When I query my math students about why they aren’t bothering to do their homework, over and over I hear the refrain “but it’s just 10% of my grade”….. i.e. “so it doesn’t really matter”.

The problem is that it does matter.

Ten percent of your grade is the difference between an ‘A’ and a ‘B’, or a ‘B’ and a ‘C’.  It is also the difference between a ‘D’ and an ‘F’.

In most courses you need a 60% just to pass.   This means that the 40% on top of the first 60% will be what determines one’s letter grade.  That’s a different perspective from which to view that 10%.

And of course, if you aren’t doing your homework, just getting to that 60% could be a real challenge.

Doing the homework is how students will master the material that they will be tested on.  Very, very, few students are gifted enough at math to excel on exams without spending time working their way through the homework problems.

Just understanding the material when it is presented, without practicing it, is usually not sufficient for being able to get a good grade on a test.

I think the real problem with homework for students is that they are often already overloaded, and math homework is typically pretty time consuming.   When you add the frustration factor that can come with not always understanding the problems, the temptation to put it off or to skip it can be really strong.

But that doesn’t change the fact that in order to do well in a course, the homework needs to be done.   So my advice is to do whatever it takes to set aside some time for homework, get some help if you need it, and then gird up your loins and do it!