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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be slightly disappointed by my uni results

82 replies

Horsewithnoname97 · 26/08/2020 18:32

Hi all. Name changed for this. I'm a second year chemistry student, going to go into my third and final year in September. I am really enjoying the course although finding it challenging!

I just got my second year results back and, although I didn't do terribly at all, I cannot help but feel a little disappointed.

Out of five modules, I got firsts in three and a high 2:1 in another which I'm happy about. But unfortunately I didn't do very well in another module, only got 45% which is still a pass but only just. Because of this one bad grade I will be going into third year with a 2:1 rather than a first.

Since lockdown in March all of our classes had moved online to a virtual classroom. I found this tricky as I have a toddler DS (I'm a mature student) so could only catch up on lectures, study, and revise when he was in bed. I have also found the content itself to be much trickier than first year, but of course it's going to be!

I worked so hard this year and put myself under a lot of stress and worry, so to 'only' come out with a 2:1 overall is a little disappointing. I know a 2:1 is not bad at all, but it is a bit galling to know I could've gotten a first if it wasn't for that one shitty module!

I may still be able to graduate with a first if I worked my arse off in final year, but it'll be a close thing!

I don't know, my DH says I'm being silly and way way too hard on myself, but can anyone else understand my disappointment? I know a 2:1 isn't a bad grade, but I was so close to a first!

Apologies if I come across as trying to secretly gloat ect, I'm really not. I'm genuinely a little disappointed although I know it could've been a lot worse.

Thank you Smile

OP posts:
CrazyToast · 26/08/2020 19:58

I think the only time it would matter is if you are applying for funding for future study like PhD.

kangaShade · 26/08/2020 20:02

I was 0.5 of a mark off a first (69.5) in my degree and they refused to round up. I was pretty gutted at the time but it's honestly never affected anything I've done since. On my cv I just put my university and degree (like most people). No one ever asks whether it was a 2:1 or a first. My advice would be to relax and enjoy the rest of your degree without stressing about the end result.

CandyLeBonBon · 26/08/2020 21:08

I understand op. I wanted a first. I worked bloody hard and I got one this year, but I made exactly the same cock up in my first year. It might not matter to anyone else but it matters to you. I get it.

I looks like you made a silly mistake which cost you marks but that in itself is a learning experience and you probably won't make it again. Looks like you could get that first. Keep at it.

workhomesleeprepeat · 26/08/2020 21:12

Yes to echo others - 1st isn’t really important for jobs never been asked about it. Maybe matters for getting into the MSc that you mention.

Employers were much more interested in the ranking of my Uni, in fact some of my employers said they only hired from my uni and ones of similar rank.

Doggybiccys · 26/08/2020 21:20

I work in education and frequently tell students - gently - that they don’t get marks for hard work / effort - they get marks for addressing the assessment criteria.

Racoonworld · 26/08/2020 21:32

A 2:1 is really good and you don’t need a first to get a good graduate job. When I look at applications I go for the people who have extra experience. I would much rather have someone with a 2:1 who has some relevant experience (such as summer placements) then someone with a 1st with no experience.

ZolaGrey · 26/08/2020 21:56

@CrazyToast

I think the only time it would matter is if you are applying for funding for future study like PhD.
I got an upper 2:1 and I transferred from masters to PhD with no issue.

Nobody really cares once you get out of uni world, even less so if you have post grad qualifications.

RozHuntleysStump · 26/08/2020 22:03

I don’t blame you for wanting a first. I got a first myself and I would have been really upset to have got less. Sorry if that upsets anyone but for me, nothing else is good enough. Because of this, I repeated y2 to give me more time and improve my marks. I would have done anything to achieve that goal. I’m not in the job market but I do like having the distinction that having a first gets. I feel like I have less to worry about if I apply for further education.

workhomesleeprepeat · 27/08/2020 00:35

@RozHuntleysStump love your username! Not personally offended that you think anything less than a first is dirt, but do consider that others might not have the financial capabilities to repeat a year. Or are just not smart enough! Not everyone can get a first.

CyberNan · 27/08/2020 00:51

I also got a 2.1 and was fooking thrilled... I only got that because I did really well with my dissertation which bumped my marks up

strange that no one on mumsnet got a 2.2.... or (god forbid) a thi… thir… no I cant say it... one of those marks less than a 2....

ErrolTheDragon · 27/08/2020 01:03

Presumably you'll get options in 3rd year so can choose aspects you prefer? That can make a big difference - it did for me when I was doing my chemistry degree decades ago.

CaptainCabinets · 27/08/2020 02:44

Does your uni not drop your worst grade? I got a random shit grade in my second year and it would’ve dragged my final classification right down but my course let us drop our worst grades in Year 2 and 3.

Saltyauntiepoop · 27/08/2020 03:18

1st doesnt even matter much even 2:2 can get into masters and most jobs just care enough u graduated from uni.
You say too many people have 2:1s lol the impression is too many people have 1sts.

malificent7 · 27/08/2020 04:06

You are in 2nd year...it is common for grades to dip in 2nd year...you should get a first if you apply yourself now.

malificent7 · 27/08/2020 04:07

Make up for it in 3rd year!

erinaceus · 27/08/2020 05:31

Can you calculate what you need to get in your third year modules based on your current marks and the weighting? It’s probably doable to get a first, I went from a low 2.1 to a mid 2.1 to a first from first to second to third year.

The other thing that comes to mind is it might be worth asking for specific feedback on the module you did less well in, not to change the grade but in case there is something specific that you can work on for next year.

user1471548941 · 27/08/2020 06:37

I went to one of the top university’s in the country and only got a 2.2.

Didn’t apply to any grad schemes as didn’t know what I wanted to do. Started temping in banks, ended up in massive investment bank, got a perm contract and have progressed so fast that I’m now more senior than anyone who joined a grad scheme from my uni year. 🤷‍♀️

A 2.1 MIGHT have got me on the grad scheme but there are many other ways in to good jobs- generally working hard and making a good impression always seem to count more.

Lolalovesmarmite · 27/08/2020 06:42

I was about three marks in a single exam in my finals off an overall first. It hasn’t made the slightest bit of difference to how my life panned out. I couldn’t actually believe I was that close, so I wasn’t at all disappointed but I understand your feelings if you did think you were on course for it.

minicat · 27/08/2020 07:20

Can you retake the module?

hexmeginny · 27/08/2020 07:28

BRAG BRAG BRAG....

If a 1st is important to you, stop moaning and work a bit harder in your 3rd year?

500BusStops · 27/08/2020 07:49

Depends on what you plan using your degree for. A 2:1 will usually get you onto most postgrad courses. Unless you're planning to apply for civil service fast stream or something I wouldn't worry. Even if you want to go on to do a PhD, a 2:1 won't stop you and in fact I'd argue that a strong work ethic, resilience and ability to work independently are more relevant than a First.

Janejones12 · 27/08/2020 07:51

[quote MrsGrindah]@sunlight81 No offence to any people on here who didn’t get a first then?![/quote]
Eh?

Janejones12 · 27/08/2020 07:55

I have three firsts.
Every module in final year needs to be a comfortable first, at least 75 if you can to be safe.
Focus on your dissertation and start as early as you can. Get support. Go and see each tutor and tell them you want a first. They will help you if you are motivated.
If you want to have a chance at funded Masters and PhD programmes then you really do need a first-although there are exceptions a 2.1 won't even get you an interview for competitive funding.
You need to go back and claim extenuating circumstances for the low module. Explain about your situation and how it affected your ability to work. A university I know was appealing for all lockdown grades to be ignored and for unis to take and hold the marks from before Christmas. This could be true where you are.
It is a lot of effort to get a degree you are right, but a 2.1 isn't the end of the world and is absolutely a good achievement. It is an extra achievement in Chemistry and STEM, which is seen as more robust and challenging than humanities in many academic fields.
Well done and good luck

HigherFurtherFasterBaby · 27/08/2020 08:00

OP, I'm also a mature student, with 3 children at home, studying Microbiology. It's been bloody hard. I've scored Firsts or High 2:1s in everything except one module which I got a Low 3:3, it was Biochemistry and I struggled like fuck with it before lockdown, let alone after. I understand how you feel.

I deferred some exams to the summer so I'm still waiting on results for them, and I'm expecting 2:1s or Firsts. I looked at the Grading and I should finish with either a High 2:1 or a First even if I get 2:2s in these exams. So definitely look at their Grading Scheme and figure out what you need to pull that grade up.

I'm in Y1 going into Y2 so this year's grades don't matter as such, but I really bloody want to finish with a First before I go onto my Masters and PhD.

Flev · 27/08/2020 08:03

@Twickerhun what on earth is wrong with geography as a subject? It means students graduate with a mixture of mathematical and writing/researching skills, as well as detailed knowledge about a whole range of topics. It doesn't filter you directly into a specific career, but it's certainly not just "colouring in" as some people like to joke.