A Procrastinator’s Heroic Search for Homework Help

by Isabella Pilot ‘18

Their posters are scattered throughout the hallways of schools across the county. Their name is occasionally spoken in classrooms or on the announcements, not to be heard again for months at a time. Their logo appears momentarily on the MCPS website before blending in with the hundreds of other features and announcements. They are: Homework Hotline Live.

After years of blowing $60 an hour on private tutors and sending countless unopened emails asking teachers for help, I was in need of a new solution. I set out to discover the truth about Homework Hotline Live (HHL). Is this service the light at the end of the tunnel that is junior year, or is it all just an illusion? Here is my story of hope, pain, and self discovery.

10:05 a.m. September 18, 2016. I open the App Store and download “Kik.” As I have not used Kik since the 7th grade, it takes me a while to remember my password. It is now 10:11 a.m. I send my message, “Help.” My phone vibrates immediately. Could it be true? Could there be someone on the other end, desperate to answer my question?

“Oops, it looks like HHL’s phone has been off/disconnected for a while. We’ll deliver your message when they connect again.” I gather my emotions and move on to Plan B: Instagram DMs.

10:15 a.m. I open Instagram and type “askhhl” into the search bar. “Help,” I plead once more. While awaiting a response, I peruse their profile. The most recent post was on June 23. A video of swans. I watch the video about seven times, but I still don’t understand calculus. Am I out of luck? Will my questions ever be answered?

I refuse to give up. I try Snapchat, texting, and even go as far as dialing their number and calling. No response.

Then I remember it’s a Sunday. Even the staff of HHL must take weekends off.

Though they never responded to my multiple messages, Homework Hotline Live taught me a lesson I will never forget. Procrastinators never prosper, especially when they have a deadline to meet (sorry, Mr. Huck). But thank you, Homework Hotline Live, for ignoring my texts and changing my study habits.