Introduction

Many people find the most difficult part of studying or doing homework is getting started. If you are one of those people that are always thinking of reasons why they can't study just now here are some tips to help you begin.

WHAT'S YOUR EXCUSE?

• Don't expect to do your homework / revision all in one go! - you often will but it can make it seem like a huge task and put you off starting.

  Instead give yourself a small goal - if you really hate studying just answer 1 question, write 1 sentence or find out 1 fact.

  By the time you've done this you'll probably be ready to carry on - but if not have a break and do the same again later. Splitting your work up into tiny chunks and knowing you'll be finished in 5 or 10 minutes makes each part seem less terrifying.

  Give yourself motivations / rewards. [Watch the TV / Go out and play football /?Text your Friends?- whatever you like to do - BUT only after the homework's done for the day.]

• Don't always start at the beginning.

  If you have an essay to write and have a good idea to go in the middle write it down now. You can organise your ideas and add an introduction later.

  If you're stuck on the first question find the easiest one you have and answer that first. This will get your mind back to work - the first question may not seem so difficult once you've done one or two others.

  [If you've tried hard and still can't answer the questions speak to your teacher.]

• Get started NOW.

  By the end of the month you might have 5 or 6 homeworks to hand in in the same week.

  If you've plenty of time it makes it easy to split the work up into small chunks and do a few minutes every day or two.

  It also gives you chance to find out if there is part of the work you really don't understand, speak to your teacher to sort the problem out, and still have time to get the homework / coursework done.

  If you don't get given more homework you can go out / play games etc. with a clear conscience while others are worrying about getting work finished.

• You still need to get it done!

  Meet up with a friend to do the homework then go out or have chat / play games. If you find trying to work together is distracting agree to do the work first and meet up later.