you can watch tv as soon as your homework

First Conditional: Examples, Sentences, Exercises

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When do we use the first conditional?

We use the first conditional to talk about results of possible future conditions. Here are some example sentences:

• If it’s sunny tomorrow, I’ll go to the beach.
• If it rains tomorrow, I’ll stay home.
• If she studies hard, she will pass the exam.
• If you finish your chores, you can watch TV.
• If we don’t get to the airport on time, we’ll miss our flight.
• If he doesn’t call me soon, I’ll send him a text message.
• If you save money, you’ll be able to afford that new phone.
• If the restaurant isn’t too crowded, we’ll have dinner there tonight.

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Parts of a first conditional sentence

There are two parts to a first conditional sentence:

• the condition (sometimes called the “if clause”)
• the result  (sometimes called the “main clause”)

It is possible to reverse the condition and the result, with no change in meaning:

• If you don’t study, you’ll fail.
• = You’ll fail if you don’t study.
• If I wake up early enough tomorrow, I’m going to make a big breakfast.
• = I’m going to make a big breakfast if I wake up early enough tomorrow.

Note that when the “if clause” (condition) comes first in the sentence, we use a comma after it. However, when the result comes first in the sentence, then we don’t use a comma between the two clauses.

How to form the first conditional

Pay close attention to the correct verb forms in the condition and result:

CONDITION:  if + subject + present simple

• If we go to the party tomorrow,
• If you don’t leave work soon,
• If she gets promoted,
• If he doesn’t read the textbook,

RESULT:  subject + simple future (will / won’t, going to / not going to)

• we’ll have a good time.
• you’ll get stuck in rush hour traffic.
• she’s going to earn more money.
• he won’t understand the class.

Even though BOTH events are in the future, we always use the simple present  in the condition (“if-clause”).

Avoid the common error of using the simple future in the condition:

• If we will go to the party tomorrow, we’ll have a good time.
• If we  go  to the party tomorrow, we’ll have a good time.
• If it won’t rain tonight, I’ll go for a walk.
• If it doesn’t rain tonight, I’ll go for a walk.

Both the condition and the result can be positive or negative (with “not”):

• If you take the train, you ‘ll get there faster. (positive condition – positive result)
• If you don’t take the train, you ‘ll have to drive. (negative condition – positive result)
• If you take the train, you won’t get stuck in traffic. (positive condition – negative result)
• If you don’t take the train, you won’t need to buy a train ticket. (negative condition – negative result)

First Conditional Quiz

Variations in first conditional sentences, alternative words to “if” in the condition.

It is possible to use other words instead of  if  in the “condition” part of first conditional sentences:

Let’s study each case separately.

WHEN: When the “condition” will definitely happen in the future.

Look at the difference between these two sentences:

• If I see Sam, I’ll give him your message. (I’m not sure if I will see him or not)
• When I see Sam, I’ll give him your message. (I will definitely see Sam)

AS SOON AS: To emphasize immediacy.

• My feet hurt! As soon as I get home, I’m going to take off these high heels.
• As soon as we have enough money saved, we’ll take a vacation to Costa Rica. We can’t wait!
• I’ll respond to your e-mail as soon as I can.

UNLESS: Substitute for “if not.”

• You won’t lose any weight unless you start eating healthier food. = You won’t lose any weight if  you  don’t start eating healthier food.
• I’m not going to dance unless somebody invites me. = I’m not going to dance if somebody doesn’t invite me.
• Unless there’s an emergency at work, I’ll be home on time. = If there’s not an emergency at work, I’ll be home on time.

Alternative words to will / going to in the result

Instead of will / going to, we can use modal verbs like can, might, could, or  should . Compare these two sentences:

• If you go out in the rain, you  will  get wet. (100% certain)
• If you apply for that university, you might/could be accepted. (not 100% certain)

Use  can  in the result of first conditional sentences to give permission / prohibition:

• If you finish your homework, you can watch TV for an hour.
• If you don’t have a ticket, you can’t get into the theater.

Use might/ could  to express a possibility that is not a certainty:

• If he gets home from work early, we could go for a walk before dinner.
• If you try to lift that heavy weight, you  might  hurt yourself.

Use  should  to give advice if the condition happens:

• If your toothache doesn’t get better soon, you should  see a dentist.
• If they go to New York next week, they  should visit the Statue of Liberty.

First Conditional vs. Other Conditionals

First conditional vs. zero conditional.

The zero conditional describes GENERAL truths and facts. Both the condition and result are in the simple present:

• When it rains, the ground gets wet. (it is a general fact/truth)
• If I’m late to school, the teacher always yells at me. (this ALWAYS happens)

The first conditional describes a specific event that will/might happen in the future IF a future condition happens. The condition is in the simple present tense, and the result is in the simple future tense:

• If it rains tomorrow, I’m going to stay home.
• If I’m late to school today, I’ll miss an important test.

First Conditional vs. Second Conditional and Third Conditional

Both the second conditional and third conditional describe IMAGINARY situations.

In the second conditional , we are imagining the result if the present were different:

• If I were a millionaire, I would buy a sports car. (but the reality is that I AM NOT a millionaire, so I’m not buying that car)

In the third conditional, we are imagining the result if the past had been different:

• If I had taken the earlier train, I would have gotten to work on time. (but the reality is that I DID NOT take the earlier train, so I did not get to work on time)

The first conditional describes REAL future results/possibilities that will happen if the condition happens. Compare these conditional sentences:

• First conditional: If I have some free time this weekend, I will read a book. (it’s a real possibility that I’ll have some free time and read a book)
• Second conditional:  If I had more free time, I would take dance classes. (this is just imaginary – the reality is that I don’t have much free time, so I’m not taking dance classes)
• Third conditional:  If I ‘d had more free time yesterday, I would have cleaned the house. (imaginary – the reality is that I didn’t have free time yesterday, so I didn’t clean the house)

Learn more about the first conditional with this tutorial

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• English (US)

What does You can watch TV once you get through your Homework Why once? mean? See a translation

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'Once' here functions as a conjunction instead. It is used here for saying that as soon as one thing happens (in this case, getting through/completing your homework), will something else (that you get to watch TV) happen.

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you need to see the word ONCE as part of the whole EXPRESSION. not just the (1) word. "ONCE YOU GET THROUGH" means... when you have completed / finished your homework. you can also say: "once you FINISH your homework, you can watch TV". or: WHEN you finish your homework.. .. (this is easier to understand, and you can say this instead). here are other sentences: ONCE HE'S FINISHED with high school, he will move on to college same: WHEN he's finished with high school, he will move on to college so remember: sometimes the word is part of an expression.

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• 1. 새 시작 새로운 시작 —->혹시 어느 표현이 맞나요?? 다 맞는다면, 무슨 뉘앙스 차이가 있나요?

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• What does You can watch...

Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions are conjunctions that are used at the beginning of subordinate clauses. Some examples of these conjunctions are; although, after, before, because, how, if, once, since, so that, until, unless, when etc.

Here are examples of their use;

Although—means "in spite of the fact that": Although it was raining, I ran home. He came to work, although he felt sick. Although my mum told me to come home early, I stayed out late.

After—shows "subsequently to the time when": Call me after you arrive at the station. We couldn't see the film after the electricity went out.0 I always tell my daughter that she can have dessert after she eats her dinner.

Before—shows "earlier than the time that": He had written a living will before he died. Before he contacted me, I was going to call him. I need to finish the report before the manager arrives from Paris.

Because—means "for the reason that": He became rich because he was smart and worked hard. They stopped building the house because it was raining hard. I love kittens because they are so cute.

How—means "the way in which": Tell me how you persuaded Danny to see that film. He explained how he completed it in a few days. Can you show me how to use the computer?

If—means "in the event that": If it is sunny tomorrow, we can go to the park. If I receive a promotion, you will be the first to know. You can watch TV if you finish your homework.

Once—indicates "at the moment when": Once you see him, you will recognize him. Once the light came on, we all shouted with joy. Call me once you start working.

Since—means "from the time when": I've been a dancer since I was young. Since he graduated, he has been doing nothing. This shop has been refurbished three times since I lived here.

So that—means "in order to": So that she could keep her job, she didn't complain at all. He finished his work as fast as possible so that he could leave early. He worked harder for a promotion so he could buy a new car.

Until—means "up to the time that": Don't do anything until I come back. She didn't know she was a talented singer until she sang in the school concert. They won't allow us to start until everyone arrives.

Unless—means "except, on the condition": You will not pass the exam unless you work harder. I will not tell you anything unless you tell me what you know first. Unless you ask her, you will never know.

When—means "at that time": When I came in the room, everyone looked at me. I woke up when my baby was crying. I started looking for a place to stay when I decided I wanted to live here.

Lesson by Tristan, teacher at EC Malta English school

Now complete the following with the correct conjunction:

• 1) Could you contact me _ you receive the information. before unless when
• 2) I want to go to the concert early _ we can get a good place. so that if because
• 3) We need to start early _ we want to arrive at the hotel in time for lunch. when because if
• 4) I have no idea _ to operate the new printer. how so if
• 5) _ he was tired, Danny still managed to help me with my work. although if after
• 6) Peter started yoga _ he wanted to learn how to relax. if because so that
• 7) Tess planned her holiday a whole year _. although after before

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"If I didn’t finish my homework, I wasn’t allowed to watch TV." He said

• Thread starter DominikPL00
• Start date Apr 2, 2021

DominikPL00

Senior member.

• Apr 2, 2021

"If I didn’t finish my homework, I wasn’t allowed to watch TV." He said. How this sentence would look in indirect speech? I'm not sure if I have to backshift the main clause. Any ideas?  

Direct speech: He said "If you don't finish your homework, you are not allowed to watch TV." Indirect speech: He told me that if I didn't finish my homework, I wouldn't be allowed to watch TV.  

I mean. The main sentence is in past, because it says about past habits, so I'm not sure if this is correct. Direct speech is: " If I didn’t finish my homework, I wasn’t allowed to watch TV " Indirect speech (my guess): He said that If he didn't finish his homework, He hadn't been allowed to watch TV  

Ah, I think I now see what you meant. The indirect version would be: 'He said that if he didn't finish his homework, he wasn't allowed to watch TV.'  

I agree with heypresto that the tenses wouldn't change: He said that if he didn’t finish his homework, he wasn’t allowed to watch TV. You might backshift the first verb - but then you could do that in the direct speech too: He said that if he hadn't finished his homework, he wasn't allowed to watch TV. He said "If I hadn't finished my homework, I wasn't allowed to watch TV."  

Loob said: I agree with heypresto that the tenses wouldn't change: He said that if he didn’t finish his homework, he wasn’t allowed to watch TV. You might backshift the first verb - but then you could do that in the direct speech too: He said that if he hadn't finished his homework, he wasn't allowed to watch TV. He said "If I hadn't finished my homework, I wasn't allowed to watch TV." Click to expand...

• Apr 3, 2021

I'm sorry if I confused things. All I meant was that you could also use "hadn't finished" in the original direct speech sentence. And if you did, you would then keep "hadn't finished" when you converted the sentence to indirect speech.  

You can watch TV ….. you like.

C. whenever

D. whatever

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B. the guitar’s strings

C. the guitars strings

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How to Get Your Homework Done Fast

Last Updated: May 6, 2024 Fact Checked

Staying Focused

Getting organized, staying motivated, expert q&a.

This article was co-authored by Jake Adams . Jake Adams is an academic tutor and the owner of Simplifi EDU, a Santa Monica, California based online tutoring business offering learning resources and online tutors for academic subjects K-College, SAT & ACT prep, and college admissions applications. With over 14 years of professional tutoring experience, Jake is dedicated to providing his clients the very best online tutoring experience and access to a network of excellent undergraduate and graduate-level tutors from top colleges all over the nation. Jake holds a BS in International Business and Marketing from Pepperdine University. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,152,269 times.

Doing homework can be both time-consuming and frustrating, and you probably want to do more with your free time than just homework. When you have a lot of work to do, it can be tough to work efficiently. By staying focused, organizing and planning, and motivating yourself, you can get your homework done in a timely manner and move onto more fun and exciting activities. But you should start with putting away all distractions such as your devices unless you need them.They are normally the main distraction. You should also work in a quiet place so you are not attempted to go and do something else. For example, you should not work near your TV because you will be tempted to go and watch it.

• Download website-blocking apps such as Freedom or SelfControl to stay focused while using your computer for homework. Some, such as the Chrome extension Strict Workflow, even have the added bonus of preventing you from cancelling the timer once it has started.

• If one subject or type of assignment is taking much more time than the others, you may want to ask for a little extra help in that area from your teacher or parent.
• If you get distracted or go off-task, don't make excuses for yourself. (e.g. "I won't be able to focus until I do this anyway." or "I'm sure it will only take a minute or two."

• Consider consolidating your multiple different subject folders and notebooks into one big binder separated by tab dividers. This way, all of your schoolwork will be in one place.

• Decide how much time you want to spend on your homework collectively.
• Make a list of all the different tasks you need to finish.
• Estimate how much time you’ll be able to spend on each task to finish your homework when you want to.
• Work straight through your list and cross tasks off as you go. [7] X Research source

• A ten page essay that’s due in a week that you haven’t started should be labeled an “A” or “B” while a short five question worksheet due in three days may be labeled a “C”.
• Make sure you don't wait until the last second to get assignments done.

• Try eating celery sticks and apple slices with peanut butter.

Supercharge Your Studying with this Expert Series

Reader Videos

• Wear something very comfortable while you work. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
• Make sure to hand in all assignments on time. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
• Try using a planner to help you remember the tasks that you need to complete. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

Tips from our Readers

• If you set a timer, it can motivate you to get your homework done more quickly. Be sure to take a 2-5 minute break in between. For example, if you're going to do an assignment that you expect to take 30 minutes, set a timer for 15 minutes. Take a 2-minute break when the timer goes off, then set your timer again for 15 minutes.
• It can be good to have friends over if they help motivate you and are interested in getting their homework done quickly as well. They might be a distraction at times but it can also be easier to work when there are people around you who are working too.
• If you drink something cold during your breaks it can help make you more alert so that you'll finish faster. It might also help to do it at night rather than during the day so you feel more time pressure.
• Try to get your homework done as much as you can in school. You could do it during a flex or study hall. If your teacher gives you time in class to work on it, use it.

• Take your time. If you rush through your homework and don’t try your best, you might end up getting a bad grade. Thanks Helpful 177 Not Helpful 19

You Might Also Like

• ↑ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/creating-ideal-homework-environment-for-kids-with-adhd-0913164
• ↑ http://info.achs.edu/blog/never-do-homework-in-bed-3-reasons-why
• ↑ https://childmind.org/article/strategies-to-make-homework-go-more-smoothly/
• ↑ https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/take-charge-of-distractions/
• ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/homework.html
• ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/homework.html
• ↑ https://ofy.org/blog/homework-hacks-8-tips-get-done-faster/
• ↑ Jake Adams. Academic Tutor & Test Prep Specialist. Expert Interview. 20 May 2020.

About This Article

To get your homework done fast, work in a comfortable, well-lit area that doesn't have any distractions. Also, try setting a timer with however many minutes you want to finish your homework in so you can glance at it as you work and see if you're spending too much time on something. You can also make a to-do list before you get started so you don't waste any time figuring out what you need to be working on. To stay motivated, have a snack and some water nearby, and reward yourself with a fun activity once all your homework is done. To learn how to get organized so it's easier to do your homework, scroll down! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, how to do homework: 15 expert tips and tricks.

Coursework/GPA

Everyone struggles with homework sometimes, but if getting your homework done has become a chronic issue for you, then you may need a little extra help. That’s why we’ve written this article all about how to do homework. Once you’re finished reading it, you’ll know how to do homework (and have tons of new ways to motivate yourself to do homework)!

We’ve broken this article down into a few major sections. You’ll find:

• A diagnostic test to help you figure out why you’re struggling with homework
• A discussion of the four major homework problems students face, along with expert tips for addressing them
• A bonus section with tips for how to do homework fast

By the end of this article, you’ll be prepared to tackle whatever homework assignments your teachers throw at you .

So let’s get started!

How to Do Homework: Figure Out Your Struggles 

Sometimes it feels like everything is standing between you and getting your homework done. But the truth is, most people only have one or two major roadblocks that are keeping them from getting their homework done well and on time. 

The best way to figure out how to get motivated to do homework starts with pinpointing the issues that are affecting your ability to get your assignments done. That’s why we’ve developed a short quiz to help you identify the areas where you’re struggling. 

Take the quiz below and record your answers on your phone or on a scrap piece of paper. Keep in mind there are no wrong answers! 

1. You’ve just been assigned an essay in your English class that’s due at the end of the week. What’s the first thing you do?

A. Keep it in mind, even though you won’t start it until the day before it’s due  B. Open up your planner. You’ve got to figure out when you’ll write your paper since you have band practice, a speech tournament, and your little sister’s dance recital this week, too.  C. Groan out loud. Another essay? You could barely get yourself to write the last one!  D. Start thinking about your essay topic, which makes you think about your art project that’s due the same day, which reminds you that your favorite artist might have just posted to Instagram...so you better check your feed right now. 

2. Your mom asked you to pick up your room before she gets home from work. You’ve just gotten home from school. You decide you’ll tackle your chores: 

A. Five minutes before your mom walks through the front door. As long as it gets done, who cares when you start?  B. As soon as you get home from your shift at the local grocery store.  C. After you give yourself a 15-minute pep talk about how you need to get to work.  D. You won’t get it done. Between texts from your friends, trying to watch your favorite Netflix show, and playing with your dog, you just lost track of time! 

3. You’ve signed up to wash dogs at the Humane Society to help earn money for your senior class trip. You: 

A. Show up ten minutes late. You put off leaving your house until the last minute, then got stuck in unexpected traffic on the way to the shelter.  B. Have to call and cancel at the last minute. You forgot you’d already agreed to babysit your cousin and bake cupcakes for tomorrow’s bake sale.  C. Actually arrive fifteen minutes early with extra brushes and bandanas you picked up at the store. You’re passionate about animals, so you’re excited to help out! D. Show up on time, but only get three dogs washed. You couldn’t help it: you just kept getting distracted by how cute they were!

4. You have an hour of downtime, so you decide you’re going to watch an episode of The Great British Baking Show. You: 

A. Scroll through your social media feeds for twenty minutes before hitting play, which means you’re not able to finish the whole episode. Ugh! You really wanted to see who was sent home!  B. Watch fifteen minutes until you remember you’re supposed to pick up your sister from band practice before heading to your part-time job. No GBBO for you!  C. You finish one episode, then decide to watch another even though you’ve got SAT studying to do. It’s just more fun to watch people make scones.  D. Start the episode, but only catch bits and pieces of it because you’re reading Twitter, cleaning out your backpack, and eating a snack at the same time.

5. Your teacher asks you to stay after class because you’ve missed turning in two homework assignments in a row. When she asks you what’s wrong, you say: 

A. You planned to do your assignments during lunch, but you ran out of time. You decided it would be better to turn in nothing at all than submit unfinished work.  B. You really wanted to get the assignments done, but between your extracurriculars, family commitments, and your part-time job, your homework fell through the cracks.  C. You have a hard time psyching yourself to tackle the assignments. You just can’t seem to find the motivation to work on them once you get home.  D. You tried to do them, but you had a hard time focusing. By the time you realized you hadn’t gotten anything done, it was already time to turn them in. 

Like we said earlier, there are no right or wrong answers to this quiz (though your results will be better if you answered as honestly as possible). Here’s how your answers break down: 

• If your answers were mostly As, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is procrastination. 
• If your answers were mostly Bs, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is time management. 
• If your answers were mostly Cs, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is motivation. 
• If your answers were mostly Ds, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is getting distracted. 

Now that you’ve identified why you’re having a hard time getting your homework done, we can help you figure out how to fix it! Scroll down to find your core problem area to learn more about how you can start to address it. 

And one more thing: you’re really struggling with homework, it’s a good idea to read through every section below. You may find some additional tips that will help make homework less intimidating. 

How to Do Homework When You’re a Procrastinator  

Merriam Webster defines “procrastinate” as “to put off intentionally and habitually.” In other words, procrastination is when you choose to do something at the last minute on a regular basis. If you’ve ever found yourself pulling an all-nighter, trying to finish an assignment between periods, or sprinting to turn in a paper minutes before a deadline, you’ve experienced the effects of procrastination. 

If you’re a chronic procrastinator, you’re in good company. In fact, one study found that 70% to 95% of undergraduate students procrastinate when it comes to doing their homework. Unfortunately, procrastination can negatively impact your grades. Researchers have found that procrastination can lower your grade on an assignment by as much as five points ...which might not sound serious until you realize that can mean the difference between a B- and a C+. 

Procrastination can also negatively affect your health by increasing your stress levels , which can lead to other health conditions like insomnia, a weakened immune system, and even heart conditions. Getting a handle on procrastination can not only improve your grades, it can make you feel better, too! 

The big thing to understand about procrastination is that it’s not the result of laziness. Laziness is defined as being “disinclined to activity or exertion.” In other words, being lazy is all about doing nothing. But a s this Psychology Today article explains , procrastinators don’t put things off because they don’t want to work. Instead, procrastinators tend to postpone tasks they don’t want to do in favor of tasks that they perceive as either more important or more fun. Put another way, procrastinators want to do things...as long as it’s not their homework! 

3 Tips f or Conquering Procrastination 

Because putting off doing homework is a common problem, there are lots of good tactics for addressing procrastination. Keep reading for our three expert tips that will get your homework habits back on track in no time. 

#1: Create a Reward System

Like we mentioned earlier, procrastination happens when you prioritize other activities over getting your homework done. Many times, this happens because homework...well, just isn’t enjoyable. But you can add some fun back into the process by rewarding yourself for getting your work done. 

Here’s what we mean: let’s say you decide that every time you get your homework done before the day it’s due, you’ll give yourself a point. For every five points you earn, you’ll treat yourself to your favorite dessert: a chocolate cupcake! Now you have an extra (delicious!) incentive to motivate you to leave procrastination in the dust. 

If you’re not into cupcakes, don’t worry. Your reward can be anything that motivates you . Maybe it’s hanging out with your best friend or an extra ten minutes of video game time. As long as you’re choosing something that makes homework worth doing, you’ll be successful. 

#2: Have a Homework Accountability Partner 

If you’re having trouble getting yourself to start your homework ahead of time, it may be a good idea to call in reinforcements . Find a friend or classmate you can trust and explain to them that you’re trying to change your homework habits. Ask them if they’d be willing to text you to make sure you’re doing your homework and check in with you once a week to see if you’re meeting your anti-procrastination goals. 

Sharing your goals can make them feel more real, and an accountability partner can help hold you responsible for your decisions. For example, let’s say you’re tempted to put off your science lab write-up until the morning before it’s due. But you know that your accountability partner is going to text you about it tomorrow...and you don’t want to fess up that you haven’t started your assignment. A homework accountability partner can give you the extra support and incentive you need to keep your homework habits on track. 

#3: Create Your Own Due Dates 

If you’re a life-long procrastinator, you might find that changing the habit is harder than you expected. In that case, you might try using procrastination to your advantage! If you just can’t seem to stop doing your work at the last minute, try setting your own due dates for assignments that range from a day to a week before the assignment is actually due. 

Here’s what we mean. Let’s say you have a math worksheet that’s been assigned on Tuesday and is due on Friday. In your planner, you can write down the due date as Thursday instead. You may still put off your homework assignment until the last minute...but in this case, the “last minute” is a day before the assignment’s real due date . This little hack can trick your procrastination-addicted brain into planning ahead! 

If you feel like Kevin Hart in this meme, then our tips for doing homework when you're busy are for you. 

How to Do Homework When You’re too Busy

If you’re aiming to go to a top-tier college , you’re going to have a full plate. Because college admissions is getting more competitive, it’s important that you’re maintaining your grades , studying hard for your standardized tests , and participating in extracurriculars so your application stands out. A packed schedule can get even more hectic once you add family obligations or a part-time job to the mix. 

If you feel like you’re being pulled in a million directions at once, you’re not alone. Recent research has found that stress—and more severe stress-related conditions like anxiety and depression— are a major problem for high school students . In fact, one study from the American Psychological Association found that during the school year, students’ stress levels are higher than those of the adults around them. 

For students, homework is a major contributor to their overall stress levels . Many high schoolers have multiple hours of homework every night , and figuring out how to fit it into an already-packed schedule can seem impossible. 

3 Tips for Fitting Homework Into Your Busy Schedule

While it might feel like you have literally no time left in your schedule, there are still ways to make sure you’re able to get your homework done and meet your other commitments. Here are our expert homework tips for even the busiest of students. 

#1: Make a Prioritized To-Do List 

You probably already have a to-do list to keep yourself on track. The next step is to prioritize the items on your to-do list so you can see what items need your attention right away. 

Here’s how it works: at the beginning of each day, sit down and make a list of all the items you need to get done before you go to bed. This includes your homework, but it should also take into account any practices, chores, events, or job shifts you may have. Once you get everything listed out, it’s time to prioritize them using the labels A, B, and C. Here’s what those labels mean:

• A Tasks : tasks that have to get done—like showing up at work or turning in an assignment—get an A. 
• B Tasks : these are tasks that you would like to get done by the end of the day but aren’t as time sensitive. For example, studying for a test you have next week could be a B-level task. It’s still important, but it doesn’t have to be done right away.
• C Tasks: these are tasks that aren’t very important and/or have no real consequences if you don’t get them done immediately. For instance, if you’re hoping to clean out your closet but it’s not an assigned chore from your parents, you could label that to-do item with a C.

Prioritizing your to-do list helps you visualize which items need your immediate attention, and which items you can leave for later. A prioritized to-do list ensures that you’re spending your time efficiently and effectively, which helps you make room in your schedule for homework. So even though you might really want to start making decorations for Homecoming (a B task), you’ll know that finishing your reading log (an A task) is more important. 

#2: Use a Planner With Time Labels

Your planner is probably packed with notes, events, and assignments already. (And if you’re not using a planner, it’s time to start!) But planners can do more for you than just remind you when an assignment is due. If you’re using a planner with time labels, it can help you visualize how you need to spend your day.

A planner with time labels breaks your day down into chunks, and you assign tasks to each chunk of time. For example, you can make a note of your class schedule with assignments, block out time to study, and make sure you know when you need to be at practice. Once you know which tasks take priority, you can add them to any empty spaces in your day. 

Planning out how you spend your time not only helps you use it wisely, it can help you feel less overwhelmed, too . We’re big fans of planners that include a task list ( like this one ) or have room for notes ( like this one ). 

#3: Set Reminders on Your Phone 

If you need a little extra nudge to make sure you’re getting your homework done on time, it’s a good idea to set some reminders on your phone. You don’t need a fancy app, either. You can use your alarm app to have it go off at specific times throughout the day to remind you to do your homework. This works especially well if you have a set homework time scheduled. So if you’ve decided you’re doing homework at 6:00 pm, you can set an alarm to remind you to bust out your books and get to work. 

If you use your phone as your planner, you may have the option to add alerts, emails, or notifications to scheduled events . Many calendar apps, including the one that comes with your phone, have built-in reminders that you can customize to meet your needs. So if you block off time to do your homework from 4:30 to 6:00 pm, you can set a reminder that will pop up on your phone when it’s time to get started. 

This dog isn't judging your lack of motivation...but your teacher might. Keep reading for tips to help you motivate yourself to do your homework.

How to Do Homework When You’re Unmotivated 

At first glance, it may seem like procrastination and being unmotivated are the same thing. After all, both of these issues usually result in you putting off your homework until the very last minute. 

But there’s one key difference: many procrastinators are working, they’re just prioritizing work differently. They know they’re going to start their homework...they’re just going to do it later. 

Conversely, people who are unmotivated to do homework just can’t find the willpower to tackle their assignments. Procrastinators know they’ll at least attempt the homework at the last minute, whereas people who are unmotivated struggle with convincing themselves to do it at a ll. For procrastinators, the stress comes from the inevitable time crunch. For unmotivated people, the stress comes from trying to convince themselves to do something they don’t want to do in the first place. 

Here are some common reasons students are unmotivated in doing homework : 

• Assignments are too easy, too hard, or seemingly pointless 
• Students aren’t interested in (or passionate about) the subject matter
• Students are intimidated by the work and/or feels like they don’t understand the assignment 
• Homework isn’t fun, and students would rather spend their time on things that they enjoy 

To sum it up: people who lack motivation to do their homework are more likely to not do it at all, or to spend more time worrying about doing their homework than...well, actually doing it.

3 Tips for How to Get Motivated to Do Homework

The key to getting homework done when you’re unmotivated is to figure out what does motivate you, then apply those things to homework. It sounds tricky...but it’s pretty simple once you get the hang of it! Here are our three expert tips for motivating yourself to do your homework. 

#1: Use Incremental Incentives

When you’re not motivated, it’s important to give yourself small rewards to stay focused on finishing the task at hand. The trick is to keep the incentives small and to reward yourself often. For example, maybe you’re reading a good book in your free time. For every ten minutes you spend on your homework, you get to read five pages of your book. Like we mentioned earlier, make sure you’re choosing a reward that works for you! 

So why does this technique work? Using small rewards more often allows you to experience small wins for getting your work done. Every time you make it to one of your tiny reward points, you get to celebrate your success, which gives your brain a boost of dopamine . Dopamine helps you stay motivated and also creates a feeling of satisfaction when you complete your homework !  

#2: Form a Homework Group 

If you’re having trouble motivating yourself, it’s okay to turn to others for support. Creating a homework group can help with this. Bring together a group of your friends or classmates, and pick one time a week where you meet and work on homework together. You don’t have to be in the same class, or even taking the same subjects— the goal is to encourage one another to start (and finish!) your assignments. 

Another added benefit of a homework group is that you can help one another if you’re struggling to understand the material covered in your classes. This is especially helpful if your lack of motivation comes from being intimidated by your assignments. Asking your friends for help may feel less scary than talking to your teacher...and once you get a handle on the material, your homework may become less frightening, too. 

#3: Change Up Your Environment 

If you find that you’re totally unmotivated, it may help if you find a new place to do your homework. For example, if you’ve been struggling to get your homework done at home, try spending an extra hour in the library after school instead. The change of scenery can limit your distractions and give you the energy you need to get your work done. 

If you’re stuck doing homework at home, you can still use this tip. For instance, maybe you’ve always done your homework sitting on your bed. Try relocating somewhere else, like your kitchen table, for a few weeks. You may find that setting up a new “homework spot” in your house gives you a motivational lift and helps you get your work done. 

Social media can be a huge problem when it comes to doing homework. We have advice for helping you unplug and regain focus.

How to Do Homework When You’re Easily Distracted

We live in an always-on world, and there are tons of things clamoring for our attention. From friends and family to pop culture and social media, it seems like there’s always something (or someone!) distracting us from the things we need to do.

The 24/7 world we live in has affected our ability to focus on tasks for prolonged periods of time. Research has shown that over the past decade, an average person’s attention span has gone from 12 seconds to eight seconds . And when we do lose focus, i t takes people a long time to get back on task . One study found that it can take as long as 23 minutes to get back to work once we’ve been distracte d. No wonder it can take hours to get your homework done! 

3 Tips to Improve Your Focus

If you have a hard time focusing when you’re doing your homework, it’s a good idea to try and eliminate as many distractions as possible. Here are three expert tips for blocking out the noise so you can focus on getting your homework done. 

#1: Create a Distraction-Free Environment

Pick a place where you’ll do your homework every day, and make it as distraction-free as possible. Try to find a location where there won’t be tons of noise, and limit your access to screens while you’re doing your homework. Put together a focus-oriented playlist (or choose one on your favorite streaming service), and put your headphones on while you work. 

You may find that other people, like your friends and family, are your biggest distraction. If that’s the case, try setting up some homework boundaries. Let them know when you’ll be working on homework every day, and ask them if they’ll help you keep a quiet environment. They’ll be happy to lend a hand! 

#2: Limit Your Access to Technology 

We know, we know...this tip isn’t fun, but it does work. For homework that doesn’t require a computer, like handouts or worksheets, it’s best to put all your technology away . Turn off your television, put your phone and laptop in your backpack, and silence notifications on any wearable tech you may be sporting. If you listen to music while you work, that’s fine...but make sure you have a playlist set up so you’re not shuffling through songs once you get started on your homework. 

If your homework requires your laptop or tablet, it can be harder to limit your access to distractions. But it’s not impossible! T here are apps you can download that will block certain websites while you’re working so that you’re not tempted to scroll through Twitter or check your Facebook feed. Silence notifications and text messages on your computer, and don’t open your email account unless you absolutely have to. And if you don’t need access to the internet to complete your assignments, turn off your WiFi. Cutting out the online chatter is a great way to make sure you’re getting your homework done. 

#3: Set a Timer (the Pomodoro Technique)

Have you ever heard of the Pomodoro technique ? It’s a productivity hack that uses a timer to help you focus!

Here’s how it works: first, set a timer for 25 minutes. This is going to be your work time. During this 25 minutes, all you can do is work on whatever homework assignment you have in front of you. No email, no text messaging, no phone calls—just homework. When that timer goes off, you get to take a 5 minute break. Every time you go through one of these cycles, it’s called a “pomodoro.” For every four pomodoros you complete, you can take a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes.

The pomodoro technique works through a combination of boundary setting and rewards. First, it gives you a finite amount of time to focus, so you know that you only have to work really hard for 25 minutes. Once you’ve done that, you’re rewarded with a short break where you can do whatever you want. Additionally, tracking how many pomodoros you complete can help you see how long you’re really working on your homework. (Once you start using our focus tips, you may find it doesn’t take as long as you thought!)

Two Bonus Tips for How to Do Homework Fast

Even if you’re doing everything right, there will be times when you just need to get your homework done as fast as possible. (Why do teachers always have projects due in the same week? The world may never know.)

The problem with speeding through homework is that it’s easy to make mistakes. While turning in an assignment is always better than not submitting anything at all, you want to make sure that you’re not compromising quality for speed. Simply put, the goal is to get your homework done quickly and still make a good grade on the assignment! 

Here are our two bonus tips for getting a decent grade on your homework assignments , even when you’re in a time crunch. 

#1: Do the Easy Parts First 

This is especially true if you’re working on a handout with multiple questions. Before you start working on the assignment, read through all the questions and problems. As you do, make a mark beside the questions you think are “easy” to answer . 

Once you’ve finished going through the whole assignment, you can answer these questions first. Getting the easy questions out of the way as quickly as possible lets you spend more time on the trickier portions of your homework, which will maximize your assignment grade. 

(Quick note: this is also a good strategy to use on timed assignments and tests, like the SAT and the ACT !) 

#2: Pay Attention in Class 

Homework gets a lot easier when you’re actively learning the material. Teachers aren’t giving you homework because they’re mean or trying to ruin your weekend... it’s because they want you to really understand the course material. Homework is designed to reinforce what you’re already learning in class so you’ll be ready to tackle harder concepts later.

When you pay attention in class, ask questions, and take good notes, you’re absorbing the information you’ll need to succeed on your homework assignments. (You’re stuck in class anyway, so you might as well make the most of it!) Not only will paying attention in class make your homework less confusing, it will also help it go much faster, too.

What’s Next?

If you’re looking to improve your productivity beyond homework, a good place to begin is with time management. After all, we only have so much time in a day...so it’s important to get the most out of it! To get you started, check out this list of the 12 best time management techniques that you can start using today.

You may have read this article because homework struggles have been affecting your GPA. Now that you’re on the path to homework success, it’s time to start being proactive about raising your grades. This article teaches you everything you need to know about raising your GPA so you can

Now you know how to get motivated to do homework...but what about your study habits? Studying is just as critical to getting good grades, and ultimately getting into a good college . We can teach you how to study bette r in high school. (We’ve also got tons of resources to help you study for your ACT and SAT exams , too!)

These recommendations are based solely on our knowledge and experience. If you purchase an item through one of our links, PrepScholar may receive a commission.

Ashley Sufflé Robinson has a Ph.D. in 19th Century English Literature. As a content writer for PrepScholar, Ashley is passionate about giving college-bound students the in-depth information they need to get into the school of their dreams.

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• Environment

It can be nice to have a TV show in your rotation that you know isn’t ending any time soon. But sometimes, you want something with an end point in mind from its creators. Freed from the pressures of renewal and cancellation, limited series can give us some of the best storytelling the medium of television has to offer.

That’s been on full display recently, with a strong run of limited series in 2024 alone. The best TV of the year includes multiple “one and done” shows: The Regime , Baby Reindeer , Masters of the Air , and the excellent Shōgun , one of the best American TV shows in recent memory. And more are on their way: Park Chan-wook’s The Sympathizer is running through its season on HBO, The Veil and Under the Bridge just started on FX on Hulu, and even Knuckles is getting in on limited series action.

All the strong one-season shows on offer this year had the Polygon staff wondering: What are the best limited series ever that you can watch at home right now? Anthology series and shows that got cancelled after a season don’t count — we’re looking only at shows that were planned as one-and-done entities.

Band of Brothers

Where to watch: Max and Netflix

A lot has changed about prestige TV in the 23 years since Band of Brothers first premiered on HBO. But no matter what trends have come and gone since then, one thing that hasn’t changed is the absolute excellence of Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks’ World War II series.

Band of Brothers follows a regiment of soldiers, nicknamed Easy Company, from paratrooper training through their experiences in the Second World War’s European theater. The show’s depiction of war is downright hellish: a muddy, bloody, and terrifying portrait of conflict that manages to capture both the moment-to-moment imperative of survival, and the often-futile feeling of individual gun fights and victories.

All this is given incredible life by the series’ impressive filmmaking as well as its parade of recognizable faces and future movie stars. Damian Lewis, Ron Livingston, Michael Fassbender, David Schwimmer, Tom Hardy, Simon Pegg, Colin Hanks, Dominic Cooper, James McAvoy, and more all show up at one point or another.

Each episode starts with a real-life interview from a member of Easy Company, on which the characters and events of the series are based. It’s a jarring choice to this day, but one that helps underscore the true-to-life horrors of the show and serves both creatively and practically as a profound memorial to the soldiers themselves. The interviews also give the series a stately feel that both makes it feel right at home with prestige TV, and oddly out-of-step and unique from everything that’s come before or after. — Austen Goslin

Where to watch: Hulu

Can a limited series survive on vibes alone? Devs supposes that perhaps, with enough sumptuous techno-religious set design and otherworldly electro-drones, you can. Luckily, the rest of Alex Garland’s 8-episode silicon valley espionage thriller also delivers. Nick Offerman effortlessly puts his dry, understated delivery to sinister effect as mysterious tech CEO Forest, a man who talks like a guru but also orders a murder the second his quantum machine is threatened. And what a machine it is: the cubic, shimmering gold set is nearly as iconic as the former Parks and Rec star.

What exactly this machine does is at the heart of the show’s mystery, as is the aforementioned murder Sonoya Mizuno’s Lily is trying to solve. Her raw, heart-wrenching performance takes many twists and turns, keeping the whole thing emotionally grounded. Though the show luxuriates in poetry readings and languid establishing shots, it’s still more than just cerebrally intense viewing thanks in particular to Zach Grenier’s menacing turn as Forest’s head of security Kenton. Few shows can so effortlessly shift from gripping hand to hand combat to ruminations on the nature of free will and back again. — Clayton Ashley

I, Claudius

Where to watch: Acorn TV, free on Hoopla with a library card, digital purchase on Amazon / Apple

There are several reasons you should watch I, Claudius , the classic 1976 BBC miniseries, not least of which is: Have you ever wanted to see Patrick Stewart in the most bizarre Roman legionnaire wig you’ve ever seen?

Thankfully, I, Claudius ’ legacy is greater than anything that curly hair could invoke in us. The series, tracing the early Roman Empire’s history through the eyes of eventual emperor Claudius (Derek Jacobi), boasts a cast longer than any British miniseries you’ve ever seen, and there’s not a dud in the bunch. The tangled, intricate web of deception, backstabbing, and politicking is the blueprint and inspiration for shows like Game of Thrones and The Sopranos . Its production — both visually and in its sometimes clunky updating — is totally of its time. It’s a relic and a legend, a historical record that gave us the TV of today. — Zosha Millman

The Little Drummer Girl

Where to watch: Digital purchase on Amazon / Apple

Legendary director Park Chan-wook ( Oldboy , Decision to Leave ) has a new buzzy mini-series out in The Sympathizer . But it isn’t his first foray into the format.

In 2018, Park’s adaptation of one of John le Carré’s best spy novels paired two burgeoning movie stars (Florence Pugh and Alexander Skarsgård) with the director’s impeccable attention to detail, creating one of the most underrated shows of the century.

A young actress (Pugh) meets a handsome stranger (Skarsgård) while on vacation. What appears at first to be a summer fling soon comes into focus as a recruitment operation — the stranger works for Israeli intelligence, and he brings the young woman into the dangerous world of espionage.

The Little Drummer Girl is a pitch-perfect match of talent and source material. Le Carré’s espionage stories are intricate and nuanced, never inclined to take the easy way out, which makes Park the perfect director to tackle his stories. — Pete Volk

Midnight Mass

Where to watch: Netflix

While other Mike Flanagan Netflix miniseries might be more high profile, nothing stands out like Midnight Mass. At the time he released it he called the show his “most personal” work, gestating for years as he built up the clout and skill to make it .

Midnight Mass tells the story of a small, dying town suddenly inundated with miracles and weird events after a charismatic priest moves in. Flanagan imbues the story with a lot of heart, and an equal amount of pointed horror. The result is bold and clear: An ambitious piece that’s at once punching widely and landing specifically, a wonderfully imperfect and deeply personal masterpiece. — ZM

Mildred Pierce

Where to watch: Max

In some ways, this 2011 HBO adaptation of the classic 1940s James M. Cain novel is the classic archetype of a prestige miniseries. It’s organized around one show-stopping performance from a massive star — Kate Winslet, always riveting as Mildred. It’s a period piece, with sumptuous, glossy production values – lots of warm light and nice clothes — that are cinematic without abandoning the comforting, close-up frame of TV. But because it’s directed by Todd Haynes, it’s also gently subversive, reframing Cain’s key noir text about an ordinary L.A. housewife driven to desperation as something less heated and more patient — a post-modern, queer-coded, feminist melodrama. — Oli Welsh

Over the Garden Wall

Many of the entries on this list make great watches, and allow for rewarding rewatches. But for my money, this is the only one that demands an annual rewatch. Over the Garden Wall and all its many, lyrical charms are best consumed at the onset to fall, the perfect New England Gothic to parallel the freshly crunchy leaves.

The story follows two brothers, Wirt (Elijah Wood) and Greg (Collin Dean) as they attempt to make their way out of a supernatural forest and find their way home. Along the way they meet a host of colorful characters — a talking bluebird and a haunted woodsman, to name only just a couple — and encounter situations both goofy and spooky. It’s perfect for autumn, or just whenever you have a free afternoon. — ZM

The Prisoner

Where to watch: For free with ads on Crackle, Plex, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, Tubi

One of the most influential TV shows ever made, The Prisoner is a fantastic 17-episode series from 1967 about a British spy held captive in a strange coastal village after attempting to quit his job. Created by star Patrick McGoohan, The Prisoner comes by its reputation honestly — it’s thrilling spy-fi with a great central mystery, a strong leading performances, and an iconic line of dialogue that has lived on in pop culture history: “I am not a number! I am a free man.”

Unlike some of the other shows on this list, The Prisoner had a pretty open-ended finale — garnering some controversy — but it is well worth the watch. — PV

TV is often compared to movies in an attempt to elevate it; it turns out, the only thing people allegedly want more than a film is something that’s “actually more like a 10-hour movie.” FX’s Shōgun is easy to draw the comparison with, sharing DNA with a lot of war movies as much as it does smart miniseries.

But ultimately the show stands tall as exactly what it is: television, and damn good television at that. Across its 10 episodes, Shōgun builds its story methodically and exquisitely. Watching it is like tracing down a fuse only to find it’s already been lit, all glorious fireworks you couldn’t damper if you tried. Its strength comes from its elegant diffuseness, its trust of the audience, and constant awareness of how to build a story. That’s TV, baby, and damn good TV at that. — ZM

Where to watch: Prime Video

It’s debatable whether Steve McQueen’s one-off anthology series about Black life in Britain in the 1970s and ’80s is really a miniseries at all, but what else would you call it? Well, a masterpiece, for one — probably the director’s best work, which is saying something. The centerpiece is the gripping feature-length courtroom drama Mangrove , but even that brilliant film is exceeded by Lovers Rock , a soulful slice-of-life ode to the Brixton reggae house party scene, and a deeply moving tribute to the power and resilience of community (with great tunes). There are outstanding performances across the series, too — particularly from Shaun Parkes and Letitia Wright in Mangrove , and John Boyega, struggling with the duality of being both Black and a police officer in Red, White, and Blue . — OW

Station Eleven

Max’s lovely miniseries adaptation of Emily St. John Mandel’s novel Station Eleven came at an opportune time — close enough to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic for its story about a pandemic apocalypse to feel relevant and narratively important, but not so close that it felt “too soon.” (Beating The Last of Us to air didn’t hurt either, given the shows’ very broad narrative similarities .)

Showrunner Patrick Somerville tweaked the story and its structure, but the thrust remains the same — as the story jumps back and forth from pandemic onset to what life is like for the survivors 20 years later, a narrative emerges about community and creativity, how people make sense of trauma and crisis through art, and maintain a sense of connection and commonality by passing that art down. It’s a beautifully shot and beautifully acted limited series that isn’t about empty feel-good uplift or wallowing in apocalyptic doom — like The Leftovers , which Somerville worked on as a writer, it feels almost surreal and strangely practical at the same time as it lays out its many separate threads about characters finding purpose after a huge and unexpected upheaval. — Tasha Robinson

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Where to watch: YouTube

This BBC adaptation of John Le Carré’s famous spy novel from 1979 effortlessly outclasses the 2011 movie — even though that’s a pretty good, classy film. Partly that’s because, over seven 50-minute episodes, it has more room to untangle Le Carré’s devious plot about a mole hunt in the dog days of the Cold War, and to soak in the melancholy of the characters. Partly that’s because it’s no period piece, and it was able to capture the atmosphere of wounded, jaded patriotism at the time, on gorgeously faded 16mm film, in gorgeously faded locations. Mostly it’s because Alec Guinness’ George Smiley is one of the most perfect bits of casting in TV history: a patient, lugubrious, sad genius of spycraft whose unblinking gaze penetrates every shroud. Even Gary Oldman could never match it. — OW

The post The best limited series you can watch right now appeared first on Polygon .

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