[abc:)]

(Original post by Jackkkkk)
What degree and where ?


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

Hispanic Studies at Sheffield. So (in my opinion anyway) not a total doss, a lot of reading, but not the most challenging of degrees either. And something I do enjoy when I actually get down to it.

And thanks for the supportive messages everyone, I am trying to take on board where I've gone wrong and I'm already planning how I'm going to organise and file my work next year so that I have no excuses for not getting any of it done, and I've bought some of the books that we need for next year and am reading them over the summer. So fingers crossed things should get better...anyway you've all made me feel a bit more optimistic

[petzneo]

(Original post by abc:))
Hi,

So, in general at school and college I've been fairly hard working, enough to always get good grades, but I just did my first year at uni and except for a couple of pieces of work which I did really well in I've done pretty average overall, and in a couple of exams in particular, really badly, so that I'm having to write resubmissions of work over summer.

I know some of the causes of this - my attendance was pretty low due to a few personal things I was going through and also likely a lack of self-motivation and discipline on my part, also getting used to the style of work, the level of independent study etc.

I know I am a clever person, surely I can do better than I have done this year.

Do many people struggle the first year? And is it possible to fail a couple of modules, but in subsequent years manage to improve? I know it will require harder work and more effort, but I mean in terms of getting used to the type of work you are doing, do a lot of people struggle with this at first but then manage to get better? Or if you struggle at first is this just a sign of things to come......


I'd appreciate anyone's thoughts on this who has been through the first year - what were your experiences?

I struggled the most in 1st year...new place, new way of learning and living away from home was a big thing for me. I had 2 resits and got 35-49% on most modules..

When looking at my transcript of my four years of study, I could see a clear improvement in my grades...I went from a high 2:2 in my second year to a mid 2:1 in my third. In my final year, I got a high first and got an overall of a first for my degree

So don't worry, as you know that you are capable! All you need to do is to learn from your lessons and work harder next year.

[rolling]

(Original post by Aramiss18)
I got a 2.2 in first year and have improved year on year. You'll adapt and improve as long as you put the effort in. Good luck!

I got 2.2 as well.what was your average score?

[Politics Student]

(Original post by abc:))
Hi,

So, in general at school and college I've been fairly hard working, enough to always get good grades, but I just did my first year at uni and except for a couple of pieces of work which I did really well in I've done pretty average overall, and in a couple of exams in particular, really badly, so that I'm having to write resubmissions of work over summer.

I know some of the causes of this - my attendance was pretty low due to a few personal things I was going through and also likely a lack of self-motivation and discipline on my part, also getting used to the style of work, the level of independent study etc.

I know I am a clever person, surely I can do better than I have done this year.

Do many people struggle the first year? And is it possible to fail a couple of modules, but in subsequent years manage to improve? I know it will require harder work and more effort, but I mean in terms of getting used to the type of work you are doing, do a lot of people struggle with this at first but then manage to get better? Or if you struggle at first is this just a sign of things to come......


I'd appreciate anyone's thoughts on this who has been through the first year - what were your experiences?

Don't worry. Just use your feedback to improve. Also go to lecturers who are friendly and willing to give you advice.

The second year will be harder but you just have to work more.

My marks averages:
First year: 58
Second year: 53
Final year: 68

Left with a 2.1 with only the final year counting towards my classification.

Almost got a first if only one of my units in my final year had gone a bit better, but on the other hand I got what I needed to go on to study an MSc.

Almost finished the MSc averaging a Merit with still the potential to get a distinction depending how well the dissertation goes.

I am in position to get onto a PhD. Only reason I am not starting one in September is due to the extremely competitive funding situation (I came second for a funded place so I have to reapply for the following year in the hopes that I will get funding second time round). Fingers crossed I will get a funded PhD place in the end. Got a gap year in between MSc and PhD. Not holding much hope for the gap year. There is a very good chance I will be stuck unemployed for the entire year with the job market being in such a poor situation with youth unemployment at 20% (going to basically volunteer with the slim chance of finding paid work).

[Shelly_x]

Most people tend to do the worst in their second year, as they don't anticipate the step up.

[Politics Student]

(Original post by Shelly_x)
Most people tend to do the worst in their second year, as they don't anticipate the step up.

I would also say that it also depends on the assignments.

I found my first year had lots of short 1000-1500 word essays while the second year had a mix of short essays and exams. I personally found exams to be a complete nightmare.

However, by my third year all I had was long essays of 3000 to 5000 words which I personally found much rewarding than exams (the effort I was putting in was being rewarded with firsts and 2.1s while my time sunk into exams was just about resulting in very low pass grades). The MSc has been similar with independent long essays being the key assignments.

So to the OP I would say if you did not do well with certain assignment types then I would alter your second year choices to choose units to avoid assignment types you dislike. For example all my core MSc units are essays + a couple of presentations so for my two optional units I avoided all the exam modules and made the selection from the essay based assignment units remaining.

[Bobifier]

I did particularly badly in my first year, and I have just gained about ten percent in my second year, a year where the average mark actually decreases. If I can make another improvement next year, I should be able to come out with a 2.1 which I will be more than happy with. The upshot is, if you know you lost the marks through poor work and attendance, you know where to pick them back up and it is on you to do so. If you put the work in you will be able to get your marks to a good level and if you don't then you won't, but you can at least be certain that it is both possible and realistic

[im TSR]

The first step is to admit that you aren't clever.
Aim to be clever. "Clever" is getting Firsts consistently.

This is the real first step

(Original post by abc:))

I know I am a clever person

[MusicTechnologyStudent]

Some people do improve, most don't. Those that do improve are those who don't just return and do the same as in their first year, but improve how they go about studying and learning. That does not just mean working "harder", but working better.

[Arekkusu]

It does take a while to really understand what you're supposed to do in academic work, it certainly took me a year. Add to that personal issues, as well as the sharp shock, and I would say you will probably do much better.

[fluttershy]

The second year might be harder, but you know what you are doing then, and are probably more focused and committed. Plus most people don't take the first year that seriously, after all it rarely counts so what is the point? I don't mean that people who do nothing or the minimum can go on to do better later, they will probably not even manage to pass the second year (if they pass the first), unless they really turn themselves around, but few people see the point of working your guts out to get the highest possible grade (especially if you're already getting decent grades for the work you do) when it counts for nothing. The second year is probably the year people work hardest to try and get the best possible grade, hoping that will allow for any minor slips in the third year.

[abc:)]

(Original post by im TSR)
The first step is to admit that you aren't clever.
Aim to be clever. "Clever" is getting Firsts consistently.

This is the real first step

Lol what stupid advice, clever is having the potential to get firsts, just because you're clever doesn't mean you will achieve, firsts are achieved through hard work and application, this is what I'm learning

[Vlad Mackevic]

Hello!

Well, doing not so well in the first year is not tragic - as long as you really resolve to work harder later. The bar is much higher and it's not easy if you're unprepared. Still, nothing is impossible. You could easily get a first if you don't miss lectures, read more and apply some essay tricks and techniques ( my blog at thelectureroom.co.uk has many study tips, and this October I am publishing about 15 articles on essay and exam writing).

As long as you persevere and are consistent in your efforts, you will be fine.

Good luck with your studies!

VM.

[singh246]

I got 2.2's in my first two years but still ended up with a 1st overall. And my first 2 years counted for 40% of my degree. Pretty good, eh?

[music788]

(Original post by singh246)
I got 2.2's in my first two years but still ended up with a 1st overall. And my first 2 years counted for 40% of my degree. Pretty good, eh?

You honestly make me want to vomit. I can just see your face as you say that. You sound like you have the personality of a chair leg from your posts.

[lager_lad_69]

Sadly people generally tend to do worse each year.

[Adam Hornsby]

Yeh, as some have said, the first year doesn't really count. Tutors know their students are going to get p****d and won't turn up to lectures. I would seriously ramp it up in second year, third year goes like wildfire

[evantej]

(Original post by abc:))
[...] Do many people struggle the first year? And is it possible to fail a couple of modules, but in subsequent years manage to improve? I know it will require harder work and more effort, but I mean in terms of getting used to the type of work you are doing, do a lot of people struggle with this at first but then manage to get better? Or if you struggle at first is this just a sign of things to come...... [...]

I did bad in my first year. I failed one unit, got two thirds, one 2.2 and one borderline 2.1. There were a few reasons for this: I changed subjects, I did not attend as often as I should have, and I did not always hand work in on time etc., etc..

However, during the summer something clicked. My attendance was flawless, I read everything and more, and interacted in classes far more; in fact, I started to carry discussion single-handedly in some classes. In my second year I got four 2.1s and one first. In my third year I was unlucky to graduate with a 2.1; my final exams pulled me down. All my coursework received high 2.1s or firsts.

It can be done. You just have to have the motivation to get the work done and seek to improve yourself.