#but I think it’s incredibly detrimental to the skills and self esteem of students (at any level!) if they don’t know what they’re doing well

[willowcrowned]

I think when professors hand you back a project with comments they should have to tell you how cool and special and smart you are

#actually this is one of the hills I like to die on #the fact that it’s standard academic practice to hand back papers or projects with only critical comments is— #not insane because I know exactly why it happens and the culture totally encourages it #but I think it’s incredibly detrimental to the skills and self esteem of students (at any level!) if they don’t know what they’re doing well #it’s a twofold punch that encourages imposter syndrome AND keeps the student from being able to develop the good parts of their skills #further #not to mention when it keeps them from being able to leverage those skills consciously to improve their work #and I know professors *can* give positive feedback with the critical stuff because it’s something I’ve been working on with my mom over the #years #she offers to leave comments on my papers a lot of the time #and in recent years as we’ve been having conversations about standard beta practice in fandom vs academic commentary #and the benefits and drawbacks of the tendencies of each system #she’s been working consciously to leave a comment when she thinks I’ve done something well—not just when something needs work #and it’s been SO helpful to know for me #because a lot of the time I use that information while I’m working on the next paper #anyways. #academia #willow’s wastebin tagxon