7 Transformative Strategies to Master Feedback
Whether youâre a Master student, PhD candidate or Postdoc, youâve all already experienced it: the infamous âtrack-changes disasterâ.
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The whut? đ¤
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You know, you submit your first draft of a report, literature study, research proposal, manuscript, or abstract, feeling proud. Then it returns – a Word document bleeding with red track changes and comments in the margin.
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When I was a PhD student, I struggled with receiving feedback on my manuscripts or abstracts. Back then, the comments and corrections came back as handwritten scribbles on paper (yes, these good olâ days where people were still working with paper), and it would take me days to decode and integrate the suggestions.
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I was fortunate enough to have supervisors who took the time to walk me through their corrections me, and highlighting both my strengths and areas for improvements.
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Yet, I didnât like it. I had invested tremendous effort in the draft and believed only minor tweaks were needed.
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But feedback is an essential part of academic life – at every level.
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My perspective shifted when I started providing feedback to my own students.
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Thatâs when I realized feedback isnât criticism but a crucial tool for growth.
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No wonder why universities often require Lecturers to follow a course on âhow to give feedbackâ – giving adequate feedback is also a skill!
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In today’s newsletter, I aim to reframe how you perceive feedback, offering 7 strategic tips to not just survive, but truly embrace this essential growth mechanism.
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Remember: receiving feedback isn’t just about improving a single document. It’s about elevating your skills, expanding your professional capabilities, and personal growth.
#1 | Reframe feedback as collaboration
Rather than viewing comments as criticism, see them as insights from supervisors, teachers, or collaborators invested in your success. Feedback isn’t personal; it’s a dialogue that sharpens your ideas and improves your work.
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#2 | Normalize imperfection
No one writes a flawless first draft. Feedback is part of the process, and revisions help your ideas evolve.
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#3 | Tackle comments systematically
A document filled with track changes can feel overwhelming. Break the feedback into manageable chunks. Start with smaller edits to build momentum before diving into more complex revisions.
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#4 | Focus on learning, not just fixing
Every suggestion teaches you something about writing or your field. Reflect on why changes were suggested, and apply that knowledge proactively in future drafts.
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#5 | Separate emotions from action
Itâs natural to feel defensive or disheartened, especially when feedback touches on work youâve labored over. Acknowledge your feelings, but donât let them dictate your response. Take a break, revisit the feedback with fresh eyes, and get to work.
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#6 | Seek both strengths and areas for improvement
Feedback is often seen as negative, but it can â and should â highlight strengths, too. If your supervisor focuses only on what needs fixing and skips the âtopsâ (i.e., the strengths), donât hesitate to discuss this with them and ask for positive feedback, to balance your motivation.
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#7 | Celebrate progress, not perfection
Every revision, every suggestion accepted or debated, is a sign of growth. Acknowledge how far youâve come, even if thereâs still work to do.
đ˘ The Take-Home Message
đĄ Feedback is a growth tool, not a personal attack.
đĄ Systematically process comments and corrections to improve your work.
đĄ How you handle and learn from feedback is also part of your professional development!
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The path of academic and professional development is a marathon, not a sprint. Each piece of feedback is a stepping stone, guiding you toward excellence.
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