Have you ever had a student finish an assessment… but never submit it?
For some students, not submitting can feel safer than risking a fail.
Students may avoid submitting because they:
- Fear receiving negative feedback
- Have experienced failure in the past
- Believe a fail means they are “not capable”
- Feel that anything less than perfect isn’t worth submitting
Many students have spent years believing that an assessment is something you submit once and receive a final grade for. When they enter an environment where feedback, resubmissions, and improvement are part of the learning process, it can feel unfamiliar and overwhelming.
Try asking: “Do you think it’s fair that we expect you to know something 100% after teaching it only once?”
This simple question often helps students realise that learning is a process, not a one-time test.
When providing feedback, consider using the compliment sandwich:
- Start by recognising what the student has done well.
- Explain what needs improving and how they can improve it.
- Finish with encouragement about the progress they’ve made and their ability to succeed.
Remember, progress comes from taking the next step, not waiting until everything feels perfect.