So you want to get a first Class degree?

Well I have one. Who better to learn the secret tips and techniques than from someone who has achieved a First.

There are so many myths and misleading facts floating around about first class degrees. Each year media outlets tally the statistics to tell you what University or degree courses are most likely to hand out a 1:1 and which ones to avoid. Articles like these are not helpful, as not only can they lead students towards the wrong path, but they also overlook the nitty gritty realities of actually obtaining a first once you reach Uni.

In addition to this there are a whole host of urban legends surrounding college performance. These range wildly from that “friend of a friend” who aced her exams still drunk from the night before to “a guy I know” who got a distinction after an entirely sleep- free week.

There are of course exceptions to the rule, but the reality of obtaining that 1:1 is a lot more boring and involves common sense, self- care and some planning.

So read on if you want to know how to get a first class degree.

 

Really think about WHY you want a first

Uni is going to be an amazing time in your life but it will also have some challenging moments. When you have several deadlines looming, are living off value brand pasta and your housemate has stolen your socks off the line again it’s very easy to ask – “Why am I doing this”.

Telling yourself you need a first to “get a good job” isn’t going to cut it (and nowadays probably isn’t true) and neither is pressuring yourself to please others i.e. “My sister got a first and so should I”.

If you want to push yourself for a first it should be something that YOU really want. Think about what it means to you personally and what your goals are. Remind yourself of these when things get tough and your motivation starts to wane.

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You might also like to read this guide of 27 science-backed tips to better revision. The tips will improve your grades. 

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Get to know the course breakdown inside- out

This is such a basic and strategic thing which so many people overlook! In order to do well it really helps to know what lies ahead for the coming year, and to plan accordingly. Ideally, you should have a diary, calendar etc. with details of each exam/ Assignment, due dates, number of credits etc.

You really don’t want to spend a month on a presentation worth 10% only to leave yourself short for an essay worth 70%. It’s all about prioritising and managing time effectively to maximise your chances.

Also, if you know the breakdown of your year in advance, you can plan in a way that will not adversely affect your ambitions for a first but still allow you to have a social life.

 

Learn how to research effectively

It’s one of the biggest changes involved in the transition to Uni and a skill that will really make the difference to your grades – independent research.

It’s vital to get to know the resources at your disposal such as online catalogues, specific journals and even the old – school method of reading library books. You will of course be provided with a reading list for many subjects but if you want a first class degree you really need to move beyond that.

There are also a range of subject- specific blogs and YouTube channels out there that can really help when it comes to understanding a complicated Topic or getting a different perspective on something. Many courses, for example, demand some statistics work and there are some excellent YouTube channels out there that can talk you through the theory and process behind different statistical methods.

We undertook a study with more than 2000 students to find their most effective study habits. The difference in studying effectively can be the difference between a first and a 2:1. Click here if you want to find out how to study effectively.

 

Answer the Question

In my opinion this is the most important point of all. In pressurised circumstances our minds can jump ahead to a really interesting point we want to make, the library book we want to reference and how many synonyms there are for the word “context”. STOP! If you don’t specifically tailor your answer to the question at hand, and really focus on what the examiner is looking for, then you are in for a shock.

Ask yourself:

• What exactly does this question mean (break it down)?
• How can I demonstrate my understanding of the relevant coursework?
• What will I need to research to show that I have built on this basic knowledge?
• What can I do to exceed the expected standard?

By really precisely answering the question, you can push your grades into first class territory.

 

Critical Thinking

Before an assignment take the time to read up on the topic at hand and decide on the argument and approach you are going to take. Make sure you have the evidence to back up your points and that this evidence comes from a wide range of sources. Sometimes, what you find may differ slightly to your lecturers approach. This is okay as long as you are using reliable sources and make a clear case for your argument.

Never “waffle” or base an argument solely on subjective reasoning.

If you have a genuine opinion on something, and are able to back this up using a rational and logical argument, the high grades will follow.

 

Chat to a recent alumnus

Some of the best advice you will get will be from someone who’s “been there, done that”. If you know or know of someone who’s completed your course then shoot them a message. Even if you don’t know someone, many admissions teams can facilitate you in getting in touch with a recent graduate.

They’ll have an unrivalled insight into what you need to do to ace your course as they’ll have completed similar modules, assignments and may even have been taught by the same lecturers. They can give you really good advice around reading materials, modules they enjoyed and different lecturer’s styles of assessment and grading.

It also helps to speak with someone who has finished your course and is out in the real world pursuing a career in your field. This can help to motivate you and give you a look at the bigger picture.

 

Get to grips with the basics: Formatting and referencing

This seems like a really obvious point but it’s the small details that could scupper your plans for a first class honours.

Sometimes we get so caught up in the content of our argument that we neglect basic formatting. Each discipline will have its own formatting style be that Harvard, MLA or APA and it is vital to have an up- to- date understanding of what that requires and entails.

Make a habit of running through a checklist before handing each assignment up. This process should involve proof- reading for spelling and syntax errors, checking the referencing and formatting and maybe even running through a plagiarism checker if you have any doubts.

This may seem like stating the obvious, but a simple error can be the difference between a 69 and a 70 in the competitive world of academia.

 

Get to know your classmates

Don’t be shy! Your fellow classmates are by far your best resource and you should definitely attend those class parties and go for coffee with that person who seemed nice at orientation.

Your classmates are the only people who will struggle with all the same stresses and assignments as you and you will really need them for academic support and advice from time- to- time. On a really practical level it also helps if you have someone you can borrow notes from when the need arises, or

team up with for presentations. Group work is so much easier when you know the people you’re working with.. and who to avoid!

Having classmates you can call friends is also great for keeping you on track to succeed. It’s really hard to stay motivated for an exam when everyone else is free and easy but if a few pals are also locked in the library it makes it a bit more bearable. It also makes it less likely that you will ditch the books for pitchers and pizza. Your class will be doing this once the exam is done with anyways!

 

Use your department

This doesn’t just mean taking advantage of the complimentary beverages i.e. wine when there’s a guest speaker about. It means taking full advantage of the extensive experience and feedback service available to you.

Most courses will provide you with a designated tutor. A surprising amount of students are too embarrassed or reluctant to arrange meetings. If you want a first and are doing well, but not quite hitting the high notes, it’s perfectly acceptable to meet with your tutor regarding what you can improve on. They may even lend you or suggest some interesting reading materials. A quick chat can help to re- focus you and improve your confidence.

Similarly, if you were disappointed with a result it won’t hurt to ask for feedback. It’s disheartening to work hard and not get the results you want, but the most adaptive thing you can do is learn from it and apply it to the next assignment.

Different departments will also often host seminars about a certain topic or invite guest speakers to give their thoughts on a topical issue. It’s a good idea to try to make it to these if possible due to a) free beverages (see above) but also b) It will give you a more rounded understanding of your subject, and make for an excellent point of reference in assignments.

 

Past exam papers are your best friend

Coming up to exams it really helps to structure study around the type of questions you’re going to be asked. If an essay on Medieval literature comes up every year then why have you only spent half an hour looking over the notes, and five hours studying Cinema of Italy which has only come up once in the last 10 years?

Get VERY familiar with the topics your lecturer seems to like and the guaranteed exam topics. That’s not to say you should be predicting the paper! Have a solid grasp of everything, but make sure to keep in mind the pattern of papers over the last ten years or so. This way, when the paper is plonked in front of you it will be in a format you are already familiar with.

A good strategy leading up to exams, once you have done a good bit of general revising, is to go through as many of the papers that you have at your disposal. If you can brainstorm or mentally talk through an answer to most of the questions then you are on to a winner. If on the other hand, there are questions that leave you stumped, then these are the areas to brush up on.

 

Go to your lectures and tutorials

Okay, so with systems like Blackboard you can pass modules and maybe even do very well without going to lectures. I completely agree with that, and there are definitely people who get first class honours with less than exemplary attendance.

Obviously if attendance is taken and you are graded accordingly there is a big reason to be there! If not- there are still reasons!

The slides you have will not contain ALL of the information, and with attendance rates often somewhat feeble for undergraduate Uni lectures, lecturers will often hold back hints and tips for those that are actually there. I have been at lectures where we were literally told upcoming exam questions verbatim. Having that kind of information is of immeasurable advantage. It also gives you a chance to ask for clarification on a topic or to hear others ask questions which may give you a better insight.

The same is true of tutorials where you get a rare opportunity in a smaller group to ask questions and have some interesting discussions.

At the end of the day this experience is costing a hell of a lot and you may as well get the most out of it.

 

Follow your interests

When given a choice of topic, choose something that you connect with and that excites you.

If you’re interested, and can get that across in your writing, the reader (and marker) is going to be interested too.

This is particularly true when it comes to something you’re going to be spending a lot of time on, like a dissertation or final year project. When you genuinely enjoy what you’re reading about you’ll be much more likely to go the extra mile and avoid the project fatigue which inevitably sets in for many.

In addition to this, if you select something which you may be interested in long- term, you’ll have something really solid to talk about once you get to interviews.

 

And finally…. Try not to stress too much!

In my experience first class students are rarely the ones panicking and exhausting themselves with study before an exam. A certain amount of stress is necessary and adaptive to get ourselves in gear but becoming overwhelmed and unhappy is never good.

Unfortunately, many students aiming for that high grade put too much pressure on themselves and end up burning out as a result. No degree is worth sacrificing your mental health for and you want your time in Uni to be a positive and fulfilling experience, not a nightmare.

If you are finding things overwhelming ask yourself why you are feeling so much pressure and talk to a family member, friend or staff member. It’s great to aim high if that’s what you want, but if it’s at the expense of everything else then take a step back and show yourself some kindness.

And get out this amazing infographic to how to Beat Exam Stress, which highlights the results of a survey with students showing how they beat exam stress.

Practice self- care and take time for you, to do what you enjoy. Building some sort of physical activity into your week is a great way to release endorphins and blow off steam, as is having an excellent laugh with your friends in the pub every now and again. Make sure to get some sleep and eat as well as you can on an often limited budget- it will stand to you!

These steps are obviously not a sure- fire way to get a first class degree, but they will help. It’s also important to say that if you don’t get that 1:1 you’ve worked for, it’s not the end of the world. Very few employers specify these stellar grades and you can more than make up for it with experience and commitment to whatever route you choose to go down. Our academic and career paths are becoming increasingly fluid, with so many people changing course along the way. Focus on getting to know yourself and what excites you, do your best and enjoy it!

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