Most importantly be confident with whatever you’re working on but do not be afraid to ask for advice from your instructor or peers!! You’re all in the program with each other so it really helps to be a part of that community and help each other. As for the critiques, just know any comments about your art is not a comment towards YOU. Critiques can be helpful for letting you see things you probably missed and if technical changes could be made definitely use that to ur advantage for future works