It's summer and some of us are still in school. During the time we're intended to have a break, here we are yet again, studying for exams and doing copious amounts of homework. As I sit and stare at the work in front of me, I always ponder the relevance. Sometimes, homework is the lesson itself; it is meant to teach us the material before we are taught in class. Other times, it seems to be a time-filler, and often times feel like a waste. However, while all of this is going on, the 5 “W" questions we were taught back in elementary school fills my head: who, what, where, when, and why.
Who?
Who will do all of this work for me? Is it a group assignment, or an individual task? I know I certainly have no motivation to do it, but yet here I am. Sitting and staring at this screen knowing eventually it has to be done, the homework almost speaks. No one wants to do it. That's the truest answer to the question “who", but of course, it has to be done. We suck up our pride, and have to knock it out despite however long it takes.
What?
What is this ridiculous assignment I've been given? Didn't we do the same thing yesterday? Every day is like an endless cycle: go to class, get more work, and complete it. Yet, here we are doing it. What class is the work for? We all know work comes from every nook and cranny, and I can't even count the sleepless nights I've had doing all my work on one hand. Houston, we have a problem.
Where?
Since college is a modge-podge of procrastination, the most important question on this list is where. Where can I get this work done? I have no motivation to do it after class, so maybe on the bus to class? Or as I sit in class? I can make it more entertaining, and do it in a hammock? Homework is almost like a game, there has to be an incentive at the end waiting for us. Maybe that's going to Mid tonight, or ordering Midnight Cookies, but whatever it is, thank heavens for bribes or my work may stay unfinished.
When?
When can I do this work? I wanted to go out tonight, how am I supposed to now with 100 pages of reading? I have work right after class, this is interfering with my social life. We have a mixer tonight, and I have to go to it. This is the blend of the two questions “where" and “when," managing our time to figure out when we do our homework is often the least of our worries, and for that reason we've learned to multitask.
Why?
Why am I doing this work? In the same time I've spent working, for all we know I could've made the world's next “big thing" and struck it rich. However, the world may never know now since I am so consumed by this nonsense they call homework.
*Although I'm sure we've all had these thoughts, I am in by no way condoning this. I aimed to only make this satirical in nature, and hope no one actually takes this advice to heart.*
