Quality Focus

Emphasizing precision and quality in your work; Avoiding mistakes and errors

It’s very easy to adopt a “just get it done” approach to your work. We don’t always see how one assignment, project, or test connects to what’s next. But in college, this is often the case. Not just getting a good grade, but learning is vital to not the classes you’re in now, but future semesters.

Have high standards for your work. You're a good student and you want your work to reflect that. There are ways to do this at each point of an assignment, project, or exam. Make sure you know what’s expected when you start (e.g., read the directions!), try to maintain your focus throughout, and - perhaps most importantly - when you’re done, go back and check your work. If you can build this habit now, it’s something that will help you throughout your college career and beyond.

Quality means doing it right when no one is looking.

Henry Ford

How can I improve my Quality Focus?

Strategies to Use

For any assignment you have, make sure you know what’s expected. Read and re-read the directions. If you’re unsure, ask your instructor for more information.
As you work on something, continue to go back to those expectations and ask yourself, “is this meeting this assignment?”
When you’re done, double check your work. This can be tough. After putting in a lot of effort, you might feel compelled to just “get it done” and submit the work. But sometimes, we get so focused, we miss a critical mistake. Try to take a breath and do one last review.
To that end, if it’s allowed, have someone else take a read-through.

Resources at NCCU

- Academic Coaching supports students by connecting them to college resources that help to support the journey to degree completion.
- Academic Advising aims to empower students, parents, and the community by fostering autonomy and facilitating academic and professional goal-setting. Use this resource if you need help with academic planning, career exploration, or choosing majors.
- Supplemental Instruction creates opportunities for students to work collaboratively with their classmates to solve problems, compare notes, discuss readings, develop academic skills, and prepare for tests and exams.
- Tutoring services can provide assistance within specific academic subjects.
- The First-Year Seminar (UNIV 1100) is designed specifically to help students transition into NCCU.
- The Writing and Speaking Studio is a space where students across disciplines are welcome to hone their communication skills in writing, speaking, and nonverbal expression, with full assurance that their individual needs, identities, and voices are honored.

Online Resources

Consider using a proofing tool, such as Grammarly, to help review your work.