How hard is it to actually get a first in your degree?
6th former here, no actual realistic understanding of how hard uni is.
How many people actually get firsts?
Is it like getting A* at Alevel?
Also same for a 2.1.
How many people actually get firsts?
Is it like getting A* at Alevel?
Also same for a 2.1.
Reply 1
im y13, but 1st is basically a/a*, 2-1 is basically a b i think
Reply 2
Original post
by Jay923456th former here, no actual realistic understanding of how hard uni is.
How many people actually get firsts?
Is it like getting A* at Alevel?
Also same for a 2.1.
How many people actually get firsts?
Is it like getting A* at Alevel?
Also same for a 2.1.
It was tough and I did get a 2:1 in my first degree too but that it also a lot of hard work
I'm on track for a first (I'm in my final year) and I'm not struggling particularly, but I think I have a very different mindset now compared with when I was younger.
It's more about mindset than anything else I reckon. You need to be focused and determined to study hard, do your assignments on time, and not put things like socialising above study. Read a lot, research a lot, but effort in, and you'll do it.
I only got BCC for A Levels. I skipped classes a lot and didn't study half as much as I ought to have done. I just didn't put any effort in.
It's more about mindset than anything else I reckon. You need to be focused and determined to study hard, do your assignments on time, and not put things like socialising above study. Read a lot, research a lot, but effort in, and you'll do it.
I only got BCC for A Levels. I skipped classes a lot and didn't study half as much as I ought to have done. I just didn't put any effort in.
Reply 4
Original post
by Jay923456th former here, no actual realistic understanding of how hard uni is.
How many people actually get firsts?
Is it like getting A* at Alevel?
Also same for a 2.1.
How many people actually get firsts?
Is it like getting A* at Alevel?
Also same for a 2.1.
Hey @Jay92345 👋
That is a great question, and is something I often thought about before starting university.
In my opinion, university is very different to sixth form/college. You're expected to be a lot more independent at university, and you have to be self-disciplined. I truly believe that the more effort you put in, the more you will get out of it.
It's so important, however, to remember that the university is there to support you: if you have any questions or require any advice, your lecturers will be more than happy to help you. Furthermore, if for whatever reason you don't obtain the grade you expected, you will gain feedback from your lecturer(s) about how you can improve next time.
Try not to worry about it too much - university is a lot more enjoyable than a-levels in my opinion, and the independence and confidence you build makes it a truly amazing experience.
Best of luck with your future studies. If you have any further questions about university life, let me know! 😀
Lauren
WrexhamUniReps
Reply 5
20
It differs by course and institution, because not all courses, graders, markschemes etc are created equal. In my dept, about 20% get a first (quantitative subject). It was about 35% in covid which says a lot about the assessment methods.
When I did my degree, I was one of four in a cohort of about 60 to get a first. I had to do a LOT of work for that, but I didn't find it 'hard'. Challenging, sure. But I loved it, so that takes the sting out.
On the whole, it's difficult-ish but if you get your eggs in a row, entirely achievable.
When I did my degree, I was one of four in a cohort of about 60 to get a first. I had to do a LOT of work for that, but I didn't find it 'hard'. Challenging, sure. But I loved it, so that takes the sting out.
On the whole, it's difficult-ish but if you get your eggs in a row, entirely achievable.
Reply 6
Original post
by Jay923456th former here, no actual realistic understanding of how hard uni is.
How many people actually get firsts?
Is it like getting A* at Alevel?
Also same for a 2.1.
How many people actually get firsts?
Is it like getting A* at Alevel?
Also same for a 2.1.
I think how hard it will be to get a first will differ significantly depending on the individual, your courses, and the University itself. Some universities do require a higher overall percentage for a first. My current GPA would be a first at the university my flatmate attends, but is within the 2:1 range at my university.
I was a straight A student all through school, but have found that at Uni I'm exactly split between As and Bs.
Courses are more challenging, marking is much stricter, but it is also a lot more interesting.
Getting a first in uni is not comparable to any grade in school. However, it is also not essential. Lots of people work very hard to get a 2:1 and it is still highly respected and a huge achievement.
My advice would be try to enjoy Uni and don't go into it putting too much pressure on getting a first, (I done that and regret it), and don't be upset if it takes a year or two to adjust to the style of assessments at your uni. It is a learning process and you are also there to have fun and make friends too
Reply 7
Hi there,
I really think that the 'difficulty' levels on getting a 1st class degree at Uni really depend on the combination of what course you are taking, how much effort you are willing to put in and how much you are actually enjoying Uni!
I personally really struggled with my A-levels, barely scraping BBB at the end of it. Because of this, I came to Uni thinking that I would also really struggle with that, but I'm currently on track to receiving a 1:1 (first class) in July, with my overall grade currently being above 80% I've definitely found everything I've done at University easier than anything I ever did at A-level - but I think it's really different for each person. I did 3 STEM subjects for A-level, where there was no coursework, just exams. At Uni, I study a BSc and I have a mixture of coursework and exams which I think helps boost my grade as well. On the other hand, I have a friend doing a different science degree and they have found it much harder than their A-levels, but they did fewer STEM A-levels.
It's really hard to say that getting a 1:1 is super easy or super hard, BUT if you're willing to put a lot of work into a degree then you'll find it much easier than leaving things last minute and barely attending lectures etc.
Good luck!!
Jorja (LJMU Student Rep)
I really think that the 'difficulty' levels on getting a 1st class degree at Uni really depend on the combination of what course you are taking, how much effort you are willing to put in and how much you are actually enjoying Uni!
I personally really struggled with my A-levels, barely scraping BBB at the end of it. Because of this, I came to Uni thinking that I would also really struggle with that, but I'm currently on track to receiving a 1:1 (first class) in July, with my overall grade currently being above 80%
I've definitely found everything I've done at University easier than anything I ever did at A-level - but I think it's really different for each person. I did 3 STEM subjects for A-level, where there was no coursework, just exams. At Uni, I study a BSc and I have a mixture of coursework and exams which I think helps boost my grade as well. On the other hand, I have a friend doing a different science degree and they have found it much harder than their A-levels, but they did fewer STEM A-levels.It's really hard to say that getting a 1:1 is super easy or super hard, BUT if you're willing to put a lot of work into a degree then you'll find it much easier than leaving things last minute and barely attending lectures etc.
Good luck!!
Jorja (LJMU Student Rep)
Reply 8
20
Original post
by LJMUStudentRepsHi there,
I really think that the 'difficulty' levels on getting a 1st class degree at Uni really depend on the combination of what course you are taking, how much effort you are willing to put in and how much you are actually enjoying Uni!
I personally really struggled with my A-levels, barely scraping BBB at the end of it. Because of this, I came to Uni thinking that I would also really struggle with that, but I'm currently on track to receiving a 1:1 (first class) in July, with my overall grade currently being above 80% I've definitely found everything I've done at University easier than anything I ever did at A-level - but I think it's really different for each person. I did 3 STEM subjects for A-level, where there was no coursework, just exams. At Uni, I study a BSc and I have a mixture of coursework and exams which I think helps boost my grade as well. On the other hand, I have a friend doing a different science degree and they have found it much harder than their A-levels, but they did fewer STEM A-levels.
It's really hard to say that getting a 1:1 is super easy or super hard, BUT if you're willing to put a lot of work into a degree then you'll find it much easier than leaving things last minute and barely attending lectures etc.
Good luck!!
Jorja (LJMU Student Rep)
I really think that the 'difficulty' levels on getting a 1st class degree at Uni really depend on the combination of what course you are taking, how much effort you are willing to put in and how much you are actually enjoying Uni!
I personally really struggled with my A-levels, barely scraping BBB at the end of it. Because of this, I came to Uni thinking that I would also really struggle with that, but I'm currently on track to receiving a 1:1 (first class) in July, with my overall grade currently being above 80%
I've definitely found everything I've done at University easier than anything I ever did at A-level - but I think it's really different for each person. I did 3 STEM subjects for A-level, where there was no coursework, just exams. At Uni, I study a BSc and I have a mixture of coursework and exams which I think helps boost my grade as well. On the other hand, I have a friend doing a different science degree and they have found it much harder than their A-levels, but they did fewer STEM A-levels.It's really hard to say that getting a 1:1 is super easy or super hard, BUT if you're willing to put a lot of work into a degree then you'll find it much easier than leaving things last minute and barely attending lectures etc.
Good luck!!
Jorja (LJMU Student Rep)
There's no such thing as a 1:1, it is simply a I (well done, though - great effort!).
Reply 9
I think it depends who you are and what you do with your time. I knew a guy in my final year who got a first but as a mature student he rarely socialised with anyone, he studied all the time except Saturdays which he spent with his kids, he got over 80% on all of his essays. I also knew a guy who got a first but he was just naturally gifted. I think it also depends on the subject of you have passion or natural aptitude for the subject then you may have to work a little less hard to get the good grades, either way you need to be prepared to put in the effort to get a first. I got a 2:2 on my first degree i am in line for 2:1 on this one, a first would be nice but i really don't think its within my grasp.
(edited 11 months ago)
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