Got an assessment due soon but don’t know where to start? When it comes to acing your assignments, preparation is everything. A good plan not only saves you time and stress in the long run but can also increase your chances of a better grade (if that’s important to you!).
If you’re new here (hi!), or have struggled with assignments in the past, the team at HELPS* has pulled together ten simple steps to help you tackle your assignments.
You’ve got this!
Step 1: Read the assessment task
Set aside 30 minutes now to go through each of your subject outlines and read the task description for every assignment this session. Just opening your subject outline and reading the words written there is a giant step in the right direction. You can also use this handy assessment planner to jot down your assessment due dates.
Step 2: Write it in your own words
Resist the urge to jump straight in and start researching without properly understanding what the assignment is asking you to do. Don’t just highlight keywords – take a few moments to look at the whole question and write it out in your own words so you can clearly articulate to yourself what it is you’re being asked to do.
Now do this for each subject in a single document (this helps to compartmentalise your assignment preparation).
Step 3: Identify which assignments are more challenging
Now you have your assignment descriptions in a single document, split them into two categories – something like “understand” and “don’t understand”. That way, you’ve got a snapshot of which assessments you are across and which ones you need to spend more time with (read on for more info about this!).
Step 4: Plan the assessments you feel confident about
Focus on your strengths first to give your confidence a boost! Begin planning or even drafting the assignments you are feeling positive about. Perhaps you might brainstorm a structure or note down some suitable literature – even just beginning with the readings assigned to that subject is a great start.
Step 5: Take a closer look at the challenging ones
The funny thing about ‘challenging’ assignments is that often it is only one or two aspects of the assessment you don’t understand. Spend a limited time – around 20 minutes – to look closely at the assignment requirements and try to work out exactly what it is you don’t understand (more on where to get help in step seven).
Step 6: Revisit and refine the assignments you are more confident with
Check in with the assignments that you feel confident about and see if you can think of any ways to improve your ideas or plan. Guess what? You’re already on your way to producing a draft of your assignment!
Step 7: Get support for the more challenging assignments
As you move through the days and weeks, you might find some of the earlier questions you had about your assessments become clear to you. If not, now is the time to get support:
- Email your tutor with your specific questions.
- Talk to your peers or study group.
- Book a time with a HELPS advisor.
- Attend a HELPS or library workshop.
- Chat to a librarian.
Step 8: Get serious about your drafts
Now is the time to focus on your drafts. The assignments you’re feeling more confident about should be coming together well – check for what criteria you need to address, what research you need to do, and how your structure is looking. Repeat steps five and seven to get those more challenging assessments on track.
Step 9: Book a HELPS one-to-one session
UTS offers you the chance to talk with an experienced learning advisor about every assignment you do at university. Book a one-to-one session with a HELPS learning advisor for each assignment around a week before it’s due – that way you’ll have plenty of time to use the feedback to refine your assignment before you need to hand it in.
Step 10: Do something awesome
Assignment success at university is not just about your mark – it’s about developing skills and confidence as you move through the assessment process. As you go through the session, plan specific rewards for yourself that mean something to you. This will give you a tangible way to acknowledge your new skills and hard work (go on, treat yo’ self!).
* HELPS provides academic and assignment support to UTS students, offering various self-help resources, workshops and assignment feedback consultation sessions throughout Autumn, Spring and Summer sessions.