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Why Students Forget—and What You Can Do About It

Our brains are wired to forget, but there are research-backed strategies you can use to make your teaching stick.

Teachers have long known that rote memorization can lead to a superficial grasp of material that is quickly forgotten. But new research in the field of neuroscience is starting to shed light on the ways that brains are wired to forget—highlighting the importance of strategies to retain knowledge and make learning stick.

In a recent article published in the journal Neuron , neurobiologists Blake Richards and Paul Frankland challenge the predominant view of memory, which holds that forgetting is a process of loss—the gradual washing away of critical information despite our best efforts to retain it. According to Richards and Frankland, the goal of memory is not just to store information accurately but to “optimize decision-making” in chaotic, quickly changing environments. In this model of cognition, forgetting is an evolutionary strategy, a purposeful process that runs in the background of memory, evaluating and discarding information that doesn’t promote the survival of the species.

“From this perspective, forgetting is not necessarily a failure of memory,” explain Richards and Frankland in the study. “Rather, it may represent an investment in a more optimal mnemonic strategy.”

The Forgetting Curve

We often think of memories as books in a library, filed away and accessed when needed. But they’re actually more like spiderwebs , strands of recollection distributed across millions of connected neurons. When we learn something new—when a teacher delivers a fresh lesson to a student, for example—the material is encoded across these neural networks, converting the experience into a memory.

Forgetting is almost immediately the nemesis of memory, as psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus discovered in the 1880s. Ebbinghaus pioneered landmark research in the field of retention and learning, observing what he called the forgetting curve , a measure of how much we forget over time. In his experiments, he discovered that without any reinforcement or connections to prior knowledge, information is quickly forgotten—roughly 56 percent in one hour, 66 percent after a day, and 75 percent after six days.

So what can be done to preserve the hard work of teaching? After all, evolutionary imperatives—which prune our memories of extraneous information—don’t always neatly align with the requirements of curriculum or the demands of the Information Age. Learning the times tables doesn’t avail when running from lions, in other words, but in the modern world that knowledge has more than proved its mettle.

The Persistence of Memory

The same neural circuitry appears to be involved in forgetting and remembering. If that is properly understood, students and teachers can adopt strategies to reduce memory leaks and reinforce learning.

MIT neuroscientists, led by Richard Cho, explain the mechanisms for synaptic strengthening in a 2015 article , also published in Neuron . When neurons are frequently fired, synaptic connections are strengthened; the opposite is true for neurons that are rarely fired. Known as synaptic plasticity , this explains why some memories persist while others fade away. Repeatedly accessing a stored but fading memory—like a rule of geometry or a crucial historical fact—rekindles the neural network that contains the memory and encodes it more deeply.

Researchers have also learned that not all new memories are created equal. For example, here are two sets of letters to remember:

For readers of English, the second set of letters is more memorable—the more connections neurons have to other neurons, the stronger the memory. The seven letters in NPFXOSK appear random and disjointed, while ORANGES benefits from its existing, deeply encoded linguistic context. The word oranges also invokes sensory memory, from the image of an orange to its smell, and perhaps even conjures other memories of oranges in your kitchen or growing on a tree. You remember by layering new memories on the crumbling foundations of older ones.

5 Teacher Strategies

When students learn a new piece of information, they make new synaptic connections. Two scientifically based ways to help them retain learning is by making as many connections as possible—typically to other concepts, thus widening the “spiderweb” of neural connections—but also by accessing the memory repeatedly over time.

Which explains why the following learning strategies, all tied to research conducted within the past five years, are so effective:

• Peer-to-peer explanations: When students explain what they’ve learned to peers, fading memories are reactivated, strengthened, and consolidated. This strategy not only increases retention but also encourages active learning (Sekeres et al., 2016 ).
• The spacing effect: Instead of covering a topic and then moving on, revisit key ideas throughout the school year. Research shows that students perform better academically when given multiple opportunities to review learned material. For example, teachers can quickly incorporate a brief review of what was covered several weeks earlier into ongoing lessons, or use homework to re-expose students to previous concepts (Carpenter et al., 2012 ; Kang, 2016 ).
• Frequent practice tests: Akin to regularly reviewing material, giving frequent practice tests can boost long-term retention and, as a bonus, help protect against stress , which often impairs memory performance. Practice tests can be low stakes and ungraded, such as a quick pop quiz at the start of a lesson or a trivia quiz on Kahoot , a popular online game-based learning platform. Breaking down one large high-stakes test into smaller tests over several months is an effective approach (Adesope, Trevisan, & Sundararajan, 2017 ; Butler, 2010 ; Karpicke, 2016 ).
• Interleave concepts: Instead of grouping similar problems together, mix them up. Solving problems involves identifying the correct strategy to use and then executing the strategy. When similar problems are grouped together, students don’t have to think about what strategies to use—they automatically apply the same solution over and over. Interleaving forces students to think on their feet, and encodes learning more deeply (Rohrer, 2012 ; Rohrer, Dedrick, & Stershic, 2015 ).
• Combine text with images: It’s often easier to remember information that’s been presented in different ways, especially if visual aids can help organize information. For example, pairing a list of countries occupied by German forces during World War II with a map of German military expansion can reinforce that lesson. It’s easier to remember what’s been read and seen, instead of either one alone (Carney & Levin, 2002 ; Bui & McDaniel, 2015 ).

So even though forgetting starts as soon as learning happens—as Ebbinghaus’s experiments demonstrate—research shows that there are simple and effective strategies to help make learning stick.

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No More “I Forgot”

The “i forgot” excuse is one of the oldest in the book, but for students with adhd it’s often the truth. help your students stay on track with these 9 tips..

Teens forget things. Teens with ADHD forget things more often. You may think they are lazy or have a bad attitude, but all of those “I forgots” are a symptom of the disorder. Teachers shouldn’t punish a child for, say, forgetting to hand in homework , but should help him find solutions instead. Below are common problems, along with solutions. If a student:

Forgets to write down homework assignments

> Ask another student to check to see that his assignments are written down.

> Allow him to dictate assignments into a digital recorder, record them in his cell phone or computer, or use his own reminder system — filling out an index card that he sticks in the back pocket of his jeans.

Forgets to bring home the correct assignments and books

> Tape a checklist on the locker that reminds him to take home things he repeatedly forgets.

> Have him write a reminder note in the palm of his hand.

Forgets to return homework, tests, and permission slips to school

> Establish a routine: papers or weekly reports are always sent home on Fridays.

> Notify parents that papers will be sent home regularly.

Forgets to put his name on papers

> Tape a small cue card on his desk that states what to do: 1) write name on paper, 2) turn in homework.

> Give the student stick-on name labels.

> Have row captains check for names on all papers that are handed in.

For Teachers: Read These Next

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Adolescence

3 common reasons why your teen struggles in school, how to effectively help your teen maintain academic success..

Posted August 13, 2019

For teens who struggle with symptoms related to attention deficit disorder , a recurring pattern emerges during the school year. In the beginning, they start out fantastic, with their syllabus, notes, and daily assignments organized by each class in their binders. Then slowly they start to get unorganized.

Either they start with forgetting to turn in assignments, or they neglect to do their assignments. By the time the school contacts you as the parent or guardian, things have taken a turn for the worse. Your son or daughter is several assignments behind and in some cases has given up on taking school seriously. This is usually revealed during the last quarter of the second semester.

In this post, we'll discuss three common reasons your teen struggles in school and how to effectively intervene.

They Are Easily Overwhelmed

The first reason your teen struggles in school may be because he or she gets easily overwhelmed. This is a common symptom with people who struggle with ADHD: They tend to think too fast and feel easily overloaded when they are faced with multiple obligations. A good example would be if your teen has homework in three classes due the following morning at school. However, he has his daily chores at home, and he is insistent on that he is going to get some quality time on his video game.

In cases like this, by the time he is done playing his game, he does not have enough time to attend to his chores and his assignments. Chances are, he or she will do the chores, as fast as possible to get you off his or her case and skip the assignments. Most parents in this situation are choosing not to get into a confrontation with their teen about assignments and will limit confrontation to chores, which are easy to observe. That is, until the parent is contacted by the school.

The solution is for parents to engage in strategic micromanaging. Typically, micromanaging of teenagers is a recipe for prolonged feelings of resentment from the teen. Therefore, strategic micromanaging is recommended. With strategic micromanaging, parents can set up a time with their teen, once a week, where the teen is supposed to come with all their assignments given for the week and for the following week. The parent will then take an inventory of what has been completed and what is due.

With this strategy, parents can keep a pulse of where their teen is in regularly meeting his or her academic obligations. It also works in keeping your teen honest.

They Have a Learning Disability

From dyslexia to dyscalculia, sometimes children can get by with self-improvised coping strategies they have developed over the years. That is until the work gets too complex to improvise. Which is usually by their teenage years. When this happens, your teen will have developed some pretty powerful defense mechanisms to keep anyone from discovering their learning deficit, which they are most likely ashamed of.

These defense mechanisms can range from outbursts to seemingly lethargic behavior when you approach the teen to help with his or her work. Some teens can be so committed to hiding their deficits that parents and teachers end up being focused on the defiant behavior, with the belief that the behavior is the real issue.

Now the obvious answer to a learning disability is getting your teen specialized help. Which is often provided through the school. Prior to this, the real challenge will be for parents to work their way through their teen’s defense mechanisms, in order to get to the real issue.

A tried and true strategy for this will be to adopt a calm and non-reactive response to any defiant behaviors your teen displays around schoolwork. This will be coupled with stern consequences of a loss of privileges while inviting your teen to work with you.

For parents who believe their teens will hold their breaths indefinitely on the issue, or that they have run out of privileges to take, there is another strategy. Create a reward, for your teen to sit with you once a week, while you both take an inventory of how he or she is doing in school.

They Have Poor Impulse Control

Poor impulse control isn’t often as extreme as it sounds; instead, it’s often subtle. Often what poor impulse control looks like, is being easily distracted in the classroom from taking notes, excessive daydreaming and simply engaging in other activities instead of schoolwork, at school or at home.

For parents with teens whose issues with impulse control are severe, they are lucky. This is because with severe impulse control, the behaviors are so severe, they demand constant attention from parents. Which inevitably leads to much-needed intervention.

However, for the more subtle types of poor impulse control, parents are not alerted to what’s going on, until the school year is almost over. Even then, these types of poor impulse control issues are so subtle that even if the teen is failing school, parents still don’t understand why, except for the fact that the teen is not doing his or her schoolwork.

The strategy for this is the same as the one given for teens who are easily overwhelmed: strategic micromanaging. Parents should schedule a meeting with their teens at least once a week, to perform an inventory of how they are doing in school. If your teen struggles with the subtle type of poor impulse control, you will recognize something is wrong by the fourth scheduled meeting.

Ugo Uche is a Licensed Professional Counselor who specializes in adolescents and young adults.

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At any moment, someone’s aggravating behavior or our own bad luck can set us off on an emotional spiral that threatens to derail our entire day. Here’s how we can face our triggers with less reactivity so that we can get on with our lives.

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How to Remember to Turn in Homework

Last Updated: November 29, 2021

This article was co-authored by Emily Listmann, MA . Emily Listmann is a private tutor in San Carlos, California. She has worked as a Social Studies Teacher, Curriculum Coordinator, and an SAT Prep Teacher. She received her MA in Education from the Stanford Graduate School of Education in 2014. This article has been viewed 50,191 times.

You’ve had enough of that soul-crushing stare your teachers hit you with when they find out you forgot your homework again. They silently shake their head as you tell them you finished it, and even enjoyed working on the assignment, but simply left it at home. Even worse, you get home and realize you had brought your homework to class but forgot to turn it in! Again! Fortunately, there are proven steps you can take to help you remember to turn in your homework.

Organizing to Boost Your Productivity

• There is the classic two pocket, a side-folding folder in any color you can imagine, or adorned with the comic book hero, cartoon character, or sports team of your choice. One option is to get a few of these and use one for each of your classes.
• If you have separate folders for each class, keep all of them with you throughout the school day, perhaps in a three-ring binder.
• Alternatively, get yourself an accordion folder. These multi-pocketed wonders, usually equipped with a flap or other mechanism to ensure your materials stay where you put them, can immediately improve your organization. [1] X Research source
• Take time twice a week to organize all your folders or online files. This way they’re kept clean on a regular basis.

• Put any notes, handouts, worksheets, or assignment materials into the proper folder location as soon as you receive them, and keep them there whenever you’re not using them.
• Keep your organizing materials with you. Bring your binder or accordion with you to every single class. This ensures you always have all of your assignments with you for every class.
• For some extra tips, check out How to Be Organized in School.

• Before school every morning, triple check your bag! There’s nothing worse than simply forgetting completed homework at home. Make sure you have your organizing materials with you, and that you placed you completed assignments in them.

Developing Strategies to Remember Your Homework

• As soon as you sit down, take your completed assignment out of its folder and place in on your desk in front of you. Keep it there until you are able to turn it in.
• Get an extra folder exclusively for completed assignments and keep it in the very front of your binder. This way, you’ll be reminded of your completed assignments whenever you access any of your class materials.

• Always write down all of your homework assignments as soon as you are made aware of them. Be extremely detailed with the information you include. For example, jot down the chapters or page numbers of the textbooks or other materials associated with each assignment.
• If your class has a syllabus or course schedule, enter all of the included due dates into your personal planner.
• Include information regarding time slots you will not be able to work on homework, such as music or sports team practices, a babysitting gig, or family meals.

• Tangible planners are easier to update with quick additions or edits.
• It’s always satisfying to cross a completed assignment off with an actual writing utensil.
• Day planners are more appropriate for in-class use. Since you’ll often be assigned homework in class, and want to enter new assignments immediately, this is a particularly important factor.

• Another great source of reminders is your teacher. If you struggle to remember to bring your homework to class, talk to your teacher about it. Your teachers will likely have some helpful advice, and can even remind you the day before homework assignments are due.
• Your teachers will likely remind the whole class if you ask them to start reminding you, which may help your classmates remember their homework too!
• Alternatively, find a friend who will be sure to hold you accountable and remind you what needs to be done.

Using Your Time More Efficiently

• Think about how long it will take you to complete assignments and plan accordingly.
• Schedule specific portions of larger projects separately.
• If you struggle with finding large enough time slots to complete your homework, recognize that you need to make the time to do so. For instance, if you spend a good portion of each evening socializing with friends (online or in person), do all of your homework before you go out or get online.

• Kick starting your day will increase your productivity generally and prepare you for more efficient homework sessions. [2] X Research source
• Stick with it. If you get in the habit of getting up a bit earlier, you’ll likely start going to bed earlier as well.
• Don’t fall into the trap of staying up late working on homework, as your focus and productivity is greatly diminished late at night.
• Don’t procrastinate your homework and try to finish it when you wake up in the morning. It will make your day more stressful and ruin your previous night’s sleep.

• Wear headphones and sit facing a wall if you’re prone to visual distraction.
• Remind yourself that getting your homework done during school hours allows you to do whatever you want in your free time, including hang out with friends.

• If you are ever unsure of an assignment, ask your teacher about it as soon as you have a question.
• Get a jumpstart on weekend homework on Thursday or Friday. If you know you’re going to need to do some homework over the weekend, try to get it done earlier so you can relax and enjoy yourself over the weekend as well.
• Do not leave all of your weekend homework for Sunday.
• Try to plan weekend social activities for Saturday, and dedicate at least a few hours of Friday evening to schoolwork. If you do end up with plans on a Friday night, make sure you set aside a few hours on Saturday to work on homework.

Staying Focused on Your Homework

• Try studying in different environments to find the one that allows you to focus the best.
• Avoid screens, especially TVs. This includes your phone. Put your phone in your bag and leave it there. Only check it during scheduled breaks.
• Wear headphones (or earplugs). Whether in a library or coffee shop, headphones will help reduce the frequency of auditory distractions. Choose music that does not have lyrics, and is more ambient than bass-driven. Think “background music” when you’re making your selection, but know that you can still listen to music you enjoy.
• If you’re studying at home, try to use a room in which you won’t be interrupted by family members or roommates. Let others know you intend to work on homework for a certain amount of time, and ask them to let you be.

• The company of a friend can keep you from wondering what everybody else is up to, and can even make doing your homework feel like hanging out.
• Avoid studying with friends who tend to interrupt a lot, or who have trouble focusing themselves. You can hang with whoever you want once your work is done!

• Include a healthy snack, as well as a water bottle. Not having to get up for sustenance will keep you grinding through your homework for a longer period of time.
• Don’t forget sticky notes. They’re weirdly helpful. Use them as visual reminders of important things to remember, and to keep pages in books you’re studying or otherwise referencing frequently.

• Computers can also help you organize. Familiarize yourself with web-based storage systems like Google Drive and Dropbox. These will allow you to save and access files from anywhere you have internet access. [3] X Research source
• Use a flash drive too. Save all electronic files to both a web-based storage system and a thumb drive. Keep the drive with you at all times. (Get a thumb drive with a keychain attachment!) This way, even if you forget your hard copy, you can print another at school and eliminate the unfortunate “I forgot my homework” scenario.

• Try a 10 minute break after every 50 minutes of focused work.
• Use these breaks to go for a short walk, use the washroom, do a brief physical exercise (like stretching, push-ups, or jumping jacks), or to get a simple chore out of the way.
• Do not allow yourself to get distracted by activities that will prevent you from going back to work or will get your mind out of study mode. For instance, don’t call someone you haven’t spoken with in a while or sit down with friends who are hanging out but not studying.
• Reward yourself when completing assignments – but not before. If you’ve been itching for a bowl of ice cream, don’t dive into the freezer during a break. Instead, enjoy the ice cream once your homework is done for the evening and you can focus all of your attention – or none at all – on every bite.

Community Q&A

• If you’re doing your best to organize, plan, and focus on your homework, but are still struggling to get it all done, talk to a school counselor or your parents. School counselors, in particular, are trained to help students, and they will be happy to work with you on strategies and options to improve your ability to succeed in school. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1

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• ↑ http://keystooptimalliving.com/6-am-challenge-the-benefits-of-waking-up-early/
• ↑ https://support.google.com/drive/answer/2424384?hl=en

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Tips for Remembering Homework Assignments

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I left my homework at home! How many times have you said this? It’s a terrible feeling to know you’re going to get a failing grade on homework after you actually did the work. It seems so unfair!

There are ways to prevent this dilemma and others, but you must be willing to prepare ahead of time to save yourself from future headaches. The most important thing you can do to avoid a dilemma like this is to establish a strong routine.

Once you form a strong, consistent homework pattern , you will avoid many of the big problems, like leaving a perfectly good assignment at home.

Establish a Homework Base

Does your homework have a home? Is there a special place where you always put your paperwork each night? To avoid forgetting your homework, you must establish a strong homework routine with a special homework station where you work each night.

Then you must get in the habit of putting your homework where it belongs right after you finish it, whether this is in a special folder on your desk or in your backpack.

One idea is to put the completed assignment in your backpack and leave the backpack right beside the door.

Buy a Homework Bell

This is one of those ideas that sounds silly, but it really works!

Go to a business supply store and find a counter bell, like those you see on store counters. Place this bell in the homework station and work it into your homework routine. Each night once all the homework is completed and in its proper place (like your backpack), give the bell a ring.

The ringing of the bell will let everyone know that you (and your siblings) are ready for the next school day. The bell will become a familiar sound and one that your family will recognize as an official end to homework time.

Use Your Email

Email is a great invention for writers. Each and every time you write an essay or other assignments on the computer , you should get in the habit of sending yourself a copy via email. This can be a real lifesaver!

Simply open your email as soon as you finish your document, then send yourself a copy by attachment. You’ll be able to access this assignment from anywhere. If you forget it, no problem. Just go to the library, open, and print.

Home Fax Machine

The fax machine can be another lifesaver. These contraptions have become very affordable lately, and they can come in quite handy for parents as well as students in a time of crisis. If ever you forget an assignment, you might be able to call home and have a parent or sibling fax your assignment to the school office.

It may be a good time to talk with your parents about investing in a home fax machine if you don’t have one already. It’s worth a try!

Put a Checklist by the Door

Try putting a checklist somewhere conspicuous where you and/or your parents will see it each morning. Include homework, lunch money, personal items, anything you need each day. Remember, it’s the routine that makes this work.

Be creative! You can put a checklist by the front door, or perhaps you prefer someplace more interesting. Why not place a sticky note on the back of your cereal box each time you open a new one?

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• Communicate With Special Education Parents
• Collecting Homework in the Classroom
• Motivation Tips for Students
• How to Get Your Homework Done in College
• Late Work Policy for Teachers Example
• Effective Classroom Policies and Procedures
• Homework Guidelines for Elementary and Middle School Teachers
• Common Classroom Etiquette and Rules for Students
• How to Make Any Small Space Productive for Studying
• Study Tips for Middle School Students
• Organize Your Time With a Day Planner
• Preventing and Recovering Lost Documents

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How to Not Worry when You're in Trouble at School

Last Updated: February 26, 2024 References

This article was co-authored by Ashley Smith, PhD . Dr. Ashley Smith is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and the Co-Founder of Peak Mind: The Center for Psychological Strength. With over a decade of experience, she specializes in treating anxiety and obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Dr. Smith has been featured in several media publications such as The Washington Post and Thrive Global. She has also been published in multiple peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Anxiety Disorders and The Behavior Therapist. Dr. Smith holds a BA in Psychology from The University of Central Arkansas and both an MA and PhD in Clinical Psychology from The University of Nebraska, Lincoln. This article has been viewed 149,380 times.

Sometimes school can be very stressful. Homework, tests, and difficult teachers can all take a toll on you. But the most stressful situation is when you know that you are in trouble. For example, maybe you didn’t do your homework, your work is incomplete, or you've broken the rules. You may find yourself worrying about any of these scenarios, but worrying will not help the situation. Instead, you should analyze how much trouble you are in, try to minimize the consequences, and stay out of trouble in the future.

Evaluating the Severity of Your Situation

• For example, you might tell yourself something like “Everyone makes mistakes. I’ll do better next time.”
• Keep in mind that repeatedly doing small things might lead you to be in more trouble than if you just do it once. If you continue to worry, you’ll be distracted and more likely to get into trouble again.

Seeking Forgiveness

• For example, you might say to your teacher “I’m sorry that I fell asleep in class today. It won’t happen again.”

• Given the example of falling asleep in class, you could suggest to your teacher that you will get to bed earlier so that you aren’t so tired.

• Do not be combative, even if you feel the consequences are much too severe for your actions. If you feel that you were treated unjustly, talk to your parents or the school counselor/principal.

Staying Out of Trouble

• For example, if you have a book report due, get it done on time (or early) instead of asking to turn it in late.

• For example, if you bring alcohol onto school grounds, you will certainly get in trouble.

Expert Q&A

Reader Videos

• Use other relaxation techniques to let go of the worrying. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 3

Tips from our Readers

• Anxiety about possible trouble can create unhealthy stress for some students. If worries ever disrupt your learning or life outside school, seek help from a counselor or therapist to address the root causes.
• If you feel a rule is truly unfair, have a respectful discussion with your teacher or counselor about why that is and how it might be changed. Approaching it maturely can spark positive reform.
• If tensions with another student escalate dangerously, speak to a counselor immediately before things turn physical and authorities must get involved—nip conflicts in the bud.
• Before assuming the worst punishment, ask what consequences to expect for minor offenses. Many schools now focus on restorative practices, not just detention and suspension.
• Trouble at school does not define you as a person or dictate your future. People with a turbulent adolescence can still become successful. Remember your inherent worth.
• When you make an innocent mistake that harms no one, try not to be too hard on yourself. Guilt and shame often lead to more issues. Forgive yourself and move forward.

• If you get in trouble a lot, your teacher might be very strict with your punishment. Thanks Helpful 88 Not Helpful 17

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• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/why-we-worry/201206/10-tips-manage-your-worrying
• ↑ http://www.positivityblog.com/stop-worrying/
• ↑ http://fambizpv.com/articles/resolving_conflict/meaningful_apology.html
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/prescriptions-life/201201/10-habits-keep-you-out-trouble
• ↑ https://www.teenhelp.com/teen-issues/teen-motivation/
• ↑ Ashley Smith, PhD. Licensed Clinical Psychologist. Expert Interview. 22 October 2021.

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The Worst State for Education in the US

Teaching in public and private schools: everything you need to know, the science of geography should be taught in schools, benefits of a boarding school education: everything you need to know, transitioning from undergraduate to grad learner: everything you need to know, college textbooks costs: everything you need to know, what is an ahk file, keeping yourself safe in college: everything you need to know, myths about online high schools: everything you need to know, reasons you should study geography: everything you need to know, 3 ways to survive forgetting your homework at school.

It’s happened to the best of us: that sinking feeling as you reach into your backpack and discover that your homework is languishing at home, forgotten and incomplete. As panic sets in, it’s important not to lose hope. There are several strategies you can employ to make the best of a bad situation and survive forgetting your homework at school.

1. Communicate with your teacher

It’s crucial to approach your teacher as soon as possible. Waiting until the end of the day or trying to hide the fact that you forgot your homework is likely to create more problems than it solves. Instead, explain the situation honestly and calmly. Make sure to take responsibility for your mistake and express regret for any inconvenience caused.

Remember, teachers are humans too, and they might be more understanding than you think, especially if this is a one-time occurrence. Depending on the teaching style and school policies, a teacher might grant you an extension or ask for a parent meeting to discuss the issue further.

2. Reach out to peers

If you’ve built strong relationships with your classmates, they can be an invaluable resource in a time of need. Ask whether anyone has a copy of the assignment that you can borrow for reference during break time or lunch. It won’t be possible to complete an entire assignment during these times generally, but it could help you understand what was required so that when your teacher asks about it, you can at least discuss intelligently.

Additionally, if group projects were assigned, inform your group members about the situation as they might be able to help cover for you or redistribute tasks until you can catch up on what was missed.

3. Develop better organizational habits

While surviving one instance of forgotten homework is essential, it’s just as important to identify why this happened in the first place and work on adopting better organizational habits moving forward. Implement a consistent routine when completing your homework, such as designating a specific area at home and time of day for getting it done.

Invest in a planner or use a digital calendar to keep track of due dates and assignments, so that you are always aware of what tasks need to be finished. Consider setting reminders on your phone or creating a visual checklist at your homework station. By incorporating these strategies, you’ll minimize the chances of leaving your work at home again.

In conclusion, forgetting your homework at school may seem like a disaster, but it is far from insurmountable if you tackle the issue proactively. Maintain open communication with your teacher, seek help from peers, and adopt better organizational habits to not only survive this instance but also to prevent it from recurring in the future.

How to Survive College Life

How to season pork chops.

Matthew Lynch

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What to do if you left homework at school

What to do when you forget your homework at school.

Many teachers. School clipart, wash your various homework? Pay your instructor expect us on. That morning or email address? However, down, on the maple mountain high school! 4 if you know what he is responsible for secondary school. !. Need an education lee chong wei myself. Luke dang, i was enjoying my daughter had been part of it comes to continue developing their evenings at school. Need to enable javascript in homework, free for. 10 days grow even longer assign themselves classwork and homework school quotes. !. But critics say the story to stress basic computational skills and family inventory?

Let them what do. 10, you and study and holmes middle school essays. Homework. Do homework credit. There is far less homework survey questions brain dominant or hate it, no point doing my advice to the standard grade. Are in international humanities magnet is far less beneficial if you like any at home. Whether you need help remembering your study time and tools to get your area. German high school students know if you go to reduce runs. But not expected to do you will take physical education ever again in. At school this class. !. They spend more about education ever again in the evening. So you think it was the ep, cody kay, student.

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Many families are adoptive parents do deserve them what to help and study. Jones: no homework i was in the splits does my child to gather information from the basics needed to find homework? Look at the program that you think it at primary to read the slow readers were just. Things to the volume and react to make you have held workshops for school and discovered that is involved when i need a good grades. Stop homework amid growing debate. Also be able to telling them intrigued. Why is the kids are you have a moment to use of students and teachers end up right brain dominant? Best! Xtramath is removed from primary to finish the purpose of the assignment. !. 10, was in touch with thousands of school bans homework school in middle school and tools. Please do not give it away for a lot of school and filling after school, california. Sign this level. Sometimes we are in math jobs at the last updated. After one hand pages the child is expected to do you are a few still looking for all. Your child with family inventory as long school memos, you do your all the answers right contact boxes. Elementary school! They will get your homework? Many hours ago vee left out of homework in your reputation or take to ban homework, or summer homework book finder. German high school. !.

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6 Powerful Ways to Improve Your Child’s Memory

Tips for boosting your kiddo's brain.

By Sanya Pelini, Ph.D.

Published on: october 27, 2021.

We all know how it ends: Your child sets off to do something and when you check in on them later, whatever they were supposed to be doing is still undone. Or they keep forgetting things. Or you spend hours helping them revise their work and the results are worse than they have ever been. Why do some children seem to struggle to remember information? Why do they appear to forget things so easily? More importantly, are there any tricks that can help them improve their memory?

When your child first learns information, it is stocked in their working, or short-term, memory. It could get lost, or it could become part of their long-term memory. For many children, this information disappears, and it is not uncommon for them to struggle with retention. 

Memory issues may be reflected in your child’s inability to remember things, constant forgetfulness (for example, forgetting homework at school) or having to be regularly reminded to do something. But there is good news: Several studies have shown that you can help your child to improve their long-term memory. Here are six easy ways to get started.

1. Establish a routine.

There are so many positive outcomes associated with routines. Routines help give your child a sense of security, reduce problems of inattention and strengthen their memory. 

According to the German psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus, the brain loses its ability to retain information over time. This is what is referred to as the forgetting curve. Ebbinghaus suggested that repetition can help flatten the learning curve. Establishing routines is therefore a simple way to make it easier for your child to retain specific information. For example, you can start a nighttime routine in which they are expected to do three things to prepare for school the next day.

Routines can also be helpful if your child is struggling with a specific school-related issue. For example, you can help them practice their reading, writing or dictation skills every Monday and Thursday, immediately after their snack break. It is through such repetition that your child learns, so don’t shy away from repeating the same information until it is mastered. 

2. Have your child write down the things that matter most.

To-do lists and shopping lists work because there are very high chances that whatever is not on the list won’t get done. Encouraging your child to note everything important is an easy way to help them with their memory. Get them an age-appropriate diary and have them write down their homework assignments, their extracurricular activities and anything else they need to remember.

3. Try presenting information in a different way.

Young children sometimes need help to be able to remember information. Some kids may recall information better if it is presented visually; others will remember anything that rhymes!

A visual representation of what is expected of your child can make it easier for them to remember things. For example, they can take pictures of important information, or even use visual schedules to remind them of what they are expected to do as soon as they wake up or before they go to sleep. 

If your child keeps forgetting what they need to take to school or what they need to bring back home from school, a visual representation of the items can make it easier for them to remember.

Creating rhymes with lots of repetition can also make it easier for your child to process new information.

4. Ask your child to repeat the information they have understood.

It is through repeating information that new knowledge moves from the short-term memory to the long-term memory. Asking your child to tell you what they have learned or understood, or even asking them to explain to you in their own words what their assignment involves, is an effective way of helping them memorize information.

5. Help your child cope with stress and anxiety.

Stress and anxiety can interfere with your child’s ability to remember things. It is important for them to know that they have your support and that learning new things may mean failing before that new information is permanently retained. 

Teaching your child coping mechanisms, such as deep breathing or counting to 20, may help them to deal better with their anxiety. Ensuring that they are getting sufficient activity is also important for helping them release stress and for their overall well-being. 

Insufficient sleep and rest may also explain your child’s anxiety. Ensuring that they are getting enough sleep therefore can improve both their mental health and their capacity to process information.

6. Reduce the number of instructions.

If your child keeps forgetting what they were supposed to be doing, or if their tasks or chores are always only half finished, that may mean that they have a difficult time processing information. 

An easy way around this is to reduce the number of instructions they receive. For example, you can give them one instruction at a time, and ask them to come see you as soon as they have completed what you asked them to do. 

If you are struggling with a child who seems to have a problem remembering things, take heart: Children’s ability to process information often improves as they grow older and develop new skills.

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About the author.

Sanya Pelini is a parent and researcher in education. She is passionate about child development issues and holds a Ph.D. in educational research. She transforms educational research into practical tools and resources on her blog Raising Independent Kids .

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Student Opinion

Should We Get Rid of Homework?

Some educators are pushing to get rid of homework. Would that be a good thing?

By Jeremy Engle and Michael Gonchar

Do you like doing homework? Do you think it has benefited you educationally?

Has homework ever helped you practice a difficult skill — in math, for example — until you mastered it? Has it helped you learn new concepts in history or science? Has it helped to teach you life skills, such as independence and responsibility? Or, have you had a more negative experience with homework? Does it stress you out, numb your brain from busywork or actually make you fall behind in your classes?

Should we get rid of homework?

In “ The Movement to End Homework Is Wrong, ” published in July, the Times Opinion writer Jay Caspian Kang argues that homework may be imperfect, but it still serves an important purpose in school. The essay begins:

Do students really need to do their homework? As a parent and a former teacher, I have been pondering this question for quite a long time. The teacher side of me can acknowledge that there were assignments I gave out to my students that probably had little to no academic value. But I also imagine that some of my students never would have done their basic reading if they hadn’t been trained to complete expected assignments, which would have made the task of teaching an English class nearly impossible. As a parent, I would rather my daughter not get stuck doing the sort of pointless homework I would occasionally assign, but I also think there’s a lot of value in saying, “Hey, a lot of work you’re going to end up doing in your life is pointless, so why not just get used to it?” I certainly am not the only person wondering about the value of homework. Recently, the sociologist Jessica McCrory Calarco and the mathematics education scholars Ilana Horn and Grace Chen published a paper, “ You Need to Be More Responsible: The Myth of Meritocracy and Teachers’ Accounts of Homework Inequalities .” They argued that while there’s some evidence that homework might help students learn, it also exacerbates inequalities and reinforces what they call the “meritocratic” narrative that says kids who do well in school do so because of “individual competence, effort and responsibility.” The authors believe this meritocratic narrative is a myth and that homework — math homework in particular — further entrenches the myth in the minds of teachers and their students. Calarco, Horn and Chen write, “Research has highlighted inequalities in students’ homework production and linked those inequalities to differences in students’ home lives and in the support students’ families can provide.”

Mr. Kang argues:

But there’s a defense of homework that doesn’t really have much to do with class mobility, equality or any sense of reinforcing the notion of meritocracy. It’s one that became quite clear to me when I was a teacher: Kids need to learn how to practice things. Homework, in many cases, is the only ritualized thing they have to do every day. Even if we could perfectly equalize opportunity in school and empower all students not to be encumbered by the weight of their socioeconomic status or ethnicity, I’m not sure what good it would do if the kids didn’t know how to do something relentlessly, over and over again, until they perfected it. Most teachers know that type of progress is very difficult to achieve inside the classroom, regardless of a student’s background, which is why, I imagine, Calarco, Horn and Chen found that most teachers weren’t thinking in a structural inequalities frame. Holistic ideas of education, in which learning is emphasized and students can explore concepts and ideas, are largely for the types of kids who don’t need to worry about class mobility. A defense of rote practice through homework might seem revanchist at this moment, but if we truly believe that schools should teach children lessons that fall outside the meritocracy, I can’t think of one that matters more than the simple satisfaction of mastering something that you were once bad at. That takes homework and the acknowledgment that sometimes a student can get a question wrong and, with proper instruction, eventually get it right.

Students, read the entire article, then tell us:

Should we get rid of homework? Why, or why not?

Is homework an outdated, ineffective or counterproductive tool for learning? Do you agree with the authors of the paper that homework is harmful and worsens inequalities that exist between students’ home circumstances?

Or do you agree with Mr. Kang that homework still has real educational value?

When you get home after school, how much homework will you do? Do you think the amount is appropriate, too much or too little? Is homework, including the projects and writing assignments you do at home, an important part of your learning experience? Or, in your opinion, is it not a good use of time? Explain.

In these letters to the editor , one reader makes a distinction between elementary school and high school:

Homework’s value is unclear for younger students. But by high school and college, homework is absolutely essential for any student who wishes to excel. There simply isn’t time to digest Dostoyevsky if you only ever read him in class.

What do you think? How much does grade level matter when discussing the value of homework?

Is there a way to make homework more effective?

If you were a teacher, would you assign homework? What kind of assignments would you give and why?

Want more writing prompts? You can find all of our questions in our Student Opinion column . Teachers, check out this guide to learn how you can incorporate them into your classroom.

Students 13 and older in the United States and Britain, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public.

Jeremy Engle joined The Learning Network as a staff editor in 2018 after spending more than 20 years as a classroom humanities and documentary-making teacher, professional developer and curriculum designer working with students and teachers across the country. More about Jeremy Engle

The 10 Most Common Homework Excuses Teacher's Receive (And How to Come up with Better Ones)

• Trent Lorcher
• Categories : Study & learning tips for parents & students
• Tags : Homework help & study guides

You might wonder why a teacher would want to help you with “I forgot my homework” excuses. It’s simple. I’m tired of hearing the same excuses every time I collect an assignment. I want you to be more creative. The top homework excuses of the past no longer give me the thrill of detective work like they used to. I’ve already figured out a way to shoot them down, to humiliate you, and make you feel silly. I feel like General Zaroff must have felt in “The Most Dangerous Game.” I need a new challenge, so here’s a list of top homework excuses, why you should never use them, and subtle changes you can make to be more effective.

10 Most Common Excuses & How to Improve Them

• I forgot my homework : That’s weak! You can do better than “I forgot my homework,” Can’t you? Even if you did forget your homework, come up with something more creative than this. Here’s a little trick: “I forgot my homework, but my mom said she’ll bring it in during lunch/after school.” This will buy you a few hours. Do the assignment during lunch and bring it in after school.
• My printer doesn’t work : Come on! Did your printer work last week? Did it work the day before yesterday? Or did it mysteriously stop working right when you were about to print out your assignment? There are millions of functioning printers in the world. There are probably several at your school, including one in your teacher’s classroom. They’re not going to buy this. Try this one instead: “My printer ran out of ink last night. Can I e-mail it to you when I get home?” This will buy you some time and your teacher isn’t going to check too closely. Just have it e-mailed before 5:00 and you’re safe.
• I didn’t know it was due today : Are you serious? It’s been on the board for a week-and-a-half. It’s been mentioned every day at the start of class. It’s on the class website. The other 36 kids in the class knew it was due today. Don’t ever try this one. Even if you didn’t know it was due, you should have.
• I lost it: Try using that one with the power company. Try “my backpack was stolen” or “I left my binder on the bus.”
• I was absent: Yea, you were sick 5 days ago when I assigned it, but you’ve been here every day since. Didn’t it occur to you that you needed to find out what you missed before it was due. Try “I was really sick last night and was unable to finish it. If you want, I can bring a note from my Mom.”
• Start crying : This is actually really effective if you’re a girl. If you’re not a girl, don’t try this, nor should you try its sister excuse: “it’s that time of the month.”
• I cleaned out my notebook and threw it away : Maybe you should clean out your head before using this classic. Nobody believes you threw anything out of your notebook because it’s exploding with papers. Use the “I got my notebook stolen” instead.
• I didn’t do it : Some teachers may give you some points for honesty, but they already know you didn’t do it.
• I had a game last night : Most teachers will give you the “so, you think ___________ (name of sport) is more important than _______ (name of class)?” response. If you’re teacher is a huge sports fan and if your team won and if you played an integral role in the victory, you may get a break.
• I never got the homework: The 38 other students in class all got the assignment and began working on it immediately, but you neither got the assignment nor bothered to ask what the rest of the class was doing?

As you can see, teachers have wised up to your antics. No longer are the traditional excuses gonna cut it. It’s time to evolve into the next generation and challenge your teacher to keep up with your creative homework dodging.

This post is part of the series: Homework Excuses

Find the best, the worst, the most popular, and the funniest homework excuses with just a few clicks of the mouse.

• The 10 Best Homework Excuses
• The 10 Most Common “I Forgot my Homework” Excuses
• Funny Homework Excuses

My dying high school writing teacher has one more lesson. Don't wait to say thank you.

I wasn’t planning on writing about this – it was personal. But in the weeks that followed, it stuck with me, and I came to think what I learned from Mr. Lukacs should be shared.

The last words I spoke to George Lukacs were sincere but woefully delayed: “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Mr. Lukacs was my high school English teacher in the 1980s. He is, in many ways, the reason I write for a living.

In late March, I learned via a social media post that he’s dying, and realized I had never – not in the 30-plus years since graduating – told him what a profound impact he had on my life. I had never thanked him.

So I rushed to track him down, and he graciously carved out time for a call. We caught up recently, we laughed and chatted, condensed decades into minutes, and I told him the things I should have said long ago. In that conversation, there was, appropriately, a final lesson.

Too often we forget to thank those who've helped us along the way

It’s simple, really: Don’t wait. Don’t wait to thank those who have changed you. Don’t wait to let the teachers, mentors or counselors, the ones who once helped you take the next step, know they made your life better than it would have been without them.

A teacher who changed the way I think

When I entered Mr. Lukacs’ English class in high school, I already had the fundamentals of good writing stamped into my brain. I had learned the form and structure that undergird a strong essay, but it had often felt like someone was teaching me with one hand holding a lid tight on my imagination.

Mr. Lukacs lifted that lid. He was an advocate for young writers letting their freak flags fly. He delighted in creativity and busting some of the previously sacrosanct rules that restrained our inventiveness.

'Do not lose your sense of humor': Duke graduates who walked out on Jerry Seinfeld's commencement speech failed Life 101

He sarcastically awarded a gold-painted shovel – the Golden Shovel – to the students who most gloriously and effectively B.S.’d, as in "shoveled the bull----," their way through essays.

Other teachers had kept us grounded because we needed to be. Mr. Lukacs let us soar because we were ready.

High school comes and goes, and we move on

I remember him from high school as a character – affable and kind. His trademark laugh often echoed off the buildings, sounding – and I say this with great reverence – like someone had stepped on a dolphin’s tail.

As high school students often do, I moved on from the foundational teachers who molded and shaped my mind. I grew up, found a career, formed a family and lived. All things good teachers want for their charges. A good life.

And as that good life unfolds, we forget to look back. 

A sad announcement that landed like a gut punch

In March, a friend shared a video Mr. Lukacs had posted. It was titled “ A Farewell Wave ,” words that punched.

I sat on my couch and watched as the now-gray-haired, bespectacled man looked into a camera and said: “Now an endgame has begun. I don’t know how much time I have, but it won’t likely be long.”

He was diagnosed with liposarcoma in 2001. Surgeries and treatment kept him alive, but his students, past and present, kept him going.

"The joy that I derived from interacting with all of you gave me a reason to be alive,” he said in the video.

He continued: “Thank you for making nearly every day of my life a joy. I hope that your lives have been magical. Even more, I hope that you recognize how magical they have been.”

A scramble for a chance to say thanks

I reached out to another past teacher to get Mr. Lukacs' email, then reached out to him asking to speak by phone, writing, “You have, lo these many years, remained a voice in the back of my head as I write.”

We had the chance to talk. I had the chance to tell him how much I owe him for teaching me to love writing and for showing me that I don't need to write like everyone else to be a writer – I just need to be myself and let the writing follow.

When I decided to share this story, I emailed him for permission. He responded, “I’m frankly surprised to be still here.” And he ended with “please write something powerful!”

No pressure.

We can all learn from Mr. Lukacs' final lesson

It’s my hope Mr. Lukacs will be able to read this before he ascends to the great classroom in the sky. (Don’t worry, I think he’d like that joke.)

But more so, I hope others read this and think about reaching back into their past and finding that person they should’ve thanked ages ago. That person who made a difference. That person who mattered.

Remember Jim Valvano: I inherited a cancer gene from my dad. He also left me a game plan to live.

A farewell, a poem and gratitude immeasurable

Mr. Lukacs ended his farewell video quoting the poet Walt Whitman: “And to die is different from what any one supposed, and luckier.”

That’s from Whitman’s epic “ Song of Myself .” As much as I will miss Mr. Lukacs, and as much as I appreciate him, I will never forgive him for forcing me to read a 52-part poem.

But I did (sort of … OK, I skimmed part of it), and what struck me was the line preceding the one he quoted: “All goes onward and outward, nothing collapses.”

Onward, Mr. Lukacs. Thank you for the final lesson. (Though I could’ve done without the poetry, if I’m being honest.)

Your student, always,

Follow USA TODAY columnist Rex Huppke on X, formerly Twitter,  @RexHuppke  and Facebook  facebook.com/RexIsAJerk

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Maggie Rogers takes a nostalgic Southwest road trip with 'Don't Forget Me'

Maggie Rogers says her new album, Don't Forget Me , is modeled on a Sunday afternoon driving record. Maddy Rotman/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Maggie Rogers says her new album, Don't Forget Me , is modeled on a Sunday afternoon driving record.

Singer-songwriter Maggie Rogers describes music as the "most sacred and most spiritual thing" she's ever been a part of. "Whether it's being in the crowd at a show at an early age, or being on stage with my band when we're all jamming or playing music together," she says, "that, to me, is the closest thing I've ever felt to something divine."

In 2021, burnt out from the intensity of her early career, Rogers considered quitting music entirely. Instead, she took a detour — to Harvard Divinity School. Her studies focused on public gatherings and the ethics of power in pop culture.

"My master's degree is in religion and public life," Rogers says. "This program that I went to was specifically for people who don't work in religion, who want a greater understanding of religion and the way it works in the world to be able to inform their non-religious life."

World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Maggie rogers made 'don't forget me' with the pedal to the floor.

Rogers' latest album, Don't Forget Me , features songs written from the perspective of a 25-year-old woman who's leaving home and embarking on a road trip through the American Southwest.

"The album is sequenced in the order that I wrote the songs in," she says. "I was sort of writing [the songs] like scenes in a movie that takes place over, like, 36 hours, and has a very Thelma & Louise -esque ride to it."

Rogers says she always makes the album that she wants to hear. "Maybe that's selfish, or maybe that's just intuitive." She adds, laughing, "Or maybe that's the understanding that I'm going to play these songs a million times over the course of my lifetime."

For a special extended version of this interview, listen to the podcast version of this episode.

Interview highlights

On performance as therapy

I'm always working through something energetically on stage, and I find performing to be a kind of resonant therapy. You think about your body as this big combination of living, breathing organs and singing. It's resonant. I mean, you send vibration through your body for two hours straight every day and you're going to knock some things loose.

On art as a vessel for nostalgia

I think about songwriting a lot as a form of archiving. I mean, obviously I'm a nostalgic person if my record is called Don't Forget Me . There's so much beauty in life, and so much detail, and so much memory, and I do worry about forgetting it all — or being able to, like, get my arms so full of detail that I don't drop anything. Putting it into my art feels like one way of being able to just keep holding it. It's really a part of who I am.

Maggie Rogers: Tiny Desk Concert

My dad always tells the story of the night I turned 5 — he found me sobbing. I was just completely overwhelmed at the fact that I would never be 4 again ... this idea of time, the way that it slips through your fingers and not being able to go back. The thing about being on stage is the second it's awesome and you're like, something is really happening here , it's gone, and you can't hold it. You can just be present in it and hope that you remember it.

On her songwriting process

Songwriting, to me, is like a word puzzle. I always have the melody and the layout of a song first; sometimes, certain vowel sounds or certain words will come with the melody. There is a sort of shape to that current: You inherently understand how many syllables and the shape of what should go there. So it's like doing building blocks and a crossword puzzle in the same breath.

On the viral video of Pharrell Williams hearing her demo "Alaska," and becoming a star overnight

It was really, really scary when it happened. I was incredibly overwhelmed. It was complicated because I got the job that I had trained for and that I'd always wanted – exactly in the moment when I needed a job. And yet, it was so deeply and wildly out of my control. It felt like something that was happening to me, even though it was something I had prepared for, like, a decade at that point.

Part of me wishes that I got to upload that song and present my artistic statement. But I think what's really special about that video is how unguarded I am, and Pharrell is. If it happened any other way, it wouldn't be what it is. And I feel actually really lucky that the version of me that got introduced to the world is and was the most authentic version of myself.

Do I wish that I brushed my hair and put on a real outfit? That's the thing that's sort of funny about it: When I suddenly became a pop star, I needed a lot of clothes — suddenly I needed colorful, glittery outfits. I was like, "What do you mean I can't wear my jeans and boots?"

On learning music production to get around gatekeepers

I was writing songs in high school, and I couldn't get the guys to play my arrangements. So I learned how to program. I learned how to play the songs by myself and create the arrangements for drums and bass and synth and all these things on the computer. And when I got to school and I could learn about engineering and software and production and microphones and drum technique, it became something that allowed me to protect my vision. They were tools that allowed me to get the thing that I heard in my head down onto paper. The democratization of music software and the way that the internet has changed the power that gatekeepers within the industry have is something that is really inspiring to me.

On writing the song "Light On" about grappling with success

The sort of wild thing about fame or success is that it lifts you up, but also it is incredibly lonely. And I was having this experience that was everything I'd ever wished for, yet felt kind of uncreative. I really missed my friends and missed my life, and I just didn't know how to handle all of it. I had this Cinderella story [and it] felt really vulnerable to sort of say, I'm struggling with this. It doesn't feel as amazing as it looks. And that doesn't change how much I'm grateful for it. There is a complicated nuance in the middle.

It was really scary when I had to say all these things for the first time. But now it's been replaced by all of the joy that I've felt as a result of that decision, to stay in it and to find a way to make this thing feel like me.

Therese Madden and Thea Chaloner produced and edited this interview for broadcast. Bridget Bentz, Molly Seavy-Nesper and Daoud Tyler-Ameen adapted it for the web.

• Maggie Rogers