[198/365] grades

[cosmolinguist]

My grades for ths spring semester are out!

65, 68 and 69. Nice.

Most importantly, this means that despite my fucking inexplicable 43 in one class from fall semester, my average for this year is 65. Unlike my first year (where I averaged 77, hmph!), these grades do actually count toward my final mark and I'm well on track for that 2:1 that is the best I can hope for.

I am so relieved. Both classes I had exams in were fucking difficult (one of them had no exam so I knew my grade as soon as both essays had been marked), and I truly could imagine getting more grades in the 40s. It's so great not to have that possibility hanging over my head any more.

For this year at least. I was reminded today to check to see if my grades were up yet because I got an email saying I can now choose classes for my third year. I haven't even thought about what I want to take yet (which I get the impression is unusual compared to my fellow students)!

Comments

[askygoneonfire]

They can, occasionally, be taken into account if everything goes to shit in your third year and you have some sort of supporting evidence for why the uni should adjust your grade. And it's sometimes looked at if you get a borderline overall mark and can be used to bump you up to next classification - so not necessarily worthless! Plus, it means students have the opportunity to adjust to uni study - which is really useful for the straight-out-of-school students!

Are you still enjoying the course? Difficult exams and infuriating 40 aside. When I was an undergrad the options I could pick from in the 3rd year were my favourite part of my degree.

[cosmolinguist]

Yes I'm really enjoying it, I'm still convinced I'm on the right course (which I never was the first time I tried uni), I'm still blathering on social media and in the pub with friends about all the interesting relevant things I'm learning. It's still my favorite thing and I'm going to miss it when I stop.

[askygoneonfire]

Oh that's wonderful. Although I very much sympathise with the anticipation of missing it before it's even over - that happened to me and then led to a MA and PhD....

I hope you get to follow up with a job that allows you to keep participating in that type of learning and excitement.

[cosmolinguist]

I'm very employment motivated in doing this degree, and much as I'd love to keep learning things I don't think an MA or a PhD would be conducive to my mental health.

[askygoneonfire]

I think that is very wise. The one thing you can say categorically about postgrad study (PhD especially) is that, at best, it pushes you to the brink.