Probably going to get a 2:2, no extracurriculars,no work experience, no social skills

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A lot of valuable advice has been given in this thread, so if I repeat any points, please excuse me.

1) Degree Classification
Try your ******* hardest to get a 2:1 this year. Don't resign yourself to getting at 2:2, aim for a 2:1 and push yourself to get it. The fact is, if you stretch yourself, you'll get a 2:1 or a high 2:2. All of which look better than a low 2:2 or a third.

2) Join some Clubs/Societies now. It's only October, if you join now, you can mention these on your CV about how you attended them for a year. You mention you like the gym/did play some sports, why not pick a sport and go for it? This year I'm playing rugby and loving it. Sports are also a great way of getting the typical 'team work', 'communication' etc points into a CV.

3) Do some charity work. Help out with RAG, volunteer somewhere, raise money... do something voluntary, it'll be something you can get down on your CV and it'll make you feel good, too. You can link this in with your charity shop experience, and express how you've voluntarily worked for a good cause over a period of a few years.

4) Do work experience ASAP. Try find out what you want to go into, explore that career, decide on a career.

5) If you didn't enjoy your degree, is there anything else you'd like to do? Another BA? A masters? Think about further academic studies if you feel like a degree in something you enjoy would equip you for the career you want more so than this degree.

It's not too late, but you need to do something, ASAP, or you're going to be on JSA. That's the truth.

1) I'll try my hardest but a) I find the work difficult b) I have no friends to get ideas off/for help with assignments/revision c) I don't enjoy it d) I'm not in a good place mentally without friends/girlfriend/very little to look forward to outside of work.

2) Very little appeals to me and my social skills are dire.

3) I've done charity work before (in a charity shop) before but honestly I'd rather kill myself than do that again.

4) 'Try to find out what I want to do' No I can't, if I'm in my final year of uni and still no idea what to do, what's the chances I'll find out what I want to do in the next few months?

5) I would rather kill myself than do another degree. I am sick to death of studying. God knows how I am going to get through the rest of this year and get a decent mark at the end.

Reply 21

snailsareslimy

Original post by Bassetts

1) I understand you find it difficult, but you shouldn't need to get ideas off people to get a 2:1. Surely that's a bit like... cheating? I do English & Linguistics and I never ask people for ideas! Can't you do more academic reading and develop your own? Or go to your Personal Tutor and explain straight up, I'm ******* drowning this year. I need help.
Revision wise, there are loads of threads on here about how to get the most out of revision, why don't you have a read through a few (or PM someone who does your course and ask for help).
I know it's hard when you hate it, but you really just need to try and make the most you can of it :frown:

Also, why can't you try and make some friends? Just start asking ones about how they're getting on with an assignment to break the ice, or something? Or see who typically sits alone and go and sit beside them and have a conversation?

2) I find it very hard to believe that for someone who is sporty, no sports "appeal" to you. You just don't want any sports to appeal to you! Look, sometimes you just need to try something new.
As I said earlier, I've been playing womens rugby this year and I love it. I hadn't ever tried it before, and after the first session, I was aching and everything was sore, but I absolutely love it now. Pick a sport, go to it for a month or 2, then decide. Sports are a great way to make friends, too, so seriously just try.

3) I think you're being a bit melodramatic, here. You'd rather KILL yourself than raise some money for people who need it because you don't like talking to people? Seriously? You have a chance at a degree and you don't even care to help people who desperately want a few years of education at primary school level. I can get you're maybe not that mentally strong at the moment, but you can't just expect the tax payer to pay for you because you are reluctant to try to do anything which is going to better your application for a job.

4) Well then, find out after you get your degree and in the mean time, try to get a basic job to tide you over.

5) That's understandable, it was just important you thought about if another degree was essential or not for an area you may/may not be interested in.

Reply 22

inthedark1

Original post by Omniscience

You do have the skills to survive, but your chances of succeeding at life (in regards to earning money) are quite low. This is not to say that you can't change yourself. You can learn the art of interacting with others. You can learn to improve your grades.

First of all, to get into a typical job, you need a 2:1 or higher. At the moment, you say that you are on track for a 2:2. There are ways through which you could possibly improve your marks. Have you ever consumed nootropics? These substances can improve your cognitive abilities to a certain degree. I would recommend that you start researching these substances. Activities such as meditation could possibly increase your concentration. Your diet can also contribute to your academic performance, so you may wish to have that checked out. Are you suffering from any vitamin deficiencies? Do you have any allergies/intolerances? In some cases, people have unknowingly consumed substances that have elicited a subtle negative response in their bodies.

I would also advise that you thoroughly evaluate your method of studying. For this, Jan Sramek's book is a good place to start. He achieved 10 As at A Level and First Class Honours from the London School of Economics. He writes about his own academic achievement in Racing Towards Excellence. Also, you should try out the method of loci (if you haven't already). This could help you to remember more facts and hopefully improve your academic performance.

On the social side of things, I think you need to talk more. Interaction is a must in all societies and the British one is no exception. Your connections or lack thereof could play an important part in your job seeking endeavour. If you feel inadequate with yourself, I would recommend that you work on your self esteem. The Six Pillars of Self Esteem is a good place to start. You should also try to change your perception of yourself (self concept). Psycho Cybernetics is my preferred book for that. The name may seem strange, but I assure you that the content is very useful.

Meditation may be useful in enhancing your communication ability. Mindfulness is crucial in a conversation and any social anxiety will disappear with persistent practice.

How to Win Friends and Influence People is another book with useful information about social interaction. Much of the advice may seem basic, but many people still do not apply them in interactions. If you haven't read it already, I would recommend that you do so immediately.

My advice is quite brief, but I do hope that it assists you in some way.

I agree with this but the only thing I don't buy anymore is that you need a 2.1 to succeed. Yes there are jobs/post grad courses that request it but its not the end of the world..most opportunities also take into account life/work experience. Voluntary work or paid work can assist with this.

Reply 23

Skyewoods

Original post by Bassetts

I don't like my degree but I have stuck with it (I'm in my final year now so I may as well see it through). I do try my best, I attend everything and do all the work, but a 2:2 is a real possibility (that's the grade I got in my first year and second year).

To add to that, I have no extra curricular activities I do. I did play a few sports here and there but never stuck with them. I'm not a leader of any societies or teams at uni so I have zero leadership skills and no teamwork skills beyond working in a few group assignments for my degree. The only things I do with my time is go on my computer in my room and go to the gym on my own.

I don't have any work experience. I haven't done any internships, no placements, no summer jobs, no term time jobs, nothing.

My social skills are frankly poor. I don't socialise, I don't go out, I don't go to parties, I don't go to clubs, I spend my days mostly avoiding contact with people because that's what I enjoy. I enjoy being on my own and doing things on my own. I am used to that way of life.

Do I have any hope after uni in the jobs market or life in general? I don't mind if you say no. Any tips to improve my situation or jobs that I could go for based on what I have wrote, I would be happy to hear. :smile: