Top tips on how to ace your assignments

Research

In order to get the best grade for your HN, you must do your research to be able to produce the best assignment possible. If you are given a reading list, make sure that you read some of the books on the list as you will be expected to. Also, don’t be afraid to go beyond the reading list and find your own unique resources as it will enable you to provide further perspectives that could really impress your tutor.

Start early

Completing your HN is no easy task and you will come across many different time constraints. Make sure to give yourself a head start by beginning your assignments as early as possible. This will give you more time to reflect, to come up with ideas for your assignments, and it will allow you to be more prepared for unexpected circumstances.

Ask for help

Although you may feel that you know what you are doing for your assignment, I do recommend that you speak to your tutors. After all your tutors are there to help you and will most likely be marking your work! So even if you are 100% sure that you are on the right track, bring a plan of your assignment to your tutor’s office and they will be able to provide you with some advice. This also gives your tutor a better impression of your motivation, and could lead to him/her preparing a positive reference for you for future employment opportunities.

Choose the right place to study

Where you study will have a massive impact on the work you produce, so you must choose the appropriate place. For some people this may be in a quiet library whilst for others it may be in their room. Make sure you choose the right place for you and avoid distractions by not completing your assignments in front of your TV or anywhere else that is noisy!

Reference

Plagiarism is a serious academic offence that is not taken lightly. You MUST reference all of your sources or you risk losing marks. Make sure to check your college’s plagiarism guide as these may differ from college to college and you also want to make sure that you are using the correct referencing style. If in doubt either reference or speak your tutor to make sure that you get the best grade you deserve. Copying your previous work is also considered as plagiarism so make sure you are up to date with all the rules.

Always double check

Not double-checking is one of the biggest pitfalls of any student completing an assignment. This can range from the requirements and guidelines of an assignment to proofreading. Make sure you check you have written enough words to pass the assignment and definitely proofread your work. One of my most helpful tutors recommended reading assignments out loud before submitting them as it will help you spot any grammatical errors that you may have missed out when writing.

Take breaks

Although you may have limited time to complete your assignments, do take breaks.  These will keep your mind fresh and help you to relax, which will make you much more productive in the long run compared to completing an assignment when you are very tired.

Good luck! If you have any other words of advice for your fellow classmates, feel free to comment below or even share this article with them.

The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Pearson.