How I achieved 1st Class Honours in my Degree

FULL CREDIT

Hello Again!

I graduated in July...with First Class Honours. No, I'm not your typically successful student...I have 6 below average GCSEs and very poor A Level grades. I come from a low income, single parent background (and we all know those pesky newspapers LOVE to remind us about the failing statistics of children from similar backgrounds). No, I did not start getting high grades as soon as I stepped foot onto my new University campus as a fresh faced first-year student. Nor did I for any of that year in fact. However, I did have a drive to learn, a love for my degree subject and a need for working hard to improve my assignment skills. Here's a few ways I did this:

• I actually had every weekend off. I was (and still am) in a long-distance relationship and this helped my no end when it came to prioritising my work. Yes, this meant long hours working after lectures, maybe missing out on that nights TV and I most definitely had to put my Netflix binges on hold. It took advantages of lectures finishing early and long train rides. However, it did mean that I started my assignments when they were set and when everyone was stressing out on the day of submission, I had finished mine a week earlier and was looking forward to a lovely chilled weekend. 
• I chose a dissertation topic that I loved. I had actually always had this in my mind and was one of the reasons for me to pursue my course choices (if you're interested it was the debate between specialised and mainstream early years education for children with Autism). Again, I did my research months before but didn't actually started properly focusing my attention on it until about November (with the due date being March). I had other commitments and that is totally okay. I actually had time to come to a thorough understanding of the research, theory and current debate behind my topic and had established a detailed plan of where I wanted to take my dissertation by this point. From this point though I was full steam a head and dedicated my working week (still having those weekends off) towards hitting that word count. 
• When writing an essay I broke it down into smaller questions. For ease lets use my dissertation as another example. 10,000 words (+10% allowance and every other bits and bobs you have to include) = incredibly terrifying. What about 10 (or thereabouts) tiny little essays? Okay, well that still sounds a lot but if you think when you only have a 3,000 word essay, taking into account the introduction and conclusion, that's only about 2 x 1,000 words tiny question answers. I would ask questions like 'what is the historical debate behind the topic at hand?' (all on separate word documents) and focus on meeting those assessment outcomes in a downsized scale before  adding them all together at the end! 
• When it came to presentations I never planned a script. And, after scrapping the scripts after first year, I never got lower than a first. If you have really put the work into your presentation then you will know your topic like the back of your hand. Have confidence and don't take cards in. Instead take in props (in my case I would take in classroom resources that would back up my points as examples), these will act as reminders as well as argument/topic starters! 
• My organisational skills were on point. My diary had weekly reminders and updates about how long I had left until my next assignment was due. I ALWAYS referenced as I went a long (guys please never get into the habit of leaving this to the last minute). I kept my desk neat and tidy (but don't get me wrong, some mornings I had to wade through all the clothes on my floor to get out the door). I kept my course notes in separate folders and my module handbooks were highlighted with keywords researched and questions about the assignment were asked in lectures. They are tiny little things but make your academic schedule SO much easier to balance and visualise. 
• When it comes to writing or presenting, always find several authors to back up one point. This can be annoying when you just want your essay to be finished but you cannot physically get a higher grade without synthesising your authors and arguments! Once you get into the habit though it becomes easy, just google scholar your argument...read their abstract and conclusion and see if it fits with your argument! Makes sure this is done with every mention of a theorist, research or author. Also, think in your head 'WHY does that author think that', 'HOW does that back up my argument' and as well as finding others that agree, find somebody who does and again ask yourself why, how and who else backs them up!

I had an amazing time at University. I had a wide friendship group, from friends I made from day one and those I met along the way. I lived in a house with 5 other girls who were, and still are, my best friends (as well as on campus in a block of 50 of my other closest friends). I was chairman of a sports team, a lifeguard for the university pool, a student ambassador. I went to every freshers and every big night out. I went shopping far too much. Spoons was my best friend. I went to the beach a lot. My point is, I never compromised on fun or enjoying my three years at University but I still achieved a good grade. 

I hope this has been some kind of help!

Emily x