Face Off: Should students have homework during the summer holiday?
- Two pupils debate the advantages and disadvantages of having assignments when school is out of session
How do you feel about summer homework? Photo: ShutterstockEach week, two readers discuss a hot topic in a parliamentary-style debate that doesn’t necessarily reflect their personal viewpoints.
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For: Crystal Cen, 16, Hong Kong Adventist Academy
Summer is here, and students are taking full advantage of their free time without worrying about academics. But while students deserve a break, they should still be given something to do, and summer homework can have its benefits.
A sufficient break from schoolwork may help prevent the burnout and anxiety caused by the rigorous academic assignments from the last year. However, a complete cut-off from academics could mean a harsh transition when school restarts.
Summer homework can keep students intellectually engaged during their break while reinforcing the knowledge they learned over the last school year. Students can refine their academic skills as they keep themselves involved with schoolwork.
If they keep learning during the summer, they can return to school less overwhelmed and on track for a successful academic year.
According to research by the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the US, consistency can construct a positive mindset. It can influence one’s behaviour, help a person commit, and encourage the development of a healthy growth mindset.
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This is powerful, especially for students, as a commitment to growth is essential for academic success.
Summer assignments mean academic consistency during the two-month break, preparing students for their schoolwork in the coming year.
If students completely disconnect from school during the summer, they could break their habit of striving for success, resulting in a phenomenon known as “summer learning loss.”
The Northwest Evaluation Association, a company that creates academic assessments for students, highlighted in its research that test scores generally drop or flatten during the summer; this only worsens as one progresses through the school year.
Summer homework can help students maintain a disciplined approach and prepare for the new school year.
Ultimately, summer should still be a time of relaxation to prevent students from being overburdened. Summer homework can be adjusted to keep it light while reinforcing the necessary knowledge to get students on board in the new school year.
Against: Cadence Kwok, 18, Marymount Secondary School
When was the last time you had the summer all to yourself, released from the suffocating entrapment of school responsibilities? The idea of no summer homework is surely an alien concept to most students, but it should be the norm.
The mere mention of July fills us with joy and excitement as it marks the beginning of our longest holiday – summer. This is a time when we can explore our interests, discover our passions, and truly be ourselves.
Whether it’s trying out internships, job shadowing, or simply indulging in yoga or pottery, the possibilities are endless.
Understanding who you are and what you’re capable of is vital to building self-confidence. Schools are increasingly focusing on holistic development, nurturing students’ non-academic strengths and soft skills. However, the relentless barrage of writing tasks and book reports often leaves students with little time to explore their own identities beyond the confines of the classroom.
Summer holidays also come at the end of the academic year and right before the start of a fresh one. After a hectic year filled to the brim with tests and assignments, every student deserves time off to relax and rejuvenate.
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They have already weathered stressful exam seasons, burning the midnight oil. Yet, they are obliged to handle more tasks even after being thoroughly void of energy, resulting in burnout.
The prospect of a new school year may also bring about anxiety. With summer homework further increasing stress, coping with all this at once is incredibly demanding.
Some may regard summer homework as an effective way to help students consolidate previously forgotten knowledge. This is arguably true, as leaving things unattended could lead to short-term memory loss, and students may not remember what they learned in the previous academic year – which also means teachers need to spend time catching up.
However, how much can students remember if they are burned out? It’s clear that summer homework, far from being beneficial, can actually be detrimental to students’ well-being. It’s time we allow students the freedom to truly enjoy their summer.