Mentoring Minute

Asking for feedback is an important part of graduate education, but effective requests are specific rather than general. Instead of asking a mentor, “What do you think?” identify the kind of help you need: feedback on the clarity of a research question, the organization of a paper, your preparation for an exam, or your progress toward a professional goal. Share relevant context, explain what you have already tried, and set a reasonable timeline. You might write, “Could you review the introduction of my paper and comment on whether the central argument is clear? I would especially appreciate feedback on the connection between paragraphs. Would you be able to look at it by next Friday?”

Make it easier for mentors to respond by providing focused questions and materials that are ready to review. If you are meeting in person, send an agenda or draft in advance and identify the sections where you most want guidance. During the conversation, listen carefully and ask follow-up questions when a comment is unclear: “Can you say more about what you would revise?” or “Could you give me an example?” You do not need to accept every suggestion, but you should try to understand the reasoning behind it. Feedback is most useful when you treat it as information for improving your work, not as a judgment of your ability or potential.

After receiving feedback, summarize the main points and decide what actions you will take. Thank your mentor, follow up when you have made revisions, and explain how their advice shaped the next version of your work. If feedback is too broad, contradictory, or difficult to apply, seek another perspective from a member of your mentoring ecosystem. Over time, regular feedback conversations can help you recognize patterns in your strengths and challenges, communicate your needs more confidently, and become increasingly independent in evaluating and improving your own work.

If you would like to talk more about mentoring at Penn State, please feel free to contact me at dco40@psu.edu.