AIBU to still regret getting a 2:1 instead of a first?

[onedayillmoveon]

It’s been 10 years since I graduated from university and I still can’t shake off the regret that I got a 2:1 and not a first. I know that a 2:1 is perfectly fine for the vast majority of jobs and nothing to be ashamed of, my more and more people have gotten firsts for the past 20 years or so. When I graduated in 2016, about 33% of humanities graduates from my uni got firsts. I just felt so stupid, incapable, inadequate….. I know people say that grades and numbers can’t define us, but I sort of did let it.

I still can’t shake off this horrible regret that I didn’t get one. I got a high first in my second year and was so pleased, I genuinely loved my subject and had applied myself. In my final year (which largely determines degree class where I went), I became quite depressed and stressed. I could never focus and never really adequately prepared for my exams. I just can’t stop wishing that I had pulled myself together in some way.

Some of you, if you read this far, might think, “well if you have a decent job, nobody gives a damn what degree you got”, and yes, fair. Yet there are certain supposedly ‘elite’ jobs where a first is strongly preferred, and I think not getting one ruined my chances of those.

Anyway, if anyone else has ever felt the same way, or knows someone who does, and wants to share ideas or experiences, maybe that will be helpful.

If he's fussed, he could include the percentage on his Linkedin or CV blurb.

BSc (Honours) Maths - first class honours (93% average).

I've seen ppl who got 2:1s include the fact they got a first for the dissertation element on their Linkedin profiles. That seems a bit desperate to me. 🙄

Do you live with your parents?

For academia maybe but not real life, not corporate or business.

We've all been to Uni and we knew the kids that got firsts (30 years ago), they were an exceptional type, they set themselves aside. You need to be able to work with people and it wasn't something they were keen to do. Sure it's a stereotype but it certainly was the case that a 1st was not going to get you through the door quicker than a 2-1.
Even 8 years ago when I started recruiting I asked the team should I request a 1st to cut down on applicants and not one person (even those with 1sts) thought it was a good idea. So when you say 2-1 and above on a job description - you don't automatically choose the person with the first - it's a level playing field for all accepted applicants - their brilliance needs to come through on application tests and interviews.

I'm in Scotland and had friends graduating in the early noughties with ordinary degrees who were accepted on the PGDE* course.

*might have been called PGCE at the time.

I think if you are cool and funny you don't mention grades on LinkedIn - you let your personality and charm do the talking.

Are you saying you had the choice? You didn't work as hard as you could and you got a 2:1, but if you had you could have got a first? You lucky bastard. Some of us worked our arses off and were still only able to get a 2:2.

You know what, fair point.

did you try and fail in one of those?

I suspect your negative self-talk has been a more consistent and definitve factor in anything you find lacking in your career.

My ex got a third at uni. He earns £120k now.

This is the issue, here. Certain places care more about firsts than others, but there is no career or workplace on earth that you cannot do or get into with a 2:1 from Cambridge. Not one.

The issue is that you don’t stick with things, lack follow through and tenacity. Possibly due to a lack of self confidence. So, you appear to have tried this, that and the other, as opposed to focusing on something and consistently and doggedly plugging away at it, trying to be the very best. That is what it takes to succeed in the ‘elite’ (you have grossly overused that word) careers. You did not and do not have it. You wouldn’t have it if you’d got a first.

I think you should get some counselling about this. Obsessing about how different your life would have been if you’d got a different degree result is neither normal nor healthy. Particularly as it’s highly unlikely it would have made any difference.

I'm a barrister in the sort of London chambers you're on about and your 2.1 from Cambridge (plus masters) is "better" than my 1st from a RG university - but the truth is even a first from Cambridge might well not have helped you. We get about 350 applications for each pupillage spot and around a third have oxbridge firsts plus masters. It's a very very brutal process and grades are only a small part of everything you need to demonstrate.

Sorry didn't rtft :)

I don't know much about the Bar but I think you're misguided about finance :)

You sound like you have a self-esteem problem, not a 2:1 problem. Happens often with bright people.

I think you need to let it go.

I graduated in 1985 when firsts were vanishingly rare. Some years no-one achieved a first on my course. I got a 2:2 which at the time was perfectly respectable. A 2:1 would have been like getting a first today.

It hasn't impacted me in the slightest. In fact I can't remember anyone asking me what I got, and I've worked solidly for 40 years since then, adding professional qualifications to the academic, along the way.

I'd focus on the present & future. The past is done & dusted.

No have my own house.

I never really tried. I did a professional qualification in one of them but never applied for roles.

I wouldn’t worry in that case, but I can relate: I got 2:1 in a science from the other University. My regret wasn’t that it was a 2:1 but that it was the highest 2:1 in the year… think how many nights out and fun times I could’ve had given the surplus points I had vs the lowest 2:1 in the year (who, by coincidence, was my best friend!).

All good fun. Move on with your life :)

Can’t get my head round the constant obsession on MN about Firsts, Russell Group and elite Uni’s etc.

Great if you get a degree, fair play if you get a first, but neither of those things guarantee a successful or happy life. Your behaviour, resilience , soft skills and attitude is far more important.

Every single one of my friends got better GCSE/O levels that’s I did (I got 2), they all did A levels (I didn’t) and 50% went to Uni. Most are in jobs that are ok. Some are in jobs they hate. I absolutely love my job and the career path I chose and out-earn all my friends.

If you honestly think getting a First will make you a happier person and give you a better life, then go back and do another degree.

More importantly, ask yourself, what would truly make your life more fulfilling? (I’ll bet it’s not getting a First)

Maybe they aren’t desperate, maybe they just want to maximise their chances in a competitive job market.

And there was a time when qualifications did all the talking but it resulted in some very dysfunctional teams, you really need to keep you head screwed on when recruiting people - we're all about attitude and ability and we won't accept one without the other - lacking either will result in failure.
One of my friends is a partner in a London law firm and he asked me, on the basis of my recruitment experience, how come someone with a stellar education and could pass all interviews and all the exams and still be utterly useless to work with - but there's always someone - interviews are not perfect - we miss amazing people and we hire crap ones - it's a frustrating art - we don't really care about qualifications, we care about ability and the qualification is only an indication of ability it's not a certainty.

Thanks for your response on this; I knew the numbers were similar to those you mention. I know a first alone isn’t enough, but it is a necessary first hurdle to jump over right?

2013-2016, A 2.1 from Cambridge is great.

Look there might have been a few niche sectors you maybe kinda wouldn't be at the highest of their internal recruiting screening. But that's okay.

You have a distinction in your master's and you're happy with life now.

You didn't get a 2.2. and I know a Cambridge 2.2 grad who was an absolute star at my job. A great manager and great colleague who was amazing at her job.

A degree is just a foot in the door for your first job. Once you have a couple of years experience on your CV nobody gives a shit as to whether you got a 2:1 or a 1st.

No, not for most places. It helps a bit. But everything helps a bit. And you need to have lots of impressive stuff to get an interview.
Did you do the Bar course but never apply for pupillage? Plus a masters in something else? Or a different professional qualification? I'm a bit confused.

I graduated Summa Cum Laude, I earn very little 😂

With respect, get a grip.