Homework in the form of simple worksheets is not necessary in college level courses, despite being an essential aspect of the education system.
Every student has a different way of finding success in the classroom. Some may study for a certain amount of time every day while others may watch educational YouTube videos. Students can take endless measures in order to succeed in school without the need for homework.
Take my experience as an example. In high school, I always did well without the need for homework. I learned best from the lecture itself, not the homework that followed that night.
I can remember the only class in high school that did not include any homework as part of the curriculum. The class was Algebra II, and I passed the class with an A. I was able to grasp the concepts with ease; by the time the teacher had finished the first example during lecture, I had a strong understanding of the material.
I also excelled in other classes aside from math. Homework for science and history classes, even today, is unnecessary for my success in a course for similar reasons. I am naturally able to retain a lot of information from lectures.
My takeaway from high school is that the lack of homework in certain classes allowed me to focus on the material that I needed extra help on. Practicing course material that I already knew, for the simple fact that it was a significant part of my grade, felt like a hindrance rather than a benefit.
Attending college requires an increased level of responsibility. People who decide to continue their education beyond high school understand that they are doing so for themselves.
Unlike the K-12 system, students are choosing to attend college on their own. They understand taking their education seriously because they are doing it for their own good. Combined with the maturity and responsibility, students are willing to do what it takes to understand the course material without homework.
In my experience, homework no longer becomes necessary the second that I’m determined to succeed. I guarantee my success through the voluntary effort that I put into my studies, not by the mandatory work.
One approach to the homework that I’ve seen is where homework is offered, but not heavily required. Classes that have optional homework, or have homework as a small percentage of the term grade, have been the most effective types of classes for me.
This way, students are given the option to focus on certain sections of the material they don’t understand, and work accordingly and effectively.
A stronger way to show understanding of course material is through projects and presentations. Students have to be able to articulate the course material to have a successful presentation/project, which is more interactive than simple homework. Presentations and projects also allow for more creativity and can become a passion project in some cases.
I personally have enjoyed presentations and projects far more than filling out worksheets or taking quizzes and tests. I prefer to have control over presentations and projects, rather than the homework and tests to have control over me. I have the freedom and creativity to express my knowledge in various ways through presentations and projects, while tests and homework are limiting.
I have so many questions, like: Did you ever take a literature course, and what was the point if you didn’t read the books? How do you learn the stuff your teacher doesn’t have time to summarize in class? When do you do your projects or write your papers, and why don’t you consider that homework?
In college, your time in the classroom should be the tip of the iceberg, while most of your engagement with the material happens outside on your own time. I’m sorry if your homework bores you or touches on concepts you think you already understand. It’s not possible to customize every assignment to fit each student, and your instructors are trying to emphasize key concepts.