not have time for relaxing after our classes. It is OK to take a break every now and then, just make sure that you do it outside of class. Some good times to schedule breaks include: after lunch, after dinner, before bedtime, or right before you go to sleep.
Reading also helps people pay attention. This is one of the ways that many ADHD students are able to overcome their problem of not being able to do homework. Since reading is such a common activity for people to engage in, there is a good chance that they will be getting some benefit from their efforts in reading. In fact, some studies have shown that reading can promote brain activity that improves memory and concentration.
So, what can you do to help yourself stay on task? One thing that you can do to stay on task is to take frequent short breaks in between your homework sessions. If you do not have access to a restroom during the assignment or exam period, consider placing a “restroom break” card in your office. This way, you can come out of your desk and use the restroom at your leisure without disrupting your focus on your assignment.
Finally, a great homework help tip is to set reminders on your watch. Make sure that you put a reminder on your watch for your homework, lunch, study, and any other scheduled tasks. If you find that your brain is starting to wander when you are not focused on a task, set reminders on your watch that remind you to stay focused. As you become more focused, you will notice that your grades improve as well! Stay focused on your assignments and get the best possible grade by sticking to your schedule and making use of these handy tips for homework help!
