So I am a sophomore in 2 AP classes and am feeling like I am spending way too much time on my homework, at least more than I should be. I tend to take things really slowly and have a big problem with not being able to keep things concise; I end up spending close to 2 hours on an assignment that should only take me 45 minutes-1 hour, based on how quickly my friends get their homework done. I have friends taking 3 to 4 AP classes this year who get their homework done in 1-2 hours and still have time to watch TV, play sports, hang out, etc. and have higher GPAs than me while I am here starting on my homework at around 5:30 on not finishing till close to 11 PM, with the textbook reading from APWH and essay writing/reading from Honors English taking up the most time. I would start on my homework as soon as I get home, but I find I am too tired then and usually end napping for close to an hour. My friends get their APWH homework done in around 30 minutes, but it takes me 2 hours with notes/close reading (do this by choice since otherwise I forget everything the next day, I have really bad reading comprehension skills), and they finish their English homework (usually a paragraph or analysis chart that should be easy) in 30-45 minutes tops. I on the other hand end up taking 2-3 times as long because I end up making my paragraph close to a page and a half long with excessive information only to realize that I misread the prompt and have to do it over again.
However, I am extremely math/science minded. AP Stats is usually really easy for me and only takes 30 minutes, as my teachers 3-4 FRQs a night. I usually do not have daily Chem homework as my teacher assigns problem sets and expects us to finish them at our own pace before the test date. Precalc is really easy for me right now, as I tend to get my homework done in class or in the block afterwards in only 5-10 minutes.
How do I improve my efficiency with APWH reading and English to get my homework done quicker and have more time for my hobbies/tennis practice (practicing off-season for tryouts in Feb. but haven’t been able to touch my racket since school started)? I feel like I am being way too thorough in my work. I really feel lost right now, and only want to improve my time management since I want to take 4-5 AP classes next year.
I had the same dilemma sophomore year with AP World, too, haha. I spent ~5 hours outlining textbook chapters, when most of my friends didn’t even bother to read them. In the end, though, I’m glad I spent so much time doing that; history doesn’t come easily to me, and I wouldn’t have learned the content any other way.
I’d recommend evaluating what’s worth your time and what’s not. A lot of teachers assign homework that’s pure busywork. My AP World teacher used to give us primary sources to annotate, and they didn’t help me understand what I needed to know for tests at all. I learned how to skim through those for the answers, finishing them in 15-20 minutes instead of 1 hour, and dedicating more time to reading the textbook instead. I’m not sure what your teacher assigns as “homework”, but don’t feel guilty about rushing through it and not understanding it. Use your time to read things that will actually help you learn the content. Don’t bother reading the primary sources in your textbook if you’re short on time; the accompany text usually summarizes those quite well.
Also, have you considered napping right after you get home from school? It’s not only easier to study when you’re not tired, but you retain a lot more, too. Unless you’re cramming, studying when you’re tired is pointless.
Two words: Working lunch. If you can finish at least half of your easy morning homework then, then it WILL help. Also, if you ride the bus, try to work then on the more mindless stuff.
You sound really close to my current situation! I liked my diligence (though it was coupled with laziness), but I began to realize that I overthink everything and spend way too much time brainstorming for essays and looking up extra stuff in classes. I want to just stop caring about quality like all my friends do, but I just can’t. They can finish a Current Event in about 20 minutes before it is due, while I spend upwards to an hour and a half…
I now think it is still important to retain quality, but it may help to constantly keep yourself in check and not overwork yourself. Try to keep a schedule and take breaks often! It won’t help to frustrate yourself for 2 hours straight over homework.
Eventually you’ll be able to plan and prioritize your time mentally. For example, I know that chemistry homework I can save for the weekend while I should finish my English reading since that takes the longest.
Hope it helps! I’m trying to mange my time better too
It’s funny because I’m the complete opposite of you, as I’m very quick at doing assignments. I think a good part of it is I’m very main idea centered while you seem to focus on the details. For instance, I usually finish tests first, but make a lot of careless errors. To speed things up, I suggest you start to focus on the main ideas, knowing what information to focus on and what not to.
In the end, though, I’m glad I spent so much time doing that; history doesn’t come easily to me, and I wouldn’t have learned the content any other way.