NwanyiAwkaetiti:
Ability to copy and paste verbatimly....

Not in a field like Engineering.

Though an ability to copy and paste verbatim is a sign of a high functioning brain.
Not everybody can do it.

Having enough materials
Having serious minded friends that'll ginger you
Reading immediately the semester starts without procrastination.
Endeavor to have good handwriting too and neat work (this my major weak point and it seldom affect my grade )
After all these^ pray hard too.

1)have course outline and materials ahead b4 semester starts and start reading
2)summarize the materials as u read according to mode u understand(graphics etc)
3)dnt just go to school,be calculative of your grades from day one and always take note of them(if corse work is 30 and exam is 70,and fight to grab the whole 30 that means u need just 30-40 mark min at exam to keep smilling nice)
4)have past questions to help u on area of conc b4 exams.

Num07033711115:
Same tin jare. Brain are nt desame

You really nailed it.

Durentt:
Hello I'm a second year engineering student who just finished first year with a 4.11. The majority of my friends are on a 4.6 above and no, I'm not jealous of them because I know they worked harder than myself last year, I was busy mixing school with romance and play.

But now I was just wondering. Of course it's a new semester and students have begun reading already. At the end of the semester, some will have a 4.7, 4.3 others will get a 3.5, others even 2.8.
Why this difference when they all read and prepared from the start of the semester. What do first class graduates do that others don't.

I think more about discipline and learning key aspects of the courses. They can discern what the key areas of the courses are and they focus most of their energies on getting a hold of such aspects and they practice alot. For them reading a course multiple times is just normal.


Also talents comes to play sometimes. For some first class students, studies come effortlessly. Had a classmate that would drum all day and attend multiple church activities. He needed only 30mins to grab a concept in advanced calculus. Something I would have to study for weeks continously before I can even understand key concepts.

hischoice:


Grades do matter. Ain't nothing wrong having "a first-class mentality." That, in fact, is what we all should strive for - Excellence.

Don't let mediocrity sit well with you because "first-class graduates might struggle for a job." I don't know why that narrative is a reason to not pursue excellence, especially amongst Nigerians.

May You be happy in life with this.

Some people are frustrated with schools owing to the fact that they never do well in studies. They're quick to remind you how dangote didnt made a first class in school, and today he's the richest Nigerian. such an outright display of mediocrity. They keep to the illusion that the only reason they're not having A's is because they're born to employ the first class when they graduate and offer them peanuts. They forget that If an individual can shun distractions and was able to graduate with a good grade, he can apply such to all facet of life and perform beyond some of those mouthy entrepreneurs who only went to school to learn how to sell and make beads. Stop the hating.

Regards

RTSC:

Not in a field like Engineering.

Though an ability to copy and paste verbatim is a sign of a high functioning brain.
Not everybody can do it.

Lols, Not in Engineering or science courses. True

BabangidaHamza:
Please my only advice is that grade don't matters when it comes to university nowadays.. You might graduate with first class and still got no job.. Some first class students always believed that their grade will help them get automatic job from the university which is not true.. Just graduate, if u can invest in business invest, if u c work go do.. But if u allow first class mentality take over u, d person wey dey push wheelbarrow get future pass u

Don’t listen to this distraction of comment. Do what you need to do to graduate with good grades if not the best

The difference is the focus. One thing I know is that you cant combine studies and pleasure and expect to get a First class. It is very difficult or even impossible except the student is some kinda genius. Check most first graduates or potential ones, you find they mostly have a triangular life devoid of any form of social activities.

First class takes a lot of sacrifice and gives no room for play or pleasure. Even graduating with a 2.1 @ a gp of 4point and above takes some serious work.

Know your ability: how long you need to read to understand. Not all brains are the same!

Read ahead, far ahead! Lectures should be like revisions to you
And after each lecture read and reread to make sure you fully understand.

Answer all the past questions you can lay your hands on. I mean ALL.

Know what your lecturers want! Some of them want verbatim some want to see how creative you are!

Be friends with your lecturers, never go against them or you might be frustrated!

Above all have faith, a strong believe that you will, and have already made it!

Party and romance once in a while, that won't stop you from achieving your goal.

What will be will be!

This are my finding

They make sure they get impeccable result in thier Continuous Assessment. This goes a long way as they need to make just a little effort in thier exams to make an A.

Remember , countious assent is evenly spread out while exams are close to each other that you won't have time to study for all.

Take your Assent seriously, then your work is spread out

An advice from some of my first class colleague. Pity I learnt that late and came out below first class.

First class in school isot first class in life. Please remember that.

BabangidaHamza:
Please my only advice is that grade don't matters when it comes to university nowadays.. You might graduate with first class and still got no job.. Some first class students always believed that their grade will help them get automatic job from the university which is not true.. Just graduate, if u can invest in business invest, if u c work go do.. But if u allow first class mentality take over u, d person wey dey push wheelbarrow get future pass u

I will employ a first class who performs well in an interview ahead of you. First class helps you get a foot in the door ahead of others. It provides uncles no opportunity to refuse to help. Make a first class and then let's worry about unemployment later.

Durentt:
Hello I'm a second year engineering student who just finished first year with a 4.11. The majority of my friends are on a 4.6 above and no, I'm not jealous of them because I know they worked harder than myself last year, I was busy mixing school with romance and play.

But now I was just wondering. Of course it's a new semester and students have begun reading already. At the end of the semester, some will have a 4.7, 4.3 others will get a 3.5, others even 2.8.
Why this difference when they all read and prepared from the start of the semester. What do first class graduates do that others don't.

They are comprehensive in nature, they pay attention to little details. E.g If a lecturer ask for a definition, First class students will give 2-3 definitions. They go extra miles and provide more examples than what was given in class

alert01:


Lols, Not in Engineering or science courses. True

In the biological and medical sciences, the best students are those that can copy and paste.

While there is a deficit of jobs in Nigeria and the fact that nepotism has also prevented duly qualified graduates from get into the few opportunities that are available, I think it is utterly deceitful to tell anyone that grades dont matter. Thats a BIG FAT lie. Grade does matter and one should also be able defend whatever grade they parade.

I have personally seen cases that were dependent on the grade candidates graduated with before they could be qualified to apply for a job. A recent experience is the NNPC ongoing graduate trainee recruitment. As a University graduate, if u have a 2.2 then you must have a masters degree before you can apply.
There is a feeling of personal fulfilment and confidence that goes with the class of result one comes out with. So do your best to graduate with very good grades.

RTSC:

In the biological and medical sciences, the best students are those that can copy and paste.

Sure, those that can paste as it is exactly inside greys Anatomy

RTSC:

In the biological and medical sciences, the best students are those that can copy and paste.

With pharmacy?

theoptimist298:
I finished with a 2.1 and i can tell you that the only thing is to read hard and be strategic.

Attend lectures, form your own notes in cases where there are no handouts, even when there are hand outs, lecturers love it when u repeat some things they say in class.

Forget textbooks, read your notes and handouts except in cases where the lecturer makes use of a particular textbook.

Cram and understand too. Make sure u do both. Understanding alone without cramming are for lazy students.

Read for tests as if its exam. Once u do well in the test, getting an A or a B becomes easier.

Keep serious friends or atleast friends that are worried about their performance.

Read a particular note or hand out more than once. That way it sticks more. The first read is usually the hardest, infact when reading something the first time, u may think u cant ever know it but stick to it, when u finish reading for the first time, sleep on it then read it again the next day! During the second read, u may be amazed how much u actually picked from the first read.

Make sure you are aware and social, drink a bit, womanise a bit, be aware. In the end, these things maybe more critical to success in life than academic excellence.

Pray to God for understanding and knowledge retention. Very key.

Be sympathetic to your examiner who would read what u wrote down. Write in a manner that is easy to read, ensure your work is always neat and well spaced.

Ensure to write with good grammar and well constructed sentences. This can save you in some cases where u dont even know the answer to a question.

Give back to the lecturer what they gave you but in addition, let your understanding also shine through in your answers. Here is what i do, i give back to the lecturer verbatim what i was taught, then i also add a last paragraph to my answer where i try to show case my own understanding. People who only try to show case their own understanding without also giving back to the lecturer what they were taught word for word would always be C or D students.

While you are right with your post, the bold is a wrong advise. Womanising can make someone fall from the first class rank. Of all the first class graduates and students I know, none womanised. Besides, how does womanising help a man later in life?

@OP: The thread (9 years' old)below will do thorough justice to your question. You will even get tips from famous Nairalanders who graduated with a first class.

https://www.nairaland.com/163757/secrets-first-class-students

hardbody:


I will employ a first class who performs well in an interview ahead of you. First class helps you get a foot in the door ahead of others. It provides uncles no opportunity to refuse to help. Make a first class and then let's worry about unemployment later.

I seconded you. I'll do the same. No reasonable employer will see a first class and 2'1 that performed at the same level, and can only absolve one person in his organization, and will now opt for 2'1

Xmen149:
1)have course outline and materials ahead b4 semester starts and start reading
2)summarize the materials as u read according to mode u understand(graphics etc)
3)dnt just go to school,be calculative of your grades from day one and always take note of them(if corse work is 30 and exam is 70,and fight to grab the whole 30 that means u need just 30-40 mark min at exam to keep smilling nice)
4)have past questions to help u on area of conc b4 exams.

Mehn this is dope. Op needs a calculator seriously. Op you need to know how marks are distributed in each course. Map out a battle strategy at the beginning of each semester on how to get A in every course. If test is 30 marks, aim to grab the whole 30 marks. Be greedy for marks. Prepare for test every day because some tests are impromptu.

alert01:


Sure, those that can paste as it is exactly inside greys Anatomy

And get distinctions as a result.

I know a friend that had 6 distinctions in medical school.

Her brain na camera. Snap, copy and paste.
Her lecturers sef dey fear am.

She graduated as best medical student in over 10 years of that medical school and is currently employed by WHO.

hardbody:


I will employ a first class who performs well in an interview ahead of you. First class helps you get a foot in the door ahead of others. It provides uncles no opportunity to refuse to help. Make a first class and then let's worry about unemployment later.

Don't mind that nigga. I'm about rounding up my Masters on scholarship, my sponsor couldn't just say No when he saw my grade. I met a guy sometimes last year that finished with a first class from UniLag, got a scholarship, finished his Masters in Engineering with a distinction in the US and finished PhD with 5 points on a 5 point scale. Less than a year after his PhD, he was made an assistant Prof and the guy is currently in money, young fine guy. I wonder why people allow themselves to be brainwashed on how school doesn't pay etc.. If it doesn't pay here in Naija, get a scholarship and move out and see how you've paved ways for yourself

Durentt:
Hello I'm a second year engineering student who just finished first year with a 4.11. The majority of my friends are on a 4.6 above and no, I'm not jealous of them because I know they worked harder than myself last year, I was busy mixing school with romance and play.

But now I was just wondering. Of course it's a new semester and students have begun reading already. At the end of the semester, some will have a 4.7, 4.3 others will get a 3.5, others even 2.8.
Why this difference when they all read and prepared from the start of the semester. What do first class graduates do that others don't.

The thing is every body is different and approaches situations differently and as such their understanding of various matters differ... the circumstances around which some grew up also affects their understanding of different matters..
i started on a 4.95 gpa and currently on 4.88 cgpa
i belong to the 2nd set in my department and as such i only have a single past question paper for all my courses except when i was in 100 level.
not everybody can mke a first class
and first class is not solely on efforts if it were so many others would have made it.
you have to handle your overall academic life smartly thats the difference between a first class and others...
you alone know your strenght and weakness it will be unwise to apply someones life and academic plan in your life when your strenghts and weakness are different...
since you know what is required to get an A then put your best effort to get the best you can in your tests... and when exams come make a draft of your test scores and analyse to see which courses demand more exam input than others to mke an A and act accordingly.
Every course deserves an A but ensure you have nothing less than an A in courses with 3credits and above..
be focused on what you want and monitor you performance and the conditions under which you perform well... understanding what mkes you perform well and your unique academic abilities is very important.
study with the best people in your department.
stay humble you'll be surprised what some of your mates with lower CGPA knows more than you..
ensure you dont have any bad relationship with your lecturers.. they can at times frustrate your efforts. so avoid any personal issue with them.. being too close with some of them too will realy not be good.. the important thing is to undersatand them and act accordingly.
i no longer aim for 70 i aim for the best my ability can affrod in every course even if its a 100
Remember First Class is beyond Books First Class is Smartness First.

RTSC:

And get distinctions as a result.

I know a friend that had 6 distinctions in medical school.

Her brain na camera. Snap, copy and paste.
Her lecturers sef dey fear am.

She graduated as best medical student in over 10 years of that medical school and is currently employed by WHO.

Most later find better footings in life as against what people preached that once you graduate,it means you're only good with book and can never amount to anything except the 4yrs fame that comes with school

BabangidaHamza:
Please my only advice is that grade don't matters when it comes to university nowadays.. You might graduate with first class and still got no job.. Some first class students always believed that their grade will help them get automatic job from the university which is not true.. Just graduate, if u can invest in business invest, if u c work go do.. But if u allow first class mentality take over u, d person wey dey push wheelbarrow get future pass u

do you know that having a first class or a 2.1 boasting your chances of getting a better job? there some jobs those with 2.2 can't apply for but unlike a first class and a 2.1 with your first class you can easily apply for scholarships.
please having a first class matters

Jonahapagu54:


The thing is every body is different and approaches situations differently and as such their understanding of various matters differ... the circumstances around which some grew up also affects their understanding of different matters..
i started on a 4.95 gpa and currently on 4.88 cgpa
i belong to the 2nd set in my department and as such i only have a single past question paper for all my courses except when i was in 100 level.
not everybody can mke a first class
and first class is not solely on efforts if it were so many others would have made it.
you have to handle your overall academic life smartly thats the difference between a first class and others...
you alone know your strenght and weakness it will be unwise to apply someones life and academic plan in your life when your strenghts and weakness are different...
since you know what is required to get an A then put your best effort to get the best you can in your tests... and when exams come make a draft of your test scores and analyse to see which courses demand more exam input than others to mke an A and act accordingly.
Every course deserves an A but ensure you have nothing less than an A in courses with 3credits and above..
be focused on what you want and monitor you performance and the conditions under which you perform well... understanding what mkes you perform well and your unique academic activities is very important.
study with the best people in your department.
stay humble you'll be surprised what some of your mates with lower CGPA knows more than you..
ensure you dont have any bad relationship with your lecturers.. they can at times frustrate your efforts. so avoid any personal issue with them.. being too close with some of them too will realy not be good.. the important thing is to undersatand them and act accordingly.
Remember First Class is beyond Books First Class is Smartness First.

I was a proud first class, and I graduated with it, and as such I can relate with your points. At times, it takes more than just reading. There are some inherent stuffs

alert01:


I seconded you. I'll do the same. No reasonable employer will see a first class and 2'1 that performed at the same level, and can only absolve one person in his organization, and will now opt for 2'1

Sir
Let him.
Mediocres everywhere.

I narrowly missed out on an M.sc scholarship because I had to contend with a first class graduate with my 2.1.

How I wished I could turn back the hands of time. I would have set right things I took for granted.

It is not about what they do, its about what they have that you don't have. 1. They have better brain than you. 2, They have more time than you. 3. They have more materials and lectures than you

Durentt:
Hello I'm a second year engineering student who just finished first year with a 4.11. The majority of my friends are on a 4.6 above and no, I'm not jealous of them because I know they worked harder than myself last year, I was busy mixing school with romance and play.

But now I was just wondering. Of course it's a new semester and students have begun reading already. At the end of the semester, some will have a 4.7, 4.3 others will get a 3.5, others even 2.8.
Why this difference when they all read and prepared from the start of the semester. What do first class graduates do that others don't.

There are five first class students in my class including myself with the first two being females. These girls are so accurate and precise when they answer questions, thus they tend to score higher marks.
This always got me thinking and I would ask myself what's so extraordinary in them but I later got to find these;

They don't joke with note taking in class which I am always lackadaisical about (since all our notes are in power points).

They do their assignments the first day the lecturer gives them(as for me, I don't take assignments serious untill the last minutes).

They do listen in class attentively( I don't usually care about this since the notes will be given out at the end of the classes)

They are always the most active whenever they find themselves working in a group.

Apart from these, I do read a lot because that's like a hobby to me. My CGPA was growing steadily from 100 level not until I tried to involve myself in a relationship in 400level first semester and this affected my result(I managed to have three As which was very rare of me), immediately I realized this I tightened my belt and made up for it in second semester, though my G.p fell from 4.62 to 4.57. Now in 500L

My tactics; Whenever I'm reading for tests or exams, I do read the lecturer's mind(trying to make a mental map of the questions the lecturer is likely to ask). I do this carefully by rewriting the notes(no matter how bulky) in a jotter and revising it many times.

alert01:


I was a proud first class, and I graduated with it, and as such I can relate with your points. At times, it takes more than just reading. There are some inherent stuffs

you are right there are just some things about being a first class that only being a first class mkes u understand them ... maybe thats the difference

I had a 1st class so this is my advice

1. Be strategic in choosing your electives. Choose according to your strengths. For example don't pick a numerical course if you can't do maths to save your life.

2. No what % each coursework, test, exam contributes to your gpa. That way you know what you need to score to get the GPA you want

3. Always attend lectures. Lecturers will usually unconsciously hint on areas of focus especially during exam time. And if a lecturer says something like that, don't take it lightly

4. Be strategic. Every course is tested in a certain way. For example Don't spend too much time cramming theory in a course that is tested by mathematical questions

5. Not every textbook is required. Focus on the ones that explain things in short straight forward ways.

6. Never skip any topic. Even if you dont have time to read and understand in depth, glance through at least once so if it comes out in your exam last last you go get 1 mark. Every mark adds up

7. Start studying at least 1 month to your exam. So you can revise everything at least twice. And never never do overnight reading before an exam. You will be too tired to write well