TIPS ON GETTING A FIRST DEGREE

You need to really want it     

To put it bluntly, if you want to get a first class degree you have to be prepared to put in maximum effort. While we know you wouldn’t turn down the offer of a first, the depressing reality is you can’t just pick one up at the local pound store.The people who end up achieving are the people who have a passionate desire to do the best they can.This means planning, organisation and not leaving your assignment until the day before, even if you “do work best under pressure”. 

Research, research, research

To get a first class degree you have to read around your topic (outside of the reading list) and interpret the ideas for yourself. The majority of students who achieve firsts will spend hours and hours researching and pooling together critical opinions with their own thoughts. Don’t spending ‘hours’ researching, though. Chop up your time and slot an hours reading in here and there. It’s hard to specify how far in advance you should do your research, as long as you don’t find yourself there on Monday night poring through ten different books on astrology when your deadline is Wednesday you’ll be fine.

Make the library your best friend

Don’t just rely on the Internet as a source of all wisdom and the best students will use a range of different sources from ancient textbooks to online journals. First-class assignments use critical sources wisely. Whatever you do, don’t drop a critic’s name without a reason. You’ll get sussed. Understanding the critics and making a decision whether you support or oppose their views is extremely important. In the case of a written essay, a first class degree student will suggest one of their own ideas and then use critical sources to support them, not the other way round.

Pick topics you’re passionate about

The whole point of doing a degree should be your passion for the subject, so this shouldn’t be too tricky. While not every assignment is going to thrill you, try and choose a topic you have a connection with, even if it’s only based on your love of the word cheese. You’ll definitely be more inclined to spend time writing the aforementioned essay and the best assignments ooze a level of enjoyment on the part of the writer. You’re also much more likely to impress prospective employers if you’ve spent several years honing a specialism that’s not drinking to excess.

Make sure to take a break

sounds counter-intuitive, but trust me, it’s not. If you don’t make space in your study diary for a little down time, you’ll burn up or just procrastinate even more. Whether you’ve got a secret addiction to Sex in the City or enjoy the odd night out at the pub, make sure to schedule some time in for things you enjoy. Having fanzines will mean you’ll be much happier and more inclined to study more productively.

Stay healthy

Again, this isn’t strictly study related, but your health can have a huge impact on your ability to study. Make sure you stay fit and active – it sounds strange but exercising can give you a huge energy boost. We’ve got a huge list of ways to active for less, as well as way to cut down on your gym costs. Similarly, make sure you eat some meals that aren't pizza. If you are stuck for inspiration check out our cheap and easy recipes section.