Agugbadin:
If they are intelligent, why is Nigeria still importing every item we need into this country, even matches despite the fact that we have thousands of 1st class degree holders. I think they are just smart. In Nigeria, just memorize your notes and maybe textbook and give them back to the examiners. The thousands of 1st class degree holders in Nigeria do not contribute to knowledge because they do not necessarily understand the principles of problem solving but they understand the methods of solving problems from their notes and handouts.

davidadeoluwa:
I'm currently researching on this issue. I conducted an online survey with about 50 respondents, out of which less than 10 ( about 6) were 1st class. The distinct features about them was against popular views; 1. They're smart (they identify and utilize opportunities than the average student) 2. They're not necessarily 'intelligent' but are hardworking. The whole thing is that they don't always have the good cards (i.e intelligence) but are good players (they're smart and hardworking) NB: My findings are not concluded yet and i'm still working on getting more respondents

emkz:
I would have preferred if the first-class graduates speak for themselves. When many people who did not finish with a first-class start talking about these things, it dilutes and defeats the purpose of the thread. I believe many want to learn.

I had a first-class semester GPA (4.72 out of 5.00). So I think I am slightly qualified to contribute here.

An important aspect is to study the lesson notes (and understand them) as quickly as the lecturer teaches them. Don't wait until exams. Understand, then memorize. Don't memorize before understanding. Also, even importantly, if you are confronted with an exam, understand the question and don't just jump to answer. The only edge I had was that I went beyond what was taught in class. In subjects where I understood the topic presented, getting an A was easy. In subjects where I didn't particularly understand, I struggled to get a B or C.

Abroad (I also studied in Germany), the professors are super-strict and getting a first-class (distinction) is not as easy as many would like to think. What you need to make a distinction is thorough understanding of the subject. Also a significant aspect of training abroad is oral presentations. I got a distinction in all my orals because I did what other students did not do: I used humour in my presentations even when discussing important scientific matters (I wouldn't advise anyone to do it, I am just sharing an experience).

And an aspect that can help anyone is humility and strong relationships. Be quiet. Listen, listen and listen. Don't let your mind wander. Have a good relationship with your supervisor. I saw a guy make a distinction because his supervisor was the dean of the faculty and even though three persons needed to vote to award the distinction in the thesis (which determined if he got a distinction overall), no one dared challenge the grade awarded by the dean.

It most times take grace.

Omega48:

Is this what dey asked you... It's inferiority complex that will kill you... They asked what first class students do differently, you are saying most of them are jobless... People like you are the problem of this country, always on the defensive side... Very anyhow some body

SilverNorGold:
Yeah, some are geniuses, most are good "crammers"..

Most Nigerian lecturers prefer "garbage in, garbage out" ..

For instance, if you write "the man has arrived" in the exam but "the man is here" is in their lecture notes, you'll score 0... No mercy.. No room for creativity.

SmartyPants:


What if she was asked to mark all minus her own?

davidadeoluwa:
I'm currently researching on this issue. I conducted an online survey with about 50 respondents, out of which less than 10 ( about 6) were 1st class. The distinct features about them was against popular views; 1. They're smart (they identify and utilize opportunities than the average student) 2. They're not necessarily 'intelligent' but are hardworking. The whole thing is that they don't always have the good cards (i.e intelligence) but are good players (they're smart and hardworking) NB: My findings are not concluded yet and i'm still working on getting more respondents

ZIINI:

Only God knows

DAVE5:
Cc ednut1

Nah u be first class guy, we wey we be olodo no supposed comment for this kind thread

SmartyPants:


So you see, you can't attribute her success to knowing way

SilverNorGold:
Yeah, some are geniuses, most are good "crammers"..

Most Nigerian lecturers prefer "garbage in, garbage out" ..

For instance, if you write "the man has arrived" in the exam but "the man is here" is in their lecture notes, you'll score 0... No mercy.. No room for creativity.

juniorstar:
they are
1 smart
2 have the right info or move with people that do
3 ready ahead of the class. some read the next semester course during break
4 find a way to distract themselves once in a while some by attending birthday parties, participating in religious activities on campus, disturbing their colleagues who are reading
5 have tons of high yield/ recent past questions could be from seniors who are good high fliers themselves.
6 financial support in form of scholarship(s) or from home
7 good accommodation not necessarily staying off campus
8 must have good short/ medium term memory
9 must be able to skim tru materials fast
10 understand your lecturers by asking those who have gone ahead of you.
11 you must believe in something!

Paul8344:
My view on this is dichotomous:
1.Hardworking
2.Naturally endowed

Based on non-fictious view, Hard work tends to override every other approach to success. First Class students study more than those with lower grades academically. Even the ones you think they don't read much and yet graduate with first class have a well schedule for all their activities.

Some people are naturally more intelligent than other and will take lesser time to understand, but Hardwork cannot be compromised here.

FIRST CLASS STUDENTS HAVE MORE TO OFFER THAN OTHERS IN THEIR FIELD OF STUDY; PRACTICALLY OR THEORITICALLY, CETERIS PARIBUS!!!

SilverNorGold:
Yeah, some are geniuses, most are good "crammers"..

Most Nigerian lecturers prefer "garbage in, garbage out" ..

For instance, if you write "the man has arrived" in the exam but "the man is here" is in their lecture notes, you'll score 0... No mercy.. No room for creativity.

ethicallyright:


I guess you majored in Economics which is most likely the influence of your last two words.

When I was 15, I applied to study Law but was given another course instead. I wrote JAMB again but my parents insisted I must do the Social Science course. I made first class the two semesters I studied the course and was one of the best before I moved on to LAW the next year.
The longest I read any course was 30 minutes and usually within 6 hours before the Exams.

When I moved to LAW the next year I felt I'd break the faculty record if I invested my all because I had a GPA of almost 5.0 reading each course for not more than one hour, just once, a whole semester.

I bought textbooks , journals and rated my lecturers as average tutors. I'd rather read in my room than attend classes. That First semester I had a second class GPA for the first time in my life. I knew every single course as written in the textbook word for word. I was discouraged and just stayed at the back of the class during my second semester in 100 level and read less . I had a first class GPA that second semester. Year 2 first semester I read like year 1 first semester and I had mostly B grades. I gave up . I started flexing life and graduated with a second class upper. There was nothing I didn't know or could not know. I even felt I knew more than my lecturers and that Law was very simple and basic unlike the hype.

I learnt that to make a First Class you must attend classes and read from one source , particularly the source of lecturer. Could be the lecturer's notes or special material. Attending a class will give a hint of what the lecturer wants. You may read more and know more than an average First class student but the First class Student is there because he basically keeps to instructions and gives the lecturer what he wants .

For instance a brilliant student may miss three Economics classes and in one of those classes the lecturer emphasizes that it is always better to give the definition of Professor Lionel Robins first , then Adams Smith's definition, your own definition before others.
Now the Brilliant Student who missed classes may read three Economics textbooks and gather up to 20 definitions of economics while the first class student reads just the notes of the lecturer and the definitions he specified.

On the Examination paper the question comes :
"What is Economics?" The brilliant Student who read and knows very well but did not attend classes gives 10 definitions and places Professor Lionel Robin's definition as the fourth and maybe omits that of Adams Smith . He is not wrong , not stupid, may pass an interview and win a quiz than any student in his class but his lecturer will score him 4 , at most 5.

An average student who attended class may give Adams Smith's definition first then Professor Lionel Robin's then his own definition and may score 6 or 7.

A first class Student who definitely attended the class would give the definition of Professor Lionel Robin's first, then Adams Smith ,then his own definition and then two other definitions he read "just to tackle that particular question". The first class Student would score at least 8 or 9 for that question.

If you are intelligent and understand the point of view of each lecturer you will make first class. How do you understand their point of view ? By listening to them speak. How do you listen to them speak? By attending their classes.

Real life experience!
Depopular , you're smart. Just finished typing your thoughts. Smart people who finished as second class upper Students understand this.

falcon01:
They have nothing better to do they put their whole life in education and only few become successful.

falcon01:
only few become successful.

teamsynergy:
I think it depends on your level of intelligence , exposure , type of uni, nature of your department and your determination.

For me, I studied chemistry in a federal uni and trust me ehn, if you aspire to finish with a first class in that department, you must be ready to study for extended hours and cut off every other thing . Still, there is absolutely no guarantee cos the lecturers were harsh ASF. First class was not my target , I explored other departments and fields, made great friends and today , I work in a multinational tech firm as an engineer without an engineering cert.

Anyday anytime, I will pick alround versatility over first class in one field.

PS: I have met a handful of first class grads and I don't thinks they are geniuses. They are kinda very determined and love to study