Just a quick note to say that I got my results t’other day. After several incorrect mental calculations, I have finally swallowed my pride, used a calculator, and come out with an average of 60.5, or a borderline 2:1. Combined with last year’s marks, I now have a degree average of 69.9, or an infuriating 0.1% off a first.
I really don’t know how to feel about that. My head is telling me that I’ve done better that I can ever have hoped to have done, and that I owe one hell of a lot to one friend in particular, S, who has supported me through the year both in and out of lectures and has gone way beyond the call of friendship in doing so. He deserves every single percent of his own 96 average! I also know that on top of that I will have a good case for mitigation*, and hey, a 2:1 is perfectly respectable.
Despite all that, though, I’ve just been left feeling a bit numb. On a normal year I’d've missed the first – and be gutted. There’s still a nagging part of me that wonders just how much of it was due to the year and just how much I’d've done poorly anyway, and there’s the disappointment at the exam marks for a couple of modules in particular. 48 on Maths Teaching. 48! At least it was brought up to 69 by the coursework, but still…! On the plus side though that’s the first (and last) essay exam that I will have done since A-Level, so it may just be a question of live and learn.
I suppose that what I’m really terrified of is having a similar experience next year. I always said that if I didn’t come out with a first class degree then it wouldn’t be the end of the world – and yes, I do still firmly believe that. It’s just that if I don’t do as well as I might have wanted, I want it to be because the Maths was too hard and not because other shit got in the way. If that makes sense?
Year closed, eh?
x
*Although after a close friend’s recent experience, I wouldn’t trust mitigation to get me anything. I’m certainly not banking on it.
Well Done! :)
“or an infuriating 0.1% off a first”
Those boundaries generally really arent as strict as you’d imagine, even without mitigating circumstances.
Well done :) and good luck with the case for mitigating circumstances. Meanwhile I will have done nowhere near taht well, and I’ll be pleased just to have passed despite being fully aware that in any other year I would have done a whole lot better. I think you should be very, very pleased with yourself, personally – and hopefully next year will be better and you’ll hit your first amply :) so best wishes with all of that.
xxx
Well done you! I know another third year actually who’s the same margin off a first. APPEAL. Appealappealappeal. But still congratulations. (And if this is the S I think it is… it has to be, right? Couldn’t have happened to a nicer person. Fantastic stuff.)
xxx
Thats a first, they generally give 0.5 to up to 1.5 below a 70 to get a first to take into account for regression towards the mean. I really cant imagine Durham university is so strict that the grade boundies are exactly 40, 50, 60 and 70 but if they are thats really bad 0.1% off is just mean! Apply for mitigating circumstances definately all to gain nothing to lose.
Be bloody proud you made it through you have had a horrible year with everything thats happened that is an amazing acheivement. I know you want a first but sometimes its not the grades that matter. Besides a 2:1 shows you have a life outside of work :P
Everyone will love you no matter what you get and thats what matters. :)
Thank you all :-) I am actually happier with it now I’ve had time to digest and stuff. I don’t even need to appeal (yet) as I’m on an integrated Masters – I don’t graduate ’til next summer when my degree result will be calculated from years 2, 3, and 4, and it’s only when awarding me my final degree class that mit circs will apply. Doesn’t stop me being worried about next year, but at least I’m still in with a chance.
And yes, Fi, of course it’s the S that you’re thinking of, and no, it couldn’t have been to a nicer person :D
96% average? Wow, S is awesome.
Yeh, they’re not going to let someone with 69.9% not get a first. I know here if you’re very close to the borderline you do a viva which can only push the grade up.
Congrats on those results anyways, I know I’m almost biting my nails waiting for mine!