To feel disappointed?

[anidiotathome]

I always expected and was on track to graduate with a 2.1 - but today I just got my degree classification and I'm graduating with 68.5 percent so a high 2.1. I should obviously be happy but for some reason I'm kicking myself for how close I was to a 1st. To be honest, I didn't put in much effort, the bare minimum to pass so of course I should be thrilled with that grade but for some reason I feel really disappointed. The grade let's me go on to my masters so at the end of the day it is just a number.

But AIBU to be disappointed? I 100 percent could have pushed myself more. I was averaging 63 percent last year and for the first term of this year so it's a 5 percent improvement taking me from low to high 2.1 but I'm just kicking myself and don't feel like it's worth celebrating.

Take the lesson into your masters. Don't do the bare minimum and expect to feel 'proud'

OI

But you’ve always known, you were averaging 63 doing the minimum so you’d have known full well if you applied youtself you’d have got a first. You elected not to bother. It’s not news to you.

'For some reason I'm kicking myself' for knowing you could have tried harder and for receiving the grade you expected to receive? Genuinely let this be a lesson to you. I've coasted for eternity and so so rarely felt 'proud' of myself despite having a decent enough set of achievements

Degree marking doesn't work like that. There's a big jump from getting 68 to 71 in practice, it's not the same as going from 62 to 65.
Maybe you should have tried harder, maybe you got some good experiences out of using your time in a different way, maybe you can use this to teach you a lesson in life.
But in 10 years, maybe even 5, this will not matter really at all (I say this as someone who has achieved both 2.1 and 1st in various academic stages).

100% your own fault. You're lucky to get a 2:1

I was absolutely on track to get a 1st but my dissertation pulled down my mark so much I ended up with a 2:1. Was disappointed at the time, but honestly it's made sod all difference to my life in reality!

People are being a bit harsh. I totally get what you mean like you've got a decent grade doing the bare minimum so wish you'd have tried harder. I've been there and it is definitely a good lesson and motivation to put more effort in the next time to achieve the grade you're capable of.

i think this is spot on re: the jump to a First.

You’re heading to do a Masters so it’s the perfect time to feel like this - go for a 1st class masters - it’s achievable. The timing couldn’t be better really!

I was borderline 1st and got a 2:1 and felt absolutely devastated. I got ambitious just a bit too late into my degree!

long time ago now and I honestly don’t give a shit. The things I learnt during my degree have kept me company ever since. They will be nurturing to my mind when I am very old - what I wrote in essays isn’t of interest to me!

you won’t care one day. But do take a lesson from it and try your hardest at the next thing you do. It’s the better way to live

Generally speaking only the grades in your highest level academic achievement count. Nobody cares about GCSEs if you've got A-Levels, noone cares about A-Levels if you've got a degree. If your end game is your Masters then it's what class you get there that will count long term.

This 100% ⬆️

Exactly this.

i also did a Masters which was an even bigger waste of my time 🤣

Can't feel sorry for someone who doesn't put the effort.

As you were so close I can see why you're kicking yourself now! Hopefully lesson learned for next time.

Honestly you've got a fucking amazing degree! It's one more degree than I've got and it will open endless doors for you. You have done this during a pandemic! And come out the other side inspired to do a masters.

Shoulda woulda coulda gets you nowhere. Don't waste energy on regrets.

If you were my child/friend I would be incredibly proud of you. Congratulations 👏

YABU, you didn’t put in the effort, so you didn’t get a 1st, it’s not a big deal and there is no point feeling so upset that you didn’t get something that you didn’t even try to get.

You feel how you feel, so that’s not unreasonable. But as others have said, learn from it, and take a better attitude into your masters.
Epochs ago, when I received my first degree, I was told I was 1 mark off a first. I was gutted for about half an hour, thinking that if I’d just answered maybe one more question correctly, I’d have achieved it. But the thing is, I didn’t do that, did I? The people who got the marks for a first, they did that, and rightly, were rewarded for it.
I never forgot this lesson, so when I did further training, and post graduate work, I put in 100%, every single time. I was knackered, but it paid off. I’ve never got less than a 1st, or distinction since, and won academic prizes for my work. I’m also lucky that the effort I put in is reflected in my grades, as I’ve known friends and students who clearly do, but the grade doesn’t reflect it. Have a glass of wine, pat yourself on the back, and go into your master’s with a new frame of mind. After that, no one will care about your 2.1, and it’s a bloody good grade anyway!
congratulations, and good luck!

It's almost as if If id of graduated with the 63 percent as expected id of been fine. It's just because it was 1.5 percent off a first xx

Sorry about 'xx' thought I was writing a text 🤣

68.5 is really annoying.

A 69 and they'd likely bump it up to a first.

It's for people who are bright but lazy and the frustration is having that pointed out. Again.

(I got 68.5 in my degree. It's always done my head in, but it's what I deserved!)

I'd be disappointed in myself if I'd put no effort into something and not done as well as I could have done. I'm not really sure what you expected, though. Presumably you weren't expecting to get the best mark when you put in fuck-all effort.

Bright but lazy! I got a 69. Havent forgotten about it after all.