Well, it depends. If you are willing to put some effort into it it will be doable. But sometimes the professors have really too high expectations and are pretty demanding. Also, it depends how high your standards are. If you always want to get the best grades, you might put a lot of pressure on your shoulders. But if you are willing to accept a not so good to great here and there, then this might help you a bit more.
'how hard is uni'
It depends on the building materials that make up the campus.
what can you expect
random flatmates, alcohol, lectures, alcohol, noodles, alcohol, traffic cones, alcohol, pizza, alcohol, essays, alcohol.
how does it work to getting a final degree
Keep staring at the thermometer until it stabilises
what happens if you fail
You become the pariah of your family, friends, town and possibly the known Universe
and is it hard
Depends on whether you have been viewing po....(no, I might get told off for that) - answered already!
It depends on the building materials that make up the campus.
what can you expect
random flatmates, alcohol, lectures, alcohol, noodles, alcohol, traffic cones, alcohol, pizza, alcohol, essays, alcohol.
how does it work to getting a final degree
Keep staring at the thermometer until it stabilises
what happens if you fail
You become the pariah of your family, friends, town and possibly the known Universe
and is it hard
Depends on whether you have been viewing po....(no, I might get told off for that) - answered already!
Sorry, now my serious and hopefully more helpful answer:-
Many degrees are intellectually not that different from A-level in 1st year but difficulty can and does ramp up afterwards in 2nd/3rd/4th year. As you rightly point out, the transition you have to make is a still largely spoon-fed system in A-level to a much more independent self directed study regime. I always say if you get in, never fear it is 'too hard' for you as the uni would not let you in if you weren;t pre-qualified to do so. But that does not mean at times it won't be a struggle and challenge!
How does it work - all courses are assigned a value of credits. Most 3 year degrees (at least in my day, in early Noughties, may have changed by now) require you to get 360 credits. That's 120 each year and most modules are 10 credits, (some can be 5 or multiples of 10 etc.) You get a percentage at the end of each module and depending on the weighting, the average percentage gives you your classification which I believe is 70%+ = First, 60-69% 2.1, 50-59% 2.2, 45-49% 3rd, 40-44% pass. If you are borderline (just below a classification level) at the end you have a spoken exam (viva) to try and be promoted to the next level. This will be normally the day before results day and consists of a Uni and external representative. (I had one, I know!)
You would normally know well in advance if you were at risk of failing. TBH, even in a difficult degree like Physics, you have to be bone idle or have some serious life calamity to end up failing.
Many degrees are intellectually not that different from A-level in 1st year but difficulty can and does ramp up afterwards in 2nd/3rd/4th year. As you rightly point out, the transition you have to make is a still largely spoon-fed system in A-level to a much more independent self directed study regime. I always say if you get in, never fear it is 'too hard' for you as the uni would not let you in if you weren;t pre-qualified to do so. But that does not mean at times it won't be a struggle and challenge!
How does it work - all courses are assigned a value of credits. Most 3 year degrees (at least in my day, in early Noughties, may have changed by now) require you to get 360 credits. That's 120 each year and most modules are 10 credits, (some can be 5 or multiples of 10 etc.) You get a percentage at the end of each module and depending on the weighting, the average percentage gives you your classification which I believe is 70%+ = First, 60-69% 2.1, 50-59% 2.2, 45-49% 3rd, 40-44% pass. If you are borderline (just below a classification level) at the end you have a spoken exam (viva) to try and be promoted to the next level. This will be normally the day before results day and consists of a Uni and external representative. (I had one, I know!)
You would normally know well in advance if you were at risk of failing. TBH, even in a difficult degree like Physics, you have to be bone idle or have some serious life calamity to end up failing.
Original post by K3lvin
Hello there, just a question from people who are studying or completed Uni, I know its a lot about Independent Study, but how hard is uni, what can you expect, how does it work to getting a final degree and what happens if you fail and is it hard?
Hello!
When you start university, the first year is designed so that it eases you in and adjusts you to the university standard. Depending on the subject, you usually get introduced to a variety of topics so that you can see which areas really interest you, allowing you to specialise more in the second and third years.
You generally need 40% overall to pass the first year which sounds easy, and it is but if you do fail you won't be allowed to continue to second year. There may be core modules that you need to pass in order to continue to the next year. Depending on the module, it is usually organised so that the assessment is comprised of a combination of exam, coursework and sometimes presentations.
I would say the jump from first year to second year is higher than the jump from second to third year. Organisation is definitely key and is something which I didn't do very well in my second year which made university work more difficult. Tutors in seminars are really helpful and I have no problem going to them for help- thats what they are there for so do seek help if need be!
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any more questions,
Pip, third year English Literature and History of Art
Original post by Wimbs
'how hard is uni'
It depends on the building materials that make up the campus.
what can you expect
random flatmates, alcohol, lectures, alcohol, noodles, alcohol, traffic cones, alcohol, pizza, alcohol, essays, alcohol.
how does it work to getting a final degree
Keep staring at the thermometer until it stabilises
what happens if you fail
You become the pariah of your family, friends, town and possibly the known Universe
and is it hard
Depends on whether you have been viewing po....(no, I might get told off for that) - answered already!
It depends on the building materials that make up the campus.
what can you expect
random flatmates, alcohol, lectures, alcohol, noodles, alcohol, traffic cones, alcohol, pizza, alcohol, essays, alcohol.
how does it work to getting a final degree
Keep staring at the thermometer until it stabilises
what happens if you fail
You become the pariah of your family, friends, town and possibly the known Universe
and is it hard
Depends on whether you have been viewing po....(no, I might get told off for that) - answered already!
That sums up my first year. I think your description is pretty spot on.
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