Assignment Guidelines

Assignments are optional, but they play an important role in deepening your understanding and helping you integrate what you are learning. If you choose to complete assignments and work towards certification, please read the following carefully.

Assignments are reviewed on average once a week during term time. Certificates are not granted automatically. I personally read and assess all submitted work, and it needs to show sufficient understanding and engagement with the material in order to pass.

Preparing your assignment

Each module includes an assignment. Please make sure you have read the handbooks and watched the videos before starting. I am looking for your own insights, reflections, and evidence that your knowledge and confidence are developing.

This is not about academic writing or perfect phrasing. It is about thinking like a herbalist and showing how you are making sense of what you are learning.

Where to submit

Please submit all written work directly within the assignment boxes. This keeps everything in one place and allows me to give proper feedback.

Once an assignment is submitted, it cannot be edited. Many students find it helpful to write their work in a Word document first, then copy and paste it into the assignment box when they are happy with it.

Word count and structure

There is no single “correct” style for assignments. Some of you naturally write in a more flowing, reflective way, while others are more succinct. Both are completely fine.

As a general guideline, around 800 to 1,500 words is usually sufficient. If your work naturally goes slightly over, that is not a problem. What matters far more than word count is that you respond to all parts of the question clearly and thoughtfully, and that your understanding comes through.

References, originality, and use of tools

If you are working towards certification with a view to practising herbal medicine, I strongly encourage you to get into the habit of referencing your sources.

If you draw on information, formulations, or ideas from books, websites, course materials, or other herbalists, please acknowledge the source. This does not need to be formal academic referencing. A simple note is enough. Giving credit shows integrity and strengthens your work.

All assignments must be your own work, written in your own words. The use of AI tools (such as ChatGPT or similar) to generate, rewrite, summarise, structure, or polish assignments is not permitted.

This also applies to creative platforms such as Canva and similar tools. You are welcome to use Canva for layout, design or presentation, but the content itself must be yours, not auto-generated or AI-assisted.

AI-generated content is usually easy to recognise and will not be accepted. Submissions that appear to rely on AI may be returned for resubmission or marked as a fail.

You are welcome to take inspiration from existing recipes or traditional formulas, but these must be credited and adapted to your own context or case study. I want to see why you made certain choices and how you are applying what you have learnt, rather than simply repeating someone else’s work.

Presenting AI-generated content or someone else’s words as your own goes against the spirit of learning and the integrity of herbal practice.

Practical work and photo evidence

For the practical assignments, I require photo evidence of your work. Please include at least two clear photos showing any notes, drawings, your process and the finished remedy for each practical task.

Because the assignment system does not allow photo uploads, please email your photos to me at kristine@thecraftyherbalist.org.uk as you submit your assignment.

In your email, include:

• your name
• the module number and assignment title
• the date

This helps me:

• assess your practical work accurately
• support safe, good practice
• understand how you are working with the plants in real life scenarios.

This requirement applies to all practical assignments of the herbal immersion course.

A final note

This course is not a race. Many students take a few years to complete it, and that is completely normal. Honest, imperfect work is always more valuable than polished work that does not reflect your own thinking.

If you have questions about assignments or feel unsure at any point, just get in touch. I am here to support you.

Warm wishes,
Kristine x