Homework help for half-term: Five tips to see you through

October half-term Is a chance to recharge after what was likely a busy first few months in school, whether you've been getting used to new routines, new subjects or a bigger workload. School can be pretty tiring, so having a break can allow you to rest, reset and get ready for the busy run up to the Christmas break.

Even though there is time to relax during half-term, you might have been given some important homework tasks to complete during your downtime, but fear not – we've got five tips to help you hack your homework and get it done without stress.

1. Understand why you do homework

One of the first things to get your head around is why you actually do homework. While it can sometimes feel like a bit of a bore, homework can be really beneficial as it actually helps you build on what you know and strengthen your understanding of topics, which can make it easier to keep up with work in lessons.

Doing homework during half-term can also help you build the habits and routines that will help you succeed as go back to school and you move through the school years. It will help you identify what works best for you as the work demands increase further up the school.

2. When should you do your homework?

Our routines can sometimes be all over the place, especially during half-term breaks, but you should take some time to think about when you work best and try and stick to that. Everyone has their own preferences, you might feel more productive in the morning, maybe you work better after you've eaten your lunch, or you might get more done in the evening, especially if you have lots of plans to do things in the daytime over half-term. Just remember to take regular breaks, and to reward yourself after half an hour of solid work before returning to your homework.

You can find more help about getting into that homework state of mind here.

3. Revise ahead of your mock exams

If you are doing mock exams this autumn, then the homework you have been set this half-term break might be revision-based. Past papers are a good place to start, but did you know that you should be able to find and download past papers on your exam board's website? Doing lots of past papers will help you become familiar with the type and style of question that may be asked on your exam.

Try to do your past papers in exam-like conditions and stick to the time-limit you set – this will help when it comes to the real thing.

4. Managing shared-devices

Being set homework over half-term is all well and good, but if there's only one tablet, laptop or other device to share between you, your parents and your siblings, finding a time to get online can be tricky. If multiple people need to use the available devices, try and work out a schedule so that everyone gets a fair share.

It's also worth having a chat with your parents to let them know in advance that you have homework to complete. Find out if they need to use the laptop for work, and find a time that works for everyone. Planning ahead can make sure that you all get the time you need to complete the tasks at hand.

Remember, some homework might not require a laptop, so if you're waiting for a device to become available, use the time to focus on other tasks, such as revision, reading around a subject or completing written work. If you do need access to a computer and there isn't one available at home, you could use a public library. It can be a good opportunity to get out of the house and gives a quiet space to work if you struggle to concentrate at home.

5. How to use AI for homework

If you've hit a homework brick wall this half-term, it can be tempting to use AI to do your work for you. However, you shouldn't use AI to write your essays or complete your homework for you. Most schools now have rules about what is and isn't acceptable when it comes to using AI, so make sure you're familiar with your school's guidance.

While AI shouldn't do your homework for you, it can support you in other ways. For example, AI is great for summarising your own class notes to identify key themes and create revision materials. It can also be useful for generating practice questions or quizzes based on your revision notes to test your knowledge. You could even use AI to help you create a study timetable or revision plan to keep you on track this half-term.

AI can be useful as a research tool for your homework, but make sure you check the information it gives you. Fact check the information by finding at least two other reliable sources, such as a school text book or a Bitesize study guide on the topic.

You can find plenty of prompts you can type into an AI chatbot to help with your studies here.

Look after your wellbeing this half-term

Half-term is a good opportunity to do any homework, revision and keep on top of your studying, but don't forget to look after your wellbeing too and take a well earned rest break.

You could use your free time to set personal and study goals, do some exercise or try new hobbies. Want to find out how much time you spend on your phone? Take our Doomscrolling calculator quiz and discover how many hours you'll spend on your phone by the time you're 18. If you fancy a break from your screen, why not do some reading? Whether you haven't read in ages and want to get back into it, or love reading but struggle to find the right book, take our quiz and find the perfect book for you! It's also a great way to relax.

If you need support

You should always tell someone about the things you’re worried about. You can tell a friend, parent, guardian, teacher, or another trusted adult. If you're struggling with your mental health, going to your GP can be a good place to start to find help. Your GP can let you know what support is available to you, suggest different types of treatment and offer regular check-ups to see how you’re doing.

If you’re in need of in-the-moment support you can contact Childline, where you can speak to a counsellor. Their lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

There are more links to helpful organisations on the BBC Bitesize Action Line page for young people.