You may remember from our #ReadySetRevise campaign in April that Academic Skills Advisor Helen shared her top tips about How to Get the Most Out of Your Academic Feedback. Here, Student Advisor Lauren shares her advice about managing academic feedback, so you can feel confident and prepared ahead of any #EHUSummerAssessments.

Desk with a mobile phone and pen on it. On the middle of the desk are two sheets of graph paper and one of them has the word 'feedback' written on it in blue pen.

Lauren Briscoe – Year 1 BA (Hons) Media

While university is a time to learn and grow in your studies, the thought and act of receiving feedback can be daunting to many students!

I’m here to give you some top tips for how to deal with feedback as an undergraduate:

  • Firstly, remember it is good to welcome feedback with open arms as this is what helps you develop and grow as your studies progress. Awareness of your strengths and weaknesses is always a good thing as you progress through university.
  • Progress is not linear! As much as it sounds like a cliché, it is true. The ebbs and flows of your studies are much like the turbulence of life. It is important to try to not to view feedback as a barrier but rather as a form of assistance with room to adapt and learn.
  • YOUR TUTORS ARE ON YOUR SIDE! It is important to realise that your tutors are not writing feedback to demotivate or annoy you, but rather they’re aiming to guide you in the right direction, they’re the experts!
  • Try to keep track of the themes that emerge from your feedback, and review these with every assignment to pick out key areas to focus on and target. One way of doing this is by making a spreadsheet to note down assessment types, grades, and feedback concerns. You could then start tallying the common feedback themes and pick them as a key area to work on in your next assignments.
  • While receiving feedback can feel personal, sharing your emotions and successes with peers and friends on your course can be beneficial as a listening ear to help blow off steam and if they’ve been through a the same/similar module you may want to exchange peer-to-peer support too.
  • Remember the array of support that’s there for you during your time at EHU. Whether it’s the demotivation you’re struggling with, or the feedback you can’t understand, there is a wide range of teams here to benefit and support you and your studies at university. If you have any questions or need any further support you can contact the Catalyst Helpdesk via Ask Us and in person Monday to Friday | 8am and 8pm or at weekends Saturday and Sunday | 10am and 6pm.

Good look with all your future feedback and stay positive!