My first grade was way lower than i thought
17
I'm a first-year uni student, and I handed in my first essay assignment about a month ago. I was happy with my essay and what I'd done, and I thought I'd get at least 65%. But I didn't, I got 52%. I was 3% off only a passing grade, and I'm so upset. I did quite well in my A levels; I always got a B or higher, but is it normal to do badly on your first assignment? I worked really hard on this essay; I stayed up late doing it, and I made sure everything made sense and that my points were clear. I re-read it a billion times, so why did I do so badly this time? They didn't really give me much feedback as well, just referencing errors, but no actual feedback on the content of my essay. Is this normal, or should I be worried?
Reply 1
Original post
by beefreyaI'm a first-year uni student, and I handed in my first essay assignment about a month ago. I was happy with my essay and what I'd done, and I thought I'd get at least 65%. But I didn't, I got 52%. I was 3% off only a passing grade, and I'm so upset. I did quite well in my A levels; I always got a B or higher, but is it normal to do badly on your first assignment? I worked really hard on this essay; I stayed up late doing it, and I made sure everything made sense and that my points were clear. I re-read it a billion times, so why did I do so badly this time? They didn't really give me much feedback as well, just referencing errors, but no actual feedback on the content of my essay. Is this normal, or should I be worried?
Check how they are marking. Some courses mark to a fixed standard, so the marking in the first year is the same standard as your final year. So marks are bound to be lower in the first year, and so long as you re learning, they increase year on year.
Reply 2
Original post
by beefreyaI'm a first-year uni student, and I handed in my first essay assignment about a month ago. I was happy with my essay and what I'd done, and I thought I'd get at least 65%. But I didn't, I got 52%. I was 3% off only a passing grade, and I'm so upset. I did quite well in my A levels; I always got a B or higher, but is it normal to do badly on your first assignment? I worked really hard on this essay; I stayed up late doing it, and I made sure everything made sense and that my points were clear. I re-read it a billion times, so why did I do so badly this time? They didn't really give me much feedback as well, just referencing errors, but no actual feedback on the content of my essay. Is this normal, or should I be worried?
Hi there Beefreya,
Firstly, please don't worry. If its the first essay you've ever written as a uni student, then it is quite normal to receive a lower grade you are expecting because it was your first time writing to a completely different style and standard. I think the best thing you can do is to arrange to talk to your lecturer who marked it (perhaps in their office hour) and ask them for some more feedback to help you improve.
Was it just the referencing/citations, or were there points about the content, or how you were arguing your points? Did you use enough back-up evidence? Did you consider alternative perspectives? Did you include modern material beyond the articles you were given in your lectures? Your lecturer will be the best person to advise you on this. If you understand what you need to do differently for a higher mark, then this will be a great help in getting you there.
I hope this helps, please don't panic as you have bags of time to improve, and have a great Christmas break.
Holly
University of Bath
(edited 12 months ago)
Original post
by beefreyaI'm a first-year uni student, and I handed in my first essay assignment about a month ago. I was happy with my essay and what I'd done, and I thought I'd get at least 65%. But I didn't, I got 52%. I was 3% off only a passing grade, and I'm so upset. I did quite well in my A levels; I always got a B or higher, but is it normal to do badly on your first assignment? I worked really hard on this essay; I stayed up late doing it, and I made sure everything made sense and that my points were clear. I re-read it a billion times, so why did I do so badly this time? They didn't really give me much feedback as well, just referencing errors, but no actual feedback on the content of my essay. Is this normal, or should I be worried?
Often early assignments are an adjustment for degree students - this is part of why usually first year doesn't count much or at all in many cases towards your final degree classification.
Also often initial assignments have a lot of marks aimed towards e.g. formatting, referencing and the like, so you learn how to properly format and reference a university level essay. Since in later years referencing "errors" can quickly lead to plagiarism proceedings, they may also be relatively harsh in marking these down (instead of referring you to a plagiarism board) for your first assignment to make sure that you learn how to do it properly.
That said, if you aren't sure why you didn't do as well as you hoped, or if there's any part of the feedback you're unclear on - go to the office hours for that module/lecturer and ask! That's what I did even when I got good results on an essay but some of the feedback where I had missed opportunities (or where I was dinged for a referencing issue which I didn't understand what I did wrong) I went to the office hour to discuss a bit more in detail in person
(I was also told I was the only person who had gone to any of the office hours for that module all term so...)
Original post
by beefreyaI'm a first-year uni student, and I handed in my first essay assignment about a month ago. I was happy with my essay and what I'd done, and I thought I'd get at least 65%. But I didn't, I got 52%. I was 3% off only a passing grade, and I'm so upset. I did quite well in my A levels; I always got a B or higher, but is it normal to do badly on your first assignment? I worked really hard on this essay; I stayed up late doing it, and I made sure everything made sense and that my points were clear. I re-read it a billion times, so why did I do so badly this time? They didn't really give me much feedback as well, just referencing errors, but no actual feedback on the content of my essay. Is this normal, or should I be worried?
Hey,
First of all, don’t be too hard on yourself. It’s completely normal for the transition from A-levels to university to come with a bit of a learning curve, especially when it comes to academic writing and assignments. A score of 52% on your first essay isn’t a bad start at all. In university marking systems, it still shows promise, and it’s great that you’re reflecting on what went well and what could be improved. Many students find that their first assignments are an adjustment period as they learn what’s expected at the higher level.
The lack of detailed feedback can definitely feel frustrating, especially when you worked so hard. At this stage, I’d recommend reaching out to your lecturer via email to request clarification on your essay’s marking and feedback. You could also use their office hours to discuss it face-to-face. Often, lecturers are happy to walk you through your work, explaining exactly what was strong and where you could improve. This can provide some valuable insights into what university-level work requires, especially in terms of critical analysis, structure, argument depth, and referencing.
Another resource you can lean on is your personal tutor. At the University of Salford, personal tutors are there to support students through academic and personal challenges. Your university is likely to have a similar system, and your tutor can help you understand how to navigate feedback, how to improve your essays, and even point you to study skills workshops if you need extra guidance.
Keep in mind, your first assignments don’t define your capabilities, they’re part of the learning process. What matters is taking this as an opportunity to grow and adapt to the new expectations. Use your lecturers’ advice, look into referencing guides if that was mentioned as an issue, and don’t hesitate to seek out additional support from your university. Over time, you’ll refine your technique, and your hard work will pay off!
Good luck,
Arslan – University of Salford Student Representative
Reply 5
Hi there,
It’s completely normal to feel disheartened after your first university assignment, especially when you’ve worked hard on it and it doesn’t meet your expectations. The transition from A-levels to university can be a tough adjustment, and many students find their first few assignments challenging. The standards are different, and universities often expect a deeper level of critical analysis, stronger referencing, and a more structured approach to presenting arguments than what you’re used to.
A score of 52% isn’t terrible—it’s still a pass, and it gives you a solid foundation to improve on. Many students find that their first essay is a learning curve, and as you get more feedback and adjust to university standards, your marks will likely improve.
It’s frustrating that you didn’t get detailed feedback. If the comments were mostly about referencing, it could be a good idea to meet with your tutor or lecturer to go through the essay and get specific advice on where you went wrong. They’re there to help, and showing you’re willing to learn from this is a great way to improve.
Don’t be too hard on yourself. Treat this as an opportunity to learn and refine your approach. Over time, you’ll figure out what your lecturers are looking for, and your grades will reflect that growth. You’re still at the start of your journey, and there’s plenty of time to get where you want to be.
Best,
Daniel
PhD Biology
It’s completely normal to feel disheartened after your first university assignment, especially when you’ve worked hard on it and it doesn’t meet your expectations. The transition from A-levels to university can be a tough adjustment, and many students find their first few assignments challenging. The standards are different, and universities often expect a deeper level of critical analysis, stronger referencing, and a more structured approach to presenting arguments than what you’re used to.
A score of 52% isn’t terrible—it’s still a pass, and it gives you a solid foundation to improve on. Many students find that their first essay is a learning curve, and as you get more feedback and adjust to university standards, your marks will likely improve.
It’s frustrating that you didn’t get detailed feedback. If the comments were mostly about referencing, it could be a good idea to meet with your tutor or lecturer to go through the essay and get specific advice on where you went wrong. They’re there to help, and showing you’re willing to learn from this is a great way to improve.
Don’t be too hard on yourself. Treat this as an opportunity to learn and refine your approach. Over time, you’ll figure out what your lecturers are looking for, and your grades will reflect that growth. You’re still at the start of your journey, and there’s plenty of time to get where you want to be.
Best,
Daniel
PhD Biology
Reply 6
Original post
by beefreyaI'm a first-year uni student, and I handed in my first essay assignment about a month ago. I was happy with my essay and what I'd done, and I thought I'd get at least 65%. But I didn't, I got 52%. I was 3% off only a passing grade, and I'm so upset. I did quite well in my A levels; I always got a B or higher, but is it normal to do badly on your first assignment? I worked really hard on this essay; I stayed up late doing it, and I made sure everything made sense and that my points were clear. I re-read it a billion times, so why did I do so badly this time? They didn't really give me much feedback as well, just referencing errors, but no actual feedback on the content of my essay. Is this normal, or should I be worried?
Hi
Please try not to worry about this, there will be more people than you think who receive a grade lower than they were expecting in their first University assignments.
However, I would try to see this as a learning opportunity, as you will be able to reflect back on this and then try to improve further. I would also suggest like others have suggested to gain feedback from your lecturers on this as they may be able to give you feedback in another way which you may find more useful.
I would also think about seeking support from your library team who will be able to help you with academic writing and referencing if you find that this is a weak point for yourself.
I hope this helps & well done on completing your first uni assignment.
Matt
Wrexham Uni Reps
Reply 7
Original post
by beefreyaI'm a first-year uni student, and I handed in my first essay assignment about a month ago. I was happy with my essay and what I'd done, and I thought I'd get at least 65%. But I didn't, I got 52%. I was 3% off only a passing grade, and I'm so upset. I did quite well in my A levels; I always got a B or higher, but is it normal to do badly on your first assignment? I worked really hard on this essay; I stayed up late doing it, and I made sure everything made sense and that my points were clear. I re-read it a billion times, so why did I do so badly this time? They didn't really give me much feedback as well, just referencing errors, but no actual feedback on the content of my essay. Is this normal, or should I be worried?
Hello Beefreya,
First thing I will say, which is a repetition of all the previous replies is don’t be too hard on yourself about this, your mark was not horrendous and I am sure that there are loads of people in your class who had the same mark and lower. Remember, it’s your first ever piece of marked work at uni. Not only have you had the move from home and has to adjust to a new way of life, you’ve also had to get used to a new way of learning and working so lots of factors have gone into this.
What I would suggest you do is make an appointment to see your tutor who marked the work, or your personal tutor in your department. Explain to them that you’re really worried about the mark and ask if you can have some feedback on how you can improve for next time. Ensure you make a note of the strengths of the work that they tell you about, too as you can build on these.
If the marks were lost because of style rather than content, you could look into having a session with the learning support team who can help you with referencing etc. remember it’s good to reach out and get some help as it will help you to improve in the future.
As disappointing as it is don’t worry, you’re not the only one and your marks will improve from now on I’m sure,
Good luck with your course
Jess
University of Chester
Reply 8
Original post
by beefreyaI'm a first-year uni student, and I handed in my first essay assignment about a month ago. I was happy with my essay and what I'd done, and I thought I'd get at least 65%. But I didn't, I got 52%. I was 3% off only a passing grade, and I'm so upset. I did quite well in my A levels; I always got a B or higher, but is it normal to do badly on your first assignment? I worked really hard on this essay; I stayed up late doing it, and I made sure everything made sense and that my points were clear. I re-read it a billion times, so why did I do so badly this time? They didn't really give me much feedback as well, just referencing errors, but no actual feedback on the content of my essay. Is this normal, or should I be worried?
Hello,
My name is Alex, and I'm a second year Psychology student at York St John. I understand where you're coming from - moving from A-Level to university assignments is a huge adjustment, and it can be confusing to apply the methods you learnt in A-Level and for them to not work as effectively at university. Getting 52 on your first ever assignment is certainly not something to be ashamed of. University essays are often structured very differently to A-Level, and first year is rocky for many people as they get used to the new structures - I know it certainly was for me! Oftentimes the first year grades don't even count towards your final degree classification - I'd definitely find out if this is the case, as it might put your mind at ease about grades in the first year.
Feedback can certainly be limited sometimes, especially in large cohorts where lecturers have tons of essays to mark. Does your essay have a mark scheme or assessment brief? If so, I'd look over every point on the mark scheme and ensure you've checked every box. If you feel like you have, perhaps you could book some time with the lecturer who marked your assignment so you can discuss your grade face-to-face.
If you choose to do so, I'd recommend going in with a list of questions - things such as:
•
Did I miss any expected content that might have impacted my grade?
•
Were there issues with how I was describing/evaluating the evidence?
•
Did I format the essay properly?
The mark scheme can help you create these questions and personalise them to your piece of work. But overall, I'd say don't fret! You're doing great for the first assignment, and if you book time with the marker to get constructive feedback, you can use these points in your next assignment. You're not expected to be an expert at University right away - otherwise, what would be the point in going? Good work takes time and effort, and the fact you care so much shows you have the dedication needed to improve. You'll be fine! Relax now and enjoy your time off
I hope this helped!
Alex, Student Ambassador
Reply 9
Hey there,
First of all, well done on handing in your first assignment! The step up to uni is a big one and is very different to your A-levels, so you should be proud of yourself no matter your grade.
I would keep in mind that first-year grades either don't count at all towards your final degree grade, or only a small percentage of your overall first-year grade does (depending on what Uni you go to, so you should check this for more peace of mind) - so this will most likely not affect your final degree grade! The first year is meant to get people up to speed with content, writing methods, and how to balance uni work and real work/social life etc.
I would recommend asking for a meeting, either with your personal tutor or the module leader for this assignment and ask them to go through your assignment and help show you what to improve next time, as you can only get better with practice. You might find as well that your next essays will just naturally sound better as the more you do, the better you will get at them.
Please don't let this worry you too much! Everything will be okay in the end 🙂
Jorja (LJMU Student Rep)
First of all, well done on handing in your first assignment! The step up to uni is a big one and is very different to your A-levels, so you should be proud of yourself no matter your grade.
I would keep in mind that first-year grades either don't count at all towards your final degree grade, or only a small percentage of your overall first-year grade does (depending on what Uni you go to, so you should check this for more peace of mind) - so this will most likely not affect your final degree grade! The first year is meant to get people up to speed with content, writing methods, and how to balance uni work and real work/social life etc.
I would recommend asking for a meeting, either with your personal tutor or the module leader for this assignment and ask them to go through your assignment and help show you what to improve next time, as you can only get better with practice. You might find as well that your next essays will just naturally sound better as the more you do, the better you will get at them.
Please don't let this worry you too much! Everything will be okay in the end 🙂
Jorja (LJMU Student Rep)
Reply 10
Did the module handbook specify the learning outcomes for the module and that assignment in particular?
Quick Reply
Related discussions
- How was the TMUA 2024/2025
- What is a bad grade for uni essays?
- GCSE Edexcel Astronomy Paper 2-2025
- Help please!!! Bad a level grades and want to do medicine
- How does roehampton uni calculate degree classifications?
- Am I Good Enough to Apply for Oxford Masters?
- My GCSE results
- How Did Everyone Find BPhO Round 1 2025?
- A level product design coursework results
- OCR A-level Mathematics A Paper 3 - 19th June 2025 [Exam Chat]
- can i get into universities with lower predicted grades than they require??
- OCR A-level Further Mathematics A Mechanics - 13th June 2025 [Exam Chat]
- SQA Higher Business Management - 22nd May 2025 [exam chat]
- TMUA for Imperial Maths
- Is there still time to improve my grades?
- Spanish CIE IGCSE Reading
- Flopped my Alevels can I still apply to Med school
- screwed a levels, now my Asian parents are furious
- edspace for maths and english gcse?
- How lenient is Cardiff University?
Latest
Trending
Last reply 4 months ago
Laptop vs iPad for universityLast reply 4 months ago
living away from home for university- pros / cons, advice ?University life
15
15
Last reply 4 months ago
Should I Appeal an Academic Misconduct Finding at a UK University?Last reply 4 months ago
Will I be an outcast in uni if I don’t use social media?University life
14
13
Articles for you
How The Student Room is moderated
To keep The Student Room safe for everyone, we moderate posts that are added to the site.
