Negative feedback at university can feel like a setback. You put in the effort, submit your work, and when the grades come back, you see the comments—right there on Turnitin, with markers pointing out flaws you didn’t even realise were there. And then there’s the rubric, where your score doesn’t quite hit the top bands you were aiming for.
I’ve been there. As a final-year law student, I’ve faced my fair share of disappointing feedback. But over time, I’ve learned how to use it to improve rather than let it knock my confidence. Here’s how I deal with it—and how you can too.
The First Reaction – Managing That Initial Disappointment
The first time I received a disappointing grade in my second year, I remember staring at the feedback on Turnitin, feeling frustrated. I had worked hard on that assignment, so seeing comments like “Lacks critical depth” and “Your argument needs clearer structure” made me feel like my effort wasn’t good enough. Then, I checked the rubric and saw that I had only hit the “Good” or “Satisfactory” categories rather than “Excellent.”
My first instinct? This isn’t fair. I thought I did well. But instead of reacting emotionally, I closed my laptop and stepped away. I needed time to process it before coming back with a clearer mindset
Understanding the Feedback – More Than Just Reading It
Once I had a bit of distance, I went back and read through every comment carefully. Instead of just skimming them, I asked myself:
- What is my marker actually saying?
- Are there common themes in the feedback?
- What would I need to do differently next time?
For my essay, the feedback pointed out that while my argument was strong, my structure made it harder to follow, and I wasn’t engaging critically enough with sources. Instead of seeing this as just a criticism, I reframed it: This is telling me exactly what I need to improve.
Seeking Clarification
One of the biggest mistakes I made in my first year was assuming I had to figure everything out on my own. I didn’t realise that I could actually ask for more feedback. So this time, I decided to book a meeting with my academic tutor, who had been assigned to me since first year, to go through the comments.
I prepared by highlighting specific parts of my feedback and asked targeted questions like:
- What does “lacks critical depth” actually mean in this context?
- How could I have structured my argument more effectively?
- Do you have any advice on engaging with sources better?
My tutor explained that I was summarising sources too much instead of questioning them—something I hadn’t even realised I was doing. That conversation alone gave me a clearer idea of what was expected.
Creating an Action Plan
Understanding the feedback was one thing—acting on it was another. So I made a plan:
✔️ Structure: I started outlining my essays in more detail before writing.
✔️ Critical Engagement: Instead of just summarising sources, I began asking myself, Does this source support or challenge my argument? How does it compare to other viewpoints?
✔️ Clarity: I made sure each paragraph had a clear topic sentence and logical flow.
Changing My Mindset – Feedback is a Stepping Stone, Not a Roadblock
The biggest shift for me was realising that feedback isn’t a judgment—it’s a tool. Once I started seeing it that way, I stopped fearing it. Instead of dreading the next Turnitin comment, I started actively looking for ways to improve.
And the result? My next essay came back with much better feedback. My marker noted that my structure was clearer and my engagement with sources had improved significantly. It wasn’t perfect, but it was progress—and that felt like a win.
Final Thoughts: You Are More Than One Grade
If you’ve ever felt disheartened by negative feedback, remember: One bad grade doesn’t define your ability. What matters is how you respond. University is about learning, and that means making mistakes, receiving feedback and improving.
Use every piece of feedback as a guide. Ask for clarification when needed. Make a plan to improve. And most importantly, don’t let one disappointing mark shake your confidence—because you have the ability to grow and do better next time.