No matter if you are sharing a project or a piece of writing, students of all majors will be exposed to peer review in college. Sharing your work is a vulnerable act, and can cause a bit of anxiety in anyone. Here are some things to keep in mind as you get ready to receive feedback from your peers.
1. Don’t leave it to the last minute
Make sure you are giving your best effort! A helpful rule of thumb when it comes to sharing your work: you should be proud enough to put your name on it. When you leave things to the last minute, you’ll rush to get it done and overlook the quality of your work. Allow yourself enough time to give it your best shot. If you aren’t feeling confident in your abilities, seek extra help from your professor, TA, or tutoring centers on campus. The more you prepare your project, the more confidence you’ll have in sharing it with others.
2. Let go of your expectations for perfection
Though you should definitely work hard on your first draft, understand that it’s okay if it’s not your best work. Nothing is ever done perfectly the first time, so let go of those expectations! Go into your peer review expecting feedback on the areas that need improvement. While working on your project, perhaps you’d like to note the parts you struggled with through the process. In doing this, you can ask your peer reviewers specific questions about those areas, and how you can make them better.
3. Know that you are your own worst critic
If you’re in a class that involves peer review, it’s likely you aren’t the only one sharing your work with others. Everyone else is in the same boat! By default, your peers will be respectful because they will want the same from you. Additionally, peer reviews and critiques typically discuss the positive and negative aspects of a project. You will discover the parts of your project that are working well and the parts that could use improvement. Often times, we are the hardest on our ourselves. You may be surprised at the positive feedback your class has to share!
When it comes down to it, gaining feedback on your work is a useful way to grow your skills. We know that the process can be scary at first, but we promise that you will learn so much about yourself and have the opportunity to enhance your education. Think of these critiques as a stepping stone to producing the best work you possibly can! If you’re having trouble with feelings of inadequacy, read this article about Imposter Syndrome so you can feel confident and comfortable in your own skin!