About my results (I know I am!)

[Taleas0ldastime]

I know IABU but I really need some perspective. In September 2020 I started a 2 year Masters...I won't say exactly what in but its healthcare/social care related. End of Year 1 and I got my results...71%. So was really hoping for a 1:1 overall at the end of the 2 years. September to December last year was placement semester so no assignments. Then at the end of December I had a close family bereavement. As well as the grief it brought it also caused logistical issues around childcare. I'm a single parent of 2 children with autism so it was difficult to get care for them but did it and continued on with the semester.
So now I'm almost finished, 3 more assignments and a thesis to hand in and then its graduation. But my grades have dropped this year...all results so far have been 65-69% so no chance of the 1:1 any more. I'm really really disappointed by this. It wont make any difference to my career...i already have a job offer pending passing all remaining modules. I know realistically that I've done well to get this far but i can't shake this feeling that this isn't what i wanted and I'm really upset about it. Please tell me I'm being stupid, i need to have some sense talked into me.

Honestly, if you pass, that’s all that matters with a Masters. Mine wasn’t classified in the same system as an undergrad degree - you either got a pass, or a distinction for over ~70% if I remember rightly (it was 20 years ago!). Nobody has ever asked me what my classification was.

If you’ve learned what you need to in order to the job you’re aiming for, then your course has done what you needed it to do. Start looking at the bigger picture!

Instead of looking what you haven't achieved (1:1), look at what you have achieved - a Masters, whilst being a lone parent to two children with autism, dealing with a close family bereavement and securing a provisional job offer - I'd say you've done bloody brilliantly and should be very proud of yourself OP. Well done!

I did a degree as a mature student, same field. During my degree both my parents died and my marriage broke down.

I had really wanted my First but graduated with a 2:1 - was a few marks off a First. I was gutted, but then I realised that I'd done a bloody good job getting a degree at all in the circumstances.

Congratulate yourself on an amazing achievement - you've smashed it. And honestly, if it's SW, literally nobody ever asks your degree classification, ever. They only care they you have one!

I don't think you're being unreasonable. I finished uni 0.6% off a first because I worked two jobs in my third year to get industry experience and couldn't convince one of my lecturers to be a bit more amenable in his marking of me, despite him asking all students to debate the grade he gave them. Still irks me!

@Welshmaenad yes its SW! And you're right about them not looking for the classification, they're offering jobs before we've even graduated so I know realistically its not a big deal. Well done on completing yours with so much going on...that was an amazing achievement.
I really do need to try and focus on the bigger picture...i started the Masters in the first place to work in the actual job, not to get a first in my results and in another couple of months that's exactly what I'll be doing. It just stings a bit. I feel like one thing after another has just gone wrong over the last few months so maybe this is kind of the tip of the iceberg and I'm focussing all my disappointment on this.

I understand what you feel. I did a second degree recently and was just off a first in first year so i knew i could work abit harder and move those 68s to 72s if i just found that magic formula.

At masters level now, and i tend to think no one actually questions what level you get there, its just "oh you have a masters" (unless then applying for a PHD) so am more chilled about it.

But i was "dissapointed" with a 68 in first set of exams. (72/68/65 across 3 questions) as its so close.
so its daft, but still its normal to be disappointed.
if i was a solid 65 through out it would be different.
(and i don't even have any extenuating circumstances like you do or even any kids to worry about)

You aren’t being stupid. You have to feel your feelings. It’s natural to be disappointed not to get a 2.1. However life is never plain sailing, so just remember the reasons why, do a mini grieve, and move on.

Why do you think you deserve a 1.1? Everyone can’t get firsts, in fact few should get them.

but if you get 71% average in first year, that does mean you have the skills/technique generally to get a first.

So its disapointing if its then "slipping away" when you know you are capable of it (having achieved those sort of marks already).

(and maybe a Distinction is still possible - 71% average in year 1 and 69% in year 2 would give a 70% overall which is a distinction.

So you could possibly still do it, depending on how easy/tough you find the remaining modules.

@Anoisagusaris

Why do you think you deserve a 1.1? Everyone can’t get firsts, in fact few should get them.

Not nice.