When considering your feedback it is important to remember that feedback does not only come in the form of comments on formal academic work. Feedback may be more informal, through responses in lectures or tutorials or be delivered to a whole group. It may also take the form of peer feedback during discussions. It may be useful to consider this. 

This guide includes more information to help you consider your skills and experiences, deciding what you will do next to improve your academic assignments.

It may be tempting to read your grade and turn off the computer. 

However, reading your feedback can help to improve understanding for future assignments. By reflecting it may be possible to work on specific areas, ask appropriate questions and make focussed appointments with the Library Skills Team and your module tutor to develop your skills. 

When receiving feedback it may be difficult not to have an emotional response to it. It may come as a surprise or a shock, emotional responses need to be felt and it can be difficult to come to terms with feedback until it has been processed. 

If feedback is not processed a student may avoid reflecting on it all together and purely focus on the negative aspects. 

It is important to remember that feedback on academic work does not comment on you as a person but on the task set. 

It may be useful to think of it in a less personal manner. For example, 'my assignment may not have used evidence effectively' which is less personal than 'I did not use evidence correctly'. 

You can watch a short video below to support with understanding how feedback works.

University of New South Wales Health (2022) Understanding how feedback works. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jRfaM2l1iw (Accessed: 15 February 2024).