Are you overwhelmed by how much homework you need to do every week? Well, me too.
I am a Graphic Design and Creative Writing student, and I am currently taking three 3-hour classes, along with two other shorter classes, this semester. Last semester, I balanced marching band, two 3-hour classes and three 2-hour classes, so I was certainly not expecting to struggle this semester, but somehow, I am.
“How?” you may be wondering. Apparently, the federal government requires six hours of homework for 3-hour classes. I, for one, was never told of this before this semester even when I had two 3-hour classes last semester. So, not including my other two classes, I already have eighteen hours of homework? Over half a day’s worth of homework for three out of my five classes. How does that make any sense at all?
Now I know that usually college courses can have multiple hours of homework attached to them, but one of my infamous 3-hour classes is 3-D Design. A class that its first project required the use of multiple power tools like the band saw, table saw, and sander. Tools of which cannot be accessed without a professor present in the Art Studio. So how am I supposed to do six hours of homework a week for this class when I do not have access to the tools I need to work on this project?
So, I have eighteen hours of homework with about another six hours for my other two classes which brings me an entire day’s worth of homework per week. Plus, as an art student, my assignments could take even longer to complete.
I spent almost five hours this past week inking two large words for my typography project. How am I supposed to balance five classes, my job, organizations, events, friends and family, and even essentials with twenty-four hours of homework?
Something needs to change. I know the guidelines are for every major and it’s impossible to please everyone with the amount of work needed to be done for each class depending on the major. But the amount of time it takes to complete assignments outside of class for art students is astronomical. Perhaps we could be given more in-class time to work on these projects or be expected to complete less work outside of class. Education may never be perfect for a good work-life balance, but students should be able to be able to have a life outside of school.
