Why Do Students Have Difficulties Completing Homework? The Need for Homework Management

Homework is a common and widespread educational activity. Yet, as homework often takes place amidst the pull of more attractive and competing after-school activities, doing homework presents multiple challenges for many students, even for those students who find their assignments meaningful and interesting. In this article, I first examine five major homework challenges, including arranging a conducive homework environment, budgeting time and pacing themselves to meet homework deadlines, handling homework distractions, keeping themselves motivated during homework sessions, and coping with negative affect or mood swings encountered while doing homework. I then discuss a range of strategies that students may use to deal with these challenges as well as implications for teachers and families seeking to help students manage their homework more responsibly.