How-to: Understand and Use Feedback

It's easy to look at a grade and then dismiss any comments that may be written. Take time to read the comments that the lecturer might leave on your assignment.

Make sure you understand the feedback. Whether the feedback is written or oral, clarify what it means. Don't be afraid to ask your lecturer or peers about the feedback you've received.

Always ask questions! Even during the beginning stages of an assignment, and at draft stages. Asking questions will help you to identify what your lecturer is looking for from your work. Asking yourself questions will help you to reflect and evaluate your own work.

Hearing criticism can be hard. However, constructive criticism is there to help you. It doesn't necessarily mean the whole assignment is bad - it just means it can be made better with a few tweaks! Pay particular attention to any feedback that keeps repeating.

This will probably be the most difficult and important part of the feedback process. After receiving feedback, take some time and step away from the assignment for a few days. Take time to think about what you need to improve on, how you'll do it and during your next assignment re-read your plan to make sure you're implementing it. When you're ready, you can come back to the feedback with a fresh perspective.