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Getting a First....

Hey ppl,

I start at Churchill this Oct. and will be reading physical natsci. I was wondering how hard and how I have to study to get a first.
BTW, are there exams at the end of each term or is there just one at the end of the year?

Thanx

Reply 1

Camford

12

end of year exams count. You don't have to study really hard to get a first, but you'll need to be lucky.

Reply 2

musicbloke

17

It's very difficult to predict who will get a first (that being said, me and my next door neighbour who also studies music, predicted all of the firsts in our year). You certainly won't be able to tell if it's attainable before you come up. Most importantly, don't stress too much about it.

MB

Reply 3

KupoIncarnate

Camford

end of year exams count. You don't have to study really hard to get a first, but you'll need to be lucky.

I disagree, it seems to be mostly people who dont really do much other than study who get them. Granted you get the odd genius or lucky jammer here and there who can have a life and get a first but I think about 60% of people who manage it tend not to be involved with anything extracurricular or go out very often.

Reply 4

visesh

17

Camfo spent most of exam term watching tele:/

Reply 5

vid

i'm gonna study maths with compsci at peterhouse. i've got about 2 hours of lectures a day, 6 days a week, plus 1 afternoon of pracs. what do natsci students have? how many hours a day private study do u do?

Reply 6

Camford

12

What has the above question got to do with getting a first?

Reply 7

salsa caribe

vid

i'm gonna study maths with compsci at peterhouse. i've got about 2 hours of lectures a day, 6 days a week, plus 1 afternoon of pracs. what do natsci students have? how many hours a day private study do u do?

we got 12 hours lectures a week, about 3/4 afternoons of practicals n(i think) depending on your option, and supervisions too. Dunno how many hours of private study I'll have to do as I haven't been yet, but not over 10 a week i hope.

Reply 8

minimo

15

I thought 40 hours of study a week was the norm...

Reply 9

visesh

17

*shoots self*

Reply 10

Willa

11

i dont know anybody who got a first in my year who didn't say they worked for it. but i disagree about the comment that people who get firsts don't have a life. Although I know a few who i would say fall into that category, they are much rarer than those who don't. Generally those who get firsts are those who know how to correctly prioritise work in relation to sleeping and "having a life", i.e. when they don't understand something, they don't just forget about it, they try their damn hardest to overcome their problem, utilising every resource available to them.

Reply 11

vid

Camford

What has the above question got to do with getting a first?

surely the number of hours u study has something 2 do with what class degree u get?

Reply 12

vid

how many people a year get firsts, on average?

Reply 13

Willa

11

vid

how many people a year get firsts, on average?

20%

Reply 14

JHutcher

11

Willa

20%

1/5 (check me out maths mastermind) thats not bad at all... So make sure your working harder than five other people and your well on your way.

Do any current students have an systems or tips that have worked for them... particularly in relation to time tables and gathering essay resources, that might be useful for us?

Reply 15

vid

is that like a fixed quota?

Reply 16

Willa

11

vid

is that like a fixed quota?

in most subjects, yes

Reply 17

Ticki

8

Willa

i dont know anybody who got a first in my year who didn't say they worked for it. but i disagree about the comment that people who get firsts don't have a life. Although I know a few who i would say fall into that category, they are much rarer than those who don't. Generally those who get firsts are those who know how to correctly prioritise work in relation to sleeping and "having a life", i.e. when they don't understand something, they don't just forget about it, they try their damn hardest to overcome their problem, utilising every resource available to them.

It's generally easier for Scientists and Linguists to get Firsts than it is for the average Arts student, simply because you either know it or you don't. (By the same token, it's far easier for Scientists to get 2.2s or Thirds than it is for Arts students.)I've been looking through the class lists this summer and far fewer than 20% of Arts students get 1sts. A lot of it comes down to style, naming the right books/theories and just being very lucky with questions. Because the lectures aren't always that great, luck plays a far greater part, whereas most Sciency lectures give all the core material and supervisions just go through it. Some of my friends had no lives and still came out with a 2.1, so I would really advocate getting the balance right. I reckon Arts students should aim for a First but expect a 2.1 and don't compromise your happiness/sanity for something that's not really that important anyway.

Reply 18

valerious

2

20% means you gotta work harder than 8/10 other people- or you are 1/2 hardest people over 10. Am I right?

I think the ratio is a lie.i.e If 20 get offer over 100 applicants and they say its a 1:5 ratio --> its a lie because in fact you have to be better than other 80-not 5. nyway, can anyone please exlain more about first,second and third please..i have no idea about this. When you find a job, do they ask if u got a first or third?

Reply 19

xyro

You can check out the percentage of firsts for each course and year here: http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/univ/camdata/course/index.html. Mathmos have around 30% in the first 3 years and 60% in Part III :biggrin:

Getting a First....

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