Students dread the thought of homework over the weekend and, of course, over break. However, campus members fail to recognize the benefits of completing assignments over two or even three weeks off of school. Having teachers assign work over breaks will definitely achieve long-term positive results.

An important duty of every high school student is that learning never stops. All students must understand that leaving school campus for the weekend, or for break, does not authorize a right to stop thinking, analyzing and using one’s brain.

According to TIME Magazine, “Duke University psychology professor Harris Cooper found evidence of a positive correlation between homework and student achievement, meaning students who did homework performed better in school.”

Completing homework shows a positive connection between student achievement and performance at school, which is a crucial factor considering that semester one finals happens only one week after winter break. Every student’s worst nightmare would be returning back to school, only to be faced with finals within a matter of days, but with no knowledge of the past semester’s material.

“[Homework] helps students use and practice their skills and stay somewhat engaged with and connected to content,” Lois Conely said in an article by Susan Riddell from Kentucky Teacher.

Of course, assigning numerous projects or assignments over break would be unreasonable; however, small homework tasks are important for students’ success overall. While many believe that breaks are meant for relaxation, it is important to note that a student’s ultimate job is to learn and continue to seek knowledge. Even a small assignment such as reading a chapter of a novel will prompt students to continue analyzing and thinking outside of a classroom setting.

From the perspective of many parents, students tend to go on laptops, phones or TV screens over break rather than reading a book or spending time with their families

“It [homework] would keep kids from staring at screens all day. Laptops, tablets, video games, movies, TV shows, phones and other screens all conspire to occupy all the hours of a child’s day,” Lauren Connelly said on the website Professor’s House, a website that gives advice for families.

Homework may be seen as a burden but ultimately works to help students succeed in school; therefore, teachers should assign homework over the breaks.