i have an assignment to finish tonight

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A student protester's guide to last-minute essay writing

I f those trips down to the demos in Westminster have left you behind schedule for your end-of-term assignment, you may well be forced to write in the small hours this week. Here's how to pull it off safely and successfully.

12am: Get as far away from your bed as possible

Before you begin, avoid warmth and soft furnishings. Propped up on pillows in the glow of a laptop may feel like savvy ergonomics, but your keyboard will start to look pillow-like by midnight, and 418 pages of the word "gf64444444444444444444" will detract from the force of your argument. You could try the kitchen. Or Krakow. But your industrially lit 24-hour campus library should do the trick.

12:25am: Take a catnap

Thomas Edison used to catnap through the night with a steel ball in his hand. As he relaxed and the ball dropped, he would wake up, usually with fresh ideas. "Caffeine and a short nap make a very effective combination," says Jim Horne, director of the Loughborough Sleep Research Centre. "Have the coffee first. This takes about 20 minutes to work, so take a 15-minute nap. Use an alarm to wake up and avoid deep sleep kicking in. Do this twice throughout the night."

12.56am: Reduce your internet options

Temporarily block Twitter, Spotify, Group Hug, YouTube, 4od and anything else that distracts you. Constantly updating your word count on Facebook may feel like fun, but to everyone else you'll look like you're constantly updating your word count on Facebook.

1-3am: Now write your essay. No, really

You've widened your margins, subtly enlarged your font and filled your bibliography with references of such profound obscurity that no one will notice you're missing 3,000 words. It's time to brainstorm, outline, carve words, followed by more words, into that milk-white oblivion that taunts you. Speed-read articles. Key-word Google Books. Remember texts you love and draw comparisons. Reword. Expound. Invent. Neologise. Get excited. Find a problem you can relish and keep writing. While others flit from point to point, your impassioned and meticulous analysis of a single contention is music to a marker's eyes.

3-5am: Get lost in your analysis, your characters, your world Write like you're trying to convince the most stubborn grammarian about truth, or heartless alien invaders about love. Don't overload with examples – be creative with the ones you have. Detail will save your life, but don't waste time perfecting sentences – get the bulk down first and clean up later. "The progress of any writer," said Ted Hughes, "is marked by those moments when he manages to outwit his own inner police system." Outwit your own inner police system. Expect progress. Ted says so.

5:01am: Don't cheat

It's about now that websites such as easyessay.co.uk will start to look tempting. And you may sleep easier knowing that a dubiously accredited Italian yoga instructor is writing about Joyce instead of you. But the guilt will keep you up between now and results day. And you'll toss and turn the night before graduation, job interviews, promotions, dinner parties, children's birthdays, family funerals . . . you get the idea.

5.17am: Don't die

Sounds obvious, but dying at your computer is definitely trending. And however uncool it may seem to "pass on" during a five-day stint at World of Warcraft, it will be much more embarrassing to die explaining perspectivism to no one in particular. So be careful. Stay hydrated. Blink occasionally. And keep writing.

5.45am: Eat something simple

"There are no foods that are particularly good at promoting alertness," says Horne. "But avoid heavy and fatty meals in the small hours. Avoid very sugary drinks that don't contain caffeine, too. Sugar is not very effective in combating sleepiness." Fun fact: an apple provides you with more energy than a cup of coffee. Now stick the kettle on.

5.46am: Delight in being a piece of living research

If you happen to be "fatigue resistant" you should now be enjoying the enhanced concentration, creative upwelling and euphoric oneness that sleep deprivation can bring. If not, try talking yourself into it. "Conversation keeps you awake," says Horne. "So talk to a friend or even to yourself – no one will hear you."

6am: Console yourself with lists of writers who stuck it out

Robert Frost was acquainted with the night. Dumas, Kafka, Dickens, Coleridge, Sartre, Poe and Breton night-walked and trance-wrote their way to literary distinction. John and Paul wrote A Hard Day's Night in the small hours. Herman the Recluse, atoning for broken monastic vows, is said to have written the Codex Gigas on 320 sheets of calfskin during a single night in 1229. True, he'd sold his soul to the Devil, but you're missing out on a live Twitter feed, so it's swings and roundabouts.

7am: Remember – art is never finished, only abandoned

Once you accept there's no more you can do, print it off and get to the submissions office quick. Horne: "You're not fit to drive if you've had less than five hours sleep, so don't risk it. Grab some exercise." Pop it in with the breeziness that comes from being top of your marker's pile. Back home, unblock Facebook and start buffering The Inbetweeners. And then sleep. Get as near to your bed as you can. Euphoric oneness doesn't come close.

Matt Shoard teaches creative writing at the University of Kent.

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4 Tips for Completing Your Homework On Time

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• B.A., English, University of Michigan

Homework, a necessary evil according to many teachers, has a lot of students tied up in knots. Some students can never seem to get things turned in on time. In fact, many students do not even realize that they  have  homework until a friend from class texts them or they overhear someone in the halls talking about Ms. So-and-so's terrible, no-good, awful, horrifying worksheet for Chemistry that is due the next day. These five tips for completing your homework on time, however, should help you get that homework finished on time. 

Tip 1: Rely On a Planning System

Most of you by now are well acquainted with a homework planner. It has the dates, the school subjects you are taking, and a whole lot of blank space to write down your homework assignments. Use these planners if you have them. Writing with an actual pencil or pen may seem almost archaic what with technology virtually doing everything for us, but the kinesthetic movement of writing down an assignment into one of those little squares (Language Arts test tomorrow - STUDY TONIGHT), will actually help solidify that homework in your brain.

Plus, when you are packing up to go home at the end of the school day, all you have to do is open up that planner to see which books, folders, and binders need to go home with you so you will not miss out anything that you need to do that evening.

Some people  hate  using planners. They'd rather walk on a pile of crushed glass than actually write something down in a planner. That's quite all right. One student kept a wadded up piece of paper in his pocket where he'd scrawl his assignments. It worked for him, so it was fine. For those of you not keen on planners or crumpled up notes, your phone can come in really handy. Just download a productivity app and type your assignments in there. Or, keep track of all the work due in the notes section of your phone. Or, snap a picture of the homework board in each teacher's class before you head out into the hallway. Or, if you are really dead-set against anything planner-related, then just send yourself a text after each class with your homework assignments for the night.

No matter which planning system you prefer, use it. Check off each item once you get it in your backpack. Your brain can only process so much information at a time, so you absolutely must write your homework down if you plan to complete it on time. 

Tip 2: Prioritize Your Homework Assignments

All assignments are not created equal. It's strongly recommended you use a prioritizing system when you sit down at home with your homework. Try a system a little something like this:

• Examples: Studying for a major test coming up tomorrow. Finishing a major project due tomorrow. Writing an essay worth a LOT of points that is due tomorrow. 
• Examples:  Studying for a quiz coming up tomorrow. Completing a homework sheet that is due tomorrow. Reading a chapter that is due tomorrow. 
• Examples: Studying for a spelling test that will occur on Friday. Writing a blog and posting it on the class board by Friday. Finish a book upon which you will take a quiz on Friday.
• Examples: Reviewing chapters for the midterm exam. Working on an on-going project, research paper, or long assignment due at the end of the quarter. Completing a packet that isn't due for two weeks. 

Once you've prioritized the work you have to do, complete all the 1's first, then the 2's, moving down as you go. That way, if you find yourself pressed for time because Great-Grandma decided to stop over for family dinner and your mom insisted you spend the evening playing bridge with her despite the fact that you have hours of homework ahead of you, then you will not have missed anything vitally important to your grade. 

Tip 3: Get the Worst Assignment Over With First

So, maybe you absolutely hate writing essays (But, why, though when all you have to do is follow these essay tips? ) and you have a major essay staring you in the face that  must  be completed before tomorrow. You also have to study for a major math test, complete a social studies blog by Friday, study for the ACT  next month, and finish up your science worksheet from class. Your "1" assignments would be the essay and the math test. Your "2" assignment is the science worksheet, the "3" assignment is that blog, and the "4" assignment is studying for the ACT. 

Ordinarily, you would start with the science worksheet because you  love  science, but that would be a big mistake. Start with those "1" assignments and knock out that essay first. Why? Because you hate it. And completing the worst assignment first gets it off your mind, out of your homework cache, and makes everything that comes after it appears to be really, really easy. It will be an absolute  joy  to complete that science worksheet once you have written the essay. Why rob yourself of joy? 

Then, once you've completed the stuff due first, you can focus on putting in a little bit of time on the ACT. Easy peasy.

Tip 4: Take Planned Breaks

Some people believe that sitting down to complete homework means that you literally park your behind in a chair and you don't move it for the next four thousand hours or so. That is one of the worst study ideas in history. Your brain only has the capacity to stay focused for about 45 minutes (maybe even less for some of you) before it goes on the fritz and starts wanting to make you get up and dance the Roger Rabbit. So, schedule your study time with breaks actually built in . Work for 45 minutes, then take a 10-minute break to do whatever it is people your age like to do. Then, rinse and repeat. It looks a little something like this:

Homework Time:

• 45 minutes: Work on "1" assignments, starting with the absolute worst.
• 10 minutes: Get a snack, play Pokemon Go!, surf Instagram
• 45 minutes: Work on "1" assignments again. You know you didn't finish.
• 10 minutes: Do some jumping jacks, dance the Macarena, polish your nails.
• 45 minutes: Work on "2" assignments and maybe even finish with any 3s and 4s. Put everything in your backpack.

Completing your homework on time is a learned skill. It requires some discipline and not everyone is naturally disciplined. So, you have to practice checking that you have everything you need for homework when you are still at school, prioritizing your work, plunging into the assignments you loathe, and taking planned breaks. Isn't your grade worth it?

You bet it is. 

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14 Proven Tips For Completing Assignments

Completing assignments can be a daunting task, but there are a few things that you can do to make the process a whole lot easier. 

Are you finding it difficult to complete your assignments on time? If you’re looking for some tips to help you get organized and stay on track, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, I’ll share some helpful strategies that will make completing your assignments a breeze.

But first, let’s analyze why it’s essential that you complete your assignments on time.

Why are assignments important?

Though often met with groans and complaints, academic assignments are actually beneficial in a number of ways. For one, they force students to engage with the material on a deeper level, encouraging them to really think about what they’re learning and stay on track with their studies.

In addition, academic assignments help students to develop important research, writing and study skills that will be useful in college and beyond.

Academic assignments also give students the opportunity to receive feedback from their instructors on their work.

Assignments are a great way to increase parent engagement in learning and for students to develop a sense of responsibility.

Notably, despite its benefits, too many assignments can do more harm than good.

Too much assignments can interfere with free time and involvement in extra-curricular activities. Assignment completion may be increasingly frustrating and stressful when there are challenges with the home environment. O’Rourke-Ferrara, 1998

Why is completing assignments on time important?

Completing assignments on time allows you to fully engage with the material and understand the concepts.

Subsequently, you’ll likely earn better grades and improve your chances of success in school. Additionally, completing assignments in a timely manner will also give you a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.

Completing assignments on time demonstrates to your instructor that you are capable of meeting deadlines. This is important in both academic and professional settings.

Plus we all know that once you start falling behind on assignments, it can be difficult to catch up.

Finally, completing assignments on time will likely improve your sleep and reduce stress levels.

According to research, completing assignments improves independence, self-discipline, and time management skills. In addition, it has been linked with better grades and academic success. planchard et al., 2015

Tips for completing assignments

So how can you make sure that you complete your assignments on time? Here are a few tips that may help:

1. Read the assignment instructions carefully

Make sure you understand what is expected of you before you start working on the assignment. Read the instructions carefully, and if anything is unclear, be sure to ask for clarification.

2. Identify why the assignment is necessary

Identifying why the assignment is necessary is an important first step for success. Acknowledging the importance of a task or goal can help you stay motivated to do the best possible work and see meaningful results.

It gives purpose to your efforts, and this in turn can help provide focus and direction, leading to better results through hard work and dedication.

Research shows that the main motivating factors for homework completion were: (1) Reinforcement: desire to learn or master the material (2) Credit (3) Extra-credit planchard et al., 2015

3. Start early to complete assignments on time

Assignments can take longer than you think, so start working on them as soon as they’re assigned. This will help you avoid last-minute stress and ensure that you have enough time to complete the assignment to the best of your ability.

4. Set goals for assignment completion

One way to stay on track with an assignment is to break it down into smaller goals. For example, if you have a research paper to write, your goal for the first day might be to choose a topic and find five sources.

Once you’ve met that goal, you can set a new goal for the next day. Breaking the assignment down into smaller tasks can help to make it feel less overwhelming, and it can also help you to track your progress. 

5 . Create a schedule to finish assignments

Once you know when the assignment is due, create a schedule that breaks the work down into manageable tasks. This will help you stay on track and avoid feeling overwhelmed by the assignment.

Research shows that the most common demotivating factors for homework completion were: (1) Other commitments (2) Difficulty understanding (3) Too difficult or too long planchard et al., 2015

6. Identify the resources required for the assignment

Another important step in completing an assignment is to identify the resources that you’ll need. This might include books, articles, websites, or people you can interview. Having a list of resources will help you to focus your research and make the process easier.

7. Track your reference s when researching

As you’re doing research for your assignment, be sure to track the references that you’re using. This will save you time when you’re writing your paper and will ensure that you give credit to the sources that you’ve used.

8. Set aside uninterrupted time for assignments

Once you have a schedule, set aside time each day or each week to work on the assignment. During this time, turn off distractions like your phone and social media. This will help you stay focused and make the most of your time.

9. Ask for help if you get stuck

If you’re struggling with the assignment, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Talk to your professor, a tutor, or a friend who is doing well in the class. They can offer guidance and support that can help you get back on track.

10. Take breaks when completing assignments

Working on an assignment for long periods of time can be overwhelming and lead to burnout. To avoid this, take breaks throughout the day or week. during your break, do something that you enjoy or that will help you relax.

11. Celebrate your progress

As you complete tasks on your schedule, take a moment to celebrate your progress. This will help you stay motivated and focused. It can be something as simple as taking a break after completing a section or giving yourself a small treat.

12. Proofread your assignments

Once you’ve completed the assignment, take the time to proofread it. This will help you catch any mistakes and make sure that your work is of the best quality.

13. Submit your assignments on time

Make sure to submit your assignment on time. If you’re having trouble with this, talk to your professor or a tutor. They may be able to offer extension or help you get back on track.

14. Relax after completing each assignment

After you’ve submitted the assignment, it’s important to relax. Take some time for yourself and do something that you enjoy. This will help you relax and prepare for the next assignment.

Final words on proven tips for completing assignments

If you follow these tips, you will be well on your way to acing any assignment. Do you have any other studying or coursework tips that have worked well for you?

Drop a comment below and let me know. Best of luck in all your future assignments.

Read also: 22 Key Tips To Easily Improve Writing Skills

O’Rourke-Ferrara, Catherine. “Did You Complete All Your Homework Tonight, Dear?” Information Analyses (070) Opinion Papers (120) — Reports Research (143) 1998

Planchard, Matthew S. et al. “Homework, Motivation, and Academic Achievement in a College Genetics Course.”  Bioscene: The Journal Of College Biology Teaching  41 (2015): 11-18. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1086528.pdf

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8 Ways To Stay Motivated To Complete Assignments

When you enter college, you get blasted with many responsibilities. Some are new to you, while others are not. The new things can take you a lot of time to learn. One new thing you have to learn and master is assignment writing . Yes, assignments are a big part of college life.

If you haven’t started college yet, you may be thinking that we’re exaggerating things. But, that’s not the case. Learning how to write assignments in college is crucial. Students who don’t learn it take expert help from websites like Grow With Grades (GWG), which isn’t bad, in our opinion.

Taking help occasionally isn’t bad. What’s bad is when you don’t learn how to write assignments throughout your time spent at college. We're writing this blog to stop you from dealing with this problem. This blog will tell you 8 ways to stay motivated to complete assignments.

Let’s start. 

Put An End To Procrastination

The first thing you want to take care of while writing assignments is to end procrastination. It is the number one enemy of a good and productive life. We know you love to sleep whenever you get time. But taking multiple naps throughout the day isn’t a good thing.

Procrastination can also look like using your smartphone, even after knowing that you have assignments to complete. Whatever is causing you to procrastinate, you need to find a solution ASAP.

The thing with procrastination is that it can stop you from completing the simplest of tasks. Consider you get 10 days for completing assignments . You can still not do it if you have a habit of procrastinating. You may not realize it now, but it is a big problem that will stop you from succeeding in life.  

Put Distractions Aside

Often some things lead you to procrastinate. And the most common is a smartphone. Parents reading this blog will agree that smartphones are indeed why they argue with their children. Children these days use smartphones for hours on end because they can do everything using them. From taking notes in class to setting reminders for assignment submission, there is no end to what can be done using smartphones.

When children have access to smartphones from a young age, they’re very likely to develop a habit. And developing a habit of using smartphones is never good because it can stop you from focusing on what’s important and start indulging in timepass activities.

So, from now on, when you’re about to start assignment writing , make sure to keep your smartphone away from you, preferably in the other room. Initially, you may want to use your smartphone every few minutes. But once you develop a habit, not using it will become a habit for you.

Do Extensive Research

You can’t straight away decide to write assignments when the professor asks you to. When you do it, assignment writing becomes boring, which is why you can’t stay motivated. There’s a very simple way you can counter this problem.

The way is by doing extensive research. When you research, you learn many things, and the task does not stay boring at all. Moreover, research is crucial for any assignment because you can’t complete it if you don’t research.

Make sure to search for information from multiple resources. When you do it, you identify any wrong information you might include if you don’t check multiple resources. We recommend you check research papers because they have the most credible information.

Create An Outline

You feel bored and lack motivation when you don’t begin the work. Often starting something is the hardest thing. You’ll realize it when you have to write assignments. Starting them is like a challenge, but you realize writing the other parts becomes fairly easy when you start writing.    

So, what you can do is create an outline for the assignment. Outline means to create the introduction and different headings. When you do it, you put an end to boredom and have a rough idea about what you’ll write. And when you have done some work, you stay motivated to complete the rest.

Reward Yourself

Writing assignments continuously can be tiring. We assure you that no one (even the best writers) can do it.

So, what’s the solution when you’re tight on deadlines?

A very good solution is to start rewarding yourself. The reward can be anything from tasty food to watching funny videos. There is no limitation to what a reward can look like. Whatever makes you appreciate your efforts can be a reward.

You might have seen many people these days intentionally make their lives harder. They do it in the name of evolving through challenges. While it is true that a person grows when they go through challenges, it isn’t a good practice to create them forcefully. We all have to realize how crucial it is to appreciate ourselves.

And occasionally eating your favourite food won’t make you fat. So, stop thinking about it and reward yourself often.    

Take A Walk

The breaks you take when writing assignments aren’t a waste of time. They are meant to refresh your mind and body, which are essential if you want to keep your productivity high. You can either sit idle or take a walk.

Taking a walk is a pretty good habit , as it can refresh your mind. When you walk in nature, your eyes, mind and entire body feels refreshed. If you’re looking to lose fat, walking is a good choice. You don’t necessarily have to run or go to a gym to get in good shape. Brisk walking can burn a lot of calories, and it is the perfect choice for people with busy schedules.

Ask Your Friends What You Don’t Understand

It is common for students in college not to know everything about all the subjects. It could be because they are interested in a specific subject or just don’t have enough time to become good at everything. When this happens, students can ask their friends to teach them what they don’t know.

We feel asking your college friends about topics you don’t understand is a very good thing. You can’t always approach your professor and ask them about your doubts. Well, you can, but most students are not comfortable doing it. If you are or want to learn how to be your professor’s favourite student, we recommend you read this blog .

Anyways, when you take help from your friends, you don’t have to speak in a formal tone, as you would with your professors. Another benefit is that your relation with your friends will strengthen. You never know which friends can become your best friends, and you may end up staying in touch with them for many years.  

Know The Negative Consequences

For some students, positive things don’t work. They have to think about the negative consequences to get motivation. In college, it means they have to think that they can fail if they don’t complete and submit their assignments on time.

Many people crumble under pressure, but some love working under it. Many athletes deal with pressure when the race is about to start. But whenever any news reporter asks them how they’re feeling, they always reply that they’re excited. That’s because the same part of your brain works when you’re under pressure and excited.

So, if thinking about negative consequences motivates you to take action and complete assignments, resort to it.

Staying motivated while writing assignments is difficult because there are some challenges that one is presented with. If you also lose motivation easily while doing assignments, you need to read this blog. That’s because, in this blog, we covered 8 ways to stay motivated to complete assignments. After reading this blog, we hope that you won’t have trouble finding motivation.

If you liked reading it, share it with your college friends.

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How to Finish Your Homework

Last Updated: May 6, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Emily Listmann, MA . Emily Listmann is a private tutor in San Carlos, California. She has worked as a Social Studies Teacher, Curriculum Coordinator, and an SAT Prep Teacher. She received her MA in Education from the Stanford Graduate School of Education in 2014. There are 17 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 280,756 times.

While studying can differ for different age groups, many of the things that get in the way are the same. Whether it's your environment or time management skills, it easy for things to discourage you from finishing your homework. With a little organization and help, your homework can become approachable.

Managing Your Time

• For instance, try setting aside a time you know you can work well such as an hour or 2 before dinner, or if you're a night owl, after dinner.

• Work in hour blocks, with 50 minutes spent studying and 10 minutes spent taking a break.
• It can also be helpful to move around when you are taking your break, especially if you are working at a screen. Go for a walk outside to get your blood circulating and enjoy some fresh air.
• You might also want to eat a healthy snack on your break to improve your focus. Avoid junk food and choose something like a handful of nuts, a piece of fruit, veggies, or a small portion of cottage cheese.

• Identify which assignments are worth the most points for each class. Most likely these will take the longest to complete. [5] X Research source
• Consider how long you have to do each project, and if possible, see when the assignment is introduced. Oftentimes, primary and secondary school classes do not have syllabi, so it might be harder to plan out an entire term, but if you are in college, you will most likely have a syllabus with at least a partial course schedule. Knowing how long you have to complete an assignment will help you prioritize which assignments to do first. You can also ask the teacher how long you have to complete an assignment. [6] X Research source

• Use highlighters or stickers to mark which assignments are most important.
• If you're using an online or mobile schedule, create alerts or notifications for the projects and any time-sensitive steps for those projects.

• Don't let a big project overshadow the smaller assignments you need to complete!

• Assignment outlines can help you visualize the necessary tasks to get the assignment done.

Creating a Productive Work Environment

• A desk or table would be a better location than a couch or a bed.

• Turn your phone off or on silent (not vibrate). It might be best to put the phone out of sight, or in another room while you work, as the temptation to text or get on social media can be as much of a distraction as actually using social media.
• Use an app that blocks social media. There are plenty of applications out there that can help block social media and other distracting sites (such as shopping or gaming sites). [10] X Trustworthy Source Pew Research Center Nonpartisan thinktank conducting research and providing information on public opinion, demographic trends, and social trends Go to source

• Use a white noise app to block out noise.
• Use earplugs or noise-blocking earmuffs. [12] X Research source
• Work in a quiet place, such as a library or a home office, if you have one.
• Avoid listening to music while studying. Studies have shown that although listening to music while studying lowers overall performance, this does not affect everyone equally. [13] X Research source However listening to music before studying has been shown to improve performance on cognitive tasks. [14] X Research source

Using Your Resources

• If you're too afraid to ask a teacher during class, see if you can stay behind to ask your questions.

• First, contact your school to see if there are any after-school tutoring programs. While not all primary and secondary schools offer tutoring, a vast majority of universities do. If your school does not offer tutoring, they may know of other resources for you to contact.
• Then, contact your library to see if they offer any tutoring. [18] X Research source
• In some areas, there may also be free community tutoring programs. Contact your local community center for more information.
• There are plenty of private tutors out there as well, but they can be costly (ranging from $20 to $100 an hour). [19] X Research source You can find tutors online through a number of websites, such as Craigslist or Angie's list.

• If you need to work at a library after school, ask your parents or search the web to find your local library.

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• Don't feel too stressed or you'll be doing less work than you actually can. Thanks Helpful 7 Not Helpful 3
• Make sure you’re getting enough sleep. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 3
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• Recommended time doing homework varies by age. The National PTA recommends about 10 minutes per grade level per night (30 minutes a night for the third grade). Thanks Helpful 9 Not Helpful 0
• Some people may need additional help in order to focus on their homework and finish it. If you are struggling in school, ask your parents or teachers about what resources may be available, and seek out professional help or ask your parents to do so, if necessary. Thanks Helpful 29 Not Helpful 9
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You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/homework.html
• ↑ https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/power-habit-charles-duhigg
• ↑ https://www.edutopia.org/article/research-tested-benefits-breaks/
• ↑ https://www.wma.us/about/titan-blog/post/~board/titan-blog/post/how-to-prioritize-school-assignments-and-homework
• ↑ https://jhsap.org/self_help_resources/school-life_balance//
• ↑ https://lsc.cornell.edu/how-to-study/studying-for-and-taking-exams/guidelines-for-creating-a-study-schedule/
• ↑ https://success.oregonstate.edu/learning/concentration
• ↑ https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2020/07/28/parenting-children-in-the-age-of-screens/
• ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/homework.html/
• ↑ https://absn.northeastern.edu/blog/8-things-to-keep-in-your-at-home-study-space/
• ↑ https://scholar.utc.edu/theses/171/
• ↑ https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/acp.1731
• ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/talk-to-parents.html
• ↑ https://rdw.rowan.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2412&context=etd
• ↑ https://blogs.chapman.edu/scst/2016/02/09/what-tutoring-is-and-what-tutoring-is-not/
• ↑ https://undergrad.stanford.edu/tutoring-support
• ↑ https://www.ideaedu.org/idea-notes-on-instruction/encouraged-students-to-use-multiple-resources-e-g-internet-library-holdings-outside-experts-to-improve-understanding/

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How to Finish Assignments When You Can’t

Crunch time is coming, deadlines need to be met, essays need to be submitted, and tests should be studied for. As a student who’s waiting for the end of crunch time, you’re looking for all the right ways to cut corners while being ultra efficient with your time and energy. But sometimes racing the clock you’ll come to a realization that this mountain of a task is insurmountable and it seems almost impossible to accomplish. But at this low point is exactly where you shouldn’t settle with an incomplete assignment or missing work. There are workarounds and “life hacks” that can help pull you out of this sticky situation.

Homework and education are very important, so finishing your assignments should be something that’s on every student’s mind. Here’s some ideas to get you started on your path to getting your assignments finished:

Ask for an Extension

Lots of students find themselves in this awful situation that seems impossible to do. Even if it is your fault for being a bad student or lazy, it’s worth a try to confront your professor or teacher and ask for an extension – as long as you actually complete it. Teachers and professors understand that the point of homework isn’t to give you something to do, rather train you and give you extra practice on materials you learn in class. Just know that it’s not their responsibility to give you an extension and they are not obligated to give you points for your late or missing assignments. But do them anyway – and have your teacher check your work so they know you’re good for the work even though it’s late. 

Ask for Help from Classmates

Your classmates are a good resource for you to help you finish your assignments, late or on time. They may even just give you answers – as long as you are polite about it and aren’t pressuring them to do so. They are helping you when they aren’t required to, and they’ll be more inclined if you are also reliable. The worst position to be in is to be the student who helps others but doesn’t receive help. Help could even be in the form of understanding the assignments and learning from them, kind of a tutoring situation. But again, it’s important that your classmates aren’t obligated to help you, so be grateful for any help you receive. 

Prevent This Happening in the Future

We don’t want you to constantly be stuck in this seemingly impossible situation – so we urge you to think about your assignments carefully – so it doesn’t happen again. This means several things:

• Keep Organized – understand when your assignments are due, and know how much time you have left so you can plan around it. It’s worth noting that this will also help you plan your lifestyle a bit better, so its a great thing to do
• Give Yourself Time – saving things for last minute is a surefire way to shoot yourself in the foot. Don’t do that. Instead, if they give you an assignment to do for the next lesson or the next day – set time aside after school to do it.
• Don’t Procrastinate – saying that you’ll do it later is the downfall of many missed assignments. You may forget about it or something may come up that will prevent you from doing your assignments on time. Get it done sooner rather than later

Use Your Resources

When we say “resources” we mean tutors, teacher’s assistants, and even the world wide web to help you complete your assignments when you’re unable to. Don’t make it a habit, but there are websites like Assignment Expert that are here to help you do exactly that: finish your homework. Note that schools and universities have their own rules for these types of resources, so use with caution. There are also websites that may have guides or flash cards that can help you in most of your subjects. If you do use them, they can be quite helpful to get you out of this situation. 

Prioritize Your Assignments

If you’ve got a ton of assignments to finish – and only a limited amount of time – its good to prioritize them in an order of importance – which classes do you need to complete them today – ones with very lenient teachers or professors – and ones that are low priority because you’re allowed to miss this one assignment. Having that done, your experience with finishing your assignments will go over much smoother and less stressful. 

Motivate Yourself

There’s a reason why you’re feeling stressed in this crunch time, you’re trying to accomplish something. Whether its to improve your grade or pass class, you still have motivation to do it. If you didn’t have any motivation, you wouldn’t be this stressed to read this article on the internet. But keep in mind your end goals so you’ll have the time and energy to spend on it. Complaining about not having enough time, isn’t going to give you more time.

Figure Out Your Problems

If you’ve procrastinated and put off your assignments, there must be a good reason, right? A good reason or not – you should reevaluate the things you’re doing in your life that put you in this position. If it can be helped, avoid these kinds of situations. Education is important and you should treat it as such. 

Once you get a handle on your situation, you can breathe a sigh of relief. Managing your time isn’t easy, so once its done you can relax a bit before your next deadline. 

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My assignment is due tomorrow and I haven't even started it yet!

English expert at Atomi

Well, if it really is due tomorrow, let’s do this and do it quick! You could have anything due tomorrow, so instead of a step-by-step guide let’s focus on some tips and tricks to pull off this craziness. Legions of students before you have done it and legions of students after you will do it so have faith—you can do it 💪.

1. Prioritise

This probably doesn’t need to be said but if it’s due tomorrow then clear your schedule tonight—this is absolutely your top priority right now! Normally we recommend getting plenty of sleep but if you have something due tomorrow, tonight's the night to push your bedtime back a little bit (still no all-nighters though!)

2. Get your head in the game

Okay, no matter how much of a mountain it seems, this has to be done tonight. Don’t let yourself even consider the option of handing it in late—just thinking that will make it even harder to finish in time.

It’s time to get your head in the game and focus on the task ahead. You want to grab some water and make sure you’ve eaten. Then, set yourself up in a clean, bright area, find a supportive chair and grab all of the resources you'll need to do your assignment.

You can check out our video on Study Spaces for everything you need to set up the perfect workspace.

3. Work out exactly what you need to do

To work as efficiently as possible you should first understand exactly what you need to do.

That means you need to think about exactly what ideas or topics you need to cover and what your approach should be. So, read the assignment and marking criteria carefully and identify any keywords. Also highlight any important details, like the word count or page limit, the submission format and any other info that will affect how you approach this task.

This will vary massively depending on the assignment. The point is basically just that you should make sure you know exactly what you need to do before you start. Trust me, it’ll make everything quicker if you do ⏰.

4. Do a brief plan

To make sure we can get this done properly in one night, the next step is to plan your answer. This will make it a lot easier to start writing and, if you have to do any research, you will know exactly what you’re looking for.

So, sketch out a brief plan onto a page. Work out what needs to go into your answer and how it’s going to be structured. It might feel difficult or pointless to plan at this point, but if you can get some of the hard work out of the way here it’ll become much easier to write!

5. Research efficiently

Now, this one is obviously only relevant if you need research for your answer. Gathering research for an essay or report can take time. By using the keywords from the syllabus and assessment notification, you’ll be able to focus on the resources that you actually need. As far as you can, drop your research straight into the plan and you’ll be moving much more efficiently.

Don’t forget to reference as you go! This will save you time and ensure you don’t make any mistakes 😅.

6. Quality over quantity

This is a seriously important tip. When you’re really under pressure, it can be tempting to just smash out as many words as possible so you can hit that word count—don’t do this! It’s just going to give you a whole lot of waffle and even worse marks.

Instead of waffling, stick to your answer plan, use your research and fall back on the ideas in our lessons . It will get you a much better result for not that much extra work ✅.

7. Do your final read over tomorrow morning

Once you’ve finally pulled off that answer, it’s time to go to bed. You’re probably going to be too tired, too stressed and too wrapped up in your answer to be able to give it a proper check and edit.

So, just get some sleep now, set the alarm 30mins earlier tomorrow and read over it again with fresh eyes and a clear mind. You should be able to pick up any little mistakes and make the whole thing read a lot better and generally end up with a stronger answer!

Even though this isn’t ideal, you can still pull it off! The secret is to be as efficient as possible. So, keep calm, find out exactly what you need to do, plan, research properly and don’t waffle.

Oh and next time, don’t leave your assignments to the last minute 😅. Instead, watch our lesson on Planning an Assignment and use the downloadable planner so you aren’t in this sticky situation again.

For more study tips, tricks and advice, keep reading the student blog or follow Atomi on Instagram . See you there 👋.

Published on

March 15, 2022

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5 Steps to Finish Your Assignment on Time

by Lillia Tan

With a huge word count to fulfill and complicated subject matters to write on, assignments may seem daunting to finish (or even to start on!). In that same way, multiple potential barriers would naturally pop up which may hinder your progress.

The biggest challenge is usually procrastination (check out our blogpost on avoiding that here !) and if that’s not the problem, then here's an article to help you navigate your assignments and actually finish them!

Before embarking on a journey to a faraway land, the seasoned traveler will plan what supplies they would need and the route they will take.

Similarly, it is essential for us to plan ahead so make sure to schedule the time out for your assignment by asking questions like:

• How much time do I currently have?

• What tasks do I have to complete?

• How long will I take?

From there, you can break down the complex process into multiple manageable sections which allows you to map out your envision of how the assignment will go.

In fact, our Planners could help you do just that! With both vertical and horizontal planners for you to choose from, you can plan accordingly to what works best for you!

Do your readings or research

When reading up or researching for your assignment, make sure to highlight and flag important points that might be useful for you.

At the end of your research, spend some time reviewing what you have gathered and this will help you retain the knowledge needed when drafting your assignment later.

Try sticking to your schedule to make sure this works! It is easy for us to get caught up in the myriad of information available and lose sign of the bigger picture. So make sure to keep yourself organised and on track!

Doing your first draft

The hardest part with writing is actually sitting down and starting. Nevertheless, if you want this plan to work you must honour your schedule by actually following it!

When you have taken that first step, you will find that the pen will flow more easily as time goes on.

So try to keep to the subject matter at hand when writing and use the notes you prepared earlier to help with you with it.

Don’t worry if your writing doesn't go as planned since it’s just a first draft! You will have many opportunities to edit your work later.

Speaking of, now that you have completely written your assignment, you will have reached the most important step, editing! A well-written paper is one of clarity and free of errors.

So take this time to check for things such as points, arguments, grammar, comprehension, and structure to further improve its quality.

You can make it easier for yourself by using third party softwares if needed! The point is to make sure that your paper makes sense after all that work you have put into it.

If you have time, you could even try drafting your assignment from scratch. Except this time, you will be better equipped with the knowledge from your previous drafts.

Before submitting your assignments, make sure to review some commonly overlooked points such as formatting, bibliography, and the inclusion of some personal details for example, your name and student number!

After you have looked through it and everything seems good to go, give yourself a congratulatory pat on the back for a job well done! It was difficult but you pulled through and that’s what matters.

We hope that this article could help you feel better about your progress! Remember that this is not a race so take your time, plan it out and execute it to your best abilities!

Do you have more tips to share about your experience in finishing assignments? Share them with us by commenting below or tag us @mosseryco on Instagram!

Thank you to  @cosuffeeshi for the lovely visuals!

We would love to hear what you think about this post.

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This Productivity Hack Will Help You Nail Your Assignment In One Day

Tried and tested.

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Uni life is super full on. Between classes, internships, placement and working, it’s pretty easy to forget that you actually have to do assignments.

If you’re like me, it means you’ve probably found yourself freaking out with 24 hours before a deadline trying to figure out how to smash out your assignment.

Luckily, the people over at DeskTime did a study on the most efficient way to have workers acting productively, and it works for last minute assignments too . The answer is simple: take more breaks. It’s 52 minutes working, 17 minutes break, rinse and repeat.

If that explanation isn’t clear enough, here is a pretty basic run down on how to finish a dreaded 1500 word essay in one day.

9am: Wake up

We’re not actually making you start work at 9am, but this will give you a solid hour to prepare yourself for the day. Have some breakfast, have a coffee, sit outside and listen to birds. Spend the morning relaxing! You have a busy yet productive day ahead.

10:00 – 10:52: Get That (Essay) Body Shaking  

Generally for essays your intro and conclusion should be written last, so start with the body. Your goal should be around is 300 words. It doesn’t sound like much but time will fly.

10:53 – 11:10: Check Your Socials

You’ve probably been tempted for the past 52 minutes. Well now you can.

11:10 – 12:02: Keep That Body In Shape

Another 300 words! Another paragraph! Another 52 minutes of great self control to get that assignment done!

12:03 – 12:20: Watch This Video  

Drunk Brendon Urie explaining the history of Fall Out Boy? Best way to kill some time while you have a break. Go grab some water as well – staying hydrated is important!

12:20 – 1:12: Write My Pretties, Write

Another 300 words should be your goal. By the end of this 52 minutes you should really have a draft body complete. Don’t stress if you don’t, there’s plenty of time.

1:13 – 1:30: Lunch Time

Your stomach may be performing its mating call and it’s time to fill those urges. Try 2 minute noodles so you can spend the other 15 reading online articles.

1:30 – 2:22: Hitting The Home Stretch

It’s intro and conclusion time! You should be able to smash through them. Now’s a good time to finish off those body paragraphs that might need a little extra work, too. That should get you to the 1,200 word mark.

2:23 – 2:40: Vine Time

When was the last time you went through the vine archives? At six seconds a video you could potentially watch 170 vines during this break.

2:40 – 3:32: The Dreaded Reference List

A necessary evil to prove you didn’t just make everything up. Spend this 52 minutes sorting your in text and reference list.

3:33 – 3:50: If Music Be The Food Of Love, Then Play On

This guy reckons he can teach you how to play guitar in 10 minutes. Go on, give it a go.

3:50 – 4:42: Edit

Print your work out and look at it with some fresh eyes. Read it out loud, grab a red pen and fix those pesky errors.

4:43 – 5:00: Figure Out What You’re Doing Tonight

You’ve worked hard so plan something fun tonight.

5:00 – 5:52: One Last Look Over And Submit

You’re pretty much done. Take a quick look over that bad boy and run it through Turnitin. You did it.

(Lead image: Bruce Almighty/Universal)

Assignment Time Calculator to help meet Deadlines

Got an assignment deadline coming up?

Not sure how much free time you need to sacrifice to complete the work on time?

Here’s a handy calculator to estimate the time needed to complete an assignment within the given deadline.

Calculator for time needed to finish an assignment

To use this tool, please follow the instructions below.

• The cells marked in yellow should be amended to suit your specific situation
• Check whether your assignment has a word count allowance. If so, then you just need to meet the minimum end of the range when you’re pressed of time
• An excellent writing speed would be about 600 words an hour
• Medium would be around 350 words per hour
• A slow writing speed implies roughly about 200 words an hour
• Enter the deadline for the assignment in Month / Day / Year format

Tips to complete assignments on time

Cliché as it may be, the best advice to complete assignments by the deadline is to start in advance. Of course, this may not always be feasible but just trust us, your future self with be really grateful that you didn’t leave it until the last minute.

If you’re behind schedule, you’re going to want to make the most efficient use of whatever little time you have. However, even in such a situation, we highly recommend that you set aside a brief slot in your schedule to plan the structure of the assignment and what word count needs to go in each section that you have identified.

This will help you get a better idea of which sections are going to take up a bigger chunk of your time and you can use this to prioritize your available time accordingly.

We have a guide on how to make an assignment structure outline quickly using grading criteria . We also have another one on managing assignment word count .

Here’s another helpful guide from Purdue University with good suggestions for time management when it comes to assignments.

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Class of 2024 Celebrated at 141st Commencement

Retired Maj. Gen. Jeannie Leavitt, the U.S. Air Force’s first female fighter pilot and a 1990 UT graduate, delivered the keynote address

The University of Texas at Austin held its 141st spring commencement ceremony Saturday evening, May 11. Drawing more than 50,000 attendees, the main commencement in Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium was the culmination of individual ceremonies celebrating graduates from each of from 17 degree-granting colleges and schools held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Some 7,630 bachelor’s degrees were awarded, 2,344 master’s degrees, 343 doctoral degrees, 400 law degrees, and 160 other professional degrees, for a total of 10,877.

The keynote address was delivered by retired Maj. Gen. Jeannie M. Leavitt, the U.S. Air Force’s first female fighter pilot and a 1990 graduate of UT.  During her 31 years of service, Leavitt logged more than 3,000 hours of flight time, including over 300 hours of combat flying in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Remarks as prepared.

Good evening! Longhorn class of 2024 – congratulations!

It is truly my honor to join you as we celebrate your significant achievements! You worked hard to earn your degree from The University of Texas, and you should be proud of your accomplishments!  

I want to thank President Hartzell for inviting me to speak with you tonight. To the Board of Regents, faculty, staff, and the family and friends of our graduates – thank you for everything you’ve done to help them reach this important milestone in their journey.  

Finally, thank you to the graduates. As a December grad here at UT, the only ceremony I attended was with the School of Engineering. I am excited to attend my first UT commencement tonight and to share this special moment with the Class of 2024!  

The motto of this University is “What Starts Here Changes the World.” The fact is that this university has changed you … and whether you realize it or not, you are ready to go change the world.  

Anyone who knows me knows that I love to watch college football.  

Our family started this year in New Orleans on New Years Day where we watched my beloved Texas Longhorns play against the Washington Huskies in the Sugar Bowl. While it was a heartbreaking loss in a game that was up for grabs until the final seconds, it was fantastic to see Texas back in the hunt for the national championship!

I have been wearing the same burnt orange 2005 National Championship t-shirt for more than 18 years… and I am hopeful for a new t-shirt soon!     

When I was asked to deliver the commencement speech, I thought what better way to share my thoughts with you than through a football construct? So my advice for you, as you get ready to change the world, is in 3 broad area: offense, defense, and special teams.  

On offense, my advice is to be courageous. As Mark Twain wrote, “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear – not absence of fear. ” Fear is a powerful human emotion – we cannot eliminate it, but we can overcome it.

As a teenager, I learned about courage from my first horse, Smokie, a completely wild 3-year-old Appaloosa stallion. He had never been successfully ridden, so people thought I was crazy when I said I would train him myself.

A few of my early attempts to ride him looked a bit like a rodeo scene, with Smokie bucking until I was launched into the air. Except there was no 8 second timer … just the jarring impact of slamming into the ground and getting covered in dirt.

The impact would knock the wind out of me, and I could feel the pain of the scrapes and bruises. It shook my confidence, but I realized that if I was scared, Smokie was unsettled. I needed to have courage to be able to calm him. It took all my physical and mental strength to overcome my fear and climb back up in the saddle.   

The lessons in courage paid off early in my Air Force career. When I went to pilot training in 1992, the law had recently changed to allow women in combat aviation, but the Department of Defense (also known as DoD) maintained a combat exclusion policy for women.

Student pilots choose assignments at the end of training based on merit order. As the top graduate, I would get my first choice for assignments … EXCEPT I was not allowed to choose a fighter aircraft.

I received a lot of unsolicited advice from my instructor pilots, warning me that I would ruin my career if I asked for the fighter. Obviously, I did not want to ruin my career … BUT, I also did not want to live with the regret of not asking for what I wanted.

Plus, I knew the DoD policy had to change at some point. During assignment selection, I tried not to show my fear when I stood up in that crowded auditorium and asked for the F-15E Strike Eagle. Making that request took courage because I knew it would ruffle a lot of feathers … and I knew my request would be denied.

As expected, the authorities quoted DoD policy, stated that I was not eligible for the assignment and directed me to make another choice… which I did. Sure, I was disappointed BUT, I had NO regrets!

A few months later – in April of 1993 – DoD changed their policy, and the Air Force honored my first choice of the F-15E. On that day, my career took a rather dramatic turn.  

The takeaway I had from this experience is that sometimes you need to make them tell you “no.” When you see an opportunity, take the shot. Maybe it will work and maybe it won’t… but you will never know unless you try. If you want to be successful on offense, be courageous.   

We all know that you need more than just offense to win a game … so my advice on defense is to develop your grit. What is grit? It is perseverance, determination, and tenacity. In case no one has told you yet, life will knock you down and you will fail.

When this happens, you need the grit to be absolutely unwilling to stay down. You may adjust or change your plan, but you must always get back up, dust yourself off, and try again… with even more determination.  

I had a lot of opportunities to develop my grit when I attended Air Force Weapons School in the F-15E. Weapons School is like the Navy’s Top Gun, but lesser known since there are no movies.

For 6 months, my fellow students and I were in a high-pressure environment with rigorous academics, demanding scenarios, and nearly impossible tactical problems. For every one hour of flying we did, we would spend several hours developing the plan, briefing the mission to include every possible contingency, and then leading all aspects of execution.

It was unrelenting. Because there is no such thing as a perfect mission, there were always things to discuss in debrief after the flight. We identified root causes for what went wrong, and provided instructional fixes for each mistake…

Then it was the Weapons School instructors turn to debrief us, and this was sometimes after 14 or 16 hours of pouring our hearts and souls into the mission. The tough days were when the instructors told us we failed and would repeat the mission.

They would then spend the next few hours debriefing us on what we needed to do differently the next time we flew the mission. The instructors didn’t fail us because we were terrible – they failed us because they knew we could be better.

By learning the lessons from our mistakes, we were far better Weapons Officers when we graduated. Two keys to succeeding at Weapons School were to learn from failures and to have the grit to never, ever give up.   

Don’t be afraid of failure, just be sure you learn from it. Often you don’t know what will work until you figure out what won’t work. Thomas Edison had 10,000 failed attempts before inventing the light bulb.

Maybe these weren’t failures. Maybe he found 10,000 ways that didn’t work before he created what would become one of the most impactful inventions of his time. What if Edison had given up after some of those early failed attempts?  

When you fail or when life knocks you down, having grit will be key to the outcome of the situation. There are many things we cannot control, but there is one thing we can always control…and that is our attitude.

In flying, your attitude literally determines your altitude. If the nose of your aircraft is above the horizon, you have a positive attitude and will climb to higher altitudes. This is true in life as well – a positive attitude can take you much farther than a negative one.

When I was initially told I couldn’t train in the F-15E, I thought I had the world’s worst timing. I could have focused on how life was unfair – to finish at the top of my pilot training class and not get to fly a fighter… But that is not what I did.

Instead, I focused on doing my best at my next assignment. When positive attitude and grit are combined, I call it happy persistence. In this case, my happy persistence paid off because when the policy changed, I was able to go fly the Strike Eagle.  

Graduates – you have already shown both grit and positive attitude. Life tried to knock you down. You are the class who did not get a high school graduation ceremony due to COVID and quarantine.

You are the class who started college in the virtual world. It wasn’t fair, but you persevered through the pandemic. You focused on what you could control, and your happy persistence paid off because here you are at graduation.

The fact that you have already overcome so many obstacles is quite impressive, and I am excited for your future! To be successful on defense, develop your grit.  

While they often do not get as much attention as offense or defense, special teams can be the deciding factor in a game. On special teams, my advice is to be a force that unites.

A team must be united to be effective… and everyone has an important role to play. In the military we rely heavily on teamwork — we call it mutual support. In combat operations, fighters always employ as formations – usually as a flight of 2 or 4 aircraft.

With mutual support, we protect each other, and we are more effective. On one combat mission I flew over enemy territory, I saw anti-aircraft artillery exploding as it was being fired between me and my wingman.

I directed defensive maneuvers for protection and immediately both aircraft evaded the threat. We successfully executed our mission and came back to our base safely that day… together. President Hartzell’s initiative of “Longhorns helping Longhorns” is effectively mutual support here on the 40 acres.

When I was an undergrad student at UT, I had several wingmen, before I even knew what wingmen were. They were students in the Aerospace Engineering department, cadets in Air Force ROTC, and teammates on the Equestrian Team.

They were my classmates, my colleagues, my friends … and we supported each other. Together, we endured hardships and celebrated victories. There is an African proverb I like which says: “If you want to go fast, go alone; but if you want to go far, go together.”

We are more effective together. We all need wingmen.  

So, graduates, take a look around you. Your classmates are your wingmen.

Together you are the team that will lead us into the future. The actions you take can unite or divide our communities.

We need you – class of 2024 – to help reunite our United States. Yes, our country has its challenges, but our democracy represents hope … and we enjoy freedoms not found in many parts of the world.

Those who oppose our country are taking advantage of our disagreements and are actively trying to divide our society. Any discord is amplified and echoed – on countless platforms – until the volume is deafening.

As citizens, we need to discern what is important through all the noise. We have choices to make – we can choose compassion rather than contempt. We can choose to help each other rather than hurt each other.

We can choose to serve others and have a positive impact in our communities. As a society, we need to bring back the ability to discuss difficult issues, to disagree respectfully, and to find common ground.

While we have our differences, we also have shared values like the belief that ALL people are created equal; and ALL people have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

We share the dream that if you work hard, you can make a better life for yourselves and your families. Graduates, we need you to work as a team to reunite our nation and ensure we remain a bright beacon of hope for all the world to see.   

To sum up my advice to you as you depart the University of Texas and embark on your next adventure:  

On Offense: Be courageous.  

On Defense: Develop your grit.  

On Special Teams: Be a force that unites.  

Class of 2024, you are ready! It is now your turn to change the world!  

Congratulations! And Hook ‘Em Horns!  

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Should you give job applicants an assignment during the interview process? Be thoughtful about the ask

Hiring is a time-consuming and expensive endeavor. Companies need candidates who offer the right skills and experience for a given role, and who align with their organization’s vision and mission.

To find the best fit, many companies still lean on a strategy that continues to generate debate : the assignment. Some candidates believe their experience and interviews should give prospective employers enough information to determine whether they will fit the role. Employers have to ask themselves whether they are willing to turn off a strong candidate by asking them to do additional work.

Is the assignment valuable enough to the evaluation process that they cannot move someone forward without it? Sometimes it is—sometimes they help an employer decide between two strong candidates. And if they are necessary, how can employers make assignments fair and equitable for the candidate or candidates?

When done right, assignments help assess practical skills and problem-solving abilities, giving a clearer picture of a candidate beyond what their resume or interview reveals. But employers should be thoughtful about the ask. While it may make sense for roles that require specific technical expertise or creative thinking, it isn’t appropriate for all roles—so assignments should always be given with a clear reason for why they are needed.

Plus, they don’t just benefit the employer. For job seekers, an assignment during the interview process might also help them stand out from the competition. It can also offer a window into what their day-to-day in the new role might entail. Remember that the candidate should be interviewing the company, too. Having a test run of the work they’d be asked to do is a great way to see whether they believe the role is a fit.

However, there is a rift in how people perceive the assignment as part of the interview process. Workers today span many generations, each with unique values and expectations. Whereas older workers often prioritize stability and loyalty, younger millennials and Gen Zers are more focused on flexibility and work well-being, Indeed data shows .

This mindset impacts the amount of time and energy a candidate is willing to devote to each application. After multiple rounds of interviews and prep, taking on an in-depth assignment may feel like a bridge too far—especially if the expectations for the assignment are not clearly communicated ahead of time.

Some candidates are wary of providing free labor to a company that may use their work and not hire them. Hiring managers should be clear about how the work will be used. They may also consider offering compensation if the assignment requires more than a couple hours of someone’s time, or if they plan to use the work without hiring the candidate.

The key for early career candidates in particular is to ensure their time and efforts are respected. This is a win-win for employers: By providing clarity and transparency, they not only elicit the additional information they want from candidates, but they demonstrate that the organization is transparent and fair.

Equity is also imperative: Which candidates are being asked to complete assignments? Is the hiring team consistent in giving out assignments across ages, experience levels, and roles? There should always be a process and clear evaluation criteria in place to ensure fairness.

As we adapt to the rapidly evolving world of work, we must continue to think critically about each step in the hiring process. Candidate assignments can be a valuable tool, but only with appropriate respect for job seekers’ time and contributions.

With the right strategy, we can bridge the gap between generations in the workplace and build a hiring culture that values efficiency, talent, and integrity.

Eoin Driver is the global vice president of talent at Indeed.

More must-read commentary:

• Fannie Mae  CEO: Beyoncé is right. Climate change has already hit the housing market—and  homeowners aren’t prepared
• Congress could soon spell the end of employment arbitration—but it’s not all good news for American workers
• Outdated laws prevent gig economy workers from getting benefits. This pilot program shows the path forward
• No, combustion engines won’t be supplanted by electric vehicles—and they’re  critical for sustainable transport

The opinions expressed in Fortune.com commentary pieces are solely the views of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of  Fortune .

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How did Caitlin Clark do in WNBA debut? Indiana Fever vs Connecticut Sun highlights

It was Caitlin Clark’s WNBA debut , but really, the night belonged to Alyssa Thomas.

The 11th-year veteran for Connecticut reminded everyone why she was in MVP contention last season as she recorded her 12th career triple-double, scoring 13, grabbing 10 rebounds and handing out 13 assists, as the Connecticut Sun cruised to a 92-71 win over the Indiana Fever .

Clark finished with 20 points but it took the rookie some time to get going, and she shot just 5-of-15 from the field. The top pick in the 2024 draft also threw the ball away 10 times, a stat that’s sure to nag at her — and definitely not the type of double-double she wanted to record.

Connecticut’s DeWanna Bonner tied Clark for the game’s high scorer, with 20, while DiJonai Carrington and Ty Harris scored 16 each for the Sun. Connecticut forced the Fever into 25 turnovers, which the Sun turned into 29 points.

The Fever, which had the top pick in the WNBA Draft the last two years (they selected Aliyah Boston in 2023) missed the playoffs last season and have won just 43 games the last five seasons. The hope is that Clark will lift them into the postseason, but Tuesday night was a reminder that this team has a long way to go.

Clark makes her home debut Thursday vs. the New York Liberty.

How Connecticut Sun stifled Caitlin Clark

DiJonai Carrington knew early on that she’d draw the assignment of guarding Caitlin Clark, the top pick of the 2024 WNBA Draft.

And while she did a tremendous job — Clark scored a game-high-tying 20 points, but it took her a long time to get going and she scored a lot when the game was out of hand — her teammates didn’t want her thinking too highly of herself.

“To take on that job, we’re proud of her,” Sun star Alyssa Thomas said after Connecticut’s win. Then she turned to Carrington with a warning. “But don’t get too big-headed.”

It was a fun, lighthearted moment in a celebratory press conference. Carrington, one of the most improved and best sixth players in the league last year, moved into a starting role this season for Connecticut. She was great at both ends Tuesday night, scoring 16 points, grabbing five rebounds and snagging two steals in the Sun’s win.

One of those steals came just before halftime, when she picked Clark’s pocket and raced to the other end for a score.

It was nothing Connecticut coach Stephanie White hasn’t seen before.

“She does a lot of things in practice that show us she’s an elite defender,” White said. “But I tell her, you’ve gotta be an elite decision-making defender, and tonight she was … that’s part of growing into a starting role, and that’s gonna continue to be her challenge but she’s ready for a challenge.

“She knew (tonight) was an opportunity for her, and she’s taken ownership of it.”

Caitlin Clark highlights

Final: connecticut sun 92, indiana fever 71.

Sun star Alyssa Thomas recorded a triple-double (13-10-13) to help Connecticut cruise past Indiana 92-71 in Caitlin Clark's WNBA debut.

Caitlin Clark stats

Clark scored 20 points, tied for the game high, on 5-for-15 shooting (4-for-11 from 3). She had 10 turnovers, though, while recording just three assists. She had two steals and committed four fouls.

Sun's Alyssa Thomas records triple-double in season opener

A new WNBA season, another Alyssa Thomas triple-double.

In her first game of the 2024 season, Thomas recorded the impressive stat line with 3:30 to play, when she grabbed her 10th rebound of the night. She also has 13 points and 13 assists, and the Sun have an 81-67 lead.

It is Thomas’ 12th career triple-double, including playoffs. (All other WNBA players have combined for 21 total in the regular season.) In 2023, Thomas set a new league record for both double-doubles (28) and single-season assists (316). The 32-year-old is a four-time WNBA All-Star.

Caitlin Clark heating up

Caitlin Clark is starting to feel it.

After struggling for much of the game, turning over the ball a game-high eight times and shooting inefficiently, Clark found a rhythm as the Indiana Fever attempted to chip away at the Connecticut Sun's fourth-quarter lead.

Clark hit back-to-back 3-pointers midway through the fourth quarter and got to the line for a pair of free throws on another possession. Inefficient or not, she was tied with the Sun's DeWanna Bonner with a game-high 20 points as the Fever trailed 81-67 with 3:29 left.

End of third quarter: DeWanna Bonner moves up WNBA's all-time scoring list

It’s been a great day for DeWanna Bonner, who midway through the third quarter moved up to fifth on the WNBA’s all-time scoring list with 6,897 points. Bonner has 16 so far tonight, and her team has a 65-57 lead on Indiana at the end of the third quarter.

Bonner, 36, is in her 14th WNBA season, and her fifth with Connecticut (she previously played for Phoenix, helping the Mercury to two WNBA championships). Based on her production — last season she averaged 14.9 points and 6.1 rebounds — you’d never guess her age.  

Meanwhile, it’s been a rough night for Caitlin Clark, who has 12 points but also eight turnovers. Yikes. (She had nine, but one got taken away on the official stats.) She’s 3-of-10 from the field, struggling against Connecticut’s length defensively; it can’t be fun to be defended by Bonner, who has switched on to Clark a couple times. The Fever have 18 turnovers total, which Connecticut has turned into 18 points.

Final: New York Liberty 85, Washington Mystics 80

It feels fitting that in the most highly anticipated WNBA season in more than 20 years, the first game of 2024 went down to the wire.

The Washington Mystics had three chances to take the lead in the final 39 seconds after blowing an eight-point lead, but the New York Liberty made every look tough and Sabrina Ionescu hit all four free throw attempts at the end, holding on for an 85-80 win.

New York’s Jonquel Jones led all scorers with 25, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton chipped in 20 and Ionescu flirted with a triple-double with 15 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. Four Mystics players scored in double figures, led by Ariel Atkins (20). Brittney Sykes had a great all-around game for Washington with 14 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.

New York next travels to Indiana to play the Fever in Caitlin Clark’s home debut on Thursday.

Caitlin Clark struggling in WNBA debut

The struggles for Caitlin Clark continue.

Clark (10 points) picked up her game-high seventh turnover of the game midway through the third quarter of the Indiana Fever's opening game against the Connecticut Sun. She was also tied for a game-high with three fouls. 

The Sun led, 59-47, with 4:32 left in the third quarter. Clark committed an eighth turnover with 3:32 to go in the quarter with the Fever down 62-51.

Halftime: Caitlin Clark held to seven points in first half of WNBA action

If this was supposed to be a matchup of Caitlin Clark vs. whoever guarded her, DiJonai Carrington is winning.

Right now, by a lot.

Carrington, in her fourth year after playing college ball at both Stanford and Baylor, has 14 points in the first half, including a bucket after she picked Clark’s pocket with just under two minutes to play in the second quarter. Behind Carrington’s play, Connecticut has a 49-39 lead over Indiana at halftime.

Clark had just four points, on a layup and two free throws, until 30 seconds to play, when she connected on a 3 on Indiana’s baseline out-of-bounds play. It was her first score on Carrington directly, who got caught in a screen.

Part of Indiana’s problem the first half was that the Fever throw the ball away too much — 13 times, to be exact (Clark had five of them, with just one assist). Connecticut has turned those into 16 points.

Ty Harris has 11 points and DeWanna Bonner has 10 for the Sun. NaLyssa Smith is the only Fever player in double figures, with 11 points.

Caitlin Clark hits first 3-pointer

Clark finally hit from long range off a designed play in the final minute of the first half.

Caitlin Clark gets first points in WNBA

It took a quarter and a half, but Caitlin Clark got her first WNBA points with a baseline layup in the second quarter of the Indiana Fever's opening game against the Connecticut Sun.

Clark started the game 0-for-4 from the field and 0-for-2 from beyond the arc before making her first bucket. Clark spent much of the first quarter on the bench in foul trouble.

The host Sun led the Fever, 34-25, with 4:50 left in the first half.

Sun 19, Fever 13: Caitlin Clark still looking for first points after first quarter

We’ve been informed by our man on the ground that no, Mohegan Sun Arena is not selling Caitlin Clark jerseys.

But there’s no question why this game is a sellout.

Thousands have shown up to watch the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft, and voiced their displeasure when Clark was whistled for her second foul early in the first quarter. At the time of that call, Clark was 0-for-3 from the field, with one assist and one turnover.

She was sent to the bench for most of the back half of the first, which helped Connecticut take a 19-13 lead at the end of the first period. Ty Harris has been an early bright spot for the Sun, scoring nine points, all on 3s.

Meanwhile NaLyssa Smith, who looked great in both of the Fever’s preseason games, has continued her tear, scoring seven quick points, grabbing three rebounds and blocking a shot.

Caitlin Clark checks back in

Caitlin Clark checked back in to her first WNBA regular-season game after racking up two early fouls against the Connecticut Sun.

Clark also missed her first three shots of the game before taking a seat on the bench.

After assisting on the first play of the game to give the Indiana Fever an early lead, Clark opted into a shoot-first mentality on Indiana's next few possessions and came up empty-handed.

Clark's second foul was loudly booed by the sellout crowd at Mohegan Sun Arena. Many fans in attendance arrived in Clark gear, be it of the Iowa or Indiana variety.

WNBA season kickoff: Mystics lead Liberty at half

Just a reminder that Caitlin Clark isn’t the only show in town tonight.

At halftime, the Washington Mystics lead the New York Liberty 43-40 after a 3 from Shakira Austin with 5.6 seconds to play before the break.

The halftime score might turn some heads considering the Liberty were one of the so-called “super teams” that came together during free agency in 2023, and played for the WNBA championship last year.

The first game of the 2024 season — New York-Washington tipped off about 30 minutes before Indiana-Connecticut — has been the Jonquel Jones show, as the 2021 WNBA MVP already has 14 points and four rebounds. Sabrina Ionescu, meanwhile, already has five assists (and only one turnover). Not bad for a guard known more for hitting 3s like Steph Curry.

Meanwhile, Stefanie Dolson has scored 11 points for Washington, and Ariel Atkins has already grabbed three steals.

One thing to remember: Because the WNBA season is so short compared to the NBA, and some of the league’s stars will miss games due to the Olympics, every single game matters when we talk league standings and playoff seeding.

Caitlin Clark gets into early foul trouble in season opener

This was not the start that Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark had hoped for.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft picked up two early fouls midway through the first quarter. And she was still looking for her first points. After five minutes of play, Clark was 0-for-3 from the field and missed her only 3-point shot attempt, though she did dish an assist early in the contest.

The Connecticut Sun lead 10-7 at the first TV timeout.

Indiana Fever vs. Connecticut Sun tips off at Mohegan Sun Arena

FEVER STARTING LINEUP

• PG Erica Wheeler
• SG Caitlin Clark
• SF Katie Lou Samuelson
• PF NaLyssa Smith
• C Aliyah Boston

SUN STARTING LINEUP

• PG Tyasha Harris
• SG DiJonai Carrington
• SF DeWanna Bonner
• PF Alyssa Thomas
• C Brionna Jones

Caitlin Clark builds on ’99 soccer team’s moment in lifting women’s sports 

A year and a half ago, a vast majority of Americans had no idea who she was, an athletic young woman tucked away in a Midwestern university town, known to women’s college basketball fans but otherwise hidden from the gaze of the national media.  

Now  Caitlin Clark  is the most popular athlete in the nation, the driving force behind the greatest days in the history of women’s sports, America’s girl next door all grown up and the personification of everything the country was hoping Title IX might give us.  

Read more from Christine Brennan here.  

2024 WNBA rookies to watch 

 The 2024 WNBA rookie class is one of the most anticipated in history, led by none other than  Caitlin Clark , the scoring phenom from Iowa who re-wrote the college record books.  

But she’s not the only newcomer expected to make a big impact, and do so immediately. There hasn’t been this sort of attention and excitement around  WNBA rookies  since 2013, when  Brittney Griner , Elena Della Donne and Skylar Diggins-Smith joined the league.  

To get you ready for the  2024 WNBA season that tips Tuesday , USA TODAY Sports' Lindsay Schnell gives a primer on the nine rookies she thinks will have the biggest impact this season. 

Read more from Lindsay Schnell here.  

How to watch Indiana Fever vs. Connecticut Sun 

The Fever at Sun will be televised on ESPN2 with Ryan Ruocco (play-by-play), Rebecca Lobo (analyst), and Holly Rowe (sideline) on the call. 

How to stream Indiana Fever vs. Connecticut Sun 

Streaming options for Fever at Sun include the ESPN app, ESPN+ , Disney+ and  Fubo . 

The game will also be available on demand on the  WNBA’s League Pass  upon its conclusion. Fans can get League Pass by downloading the WNBA app. 

SIGN UP FOR FUBO: Access to WNBA games during the season  

When is Caitlin Clark's first home game with the Fever? 

The Fever’s home opener is Thursday against the New York Liberty.

What to know about 2024 WNBA season 

Arguably one of the  most highly-anticipated WNBA seasons  in the league's history has arrived. 

The 2024  WNBA  season is set to tip off, and it is shaping up to be one of the most exciting times in professional women's basketball. The  game and interest in the league has exploded to new heights , and the  incoming draft class  has  generated more buzz . 

College stars such as  Caitlin Clark ,  Angel Reese ,  Cameron Brink  and more will be making their debuts at the professional level, but there is already plenty of stars they'll go up against, including New York Liberty forward and 2023 Most Valuable Player  Breanna Stewart , Liberty guard  Sabrina Ionescu  and Las Vegas Aces forward  A'ja Wilson . Can the rookies lead their teams to immediate success? Or will star-studded teams continue to shine? 

Read more from Lorenzo Reyes and Jordan Mendoza here.  

2024 WNBA GM survey predictions 

The WNBA on Tuesday released results from its survey of team general managers, who made predictions for the season. 

• Here are some of their picks:   MVP: A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces. Wilson, who guided Las Vegas to back-to-back championships in 2022 and 2023, received 67 percent of the MVP votes. The Connecticut Sun’s Alyssa Thomas, the 2023 MVP runner-up, was next with 25 percent, and reigning MVP Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty was third with eight percent.
• Best defender: Wilson, a two-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, received 42 percent of the votes to finish ahead of Thomas, who was second with 25 percent.
• Rookie of the Year: The Fever’s Caitlin Clark, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, received 92 percent of the votes. The Los Angeles Sparks’ Cameron Brink, the No. 2 overall pick, got the remaining eight percent.
• Most likely to have breakout season: Aliyah Boston of the Indiana Fever. Boston won WNBA Rookie of the Year honors last season.

10 bold predictions for WNBA season 

The 28th WNBA season tips off tonight, so it’s time to start thinking about what’s in store for women’s professional basketball the next few months.   

There’s  never been more excitement  around the women’s game. With a  star-studded draft class , a team going for its third consecutive championship and a Summer Olympics that will help drum up interest in women’s basketball, the WNBA is headed into its  most-anticipated season  since the league debuted almost three decades ago.   

So what can we expect this summer? For starters, Caitlin Clark will lead the WNBA in assists and make the Olympic team. Read Lindsay Schnell’s bold predictions here .  

WNBA’s newest team now has a name 

The WNBA's newest team, which will join the league from the Bay Area in 2025, now has a name. 

The league announced that the new team will be named the  Golden State Valkyries  and displayed a new logo and colors on its new website. The team's colors are known as Valkyrie Violet. 

The announcement coincides with the start of the WNBA's 28th season, which tips off tonight at 7 p.m. ET when the New York Liberty take on the Washington Mystics, one of four games on the schedule. 

The team said that a Valkyrie originates "from Norse mythology and that the nickname represents" a host of warrior women who are fearless and unwavering – flying through air and sea alike." Read more from Scooby Axson here.  

Las Vegas Aces star lands Nike shoe deal 

Las Vegas Aces  star  A'ja Wilson  is the latest athlete to get her own signature shoe, announcing the news Saturday as the two-time defending champions were preparing to play a preseason exhibition against the Puerto Rican national team. 

Wilson joins  New York Liberty  guard  Sabrina Ionescu  as WNBA players to have a Nike signature shoe in recent years. Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark reportedly  signed a deal worth $28 million  that would also include her own signature shoe with Nike. 

Read more from Scooby Axson here.  

What time is Indiana Fever vs. Connecticut Sun?  

The Fever-Sun tip off at 7:30 p.m. ET at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. 

How did Caitlin Clark play in WNBA preseason 

In what was maybe the most-anticipated preseason game in the 28-year history of the WNBA, Clark and the Fever played in Dallas against the Wings on May 3.  Indiana dropped the game, 79-76 , but Clark played well in her first-ever WNBA action. 

She started the game and played 28 minutes, and finished 6-of-15 from the floor – including 5-of-13 from 3-point range – to score 21 points. She also added three rebounds, two assists and two steals, but committed five turnovers. She made all but one of her five free throw attempts. 

As she did throughout her college career at Iowa, Clark flashed her ability to elude defenders in the perimeter with her dribbling and showed off her deep range. 

In Indiana's second preseason game,  Clark and the Fever beat the Atlanta Dream , 83-80. Clark played 32 minutes and went 4-of-12 from the field, including two-of-nine from 3-point range, to finish with 12 points. Similar to her first game, Clark committed a game-high six turnovers, but she added eight rebounds and six assists. 

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