Homework Help: A Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Unstuck and Learning Smarter

Homework problems usually come from one of several difficulties.

You Do Not Understand the Instructions

You may know the topic but not understand what words such as:

• analyze;
• evaluate;
• compare;
• calculate;
• justify;
• summarize;
• discuss;

actually require you to do.

You Understand the Question but Not the Concept

For example, you may understand that a problem asks for acceleration but not remember how acceleration works.

You Know the Concept but Cannot Apply It

This commonly happens in mathematics and science.

You understand the formula during a lesson but cannot recognize when to use it independently.

The Assignment Feels Too Large

A research project, long essay, presentation, or multi-part assignment can feel difficult because you are trying to think about the entire task at once.