This document provides advice on how to get a first class degree. It begins by outlining the core skills evaluated in degrees: knowledge, understanding, analysis, and evaluation. It then discusses strategies for success like focusing on explanations, lecture note taking, time management, prioritizing high-impact tasks, and developing strong revision skills. Specific tips include breaking down questions, creating a plan, focusing research, getting feedback from lecturers, and practicing past papers to prepare for exams. The overall message is that mastery of the material, self-management, and developing key skills are essential for academic achievement.

1. How On Earth Do I Get A First?

2. How On Earth Do I Get A First
Nathan Ghann
@Nathan Ghann
Nathan Ghann

3. Money Multiplier
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4. Step 1 – Rules of the game
The Core Four
1. Knowledge
2. Understanding/Application
3. Analysis/Critique
4. Evaluation

5. Grade Weighting
10%
E
20%
Analysis
Understanding
30%
Knowledge
40%
20%
U/A
Analysis
30%
Evaluation
40%
10%
K
First Year Year 2/Final

6. The Best Way To Remember Is To
Explain
• We retain
10% of what we READ
20% of what we HEAR
30% of what we SEE
50% of what we SEE and HEAR
70% of what is DISCUSSED with OTHERS
80% of what is EXPERIENCED PERSONALLY
95% of what we Explain to others
~William Glasser

7. Lecture Note Taking
• Every slide should be able to become a bullet
point
• Write as if explaining to an 8 year old
• Try and give it a beginning, middle and end

8. Master Your Time

9. Master Your Time
• 22 weeks of teaching per year
• Overall 66 weeks (3 year
degree)
• Only 1 year 3 ½ Months

10. 15%
15%
6%
4%
7%
53%
Module Time: 150 Hours
Lectures/tutorials (22)
Reading preparing for
Lectures/tutorials (22)
Tutorial tasks and
prepation (9)
Group meetings/Prep for
presentations (6)
Administration: emails,
filing, review Studynet
(11)
Assessments & Reading
(80)

11. Weekly Tasks
1. Lectures/tutorials 8 hours
2. Reading for lectures and tutorial 8 hours
3. Assessments & Reading 29 hours
4. Tutorials tasks 2 hours
5. Group meetings 2 hours
6. Admin - emails, filing 4 hours
Total 13.5 hours per week per module
Total 54 hours per week

12. Task Average persons
Hours per week
Academic 54
Part time job 16
Sleeping 56
Cooking & Eating 17.5
Other 24.5
Task Nathan’s Hours
per week
Academic 44
Part-time job 16
Sleeping 49
Cooking & Eating 9
Other 50
Weekly Tasks

13. Master Your Time
• Goal Window (Prioritise)
– Maximum/Minimum
• Energy Management
–Tues, Wed, Thurs
• Accountability
– Create lifelines

14. Study Time
• We remember the beginning and end of most
content (20 – 45 mins)
• Procrastination list (15 mins)
• Identify Your 80/20 – Pareto Principle

15. Top 20% Actions
Coursework Assignments

16. 80/20 Actions
Coursework
1.Breakdown the Question
2.Create The Plan*
3.Finding credible Research Points
4.Write First Draft
5.Checking with Lecturer/Tutor*
6.Write Final Draft

17. Breaking Down The Question
Creating The Plan
Don’t just answer the question answer
their question

18. Don’t just answer the question answer
their question
• Evaluate and justify the importance of World
War 2 in Europe
• Discuss and critically analyse the importance
of World War 2 in Europe
• Reflect and review the importance of World
War 2 in Europe

19. The answer is in the question
• Evaluate :- Make an appraisal as to the worth of;
judge effectiveness/value/quality/nature/use
of/amount of
• Discuss :- Consider from several points of view &
explore implications
• Reflect :- Consider & assess strengths &
weaknesses/usefulness/quality/ performance &
draw conclusions

20. Top 20% Action for Coursework
Coursework
1. Breakdown the Question
2. Create The Plan*
3. Finding Credible Research Points
4. Write First Draft
5. Checking with Lecturer/Tutor*
6. Write Final Draft

21. Research
1. Blogs
2. Wikipedia
3. Official Websites
4.Newspaper Reports
5. Industry magazines
6. Documentaries
7. Books
8. Industry Reports
9. Academic Journals
10. Peer Reviewed Academic Journals

22. Reading for Research
Abstract/Executive
Summary
Topic Sentences
Ctrl F
https://www.tools4noobs.com/summarize/

23. QUESTION Evidence For Evidence
Against
Evidence For Evidence
Against
Point 1 • Timely
• Relevant
• Credible
source
Point 2
Point 3
Point 4

24. Writing your first draft
• Main body
• Point – (Topic sentence)
– Evidence (Research)
– Explain (with theory or examples from lecture)
– Analyse (Why is this point important)
– Link back to question (How important is this point
to the question)
• Use first sentence as topic sentence
• Points are not bad or good they are only strong
or weak

25. Top 20% Coursework Success
Coursework
1. Breakdown the Question
2. Create The Plan*
3. Finding Credible Research Points
4. Write First Draft
5. Checking with Lecturer/Tutor*
6. Write Final Draft

26. Check with your Lecturer/module guide
• Should I look at the content in more breadth
or more depth?
• What are the most relevant sources I can use
to find out more about this topic or theory?
• Where will majority of the weighting of
grading be?

27. Top 20% Actions for Coursework
Final Draft
• To ensure every word written is contributing to the
overall answer and marks available
• Highlight method
– Highlight sections of the question and then
highlight where you have answered that question.
– Highlight areas of the marking scheme and
highlight where you feel you gained those marks

28. Top 20% For
Revision and Exams

29. Top 20% for Revision and Exams
• Do all past tutorial/seminar questions
• Undertake at least one past paper (timed)
• Give yourself triggers & associations
(mnemonics)

30. Top 20% for Revision and Exams
Define what the cerebrum is and the
explain the functions of the four main
lobes?

31. Cerebrum
Cerebral Cortex
• Grey matter
• 85% of brain
• White matter
Cerebro - Professor X

32. Cerebrum
• Frontal Lobe
• Motor cortex
• Reasoning
• Planning
• Emotions
• Movement
Star Trek Enterprise

33. Cerebrum
• Parietal Lobe
• Movement
• Orientation
• Recognition of
stimuli
TWINS

34. Cerebrum
• Temporal Lobe
• Auditory processing
• Language
Sound Engineer

35. Cerebrum
• Occitpius
• Visual Processing
Octopus

37. Developing Revision Notes
1. What are the definitions of the key
terms used in this lecture? - Knowledge
2. Can you explain the topic/theory/case in
a real world context? - Understanding
3. What are other sources saying about
this topic/theory/case? Analysis
4. What are the most valuable viewpoints
on this subject? And why? -Evaluation

38. • Calculate time per question
http://www.oxcoll.com/exam-timing.html
• You may begin
– Breakdown the question
– Write down the plan
– Leave time to go over at the end
Prep for exam questions

39. Don’t just look for a job pursue a
career

40. • Graduate roles are on the rise by 13.2% in
2015
• Expert estimate that only 30% of jobs
available are actually advertised with 70%
remaining in the hidden job market.
(Association of Graduate Recruiters Green Paper,
2015)
Good News & Bad News

41. • 71% of employers do not stipulate that
applicants to their graduate programmes
have subject specific qualifications (AGR,15)
• Graduate Recruiters favour students with
work experience
• AGR recruiters want to see Skills
Get the career

44. Top Ten Skills Employers Want
1. Managing up / assertiveness
2. Conflict resolution
3. Negotiating and Influencing
4. Commercial Awareness
5. Written Communication
6. Self awareness
7. Problem Solving
8. Interpersonal Communication
9. Team work
10.Presentation skills

45. Additional skills
1. Intermediate or advanced in Microsoft Office
2. Learn and additional Language
3. Adobe Photoshop
4. Social Media
5. Professional Accreditations

46. Four ways you can develop those skills
1.In your degree
2.Part time Job or Volunteering
3.Projects for family or friends
4.Freelance

47. The tools you need and the people you
don’t

48. Tools you need and the people you
don’t
1) www.vark-learn.com
2) Office 365 and Google Drive online usb
3) Refme – For referencing
4) Google Scholar – For researching
5) Academicearth.org
6) Khan Academy
7) www.oxcoll.com/exam-timing.html
8) https://www.tools4noobs.com/summarize/

49. Question & Answer