Instructor Feedback...

And How to Turn it into a Revision Plan You Can Actually Follow

Waiting for feedback on a big paper can feel endless. Weeks go by… and then one day, it arrives in your inbox. You open the document, bracing yourself like you’re about to peek at a medical bill. If it's good news, great! If not, take a deep breath: this is survivable. And with the right approach, you can turn those comments into a step-by-step plan that gets you to “resubmit” with confidence.

These steps work for any major doctoral assignment that allows revisions: your comp exam, literature review, capstone proposal, paper, or project. 

1. Read It Once, Then Walk Away

Your first read is just to take it in. You might feel relief, annoyance, confusion, or all three at once. Resist the urge to start editing immediately. Give yourself a few hours or even a day before doing anything. This pause helps you return with a clearer head and a more strategic mindset. 

2. Sort Feedback Into Three Categories

Open your marked-up document and go through the comments, labeling them as: 

• Quick Fix: Minor edits, like reformatting a citation or fixing a typo.

• Moderate Change: Revisions that require adding a few sentences or clarifying a section (e.g., tightening your argument in the lit review or defining a key term in the comp exam).

• Major Revision: Changes that require rethinking structure, adding new sources, or reworking analysis (common in proposal drafts or project reports).

This step makes even long, detailed feedback feel less overwhelming. 

3. Prioritize the Big Picture

Start with changes that affect your argument, organization, or overall flow. For example, if your proposal methods section is unclear, fix that before spending an hour on perfect APA formatting. Once the major structure is solid, you can move to moderate and then minor changes. 

4. Translate Comments Into Specific Actions

“Needs more depth” is too vague to act on. Rewrite it as a concrete task: “Add two peer-reviewed sources to support the discussion on trauma-informed care in the literature review,” or “Expand the discussion of limitations in the project findings section.” 

5. Keep a Revision Log

Track each comment, the action you took, and the date completed. This is especially helpful for capstone projects or proposals that go through multiple rounds of review. You’ll have proof that you addressed every point, which is reassuring on long projects where the feedback trail gets fuzzy. 

Final Tip: Developmental critique or feedback isn’t an indictment on your character or competence; it’s a normal part of the doctoral process. Every revision brings you closer to the finish line. Treat your instructor’s comments as a roadmap, not a roadblock, and you’ll not only survive the resubmission cycle but improve your work with each round.