Final marks for those assignments that you slaved over are starting to come your way. Sometimes you’re pleasantly surprised, but sometimes you’ll be very disappointed with your grade. What should you do when it’s the latter?
Before you go look up your lecturer’s address and hunt them down, take a moment to read over the comments you were given. Do you agree with them? Do you think that you did cover the points that your marker says you missed? Are you confused about the comments that they have given you?
If you are confused or have some questions, email your lecturer and ask to have a meeting with them about your grade. Having a chat with your lecturer will help to clear up any misunderstandings in regards to the assignment requirements or where you are ‘missing the point.’ Sometimes they may be able to give you further feedback over email. Asking your lecturer for an appropriate time to come by their office is always better than just ‘rocking up.’ Lecturers normally have consultation times, however it’s always a good idea to set up a meeting so that they can set aside time to discuss your assignment with you.
Prior to meeting with your lecturer, have read over the comments that were given on the assignment and know what questions you want to ask. You have to be able to show your lecturer why you think you have answered X, Y, Z, or be able to point to specific comments that you don’t understand.
Lecturers won’t always change grades on assignments but you can ask to have the assignment re-marked. Sometimes the lecturer will re-mark it themselves or they may get a ‘blind marker’ to do it. But remember that if you get a lower grade on the second marking, that is the grade you get; you cannot ask for it to be marked a third time.
If you have failed an assignment, your lecturer probably gave you sufficient feedback. Despite the belief that lecturers have an evil laugh whenever they fail students, they don’t enjoy it and would encourage you to come and speak to them and get additional feedback.
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