Degree results

[Amak60]

I have just received the results for my degree and I am quite disappointed to get a 2.1. It was a niche Arts honours degree, Modelmaking, 3D Art and Digital Art which was quite demanding. I started the 4 year course the year I turned 60, my husband had died a few years previously and my younger child had just finished secondary school. I have worked hard and even though there have been a lot of major challenges I was doing well. I guess I should be happy with the results I got but I am disappointed in myself. I was well aware that I was aiming for a first but I was trying to keep my expectations realistic, obviously not very successfully. I'm sure I will come around but does anyone understand the feelings.

congratulations!

Well done for doing the degree as a mature student and for completing especially with all that you had going on in your personal life. A 2:1 is a brilliant grade.

Like you said, you'll get over this eventually.

If it means anything, I've never had to declare my ranking for any jobs I've had. And my wages are not based on my ranking either. Truly no one cares 😂

But yes I understand the disappointment, I have 2 degrees and didn't get the first I expected twice so twice the disappointment. Over time I've come to realize that I don't fit in the box and the grading system isn't sophisticated enough to capture my brilliance (that's the shoe that fits 😜).

Well done!

Congratulations, that’s a great grade overall, and I’m guessing that in some subjects you did get a first.

Nope. I'm 37, studying part time at the OU after being a school drop out and on track for a 2:2. I feel so incredibly proud of what I'm achieving.

Are you an all round "only the best is good enough and anything less is a failure"?

Yes, I'm afraid so. As a family, my siblings and I were all the same. My parents never said it so I'm not sure why.

A 2.1 is an excellent result and I can’t see how it would hold you back in anyway. I think you need to get this into perspective. Meant in a kind way!

Thank you. I have come around to the idea and I'm now quite happy with it. I didn't have anything to compare it with in the beginning. Most of those I knew who had finished college got a first. They were however young students who had gone straight into education. It won't make any difference to me in the future. Since I am now 64 I am now looking to start a long, full-time career. Luckily I'm in the position that I can pick and choose what work I want to take on.

I think with a subject such as yours it is so hard to quantify what makes someone one of the best in that field so I would perhaps put it down to difference in views.

At one extreme you have maths where there are right or wrong answers so you can more easily rank people. Then the other sciences with increasing degrees of judgement needed in terms of achievement. By the time you get to the arts it is increasingly subjective. Your views might differ from the examiner's view but put you against someone who got a first and the client might love your work more.

It is like trying to ask who is a better artist Banksy, Tracey Emin or Picasso. I have my personal views but that might be different to your views. If all three had pieces in an auction and one person could only choose to buy the one they loved, that might well be different.

I think even if all the young students you are comparing yourself to were doing the same degree at the same institution as it is a niche arts degree it would be hard to make a fair comparison. The chances are they took different degrees in different places and you are comparing apples and pears.

You have done fantastically well, at a stage in life that many wouldn't consider taking such a step. I wish you all the best with your future career exploits.

Thank you