Homework Time

How much time should a home schooled middle or high school student spend on home work? Well, one thing is for sure, kids this age shouldn't be able to finish everything they are doing in 4 or 5 hours! Here is just one survey giving some information on how much time students at a particular school spent on homework. Productivity is greater with home schooled students because time needn't be wasted on changing classes or a pace too slow for them. Even so, if those attending brick and mortar schools are 'there' for 6 or 7 hours per day and have 1-3 hrs of homework per night (if in grades 6-12), it doesn't seem unreasonable if a home schooled student is giving 40 solid hours to his or her studies.

Morning hours are the most productive hours according to numerous articles (try Googling "are morning hours more productive than later hours" for more than the article I've linked to), so unless the school day starts early, it is likely the effectiveness isn't being maximized for a student's work schedule. Just like sleep prior to midnight allows for more non-REM cycles (which can be more restful due to less dreams), the hours of our day aren't created equal when it comes to productivity.

I have never enjoyed rising early and I am nearly 40 years old, but about a month ago I began rising early each morning. It is quite possible to change habits if we really want to. I'm here to say that anyone can be taught to get up and at 'em! I don't know many depressed or continually ineffective people who do rise early. If you are in a constant cycle of feeling defeated or not satisfied, try this one simple change. Go to bed earlier and get up earlier! :)