I want to tell people I have a 1st class even though I don’t?

[plieddried]

It bothers me so much to see my actual degree classification. On my cv I don’t even bother to write my degree classification but I still feel embarrassed. I want to start telling people (and myself) that I graduated with a 1st class honours even if it’s not true. It makes me feel happier to tell myself I got a first class. It also makes me feel more confident and secure in my ability to work. It makes me feel accomplished. Wondering if AIBU?

I leave out the dates (in terms of months) for work experience. I only write down the year on my cv.

Er, yes! YADBU. You didn't get a first so don't lie.

How bizarre why do you need to tell anyone about your degree classification?
It's pretty silly to tell others especially at work as you have to produce your degree certificates.

You achieved a degree which is hard work, I can't say I've ever needed to say what level I got and your ability to do a job is based on your competency now not based on modules you studied however long ago.

I'm in the US, so I don't understand what this means, but I think you're being unreasonable. You can't tell other people you got a first class and you certainly can't tell yourself that. If you wanted one why didn't you get one?

I understand, I just feel like I’m smarter than what my degree classification shows. I don’t believe it’s representative of me and my academic ability. It’s not an excuse (although it kind of is) but I was going through a lot of things at the time of my degree and it messed up my accomplishment. If I had sat the same exam I would have gotten a first. I wish I submitted extenuating circumstances at the time because it’s stayed with me since then.

What does it mean in terms of employment? How often are people asking you about your degree classification?

It sounds like you’re very caught up on it. People I know who actually have a first class degree don’t go around saying they have one - it isn’t a natural part of conversation and sounds like random boasting if you just push it in whenever uni comes up. Unless someone specifically asks there’s no point in lying. Even if someone specifically asks there’s no point of lying. No matter how intelligent you think you are, lying about how you did on an exam doesn’t really change how people think of you.

Yabvu and will make yourself look stupid and untrustworthy if and when you’re found out

@steff13

What does it mean in terms of employment? How often are people asking you about your degree classification?

It’s not a major hinderance career wise. I just feel better saying I had a first class to people if they ask. It’s more of a self esteem booster. I feel like it tells people I’m accomplished.

Perhaps focus on becoming actually accomplished in your career. Instead of focusing on something you didn't achieve, focus on what you can achieve now.

If you want to feel better get a Distinction in a MA or MSc rather pretend you have got a grade when you haven’t. I recruit and we ask to see certificates at interview. I wouldn’t give you a job if you lied, not because of the grade but the dishonesty. What else would you happily lie about?

OP - in the kindest possible way, other people are not really interested in what degree you got. It does sound like you are unnaturally fixated on this and while it might initially feel good to say this, ultimately you'll know you lied, which will surely make you feel worse overall.

FWIW - I got a 2:2 - I know I could have done better, I also had some extenuating circumstances and put my energies into other things. It has never mattered to me professionally and it literally never comes up in conversation. Put your energy into your self esteem rather than maintaining a lie.

Not sure what lying to yourself achieves and why does it make you feel better? I worked with someone who claimed to have a MSc from a very prestigious uni. He didn't even have a degree. You will look foolish and a liar when people find out.

@steff13

What does it mean in terms of employment? How often are people asking you about your degree classification?

I really wouldn't lie about this. No one else cares enough to justify the lie and although the lie is unlikely to come out you'll feel like a proper arse if it does.

I just wouldn't say anything- I can't remember the last time I mentioned my degree classification. Must have been years ago.

@Mercurial123

Not sure what lying to yourself achieves and why does it make you feel better? I worked with someone who claimed to have a MSc from a very prestigious uni. He didn't even have a degree. You will look foolish and a liar when people find out.

It makes me feel better because my academic record was good. Flawless even straight A* all the way through my schooling, top grades all the time - apart from that degree. I don’t feel proud of it. I want to leave it off my cv, if possible. Maybe a phd might help me feel more (academically) accomplished. Particularly if I publish lots. I think I’ll feel better.

I'm in the US, so I don't understand what this means, but I think you're being unreasonable.

Fantastic!

Yabu to lie. In the kindest possible way, I think maybe you need to try and bolster your self esteem. I'm not convinced that lying about your degree classification will make you feel any better about it.

OP, if you can forgive the armchair psychology, what would it have felt like to get a terrible grade as a school child?

Ubiquery so, because I don't understand your system I'm not allowed to think lying about one's academic achievements is wrong? 🙄😒

@Ubiquery

OP, if you can forgive the armchair psychology, what would it have felt like to get a terrible grade as a school child?

Embarrassing! That’s what it would have felt like

I also don’t understand what all these 1st and 2nd degrees are. I got my degree in another country and there is no such thing as 1st or 2nd only graduating with honours (very few people did this) and no one goes around saying that they did this unless it’s graduation day.

Lying about it won’t boost your self esteem. It will just make you feel like the real you was wrong and needs to be hidden/lied about. And if anyone finds out it will be humiliating, not because you got a lower grade but because you’ll look stupid for lying. And lies often find a way out.

@Sahgah

It’s basically just how good your marks and exams were. You can get a first, a 2.1, or a 2.2. A first is the best. It’s generally not too important, but say you were going for a prestigious grad scheme or masters, having a first would be an advantage over someone who had a 2.2.

Outside of interviews for things like this it would (in my opinion) be odd to drop in that you got a first.

@plieddried

I understand, I just feel like I’m smarter than what my degree classification shows. I don’t believe it’s representative of me and my academic ability. It’s not an excuse (although it kind of is) but I was going through a lot of things at the time of my degree and it messed up my accomplishment. If I had sat the same exam I would have gotten a first. I wish I submitted extenuating circumstances at the time because it’s stayed with me since then.

Based on what you've written here I don't think you're as bright as you think you are.