Feedback on Assignments

Asking for, and receiving, feedback on college assignments is a very important part of a student's progress through college. Without feedback, it is hard to pinpoint exactly where you are going wrong so that you can ensure it doesn't happen again. However, there are a number of reasons why students don't ask for feedback on assignments.

*Too busy


This could refer to either the student or the professor, or both. Students often lurch from one assignment to another; trying to fit it all in alongside a social life can be very stressful. Professors are also busy people and may be difficult to pin down to a meeting. As a result, students end up relying on a few scribbled notes on their assignment that don't really help them understand where they are going wrong. If prepared, it shouldn't take you long to say what you need to say and it will be worth it in the end. online education

*Afraid of negative feedback on college assignments

You may have already received a grade, or you may just suspect that your assignment isn't up to scratch. Either way, you are afraid of asking for feedback because you know it is going to be negative. However, this is the most important time to ask for feedback. It is only through mistakes that you learn how to improve; there is little doubt that if you are criticized for doing something wrong, you won't make the same mistake again. In any case, you may find the feedback isn't as negative as you suspected.

*Unsure how to ask

Aware that your professor is a very busy person, you may be unsure how to ask them for their feedback. Certainly, if you are not organized, you could get a very confusing reply. However, provided that you sit down, think about exactly what it is you want to know and then how to word it, you should be able to find out what you need. If you don't, you can always try asking another professor or member of staff for clarification.

*Unhelpful feedback in the past

You may have asked for feedback in the past, only to have received confusing or conflicting information, or possibly very little information at all. This is bound to put you off asking for help again. However, it is worth thinking about where you may have gone wrong in asking for feedback the last time. Alternatively, you should think about asking someone else for their feedback. If your questions aren't topic-specific, you will almost certainly be able to find someone more helpful. online degree courses

*Fear of looking stupid

Many students are scared of asking for advice or feedback, because they are afraid of asking something that they ought to know and that possibly everyone else already knows. In this case, you may not want to ask in public, but you could still make a personal appointment with your professor. Alternatively, you could get together with classmates, find out if you really are the only one who doesn't already know the answer, and approach your professor together.

When it comes to asking for feedback, don't be hesitant. Even if the feedback is negative, or makes you feel stupid, you will learn from it - and that is far more important that sitting back and not doing anything.