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?

Do you lie about anything else, Op?

@NerrSnerr

Would you genuinely think any worse of anyone else who didn't have straight As at school or who has a 2:1?

I agree with PP that it's your self esteem that needs to improve and I'd certainly work on that before doing a PHD. It can be very demoralising trying to get published with lots of knock backs etc. Even for the cleverest of candidates.

Absolutely this.

You know that your self worth is not measured on your academic ability right?

Who asks? I work with professionals who all have degrees. I've no idea what classification any of them got although I do know who went to the most prestigious universities they never stop dropping that into conversations

If itreally bothers you, you could always do a second degree. I did mine as a mature student and my main motivator was so I could have a photo in the gown and cap FWIW I didn't get a first, but was chuffed to bits with my 2:1

@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.

No offence @plieddried but this paragraph in particular is absolutely mental.

Loads of us got 2:1s for all sorts of reasons, including for a lot of us that we had just been having too much fun to have done what we might have to get a first My 2:1 has literally never been commented on or precluded me from doing anything. Got on a good grad scheme, was proud of myself, later did a masters.

In the nicest possible way, get a grip of yourself.

OP are you surrounded by academic high-fliers, and feel looked down on because you didn't get a first? If that's the case, no one will really be impressed by a first - they'll have or know people that have higher qualifications, and they'll also know that a first doesn't necessarily mean much. They'll all know people with PhDs that they wouldn't trust to butter toast, and people with no qualifications who are brilliant.

If, on the other hand you're surrounded by not particularly academic people and wish you had a first to stand out or gain respect...well, it probably won't work like that. People will think you're boasting, or are judging them.

In either case, you'll look like a ridiculous tool if the lie is found out.

If your extenuating circumstances are now over, it's probably best to think about another degree or a masters, and truly give it your best shot this time.

I"m going to call it now & say that this must be a piss-take - no way can this actually be a real person writing this [hmmm]
If it is real, they're a plonker

Maybe you should just identify as someone who got a First?

Seriously @plieddried I think you need to move on.
Don't lie...

I feel like this might be pointless now, since the OP hasn't back in a while but anyway -

@plieddried - if you think you're embarrassed by your actual degree classification, just think how much MORE embarrassing it would be to lie about and have someone catch you out in that lie, and tell everyone else.

You got the degree result you got. If you're THAT bothered then do a Masters, or another degree, or a PhD (You might not be able to go straight to PhD if you only got a 2-2, some places are picky). Don't let this one result cast a shadow over the rest of your life!

@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.

No one cares what class of degree you got - focus on your skills and experience.

You will get found out and be thought of in much worse terms for being a liar rather than for not having a first class degree you cover so much.
I worked with someone who lied about her qualification and was marched from the building one day once it was discovered. What’s more embarrassing, that or not having a first?

This must be bollocks.

Yes of course you’d be unreasonable to pretend you got a degree classification you didn’t actually achieve (even if it’s what you think you should have got), get a grip.

I would urge you to get some counselling to explore the drive to excel and the need for external validation. It seems to have completely overwritten any and all self esteem to the point that you need to believe your own lie in order to feel ok.

@ThumbWitchesAbroad

I feel like this might be pointless now, since the OP hasn't back in a while but anyway -

@plieddried - if you think you're embarrassed by your actual degree classification, just think how much MORE embarrassing it would be to lie about and have someone catch you out in that lie, and tell everyone else.

You got the degree result you got. If you're THAT bothered then do a Masters, or another degree, or a PhD (You might not be able to go straight to PhD if you only got a 2-2, some places are picky). Don't let this one result cast a shadow over the rest of your life!

To be fair the OP posted in the early hours so if they're in the UK it's likely they're asleep and that's why they're not replying.

I would judge someone much more harshly as a person, friend or colleague if they were dishonest rather than what kind of degree they got.

As an intelligent person Op, surely you must see that?

You could show a different kind of intelligence by realising that in life not everything goes perfectly and sometimes we don’t achieve what we are capable of because our overall life at the time is not an ideal situation. This is what happens throughout your life - sometimes the best you can do at one time is not the best you can do at another time. If you keep slicing your life up into segments and basing your self-worth on one slice (academic achievement in this case) without considering your entire life and where you are growing or stagnating you’ll always be chasing the next piece of paper to tell you you are worthy or a ‘success’.

Instead of thinking you would have got a 1st if it wasn’t for x or y situation, you can consider you achieved a degree despite x or y situation.

If you think people will judge you for not having a 1st (honestly unlikely in most jobs, no one cares what you got academically) then you should focus on excelling in whatever area you are involved with now.

Do further qualifications if it interests you and will be helpful for your goals - but at the end of the day, qualifications only give an indication someone has skill or knowledge in a certain area - it doesn’t show anything about how effectively they can apply those skills and knowledge in work and life.

Surely this is a wind up. On the off-chance that it isn't, everybody hits a ceiling eventually. You can do well at school when everything is easier and teachers and parents are pushing and helping you, but then not so well at university because you have to be more self-reliant and the subject matter is harder. That's life. Lying about qualifications would lead to instant dismissal in many jobs. Don't even think about doing it. Concentrate on the here and now.

Being a bit blunt here but: this one piece of information makes me feel about your character. Imagine how your peers and higher-ups would feel about you if they were to find out!

Lies feel empty anyway. Prove yourself via work accomplishments instead.

Firstly I'd think anyone boasting about getting a first was a creep. No one ever talks about their degree classification. If I then thought they were lying about it I'd think they'd got a screw loose. It really wouldn't suggest intelligence - quite the opposite.

It would be like a bloke on a date boasting he'd got a Ferrari when he hadn't.

I graduated 36 years ago and when I apply for roles they validate my degree results (BA and MA) so it would mean I would be instantly disqualified if I lied. Why would anyone lie?

I have reasonable degree results but no one at all cares. I don't ask or know what anyone I know got at university or indeed if they did a degree, it just doesn't matter. And even with the results I got there will always be people who went to better universities than me so I could never base my self esteem on it.

If you feel you didn't achieve what you wanted to don't make excuses for it. Just prove yourself now in your career and show your motivation and drive to solve problems and make a difference. Applied intelligence, problem solving and the ability to achieve real life results is much more impressive than lying about pieces of paper.

I’m a supermodel.

Damn, I feel a lot better now.

If that how you identify then it's how you identify! Don't let facts stand in your way. Only you know your authentic self. Feel free to live your life as the person you are.
Fuck all the haters!! You did SO well to achieve your 1st! It's your truth and no one else's

@steff13

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?

She wants to claim that she graduated summa cum laude when she didn’t.

Has OP said her actual degree classification? I’d have some sympathy if you’ve come out with 69% across your papers but there has to be a line somewhere, I’m afraid.

Maybe a phd might help me feel more (academically) accomplished. Particularly if I publish lots. I think I’ll feel better.

If you have issues surrounding your self esteem and your academic ability then do NOT do a PhD. It will destroy you. The process of doing a PhDs is gruelling and makes you feel unbelievably stupid at times. I got a first in my undergrad and a distinction in my Masters, and my PhD (I’m doing it at the moment) has reduced me to a shell of my former confident self who has found myself sobbing on more than one occasion about how stupid I feel.

‘To make myself feel better’ is the absolute worst reason I can think of to do a PhD or even a Masters. If you’re not actually driven and motivated by the subject then you will hate every minute. And what happens if you don’t get a distinction in your Masters? What happens every time your PhD supervisors give you some harsh feedback on your latest draft (which they will)? What happens if you pass your viva with Major Corrections? How will you feel then?

I sympathise with your post as a fellow straight A student who grew up feeling like anything less than perfect was a failure, and I get why this must be hard for you. But seriously, nobody cares about your degree classification. I got my undergrad 15 years ago, and before mentioning it here I can’t even think of the last time I brought it up, it’s just not as important as you think it is.

Work on your self esteem, maybe find a therapist to work through this with, make peace with your degree and go live your life.

@steff13

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?

Hi @steff13

In England, degrees are awarded according to marke obtained and fall into:
First-Class Honours (First or 1st) (70% and above)
Upper Second-Class Honours (2:1, 2. i) (60-70%)
Lower Second-Class Honours (2:2, 2. ii) (50-60%)
Third-Class Honours (Third or 3rd) (40-50%)

So, getting a first isn't easy! Much hard work, but makes one very marketable in terms of profession/career.

Lying about degree classification is bonkers - it will be checked!

I went to uni as a mature student and got a 3rd. Lots of extenuating circumstances but I was just proud I’d passed at all!

It hasn’t held me back whatsoever. I’ve beaten candidates with much better degree classifications when I’ve applied for jobs. Most employers are looking for the whole package when it comes to employing someone. Literally no one since graduation day has asked me what class I got.

Thank you@daisychain01!

Your response made me laugh. A lot!