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Assignment Planning: Get Organised

As soon as you receive your assignment you should plan an approach the task.

Divide the task into smaller more manageable sections and you will be less likely to put it off until the last minute.

Create an ‘Essay Folder’ – both on your PC and a hardcopy folder.  You should create a new folder for every assignment, allowing you to save all your notes in the same place.

Note the following details which will be given with the assignment specification:

  • The question
  • The deadline
  • The marking scheme
  • The length required
  • Formatting requirements
  • Any specific instructions made by the lecturer

Every assignment you receive will have a very specific deadline. Note the time and date carefully!

Penalties for late submission are either a 25% grade reduction or a zero mark, depending on the lateness of the submission.

Extensions can be granted in exceptional circumstances, such as illness.  Application for an extension should be made to your Programme Leader in advance of the assignment deadline.

You may have more than one assignment due on the same day so you will have to manage your time wisely in order to meet all assignment deadlines.


​How?

Draw up a schedule at the beginning of term, detailing when each of your assignments is due.

Even if your deadlines look a long way off, begin researching early on.

Plan 2-3 hour research sessions for each assignment early in the semester/term.

Allocate time for each stage of the assignment process on your schedule and stick to it as best you can.


Use the DBS Assignment Planner

The planner is a simple tool to use, it will:

  • Generate a schedule for you to complete the 6 steps
  • Point you in the direction of explanatory guides, tutorials, examples
  • Send you reminders as each deadline approaches

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