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A Second-Class Degree System
Getting a second-class degree is the next aim for a student who sees it as too hectic to attain an upper-class CGPA. A second-class degree is into two different divisions. These divisions are the upper second class and the lower second class.
A student has an upper second-class degree when he graduates with a 2.1. With this grade, you stand a very high chance of employment in respectable offices. This is a minimum acceptable grade for some employers and institutions. Graduates with a 2.1 are in a good position for postgraduate programs and even postgraduate studies. 50% of full-time graduates attain the upper second class.
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The lower second class is also a 2.2. This result is also not as bad as the minimum grade demanded, mostly for employment opportunities.
Importance of a Second-Class Degree
Over the years, the essence of graduating with a second-class degree has been overemphasized. As notable as it is in attaining a first-class upper grade, not every student graduates with a first-class upper. Some strive or work very hard to get the upper second-class grade, which is a minimum grade and a gateway to some of the best job opportunities and graduate programs. There are many advantages to getting a 2.1 degree, below are some of the many benefits a graduate enjoys/derives from having a second-class degree:
1. Better opportunity at being employed by a firm
With the second class grade, which is known as a minimum grade for employment, a graduate stands a good chance of being employed. This can be especially true if you have a wide range of knowledge and skills that are useful in a particular workplace.
Take a scenario from two graduates who seek employment in a firm that is less bothered about degree grades. One has a first-class upper degree and the other comes with a second-class degree. These two people are highly skilled and are in the best position to carry out the jobs efficiently; there is a high tendency that the candidate with a lower class will be preferred because he is more affordable.
Oftentimes, Companies or firms do not select or give job opportunities to candidates based on degree classification, they do not count it as a major part of their selection equation. They are usually more focused on the skills possessed by candidates that will be useful to them. A firm at some point needs an asset that will add value and also come at a cheaper rate. The first-class degree holder will be perfect for the job, but then he comes with a higher cost. His degree makes him more expensive than the one with a lower degree, thus giving preference to the former. Looking at this scenario, one can conclude that it is sometimes a blessing to graduate with Desmond and relevant skills.
According to Nick Paton in his Guardian, “the London School of Economics lists 11 tips, including the value of thinking laterally and looking at whether, if you can no longer get onto a big scheme, a smaller employer in your chosen field might still be an option.” He says that smaller companies are often less bothered about degree grades and may offer the chance to gain a wider range of experience and responsibility more quickly.
Since employers are now interested in more than the degree grade of a candidate, it is advised that emphasis should be placed more on graduates’ experiences or skills acquired and work experience accumulated.
2. High employment rate
Having a second class is way better than getting a third class or even a pass. As discussed above, Desmond is seen as the minimum grade for employment. You can get a very good and well-respected job opportunity from different firms or organizations.
Since an honors degree specifies your level of achievement and even gives employers an avenue to understand graduates’ proficiencies, having a 2.2, which comes immediately after the 2.1, is not exactly a bad academic reputation.
3. A golden pass to enroll in a graduate program
With a second-class degree, you have a golden opportunity to further pursue your career paths by enrolling in a graduate program. This graduate program offers you professional development, networking opportunities, and specific training on career paths, which, when put into practice, will make you perfect for a large organization.
With a second-class degree, you have the opportunity to access well-structured training and access to executive staff and their knowledge simply by the graduate programs you enroll in. Now let’s look at how to graduate with a second class degree.
Read Also: Universities in Europe that accept HND, Second Class, and 3rd Class for Masters
Here are the Top 10 Scholarships for Second Class Upper 2 1 Graduates
Also Watch: Top 10 Scholarships for Second Class Lower 2 2 Graduates
How to Get a Second-Class Degree
Getting a second-class degree entails lots of hard work and discipline in all aspects of your life, both academically and otherwise. You will need to be involved in some major activities that will ensure your success and help you achieve your goal. Though it sometimes costs you so much time and will be very tough, it will be very rewarding at the end of it all. If you are bent on getting a “Desmond,” which is not a bad grade, then below are some of the perfect ways to achieve your aim:
1. Be determined and stay focused consistently
Achieving a good grade will require you to put in unlimited effort to make your dream grades a reality. You should always plan. Read ahead, and don’t just rely on class lectures. You should also have good coordination. Make sure to work on all given assignments. Avoid being lazy. Make it a habit not to postpone working on coursework to the next day, for this will eventually mount pressure on you, which is bad for your goal.
2. Develop and increase your research skills
To get a decent grade, you will have to form the habit of reading widely. Put a reasonable amount of time into reading through course handouts and study materials. Form a good habit of setting Google alerts for certain topics you want to research.
Always try to get foreknowledge on relevant topics that concern your area of academic interest, and you will find out that the substantial amount of time you put into school work will help you gain more knowledge and make you academically sound.
Gaining a different perspective by reading widely will make you think captiously and get an independent opinion of your own, not just relying on that of your lectures.
Read Also: How to Graduate With a First Class Degree
3. Make the library your favorite place in the university
This is how to graduate with a second class degree. Visiting the library as frequently as you can manage will help in your quest to achieve good grades. By making the library your place of focus, you will have the benefit of unlimited access to books that are relevant to you or your respective ideas.
Make good use of the library; do not just go there as a comfort zone; make sure to take notes of essential page numbers, chapters, and other information before dropping any book on the shelf. By taking note of every relevant idea and fact from the book, you will easily have access to such books whenever you need them again.
4. Always endeavor to ask questions from tutors on a subject that seems not to be clear to you
There is this saying that “one is never at a loss when he seeks and asks for information he doesn’t have or doesn’t know.” Great men are known to ask lots of questions about things they do not know; this adds wisdom to them.
On your journey to gaining good grades, be sure to set up appointments with your tutors as frequently as possible. During these meetings, discuss topics that are related to previous subjects and talk about relevant ideas.
It is no harm to get added information on the already existing idea that you have. You are advised to get the interest of your teachers piqued by discussing ideas that are related to their field of study. This lets them know that you are interested and will make them willing to discuss it intently with you.
5. Make sure to attend lectures and seminars
Attending lectures is one of the very important things you must do to gain good grades. Try not to miss seminars or lectures to be on the good side of your respective lecturers. There is no harm in creating a mutual friendship with your tutors, you know? They will be fair when grading the results of a student who is always present in his class.
With these practices, you are sure to work your way to getting a good grade.
6. Maintaining a Second-Class CGPA
CGPA refers to the average grades gotten by a student throughout his entire academic experience. This CGPA involves the compilation of grades from all terms and semesters.
Well, maintaining a second-class CGPA isn’t quite different from the various procedures you engaged in when seeking it in the first place. You just have to continue doing those things that got you good grades. You have to continue reading excessively, making sure not to stress yourself out while doing it. Below are some activities you are expected to do to keep that good grade of yours:
7. Spend little time on social media and give full time to studying.
Yes, according to this popular saying, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” you should give yourself a break from intense reading, but that doesn’t make you overuse your leisure time on social media.
Yes, you might want to stay very current on the happenings on social media, but then the report has it that spending too much time on social media isn’t the ideal thing for any student seeking a good grade. It can bring about distractions and, thus, be very bad for your grades.
8. Pair yourself with a study partner
No matter how studious and highly determined you are, there will always be days when you will feel relaxed and will need a kick up the backside. Being friends with a person with the same motive as you will greatly improve your study level.
It is a very good plan to have an equally ambitious study partner that will motivate you to study even on your hard days. This will be good for maintaining good grades, for with him there is never a lazy time for reading.
9. Stay in good health while seeking to maintain your good grade
Much emphasis should be placed on the impact of good food on your health and the ability it has to improve your grade. Eating the right food will make you stay healthy, fit, and active. You will surely need good health to study.
Eat and drink the right amount of brain-fueled foods that will aid you in doing the very best you can. Regular exercise will also help you stay fit and give you the energy boost you need.
Benefits of a Second-Class Degree After University Education
The benefits to be derived from a grade cannot be overemphasized. The second-class degree is a very good result and will fetch you a great job opportunity.
With this grade, you have a golden way to a nice graduate program. Having a 2.1 is something you should be proud of. Many firms are becoming flexible on the entry requirements for a job; they are mostly now less concerned about the degrees but are after the level of skills acquired over some time.
There should no longer be any worries on the minds of those who graduated with a 2.1 because, with their results, they have a very good future.
As discussed earlier with Desmond, you can go for graduate programs that will mold you into a professional in your desired career path. It also gives you networking opportunities, and this will be very helpful to you.
Getting a second-class degree isn’t a very demeaning grade. There are so many advantages to be gained and enjoyed. Have you just graduated with a degree? Then be of an enlightened countenance, because there is more good to it than you have ever known. Regardless of your grade, you have just completed a degree. Employers look beyond acquired grades for something more explicit, like a wide range of knowledge and skills.
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