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Homework load forces me to pull all nighters- what should I do?

I get a lot of homework- my school claims it’s 24 hours a week limit but the truth is that some teachers will set more than they’re allowed. This week I had a whole set of end of topic homeworks (which tend to be a lot longer than normal ones) set and it’s really messing with my sleep. As I type this, I’m preparing for an all nighter because I still have 3 sheets, a 12 page booklet and an entire mixed exercise (you know the ones at the end of topics in the edexcel maths books) due. This isn’t the first time it’s happened either- topic lengths sometimes just align this way.

I’m not the only student struggling and it’s made it impossible to have time to revise for my upcoming Cambridge entrance tests, let alone have any free time. I’ve even resorted to not doing some homework I know the teacher won’t check in order to make time for the rest. Can anyone offer advice on how to handle this?
Sounds like a tough situation,
I'm assuming you're in year 13, and Id say that if you are really set on Cambridge then maybe you need to figure out your priorities like being prepared for the Cambridge tests. This time of year when the subjects suddenly feel a lot heavier AND you are juggling UCAS is definitely stressful, but once it passes you can focus purely on exams.

Maybe an obvious question but have you tried talking to your teacher? There was one point in year 13 where i got really burnt out and homework felt like such an extra burden on top and my teacher was able to accomodate me since they knew it wasn't like I didn't care about my grades. You're teacher isnt setting this stuff for no reason and excercise booklets can certainly be useful but honestly sometimes it really is too much.
if you dont think your teacher is the understanding type, maybe go to someone like head of sixth form or personal tutor.

Obviously you know yourself the best and its important not to let yourself fall behind in terms of actually covering the topics like in your notes/flashcard or however you revise (making sure you UNDERSTAND it now so you dont have to teach yourself from scratch later). Im not saying give up on revision either, but when it comes to uni applications you need to find a balance. Its not like ur sitting your final exams tomorrow.

Trust me, frequenting all nighters are really not a good idea, especially if its just over homework rather than ur own revision. Doing that can easily creep up on you when you need the energy. So make sure you are sleeping a decent amount each night This is really not the time to be burning out. Sorry if that isnt perfect advice.
(edited 4 weeks ago)
Original post by icelatte
Sounds like a tough situation,
I'm assuming you're in year 13, and Id say that if you are really set on Cambridge then maybe you need to figure out your priorities like being prepared for the Cambridge tests. This time of year when the subjects suddenly feel a lot heavier AND you are juggling UCAS is definitely stressful, but once it passes you can focus purely on exams.
Maybe an obvious question but have you tried talking to your teacher? There was one point in year 13 where i got really burnt out and homework felt like such an extra burden on top and my teacher was able to accomodate me since they knew it wasn't like I didn't care about my grades. You're teacher isnt setting this stuff for no reason and excercise booklets can certainly be useful but honestly sometimes it really is too much.
if you dont think your teacher is the understanding type, maybe go to someone like head of sixth form or personal tutor.
Obviously you know yourself the best and its important not to let yourself fall behind in terms of actually covering the topics like in your notes/flashcard or however you revise (making sure you UNDERSTAND it now so you dont have to teach yourself from scratch later). Im not saying give up on revision either, but when it comes to uni applications you need to find a balance. Its not like ur sitting your final exams tomorrow.
Trust me, frequenting all nighters are really not a good idea, especially if its just over homework rather than ur own revision. Doing that can easily creep up on you when you need the energy. So make sure you are sleeping a decent amount each night This is really not the time to be burning out. Sorry if that isnt perfect advice.

Thanks! I’ll see what I can do but I think the main problem is that all the teachers set a bit over and it adds up. I’m slightly concerned about what might happen if I talk to the head of 6th form- this happened once before and I basically ended up in some kind of detention equivalent so I could be helped with my homework- I didn’t need help, I just needed less but all that did was make me more burned out because they stopped me going to my clubs.
Similar to what is happening to me.
I'm in my first year of A level and will be completing next year. I'm doing Biology Chemistry and Mathematics, however, at my school lessons start from 3:00 a.m to 10:00 p.m. The lessons normally start at 7:20 a.m, in addition to personal and a-must 3-6a.m mor
Sorry, I never completed my writing and it got sent accidentally.
I was actually saying, we usually have 3-6 a.m morning prep and lessons start at 7:20 a.m to 10:00 p.m. But one of our Biology teachers now teaches us even during morning prep, so this means lessons start from 3 a.m to 10:00p.m. By that time I'm always too worn out to do personal revision, and we have only 5 hours for personal activities from 10 p.m to 3a.m, but I'm trying to adjust and adapt. I try to create free time, and also take opportunity of any slightest break.
For your case I think it would be good for you to break the assignments into categories. For example start with cheap and short questions, do as many as you can. Then move on to long or difficult ones and try to do the basic ones, then use the weekend, especially 7:00 a.m to 12 a.m to complete the remaining assignments. You can then take to the teacher and explain that you urgently need his help, no teacher will refuse to help.
Also try to answer the difficult questions as soon as they are given, in class, with some of your friends, it will reduce your workload and motivate you to complete the easy questions too.
Original post by Peterversion777
Sorry, I never completed my writing and it got sent accidentally.
I was actually saying, we usually have 3-6 a.m morning prep and lessons start at 7:20 a.m to 10:00 p.m. But one of our Biology teachers now teaches us even during morning prep, so this means lessons start from 3 a.m to 10:00p.m. By that time I'm always too worn out to do personal revision, and we have only 5 hours for personal activities from 10 p.m to 3a.m, but I'm trying to adjust and adapt. I try to create free time, and also take opportunity of any slightest break.
For your case I think it would be good for you to break the assignments into categories. For example start with cheap and short questions, do as many as you can. Then move on to long or difficult ones and try to do the basic ones, then use the weekend, especially 7:00 a.m to 12 a.m to complete the remaining assignments. You can then take to the teacher and explain that you urgently need his help, no teacher will refuse to help.


Lessons from 3am to 10pm?
Am I reading this correctly?!?
And you wouldn't have time for ANY free time because you'd need to sleep in the 5 hours from 10pm to 3am...

After a month of those practically sweatshop hours you'd be a zombie. Like Edward Norton at the beginning of Fight Club!
It's really too tiring, I'm trying hard and planning, but that's how my daily schedule is!
Original post by Peterversion777
Similar to what is happening to me.
I'm in my first year of A level and will be completing next year. I'm doing Biology Chemistry and Mathematics, however, at my school lessons start from 3:00 a.m to 10:00 p.m. The lessons normally start at 7:20 a.m, in addition to personal and a-must 3-6a.m mor

3am-10pm? That sounds like a recipe for terrible sleep! I’m not sure if I’m reading this correctly but the way I read this, your school requires you to be in for 3 and end at 10 which, assuming you teleport straight to bed gives you a max 5 hours sleep. You definitely need to speak to teachers about that
Original post by Peterversion777
Sorry, I never completed my writing and it got sent accidentally.
I was actually saying, we usually have 3-6 a.m morning prep and lessons start at 7:20 a.m to 10:00 p.m. But one of our Biology teachers now teaches us even during morning prep, so this means lessons start from 3 a.m to 10:00p.m. By that time I'm always too worn out to do personal revision, and we have only 5 hours for personal activities from 10 p.m to 3a.m, but I'm trying to adjust and adapt. I try to create free time, and also take opportunity of any slightest break.
For your case I think it would be good for you to break the assignments into categories. For example start with cheap and short questions, do as many as you can. Then move on to long or difficult ones and try to do the basic ones, then use the weekend, especially 7:00 a.m to 12 a.m to complete the remaining assignments. You can then take to the teacher and explain that you urgently need his help, no teacher will refuse to help.

My previous reply still stands- those hours are insane but tysm for the advice!
Original post by Peterversion777
Also try to answer the difficult questions as soon as they are given, in class, with some of your friends, it will reduce your workload and motivate you to complete the easy questions too.

Unfortunately that’s not really an option at my school, class is only for learning and then we have the 24hrs/week for reinforcing the learning, mainly through homework
I'm 22 work 40 hours a week and I'm studying A-level Chemistry and a level 3 Maths qualification I can find myself doing all nighters on my days off like literally on a Saturday ill wake up at 10am and go to sleep at 8am then I'm back up 2pm on Sunday and it's my roast and gaming then back to study mode at 7pm till 7am and I'm up for work at 11. But when I get back from work at 1am I can sleep till 10:30am lol so I also do 24 hours a week it's ridiculous
Original post by SonicNChemistry
I'm 22 work 40 hours a week and I'm studying A-level Chemistry and a level 3 Maths qualification I can find myself doing all nighters on my days off like literally on a Saturday ill wake up at 10am and go to sleep at 8am then I'm back up 2pm on Sunday and it's my roast and gaming then back to study mode at 7pm till 7am and I'm up for work at 11. But when I get back from work at 1am I can sleep till 10:30am lol so I also do 24 hours a week it's ridiculous

Yeah it’s just not a sustainable way to live.
Original post by FaithSunderly
I get a lot of homework- my school claims it’s 24 hours a week limit but the truth is that some teachers will set more than they’re allowed. This week I had a whole set of end of topic homeworks (which tend to be a lot longer than normal ones) set and it’s really messing with my sleep. As I type this, I’m preparing for an all nighter because I still have 3 sheets, a 12 page booklet and an entire mixed exercise (you know the ones at the end of topics in the edexcel maths books) due. This isn’t the first time it’s happened either- topic lengths sometimes just align this way.
I’m not the only student struggling and it’s made it impossible to have time to revise for my upcoming Cambridge entrance tests, let alone have any free time. I’ve even resorted to not doing some homework I know the teacher won’t check in order to make time for the rest. Can anyone offer advice on how to handle this?

Hey @FaithSunderly,

I'd recommend getting in contact with your Head of Year/Head of Sixth Form and explaining the situation. Being set an excessive amount of homework can have detrimental effects on revision, especially if you're struggling to get a good night's sleep because of it.

If you're not the only student dealing with this, it might be worthwile sending a group email or trying to ask for a meeting together. Teachers and senior members of staff will be a lot more understanding if they know it's not just one student struggling with the system, and they're unlikely to try and put you all in a homework club as a way to deal with the situation.

Good luck, and hope your workload eases up soon,
Eve (Kingston Rep).
Original post by FaithSunderly
Yeah it’s just not a sustainable way to live.

I guess I'll just have to get on with it I have to work to support myself and I have to complete my A levels. Hopefully it will work out if I just focus, be consistent and persevere.
Original post by Kingston Reps
Hey @FaithSunderly,
I'd recommend getting in contact with your Head of Year/Head of Sixth Form and explaining the situation. Being set an excessive amount of homework can have detrimental effects on revision, especially if you're struggling to get a good night's sleep because of it.
If you're not the only student dealing with this, it might be worthwile sending a group email or trying to ask for a meeting together. Teachers and senior members of staff will be a lot more understanding if they know it's not just one student struggling with the system, and they're unlikely to try and put you all in a homework club as a way to deal with the situation.
Good luck, and hope your workload eases up soon,
Eve (Kingston Rep).

Thanks! I know I’m not the only one having trouble with this so I’ll try to get some friends together to help me show that it’s a year-wide problem
Original post by SonicNChemistry
I guess I'll just have to get on with it I have to work to support myself and I have to complete my A levels. Hopefully it will work out if I just focus, be consistent and persevere.

Good luck with it, it sounds tough but you’ve only got 1-2 years left of it

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