I was Year Head for First Year Students for 8 years during the 1990s. At my first assembly with them, I decided to help them in relation to putting together a daily Homework Plan. I gave each of them a blank template to work from. I noticed immediately that the word Homework didn’t go down well with them. There was absolutely no enthusiasm from them with regard to doing this.
Why? Read on to hear how I can achieve balance that can be maintained.

I was determined to continue and I knew how to get them engaged. I asked them were many of them involved with a Sports Club? Most of their hands shot up with that. I then asked them were many involved in playing on teams and the training associated with that? Again, a lot of hands went up. I then asked them to slot in the times when matches and training takes place. There was a sudden rise in the level of enthusiasm for what we were doing. I asked were any involved with the Scouts. A number of hands went up and they slotted in times of meetings etc. I asked them were there any other Leisure Activities they were involved in that we hadn’t mentioned and more slots were filled in. I even asked them what their favourite TV Programme was and to put it in. At this stage there was a lot of enthusiasm and I was suddenly much more popular.

I gave them one more chance to come up with other Interests but they appeared to be done at that stage. I then said that we have to fit in the time for Homework now and they were much more receptive at that stage. I always recommend 90 minutes per day for Homework, Study & Revision for First Year Students broken up into 3 half hour sessions. We then proceeded to slot these into the plan including Saturdays and Sundays. They all went away happy that day thinking that it was all very fair. I was satisfied that we had a really good balance in there between Homework & Leisure and that it stood a really good chance of working consistently through the year.

I have always held the view that Leisure/Rest & Recovery time is hugely important. It probably goes back to my Rugby Coaching days when I found out that quality rest & recovery is essential for quality work to take place. This becomes even more important as examinations approach. There can be a natural tendency for the amount of work to be increased substantially the nearer we get to the exams. I have learned from experience about the importance of good balance at all times. The objective, come exam time, is that you are in the form of your life throughout them. This requires you to be fresh and alert on each day of the exams right to the very end. This won’t be possible if you had to burn the midnight oil the previous night before an exam. Cramming at the very end has to be avoided at all costs. This can be achieved with consistent preparation throughout the year. This is the main reason why I break the year up into 11 Periods. It makes each Student be aware of the ‘Big Picture’ while the immediate focus is always on the period you are in. All of this will only happen with careful planning and committing totally to the plans you have in place