A New Physics Homework Framework: Combating Procrastination and Physics Problem Paralysis

Physics homework is essential for reinforcing problem-solving skills, but many students struggle with completing assignments due to procrastination, anxiety, and lack of self-regulation. Traditional homework structures often fail to support students, especially those with math or science anxiety, high intolerance of uncertainty (IoU), or lower self-efficacy. These students often delay starting homework, freeze when faced with difficult problems, or fail to seek help in time, leading to incomplete or incorrect solutions.

This paper introduces a novel homework structure designed to mitigate procrastination, build self-efficacy, and address IoU. The system encourages students to begin homework early and provides them with guided resources to help them navigate problems when faculty or tutors are unavailable. These resources not only address common roadblocks but also help students with starting problems, ensuring they can make progress even when they don’t have all the answers upfront. By creating a system that fosters self-regulation and encourages students to recheck their work, the new structure aims to reduce "physics problem paralysis" and increase the accuracy of homework submissions.

Through this student-centered approach, we aim to foster resiliency, reduce procrastination, and ultimately enhance academic success for all learners, particularly those who have traditionally struggled with physics homework.