How important is a first?

[SarfEast1cated]

I am in my final term of my degree, with two essays and a dissertation to complete by May. These pieces of work (plus one essay already completed) make up 60% of my final degree mark. In addition to my degree work, I also work full-time in a demanding deadline driven working environment.
I could use all my annual leave and work really hard to maybe get at first, or I could do my best to fit the work in at weekends and get a 2:1. I have been offered a pgce primary place conditional on my getting a 2:2 so that's not really an issue, but will I feel disappointed with myself if I don't get a first, and will it effect my employment chances.
Any thoughts?

When I was 21, I was blond and a bit ditsy. I ended up in a pressurised high powered City job - people (mainly men) definitely took me much more seriously when they found out I had a first in maths.

I worked very hard for my degree result and, even now, am very pleased that I put in the extra effort for a relatively short time to achieve it.

I would always say go for it if you can. The sense of achievement would be amazing.

I really do want a First. I want one to prove to myself that I'm not stupid. Not a great reason I know, but an honest one at least! Also as a mature student, I want to make it obvious to interviewer that I do still have it mentally at least .

I have handed in one of the 3 pieces of work so if I get 74 or above for that I will give it my all. If I get 69 or similar, they there is no way I'll make it. If I hadn't misread one of my essay questions and got 56 for one module last year none of this would be a problem.

My day job is very stressful and busy, so I feel very overwhelmed by it all at the moment, and I don't have much annual leave left now either.

Thank you though for all of you encouragement and opinions, I have really appreciated it.

Hi everyone, bouyed on by your encouragement I dug deep and tried my absolute hardest. i got my final mark back today, and have an average of 69.75 - a first is 70 - so it's all down to the exam board.
I have realised though, that it actually isn't a massive deal. I have juggled everything and still managed to do some work I'm really proud of, and I gave it my best shot and that really is the main thing.
As I am going on to do a PGCE next year and I assume it will be the mark from that which will count (more pressure!) but at least it is a full-time course and I won't have to worry about anything else while I'm doing it.
So everyone, thanks for the pep talk, you really helped me when I needed it.

Wow! Well done you. That is an absolutely fantastic result for anybody, and for somebody who is working full-time as well as studying, it's a wonderful achievement. and to you!

Thank you Gasp0de

Good luck! I got bumped up with similar so hopefully you'll have the same.

That'll be rounded up surely?! It's so damned close! Well done, what an achievement! Good luck for your PGCE. I too just missed a First 3 years (although not as close an average as yours), starting a Masters in Sept.

I got a first. I was thrilled at the time obviously. It has been one of the great disappointments of my career to find that academic achievement really doesn't make that much difference to your career after your first couple of jobs.

I wanted a First in my back pocket, for me really, to prove I still had it despite being v old! As mentioned I didn't do very well at school and have spent my adult life feeling a bit dim in comparison with everyone else who had degrees. I have had a successful creative career, but it was gnawing away at me a bit.
It seems that in the process of actually researching and writing the essays and dissertation I have proved to myself that I can do the work to a good standard, and that the final mark isn't really that important.

I have a good friend who averaged 65.5% and got a First.

Wow, that is LOW grade boundary and would make me question the value of the degree and the institution it came from.

Generally, in my own experience as both an employer in a very competitive industry and as an eternal student, anything above a 2.1 will get you wherever you want - be it on a masters or PhD or to meet the requirements of a specific job.

i got my final mark back today, and have an average of 69.75

😱😱😱😱 Surely, they have to round that up.

If for some reason they don't I'd always mention the the percentage immediately after saying you've got a 2:1

Regardless with what happens with the classification I think you should be very proud of yourself for your all your hardwork.

🍾🍷
🎓

Generally, in my own experience as both an employer in a very competitive industry and as an eternal student, anything above a 2.1 will get you wherever you want - be it on a masters or PhD.

Not true in all fields. For my field you would need a high first to get a PhD position.

Agree that outside academia the difference between 2.1 and first will rarely be a factor.

For my field you would need a high first to get a PhD position.
Thankfully, I won't be trying for a PhD... :)

So - exam board today - a 'high 2:1" apparently, so they didn't round it up. A tiny bit disappointed, but not too much. At least I will know I was at the top of a 2:1 rather than the bottom of a first.
Thanks everyone though for all of your help and encouragement.

Oh Sarf, that's extremely harsh of them. But well done you, great result.

Just catching up with the thread.

Sorry you didn't get a first but that's still a fantastic result.

I think a 2:1 is more 'me' in a way, I would have found it hard to live up to a 1st!

My son got a First😄👍

We are so proud of him. It has opened doors for him and I do believe that employers are impressed. Go for it.

So sorry Sarg, didn't see the last tread. Congratulations on your 2:1.💐🍾

You see, I can't even spell properly!.

Well done, OP! I do think you've been hard done by, though - at our university anything above 69.5% is rounded up to a first.