Is there any reason to get high marks at uni?

I'm a bit of a perfectionist and try to get good grades. I hear that you only really need 60% to call it a win, but is there any benefit in getting a first or even higher than that? Unfortunately it's become part of my ego.

Reply 1

PQ

Clearing and Applications Advisor

21

If you just aim at 60% in every module and then have a bad exam or a module you struggle with then there’s no slack in your grades to allow for that.

Are you a current university student or an applicant?

Reply 2

user2456532

OP

10

Original post by PQ

If you just aim at 60% in every module and then have a bad exam or a module you struggle with then there’s no slack in your grades to allow for that.

Are you a current university student or an applicant?

I'm second year now, I'm averaging over 70% so far and just want to know if it actually means anything

Reply 3

toxicgamage56

Universities Forum Helper

19

Original post by user2456532

I'm a bit of a perfectionist and try to get good grades. I hear that you only really need 60% to call it a win, but is there any benefit in getting a first or even higher than that? Unfortunately it's become part of my ego.

Flex benefit

Reply 4

gjd800

20

It'll mean something if you want funding from a research council for a research degree. Otherwise it's just a satisfaction thing, in most cases

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 5

De Montfort University

Official Rep

16

Original post by user2456532

I'm a bit of a perfectionist and try to get good grades. I hear that you only really need 60% to call it a win, but is there any benefit in getting a first or even higher than that? Unfortunately it's become part of my ego.

Hi,

I am a bit like you when it comes to grades, I always want to aim for the best grade. It does feel really great when you get a first because it makes you feel like you have done really well. It is beneficial because at the end of your degree your final grade will possibly be high and you will feel like you have achieved something and those 3 or however many years will have payed off! So definitely keep striving for high grades but just make sure you don't overwhelm yourself because sometimes if you put loads of pressure on yourself to get good grades then you might forget about taking breaks etc.

Best Wishes,
Tianna :smile:

Reply 6

University of Kent Reps

Official Rep

16

Original post by user2456532

I'm a bit of a perfectionist and try to get good grades. I hear that you only really need 60% to call it a win, but is there any benefit in getting a first or even higher than that? Unfortunately it's become part of my ego.

Hi there

I completely understand how you feel! Firstly I would say it really depends on your course. There are some courses where you really have to rely on doing well to succeed mainly due to competitiveness in that field. In other cases, a 2:1 or even a 2:2 will allow you to progress onto the next stage. My advice would be to set a goal based on what you wish to do with your degree. Focus on yourself and not others around you. For example if you're thinking of doing a masters, look at the entry requirements for various unis and see what you should be striving for. Ultimately you should always strive to do your best and if you're able to get a first (or the equivalent) then that is amazing. It is beneficial to do well not just practically but so that you feel that your hard work has paid off. If you work hard and get the grades you want then you will likely feel more satisfied than if you pass with bare minimum effort. However, grades aren't the be all or end all. It is important to find a balance at uni between socialising, looking after your physical and mental health, and studying. When you look back at your time at uni you will remember the memories you made and the skills you developed so try not to let work overwhelm you too much. Hope this helps

Best wishes

Joanna
-Uni of Kent Rep

Reply 7

Anonymous #1

Original post by user2456532

I'm second year now, I'm averaging over 70% so far and just want to know if it actually means anything

What subject do you do as getting over 70% is very good ?

Reply 8

user2456532

OP

10

Original post by Anonymous

What subject do you do as getting over 70% is very good ?

I do maths, one of the few courses that actually lets you get high grades. I try to aim higher than 70% and have mostly got that but I'm just wondering if it's worth calibrating back to around 70 (not sure how well that will work out though)

Reply 9

Anonymous #2

Original post by user2456532

I'm a bit of a perfectionist and try to get good grades. I hear that you only really need 60% to call it a win, but is there any benefit in getting a first or even higher than that? Unfortunately it's become part of my ego.

Ngl dumb post, what kind of replies are you expecting? Is this to comfort yourself? Just do the work and try your best, don't overthink pointless things.

Reply 10

toxicgamage56

Universities Forum Helper

19

Original post by Anonymous

Ngl dumb post, what kind of replies are you expecting? Is this to comfort yourself? Just do the work and try your best, don't overthink pointless things.

It's not a dumb post. Why would you try get 100% on every assessment if you only needed 70% for a first - OP wants to know if it's worth getting high marks. Maybe they expected employers might be interested or something, idk, but I doubt they're trying to comfort themselves.

Reply 11

Anonymous #2

Original post by toxicgamage56

It's not a dumb post. Why would you try get 100% on every assessment if you only needed 70% for a first - OP wants to know if it's worth getting high marks. Maybe they expected employers might be interested or something, idk, but I doubt they're trying to comfort themselves.

This question is definitely a cope, wtf is calibrating your grade. I'd understand if you felt you were doing too much and wanted to do less work then you'd be doing it for your wellbeing. If the work isn't too much to bear, this person wants to calculate how to be average whilst also wanting to do great. This is cognitive dissonance and the only answer is to try your best.

Reply 12

toxicgamage56

Universities Forum Helper

19

Original post by Anonymous

This question is definitely a cope, wtf is calibrating your grade. I'd understand if you felt you were doing too much and wanted to do less work then you'd be doing it for your wellbeing. If the work isn't too much to bear, this person wants to calculate how to be average whilst also wanting to do great. This is cognitive dissonance and the only answer is to try your best.

Yeah, it's exactly that - they might be doing too much work, so want to know whether they could just do less. No point having no social life and doing all nighters to get like 80% when you could get a first with 70% with like half the work.

Reply 13

Admit-One

Universities Forum Helper

21

Broadly speaking, employers tend to just look at your classification. However, as above, if there is any possibility of continuing into postgrad studies, the higher your grades the better.

Reply 14

user2456532

OP

10

Original post by toxicgamage56

Yeah, it's exactly that - they might be doing too much work, so want to know whether they could just do less. No point having no social life and doing all nighters to get like 80% when you could get a first with 70% with like half the work.

Yeah, obviously a first is very enough but my A level mindset is uncomfortable with it and thinks its better to get higher than that. I guess I'll just keep on top of things and aim for 70 so I'll at least have 60%

Reply 15

Thisismyunitsr

20

It’s worth doing well so that if you have a shocker in some other modules you can have the ‘good modules’ to average out your high grade.

Reply 16

Anonymous #1

Original post by user2456532

I do maths, one of the few courses that actually lets you get high grades. I try to aim higher than 70% and have mostly got that but I'm just wondering if it's worth calibrating back to around 70 (not sure how well that will work out though)

I would say work your hardest then then you know that you tried your best. I would definitely continue working hard if I were you because your grades are great and show that you work hard.

Reply 17

Makro

15

Original post by user2456532

I'm a bit of a perfectionist and try to get good grades. I hear that you only really need 60% to call it a win, but is there any benefit in getting a first or even higher than that? Unfortunately it's become part of my ego.