Reduce The Homework Load, Save The Students

Many might not deem homework to be the source of students' stress, but according to Research.com, “45% of college students in the U.S. experience ‘more than average’ stress, with 36.5% citing stress as a major impediment to their academic performance. This stress often stems directly from the homework load.”As exhibited by this source, most students receive stress from homework causing them to hinder their ability to learn. Schools should help students develop knowledge, not hurt their ability to grasp it. Although some homework is good because it allows students to practice their skills, the loads of homework most students get are not an effective tool to help students learn. Our school advisors need to ask themselves, is homework worth wounding students' mental health?

Not only does too much homework cause students stress, but it can also make children ill. According to the article “Is homework making your child sick” on CNN Health, Denise Pope, a senior lecturer at the Stanford Graduate School of Education shared, “We found a clear connection between the student’s stress and physical impacts – migraines, ulcers and other stomach problems, sleep deprivation and exhaustion, and weight loss.” Pope realizes the real consequences of homework on students physically and emotionally. Students' toll on their mental health from stress, deliberately hurts their physical health as well. Therefore, not only is homework causing anxiety, and mental health problems, but it is also making kids sick. These negative impacts of too much homework outweigh any good benefits of homework. Students deserve to receive an education that does not injure their brain and body which is still developing. 

Additionally, homework reduces students' social lives and time to have a childhood. When homework is started at a young age, children do not have the chance to enjoy playtime like going outside, riding bikes, hanging out with their friends on the swing set, and more. Children give up their childhood for their education, which isn’t fair. Your education and childhood should not be an ultimatum, it should be an essential part of every child’s life. Moreover, high school and college students deserve to have free time and a social life as well. As important as education is, it is not a person’s sole responsibility. Students should be entitled to interact with and build relationships with others their age. Not only is this beneficial for them mentally, but it is vital to their future selves to have social skills in their place of work. In the article, “The Pros And Cons Of Homework,” the writers of the “University of the People” state, “College isn’t just about hitting the books. It’s also a time for personal growth, exploring new interests, and building social connections. Excessive homework can eat into the time you might otherwise spend on extracurricular activities, hobbies, or simply hanging out with friends. This lack of balance can lead to a less fulfilling college experience. Shouldn’t education be about more than just academics?” Balance is key in all aspects of life, including schooling and social life. Education is important, but it is not everything. Friendships, family, and hobbies are just as crucial in building a person's identity. 

Quality versus quantity, it’s a heavily debatable topic. We often ask what is more important, what is being distributed, or how much of it is. When it revolves around homework, most can agree quality is better. As told by the writers of the “University of the People,” “When it comes to homework, more isn’t always better. Piling on assignments can lead to diminished returns on learning. Instead of diving deep into a subject and gaining a thorough understanding, students might rush through tasks just to get them done. This focus on quantity over quality can undermine the educational value of homework.” As said best by the “University Of The People,” students who receive a plethora of homework can feel overwhelmed and rushed, causing them to not put much effort into their work and simply try to “get it done.” That is not what school or education should be, just something that needs to be completed. Students should feel a desire to learn and do well in their work. If students have the time to do their work they might learn something that will benefit them not only in their education but future careers.