How many hours of homework have you done, knowing you already know how to do it, but you have to continuously bore yourself because it is mandatory? Even one hour is one too many. Homework is an essential part of life as a student and can assist individuals who are struggling with understanding the material by providing additional practice. However, many students are familiar with what they are learning, and I find it unfair to force them to oblige. Here is why. 

First, grades of a student are a student’s responsibility and not the teachers’. Teachers’ role is to guide students and help them make the right decisions, because how will students function in the future if they are only taught how to listen to commands? By making homework optional, the student has the option of contemplating whether they need the extra practice. On the condition that they make an irresponsible decision and don’t use the practice they need, their mistake is not at the fault of teachers, but themselves. 

However, if students do need the practice, but one day, they can’t find the time to fit it into their schedule and it’s already late at night, they won’t have to stress about completing all of their assignments. Making homework optional will remove much of the burden put on students, no matter the situation.

For example, freshmen, especially those who are adapting to a new environment, may feel overwhelmed trying to balance their social and academic life, and sometimes, too much homework is not the solution. Also, it would be helpful for sophomores and juniors to use extra time to prepare for the SAT. Optional homework will give high school seniors extra time to go over their material, especially when approaching college application deadlines at the start of the school year. 

Because homework is all done at home, there isn’t as much flexibility depending on the urgency of the situation. This makes it difficult for student-athletes who are looking to play in college. Both high school and college sports require time-consuming practice with strengthening and conditioning to maintain an optimal body.

This goes the same for students with other passions like art or music. For students focusing on pursuing occupations outside of academic fields, doing homework is only seen as a distraction; hence, homeschooling is chosen as an alternative. However, many individuals are put in domestic situations that exclude homeschooling as a possibility and are ultimately forced into school. 

In contrast to the popular belief that this argument is a petty opinion of a student who just doesn’t want to do homework, the validity of these points is not incorrect. In spite of all of these points I have argued, there is a difference between making homework optional and banning it. Banning it may not be a good idea for students who are in need of help and practice or for others who just enjoy occupying their time with schoolwork.

If homework is abolished, teachers would have the freedom to disregard homework assignments and leave the students to fend for themselves. Simply offering the students the option of doing additional practice and answers supports students in small ways that might not seem significant.