One thing I struggled with during my PhD was receiving feedback on my manuscripts from my supervisors. I thought I was a good academic writer (a somewhat arrogant assumption). So why was there always so much red on my Word document – or back then, scribbles on paper, since not everyone used track changes yet? If you’re a master’s student working on your thesis, a PhD candidate drafting a manuscript, or a postdoc revising yet another proposal, you’ll probably relate to this: the infamous ‘track-changes disaster’.

But feedback is an essential part of academic life. I came to appreciate this later in my career, once I started giving feedback myself. That’s when I realized feedback isn’t criticism but a crucial tool for growth. I still receive feedback on my work and grow professionally through it. For instance, the feedback I get from my C2W colleagues every time I submit my column helps me refine my writing skills continuously and finetune my voice.

As academics, we’re trained to strive for excellence. This pursuit means our work is rarely ‘good enough’, and it’s through feedback that we get closer to the high standards expected from academia. While it can be frustrating to see your manuscript returned with layers of comments, remember: every suggestion is a step toward improving your writing and communication skills, critical thinking, and impact.

Here’s how to not only survive but embrace feedback:

• Reframe feedback as collaboration. Rather than viewing comments as criticism, see them as insights from supervisors, teachers, or collaborators invested in your success. Feedback isn’t personal; it’s a dialogue that sharpens your ideas and improves your work.
• Normalize imperfection. No one writes a flawless first draft. Feedback is part of the process, and revisions help your ideas evolve.
• Tackle comments systematically. A document filled with track changes can feel overwhelming. Break the feedback into manageable chunks. Start with smaller edits to build momentum before diving into more complex revisions.
• Focus on learning, not just fixing. Every suggestion teaches you something about writing or your field. Reflect on why changes were suggested, and apply that knowledge proactively in future drafts.
• Separate emotions from action. It’s natural to feel defensive or disheartened, especially when feedback touches on work you’ve labored hard over. Acknowledge your feelings, but don’t let them dictate your response. Take a break, revisit the feedback with fresh eyes, and get to work.
• Seek both strengths and areas for improvement. Feedback is often seen as negative, but it can – and should – highlight strengths, too. If your supervisor focuses only on what needs fixing and skips the ‘tops‘ (i.e. the strengths), don’t hesitate to discuss this with them and ask for positive feedback, to balance your motivation.
• Recognize progress over perfection. Every revision, every suggestion accepted or debated, is a sign of growth. Acknowledge how far you’ve come, even if there’s still work to do.

Feedback is not just about perfecting a manuscript or a presentation; it’s a key part of academic training. It is a collaborative process that pushes us all to do better and improve our critical thinking.

And if the feedback feels overwhelming? Just remember, even the best papers went through multiple rounds of revisions – not only when working on the initial draft, but also during the reviewing procedure. Keep going – you’re building something remarkable, even during the ‘track-changes disaster‘ phase!