is anyone else doing really bad in uni (in terms of grades)

im not really sure what the point is of this post other than a vent tbh. anyway i got two assignments back and got a 59 and a 58 in both, theyre worth 50% of my module grade and its really stressing me out. i know theyre not horrible but i really want a 2:1 and if i average a 2:2 on essays i actually put effort into then i feel like ill graduate with a 2:2.
i just feel demotivated because it feels like no matter what i write itll be **** and will get a 58/59 so i dont really see the point in trying. it just felt much easier in first yr (im in 2nd yr now)

Reply 1

Scienceisgood

21

Look at your feedback and try and determine what you did wrong and build on it. I went back to get my Masters in the 23-24 academic year having spent 5 years out of education (graduated in 2018), BSc in Biomedical Science and MSc in the same (specialism in Clinical Biochemistry).

After getting my first mark back and getting a 52 (which I believe was exceptionally harsh as they also marked me on nerves), I looked at the feedback and built on it, it wasn’t the information as such but how I presented my information I.e my graph wasn’t as good as it could be and my writing style was sloppy.

Having built up on this info, I reflected on it and then started changing it, after Christmas achieving consistent 67-70% (with the exception of one module piece of work which averaged a 60, all I can say is because something is interesting, doesn’t mean it’s easy to find evidence for).

Look at your feedback and build on it, all you can do is improve!

EDIT:
I graduated with Merit in November, so reflect on feedback and improve on your next piece!

(edited 11 months ago)

Reply 2

Coventry University Student Ambassadors

Official Rep

18

Original post

by Anonymous

im not really sure what the point is of this post other than a vent tbh. anyway i got two assignments back and got a 59 and a 58 in both, theyre worth 50% of my module grade and its really stressing me out. i know theyre not horrible but i really want a 2:1 and if i average a 2:2 on essays i actually put effort into then i feel like ill graduate with a 2:2.
i just feel demotivated because it feels like no matter what i write itll be **** and will get a 58/59 so i dont really see the point in trying. it just felt much easier in first yr (im in 2nd yr now)

Hi there,

sorry to hear you're struggling and 2nd year can definitely be a huge step up from first year making you feel like you're maybe not doing as well or something's wrong but it can often be an opportunity to highlight where things aren't quite right and you can improve that ready for the rest of second year and all the third year so don't worry if your grades are slightly below where you'd like them to be now.

I would focus on double checking the mark schemes because what you want to write often isn't exactly what they're asking you for and for coursework or exams they can only award points that things they've specifically asked you for so my biggest tip from second year was really looking at those.

Another idea is if you're struggling with understanding the content not just writing it and getting a lower mark but actually understanding I would talk to your lecturers see if there's anything they can do to support you in this as most lecturers are really happy to provide extra support to students who want to learn.
Try not to get down spirited as often if you talk to others on the course you'll find that they might be struggling with this adjustment aswell.

Hope this helps
Amber
Coventry university student ambassador

Reply 3

University of Bath

Official Rep

14

Original post

by Anonymous

im not really sure what the point is of this post other than a vent tbh. anyway i got two assignments back and got a 59 and a 58 in both, theyre worth 50% of my module grade and its really stressing me out. i know theyre not horrible but i really want a 2:1 and if i average a 2:2 on essays i actually put effort into then i feel like ill graduate with a 2:2.
i just feel demotivated because it feels like no matter what i write itll be **** and will get a 58/59 so i dont really see the point in trying. it just felt much easier in first yr (im in 2nd yr now)

Hi there,

Building on your feedback and having it sat next to you as you work on your next assignment is definitely a good call, and if you feel like you'd like more or want some clarification, then perhaps try to book a time to meet with your lecturer and quiz them for some tips on getting better grades, or characteristics they like to see in 1st class assignments.

One tip which helped me is to really utilise those lecturers before you write your assignment. Make a little plan of the information/content points you plan to cover in your essay, and go to your lecturer with the points either in your head or written in bullet point form and tell/show it to them. Some lecturers will be more than happy to give you their opinion of what you plan to write and maybe give tips on how to make it the best you can.

Also, just remember that second year is a big step up from first year, and so please don't feel disheartened - its normal to get lower grades at the start of a new year and for them to improve as you learn more and get more feedback to work on. Where you are does not reflect where you will be by your final year 🙂

Hope this helps!

Holly
University of Bath

Reply 4

UEA Rep Grace

10

Original post

by Anonymous

im not really sure what the point is of this post other than a vent tbh. anyway i got two assignments back and got a 59 and a 58 in both, theyre worth 50% of my module grade and its really stressing me out. i know theyre not horrible but i really want a 2:1 and if i average a 2:2 on essays i actually put effort into then i feel like ill graduate with a 2:2.
i just feel demotivated because it feels like no matter what i write itll be **** and will get a 58/59 so i dont really see the point in trying. it just felt much easier in first yr (im in 2nd yr now)

Hi,

I definitely agree with you that second year is a big step up from first year. I had a similar situation where I went from first class essays to repeatedly getting a 52 and you're right that it feels hopeless. I felt like I was doing everything I'd done the previous year and just couldn't understand why I had gone down in grades?

However I think it's a good sign that you're not going down too much from your first assignment to your next; you're averaging around a 59/8. I wondered if you'd considered reaching out to see if there's any help available- here at UEA we have our Learning Enhancement Team that can help with essay writing as well as other things. It might take some of the pressure off you by having someone else give you tips or work through your feedback with you.

Lastly, don't give up! Even graduating with a 2:2 is a big achievement, and hopefully it will get you where to want to go in the future. Though I understand really wanting to graduate with 2:1. And I know that's easy for me to say, but it sounds like you worked really hard in your first year to get good grades, and even though it might be demotivating to have a dip it sounds like you're still hard-working enough to turn it around!

Please let me know if you want to vent a bit more or have any questions. I hope it all goes well for you!

Best,
UEA Rep Grace

Reply 5

hallamstudents

Official Rep

18

Original post

by Anonymous

im not really sure what the point is of this post other than a vent tbh. anyway i got two assignments back and got a 59 and a 58 in both, theyre worth 50% of my module grade and its really stressing me out. i know theyre not horrible but i really want a 2:1 and if i average a 2:2 on essays i actually put effort into then i feel like ill graduate with a 2:2.
i just feel demotivated because it feels like no matter what i write itll be **** and will get a 58/59 so i dont really see the point in trying. it just felt much easier in first yr (im in 2nd yr now)

Hi there,

I am sorry that you have been struggling with your grades and I know it can be tough when you don't achieve the marks that you were hoping to, especially when you have put a lot of time and effort into your work.

Here are some of the tips that I would give and what I do to try and get the best grade that I can:

1.

Take any opportunity to talk to your tutors and get formative feedback. If there is a chance to submit a draft, or show your work at a drop in session etc, then do it! This is the best chance for your tutors to read your work and help you with what you need to do and how you can improve. You can then do your corrections and you will get a better grade.

1.

Similarly, talk to your tutors as soon as you think of any problems or questions. They are there to help you and if you think of a question at all, make sure you ask them as they will answer it as best they can. If you are unsure of anything, ask it as soon as you can as it is best to know the answer as soon as you can.

1.

Make sure that you fix things which are an easy fix. Make sure your referencing is always correct and in the format that it needs to be for your University. Some use APA, some Harvard so make sure this is correct. It it needs to be alphabetical in your reference lost, make sure this is correct too.

1.

Make sure you are writing critically and forming a good argument. If you are struggling with this, have a look and see if your Uni puts on any sessions to help with this. Sometimes the library will put on sessions where you can learn how to do this properly to make sure you are doing it right as this will help your grade.

1.

Take on board any feedback you have received previously. Look back through your old assignments and see write done any common feedback that you have received and make sure you implement this into your work.

1.

Use the marking grid closely when writing your work. You can usually print out the marking rubric and make sure you are following it all closely. You could also highlight what has been done and what you need to do so you can make sure you get it all done.

I hope some of this helps,

Lucy -SHU student ambassador.

Reply 6

Kingston Eve

Official Rep

13

Original post

by Anonymous

im not really sure what the point is of this post other than a vent tbh. anyway i got two assignments back and got a 59 and a 58 in both, theyre worth 50% of my module grade and its really stressing me out. i know theyre not horrible but i really want a 2:1 and if i average a 2:2 on essays i actually put effort into then i feel like ill graduate with a 2:2.
i just feel demotivated because it feels like no matter what i write itll be **** and will get a 58/59 so i dont really see the point in trying. it just felt much easier in first yr (im in 2nd yr now)

Hi,

If you're still only in second year, try not to worry - you have lots of time to improve and get your overall grade up. 🙂

I agree with all of the advice here: read the feedback from each of your assignments and see where you're losing marks (e.g. depth of content, formatting, understanding of material). If you don't understand how to improve in the areas mentioned in your feedback, reach out to your lecturers and tutors and ask them directly.

It might also be worthwhile attending office hours prior to submitting assignments to run over any of your concerns about your submission with your lecturers. If your university has an academic support service, I would also recommend looking into that; I know here at Kingston they have relevant faculty staff members who can read sections of your paper and give you feedback prior to the assignment deadline date.

Best of luck with the remainder of your second year!
Eve (Kingston Rep).

is anyone else doing really bad in uni (in terms of grades)

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