How to Make Homework Fun

Co-authored by Ronitte Libedinsky, MS

Last Updated: August 27, 2021 References

Like it or not, homework is a necessary part of school. There's not much you can do to get around it. While homework may feel like a drag depending on the subject, you usually have the freedom to go about it your own way. Fortunately, even boring subjects can be made enjoyable with the right mindset. Making homework an enjoyable activity can seem impossible at times, but there's almost always a way to improve the experience.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Engaging With Your Work

1
Get yourself in a homework mood. For some, it might seem crazy or impossible to 'think' yourself into a mindset for studying. It can be done by taking control of your inner voice. Simply tell yourself you are in the mood for studying. No matter how much you want to go do something else, tell yourself you're in the mood for it. Your motivation won't change instantly, but if you keep telling yourself the right thing, you'll eventually start feeling it a bit.^{[1]
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Research source} Shifting into the right mindset is an important part of enjoying anything-- not just your homework!
2
Find a study buddy. Sharing your homework session with someone else helps a lot. If your friend is studying the same materials, you can bounce information off one another. Even if the two of you aren't studying the same material, it's usually inspiring to work with someone else around. You can keep each other accountable, and make sure the other doesn't get lazy.
- Make a competition out of the stuff you're working on. Competition with a study buddy is an easy way to add some stakes to the thing you're working on, and the motivation can be a great thing for both of you. Competitions can be a longer-term thing as well. Consider a "days in a row" homework persistence bet with a friend. No one likes to be a loser, and you'll probably end up getting far more done than you first imagined.
- You can also take your breaks together. Having company during your breaks is a fun way to refresh yourself before getting back to work.
- Choose your study buddy well. In some cases, your study buddy can be a terrible distraction. If the two of you are known to make trouble together, it's probably not a good idea to ask him to study with you.
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3
Write on a topic you’re interested in. Some teachers will assign you a very specific topic to write a paper about, but others will give you more freedom to craft your own topics. Take advantage of these opportunities to find a way to approach the subject matter that really interests you. Think about what aspects of the material engaged you most, or about which you had the most to say. The more invested you feel in a topic, the easier it will be to write about, and the more you will be able to enjoy the process of writing
4
Write a test for yourself. There's good evidence to show that we have an easier time remembering things we once forgot.^{[2]
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Research source} The questions you get wrong on a test will probably be the things you remember most once you get the answers back. Write up a closed-book test of facts you're not too sure about and take it. When you look up the questions you can't answer, you'll remember them better for the real test.
- This tends to work better if you have a study buddy to work with. The two of you can trade tests. That way, you won't know what answers you need to know beforehand.
5
Work on different subjects in a session. It's normal to focus on one subject for homework. However, you can learn more if you change up the subjects. For example, if you're reading up on your history for an hour, try switching to science for a bit. This will give the history information time to settle in. ^{[3]
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Research source}
6
Space out your homework sessions. It's good to take a break from learning after a while. Information needs some time to settle into your brain. Spacing out your homework sessions will keep you from feeling overloaded.^{[4]
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Research source} A three-hour session isn't as good as three one-hour sessions, spaced throughout a day. If you give yourself time to decompress, you'll have a far easier time of properly engaging with the material.
- Breaks also help you stay motivated to keep studying the material. You can compartmentalize your studying by taking breaks when you reach checkpoints in your work.
- You may want to schedule your breaks around different activities or different subjects.
- This is similar to taking breaks throughout your homework session. In this case however, you'll have enough time to go about the other things in your life.
7
Make a game of your homework. There are lots of ways you can turn homework into a bit of a game. If you wanted to, for example, you could make a Bingo sheet with the necessary tasks on it. Once you complete a task, you can blot out that task and give yourself a reward once you complete a row or column. There are also math and science sites online that have games specifically made for learning material.^{[5]
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Research source} So long as the game you're playing doesn't overwhelm the learning itself, it can be a great way to keep yourself engaged with the stuff you're working on.
- Inventing a game of your own based specifically around the work you're doing can be a fun activity of its own, and motivate you even more to finish the tasks at hand.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Rewarding Your Efforts

1
Make a to-do list to cross off over time. Even if a to-do list doesn't offer any real rewards of its own, there's a psychological satisfaction behind seeing each item crushed as you continue studying. For some, the satisfaction of crossing things out can be enough to keep you engaged with the material.
2
Promise yourself a reward if you study well.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Ronitte Libedinsky, MS
Academic Tutor
Expert Interview. 26 May 2020.} If you are having trouble staying motivated with your studying, you should make yourself a promise. If you have a certain mark you'd like to get on the exam, promise yourself you'll buy yourself a sizable treat if you reach it. This sort of promise can give you a more real incentive than a mere score on paper. Write the contract on paper and set it next to your homework for a lasting reminder.
- You may want to schedule your rewards around content checkpoints, after certain periods of time, or a combination of the 2.
- Remember that if you schedule breaks around your study time, you'll need to stay mentally focused.
- For example, write something like: "If I get at least 90% on my history final, I will buy a brand new video game from the store."
3
Eat a snack while you work. Snacks can be a great way to stay focused. Full meals may distract you from the homework, but something light and tasty (like Oreos) can keep your body centered while you focus. Popcorn is a good option, since it's light, not very filling, and won't make your hands dirty while you write. Apples and other fruits work well too, as do mints, jawbreakers, and other candies you can suck on while you study.
- Chewing gum can also help you stay focused while you're working.
- Keeping up to date with water will keep you in your best shape.
4
Meditate when stressed.^{[7]
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Research source} Stress can quickly pile up on you if you're doing homework. While we want to make the most of the time spent studying, you won't get far if you're going through it feeling stressed out. If the work is getting to you at all, give yourself a few minutes to collect yourself. At the end of a few minutes of conscious meditation, you'll be refreshed and enjoy working more.
- Meditation is a skill. It's not something that comes easily to people in a high-tech age. Even so, you should give it a legitimate chance. Let your thoughts go and focus on your breathing. Close your eyes. The more you practice meditation, the more you'll figure out what does, and doesn't work for you.
- The benefits of meditation are well-documented. People who meditate report better attention and memory.^{[8]
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  Research source} These are obviously things you will want while you do homework.
5
Take regular breaks. Five-minute breaks may be seen as a sort of reward. It's always nice to take a while for yourself when you're in the middle of a big study session. Telling yourself you'll give yourself time to stretch once you hit a certain page number or word count is a great way to keep your spirits high. What's more, your studying will improve if you give yourself the time to collect yourself once in a while.
- While it will be different for everyone, giving yourself 5-10 minutes of break time per hour of homework is a good place to start. It may seem like a lot of downtime, but it will make sure you never get too overwhelmed with the tasks at hand.
6
Save your big rewards for the end. Rewards can do great things for someone's motivation.^{[9]
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Expert Source

Ronitte Libedinsky, MS
Academic Tutor
Expert Interview. 26 May 2020.} However, the motivation is gone if you skip right to them. Even if you think you're doing a great job on your homework so far, don't let the promise of something fun get in the way of your progress.^{[10]
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Research source} Smaller rewards throughout the session can be helpful, but only as long as they don't hurt your flow.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Improving Your Surroundings

1
Change up your environment.^{[11]
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Research source} Sometimes, simply sitting in the same place for too long can wear you down. Changing rooms will refresh your energy. Studies have shown that changing your surroundings helps improve learning. If you're working in your bedroom, think about taking the work to your living room or kitchen. Better still, take it outside.
- If you're living in a dorm, it's also fun to take your homework to a public learning space. A commons area is a good place to study, as are libraries.
2
Study outside. You would be surprised to know how much homework strain can be caused from simply being indoors for too long. Consider taking your homework outdoors. Provided the weather is decent, the time you spend working on school will pass by a lot faster. Going outside will reduce stress and improve your brainpower.^{[12]
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Research source} So long as it's not raining, there's no good reason why you shouldn't give it a shot.
- If you don't like studying outside, you could try taking your breaks outside. For example, toss around a football or go for a short walk.
- Vitamin D deficiency is a well-known cause of depression. During your exam weeks, you'll want every edge you can to feel good. Sunlight will give you an added boost if you're feeling down.
3
Listen to music.^{[13]
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Expert Source

Ronitte Libedinsky, MS
Academic Tutor
Expert Interview. 26 May 2020.} Music is a tried-and-true way of making just about any situation better. Whether you're listening to something with headphones or speakers, your surroundings will be immediately uplifted. Because your homework might take a while, this will give you a chance to really throw yourself into an album or playlist. Listening to music can improve your learning. It's recommended you experiment with a few different styles of music and see how they affect your work. ^{[14]
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Research source} Instrumental music is preferable. Music with lyrics can distract the language center of your brain, which gets in the way of your homework.
- Some people simply won't be able to focus on their work while listening to music. If you're easily distracted, it's a good idea to steer clear of music for the time being.
- Certain types of music, from neoclassical to dark ambient, are great for studying, because they can fit into the background without demanding anything of the listener.
- During the test, if you think of the music you were listening to while you were studying, you might have a better chance at remembering the information you need.^{[15]
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  Research source}
4
Check out a library.^{[16]
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Research source} Libraries may seem like boring places, but they're great for studying. It's inspiring to be around other people who want to work, and the quiet atmosphere is suited for thinking. There are lots of resources at a library that can help you, including books and databases. Being at a library can make studying feel a bit more fun and exciting than staying stuck in your room all day.
- Try to respect the other people in a library. Most people in a library are there for the peace and quiet.

Community Q&A

Question

How can I enjoy doing homework?

Ronitte Libedinsky, MS
Academic Tutor
Ronitte Libedinsky is an Academic Tutor and the Founder of Brighter Minds SF, a San Francisco, California based company that provides one-on-one and small group tutoring. Specializing in tutoring mathematics (pre-algebra, algebra I/II, geometry, pre-calculus, calculus) and science (chemistry, biology), Ronitte has over 10 years of experience tutoring to middle school, high school, and college students. She also tutors in SSAT, Terra Nova, HSPT, SAT, and ACT test prep. Ronitte holds a BS in Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley, and an MS in Chemistry from Tel Aviv University.

Ronitte Libedinsky, MS

Academic Tutor

Expert Answer

Homework can feel like a drag sometimes, but it doesn't have to! Promise yourself a reward to keep yourself motivated. For example, after you finish your homework you could go on a walk, watch TV, or call a friend.
Question

What if I have too much homework?

Community Answer

Just think that you can get it done. That will motivate you to get work done. Start early so that you have a lot of time to finish your work.
Question

How do I study with boisterous younger siblings?

Community Answer

If your siblings keep bothering you, give them a relatively quiet activity they can do together, like coloring, playing a board game, or watching a movie. You could also study with earbuds in. Classical music helps many people to focus better.

Warnings

If your parents are really strict and try to impose rules on your studying, this can definitely take away some chances to make homework more enjoyable. There are always ways around it, but it's always recommended you try to discuss things with your family if you think they're getting in the way of your progress.

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Don't let yourself get too hung up on the rewards. Rewards are meant to push you forward. If you skip straight to the rewards, you won't get anything out of it. If the rewards technique doesn't work for you, try to focus on the other aspects of making homework fun.

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