To be slightly disappointed by my uni results

[Horsewithnoname97]

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

@OneKeyAtATime

Wait, is geography not considered a decent subject?

Not for a lot of top grad schemes no, it’s seen as an easy option. Not enough science in it, more humanities based.

A lot of 'grad schemes' take people with totally unscientific degrees so that makes little sense.
The only paper written by a geographer I've ever read was very much physical, all measurements and statistical analysis.

@CyberNan I got a third, so as it goes I don't have a masters or seven. I also own a toilet brush, so maybe I should just leave MN now. I actually worked really hard so it's not about hard work, I know the attitude is people can get a third but just turning up. To get a first someone has to get the lower marks

When something is infinitely more difficult, u want to ensure that u get the very best result u can. OP is obviously capable of a 1st and wants her result to reflect that

No, that's wrong in a number of ways. You need to be very careful not to see exams and marks as the aim - they are NOT.

They are simply an indication of how well a student demonstrated knowledge & understanding of a particular body of knowledge at a particular point in time. My personal view - from 30 years of teaching undergrads, and as a lifelong learner myself - is that we should be examined or tested on our knowledge at least 6 months after the course we've studied - that would demonstrate deep understanding and retention and processing of knowledge, rather than what we can churn out in an exam or one-off essay.

Yes, the OP is capable of First class results, but she ploughed one module - she received 45% - which is a reflection of her knowledge & understanding of that topic/material at that point. Her results reflect what she was capable of in that topic at that moment. Nothing more.

Students need to stop measuring their worth by numerical grades or class marks. No-one "deserves" a grade or is defined as a "First Class student." It would be far better if students thought about how they have developed knowledge & understanding. Marks might be a way of seeing how that knowledge & understanding is developing.

But please, don't put the cart before the horse, or let the tail wag the dog. Marks are not the aim of education - deep learning and intellectual change is the aim.

And it's clear that the OP is - maybe unconsciously - aware of this - it comes through in her posts - she's excited about her subject, she works hard. In the end, it's what she knows, what she can do, and how she can use her knowledge that will be important - for jobs, for life. I think the OP is likely to be quite successful!

I really love what you said ItalianHat particularly
Students need to stop measuring their worth by numerical grades or class marks. No-one "deserves" a grade or is defined as a "First Class student." It would be far better if students thought about how they have developed knowledge & understanding. Marks might be a way of seeing how that knowledge & understanding is developing

@ItalianHat Thank you for the lovely post! I do indeed love my subject and love to learn more about it and explore new concepts ect.

Rest assured that people (in job interviews, in talking to your tutors etc) will recognise that.