What should the feedback I receive tell me?

The feedback you receive should tell you what you did well and what you can improve on in future work. It should be positive and constructive and it should be linked to the criteria it was marked against. Finally, it should not contain any unfamiliar jargon, but instead should use the language that you have been using in class.

Key Points

  • Feedback should clarify how you can improve in the future.
  • It should be positive, constructive, clear and be linked to the marking criteria.
  • If your feedback does not help you improve, or you do not understand it, ask for clarification.
  • If you go to talk about feedback, go prepared.

Relevant Toolkit sections:

► What is assessment and how do I improve?

University contact:

► LEADS for students

What if I don’t think the feedback I receive is useful?

If you do not understand the feedback you receive, or if you believe that the feedback you have received does not help with future work, ask to speak with the person who gave you the feedback or go to their office during their advertised office hours, but make sure you go prepared. Take with you the criteria for the assessment, your piece of work, the feedback you were given and the questions you want to ask. In this way your discussion will be focussed and will not waste your own time, or anyone else’s.

Getting in contact

The student-facing staff in LEADS can help you to understand the feedback you have received and how you might apply it to your work in the future.

Have a look here to find the Learning Adviser for your College and to book a one-to-one appointment.