Tips on getting a first class degree in university
When exam time comes around, make sure you're eating right fuel foods and not stressing too much– worrying won't get you that first!
Top tips for getting a first
1. You need to really want it
Just to state the obvious, if you're aiming for a first class degree you have to be prepared to put in maximum effort.
Students who manage to achieve a first tend to be those who have a genuine desire to do the best they can consistently throughout the year, not just nail the occasional top grade and hope these will pull up a few bare passes.
Getting consistently decent grades involves planning ahead, being organised and not leaving your assignment until the day before. If you struggle with getting yourself organised when it comes to uni, we've got a guide to help you out.
Even if you're one of these people who insists you work best under pressure – don't be foolish enough to think you'll get a first this way. If you frequently leave coursework to the last minute, you don't want this first class degree enough.
2. Research, research, research
If you have the attitude of 'I've been to all my lectures and seminars, so I'm doing everything I can', then you might as well quit now.
Uni contact hours are notoriously low, and whilst going to classes is incredibly important, it's the hours you put in outside of class and lectures that really matter. Read through your course handbook carefully, and you're likely to find that the number of hours you're expectedto put in each week are pretty high.
Getting a first isn't just about blagging your way through or managing to pull a fast one on deadline dates. If you're serious about it, reading around outside of your recommended reading list is crucial.
This doesn't mean reading academic texts cover-to-cover, of course. Don't spend hours and hours researching in one go. This just doesn't work and you'll end up forgetting most of what you read.
Instead, bookmark relevant websites, set google alerts for topics you're thinking of writing an essay or doing you dissertation on, and just generally try to keep up to date with relevant discussion. Reading about developments in your area of academic interest should become part of your daily routine.
Over time, as you read around and get different perspectives, this will also help you to think critically and form an opinion of your own (don't just assume the same stance as your tutors – this isn't their goal and isn't likely to impress them… unless this is genuinely your stance, obvs).
3. Learn to love the library
First thing's first – there's a difference between setting up shop in the library from dawn till dusk with half the contents of your bedroom spread across the desk to make you feel more at home while you pretend to work. As you may have guessed, we hate these people.
Whilst learning to enjoy spending time in the uni library is really important, wasting time there socialising/ sleeping/ catching up on Bake Off isn't gonna get you anywhere.
Whilst online journals are a great resource, the best grades are normally awarded to students who can demonstrate they've made an effort to use a range of different sources, and that includes trusty old paper books.
After a while, you'll start to actually enjoy to process of searching and finding books that are relevant to your ideas. Just make sure that you take note of everything you use before putting that book back on the shelf (we're talking, page numbers, chapters, authors, serial number, library shelf you found it on, the lot!). CHances are, if you haven't taken these details down you will need to find the book again and you will hate yourself.
Whatever you do, don't drop a critic's name without a reason. Knowing your critics and making a decision whether you support or oppose their views is extremely important. Remember that a first class student will have an idea and then use critical sources to support it, not the other way round.
3. Brush up on your presentation
It's not uncommon for students to miss out on a first class degree simply because they think presentation doesn't matter.
Correct spelling, punctuation and grammar are vital and unfortunately a lot of tutors will downgrade you substantially if your presentation's not up to scratch, no matter how great your ideas are.
Good writing skills help you to convey your ideas effectively, and can even make a relatively dull topic sound interesting – which is a feat in itself!
If you struggle with presentation, this isn't a huge deal. It just means you need to start course work that bit earlier to ensure your work is up to scratch before hand-in.
Any software you'll be using to write papers will have spell checkers, and nowadays they're pretty advanced in how they detect grammar, too. Another way to ensure you don't lose marks for presentation is to email your assignments to a family member or friend and ask them (nicely!) to check for any obvious errors.
If your writing skills are something you are particularly worried about and you think you could do with some additional support, reach out to learning support at your uni. They exist for a reason! Don't let something like this get in the way of nailing that first.
4. Harass your tutors
Please note that we're using the term 'harass' lightly here – please don't get yourself into any trouble or you can kiss that first goodbye (and probably uni altogether, if we're honest).
Book appointments with tutors often, whether to discuss an upcoming assignment, get feedback, or just chat about an idea you have. Tutors are paid to be there for you and to help you when you're struggling!
You can also score some brownie points by discussing an interesting idea related to their field of expertise – this shows you have a genuine interest which they'll appreciate, and they'll be keen to hear a fresh perspective on a topic they've probably been drowning in for a number of years.
You can arrange a meeting by email or just asking after a seminar. If you've recently had an assignment graded by them, by all means bring it along and ask how you could improve, tell them about anything you struggled with, but don't waste their time asking for detailed feedback on everything you've written or you'll be in the bad books.
6. Go to your classes
As we hinted in point two, attending lectures and seminars is one (very important) part of the first class degree puzzle.
Turning up to all of your timetabled commitments is the very least you should be doing to get the most out of your degree. If you need any more convincing, use our cost-per-hour calculator to work out just how much cash you're wasting every time you decide to sleep through that 9am lecture.
Turning up to class is also important to get on the right side of your tutors (you know, the people who will be grading your work?). They're likely to be a lot tougher when grading work from someone they know doesn't bother to show up to class than they would someone they see participating and putting effort in each week.
Make sure to check out our top tips on how to get the most out of lectures too.
7.Control your social media addiction
Now, we all know how important it is to see the outfit that your friend's cousin's girlfriend wore to their engagement party at the weekend.
That said, as great fun as Facebook stalking can be, there is literally nothing that can be achieved with it, and studies have even shown that social media just adds to uni stresses as you become more likely to compare yourself to classmates.
Unsurprisingly, spending hours of your life on social media is also pretty bad for your grades. If you have a steely will power, set yourself a goal that you don't check social media until the evenings; if you struggle a bit in this area of your addiction is particularly bad, either deactivate your account or download one of these browser extensions that do it for you.
