How do I get my 15 year old to do her homework?

Question from a parent of a 15 year old

Question

My teen is getting into GCSEs and I’m so worried she’s falling behind. I think it’s a combo of loads more work and just not knowing how to organise herself. She’s missing homework deadlines and I worry she’s defaulting to her phone because she just can’t face doing her homework. Any advice would be great please – thank you, luna!

Answer

Thank you for writing in!

It's understandable to feel worried about your teen's transition into GCSEs – it's a big step, and many teens in the luna app share with us how challenging it is to adjust to the increased workload and expectations – you can find an example of a question asked about GCSEs and motivation here, if you’re interested. 

Here are some tips that might help her get back on track:

• Create a study schedule: help her set up a weekly planner to allocate specific times for homework and revision – this can make tasks feel more manageable and less overwhelming
• Break tasks into smaller chunks: encourage her to divide her work into smaller, more achievable tasks – completing these can give her a sense of accomplishment and motivate her to keep going
• Limit phone use during study time: suggest putting her phone in another room or using apps that block distractions while she studies
• Set realistic goals: help her set achievable goals for each study session and celebrate when she meets them – this can boost her confidence and motivation
• Encourage breaks: remind her to take short breaks to recharge – this can help improve focus and prevent burnout
• Seek help from school: chat (ideally with her permission) about her progress with her teachers who will know her best from an academic standpoint, to see how she is doing in class, and if they have any suggestions

It can also be helpful to have open conversations with her about how she's feeling and to reassure her that it's okay to ask for help – teachers can be a great resource, and they might have additional strategies to support her. 

If you are thinking about getting a tutor, luna’s got a great guide for parents on how to find a safe tutor and you can always subscribe her to the luna app which is full of advice on dealing with the pressures of school – from homework to exam anxiety and there’s even videos of different revision techniques.

Finally, it may not be as useful right now but luna has a full guide on how to support your teen on GCSE results day which might be worth looking at when the time comes.

Hope this helps you and please know that you're doing a great job by just being there for her and seeking advice.

Are you a parent in need of support? Ask luna using this form and our experts will pick 4 to address in our newsletter – which you can sign up to here or by scrolling down.