₦airaland Forum

Welcome, Guest: RegisterLoginWith GoogleTrendingRecentNew

Stats: 3,330,860 members, 8,447,420 topics. Date: Saturday, 18 July 2026 at 09:54 AM

Toggle theme

Is First Class Worth The Stress Or Overrated? Need Your Opinions And Experience - Education (3) - Nairaland

Nairaland ForumNairaland GeneralEducationIs First Class Worth The Stress Or Overrated? Need Your Opinions And Experience (11093 Views)

1 2 3 Reply (Go Down)

Re: Is First Class Worth The Stress Or Overrated? Need Your Opinions And Experience by Oracle411: 12:43pm On Apr 22, 2025
I regretted not having it from the beginning cos those that had it then easily got white color jobs in big multinationals. They got well paid. With my 2.1 they still had an edge because those that have 2.1 are Many compared to 1st class
15yrs later after focusing on my own biz, now I'm a BOSS of my own company getting CVs from 1st class graduates while the most of the 1st class grads back then are crying about salary.

So it depends on what u wanna focus on.
To get jobs.m 1st class has big advantage
But in biz. F*vck ur 1st class.
Re: Is First Class Worth The Stress Or Overrated? Need Your Opinions And Experience by ExudeLoveToAll: 1:29pm On Apr 22, 2025
geelite:
Ppease tell me more. Doesit means its easy for first class in Nigerian universityto secure scholarship?
Scholarships are ranked based on different criteria which includes

1. CGPA(academic performance)
2. Leadership Potential
3. A portfolio showcasing your work;
Participation in exhibitions, competitions, or performances;
4. Recommendations from teachers, mentors, or professionals in the artistic community.
5. Ability to do research

But i can tell you that academic achievement via CGPA carries the highest impact on whether or not you win a scholarship whether im Nigeria or abroad.

A BSc first class will apply directly to the US universities for Phd and he will be admitted than a second class lower who has done his master's degree with a cgpa of 4.2/5. There are advantages to these things but generally during work the advantages isn't visible but in academics or further studies it is very visible.

Check all the awardees of international scholarships like Commonwealth scholarships etc one thing is common 80% or more are first class
Re: Is First Class Worth The Stress Or Overrated? Need Your Opinions And Experience by noob03saibot(m): 1:49pm On Apr 22, 2025
CalabarPikin:
It's worth the stress

But unfortunately, our beloved country will humble you.

This days, na first class dey do POS, na third class dey withdraw. It's pathetic
grin grin grin
Re: Is First Class Worth The Stress Or Overrated? Need Your Opinions And Experience by Amalekki: 2:12pm On Apr 22, 2025
CalabarPikin:
It's worth the stress

But unfortunately, our beloved country will humble you.

This days, na first class dey do POS, na third class dey withdraw. It's pathetic
Yes, the first part is pathetic as no graduate should be doing POS except for passive income as owner with employees.

The second part is actually normal and expected. Third class folks have always been largely very successful and the reason is very simple. A graduate with third class will quickly face reality and most of them were already prepared for life after school while still in school. They tend to pick a lucrative "low hanging fruit" venture and tend to be the very best and most success driven out of the pool of competitors.

Several years ago, a friend with third class went straight to computer village right after graduation and was already a big player out there within 5 years of hustle. Another raised some funds and went into small scale palm oil wholesale as a middleman. These are big men today and already padded up their CV with online masters degree. Some even went back to their school for post-graduate diploma then masters or business degrees. With that initial third class degree, they faced the real battle of life with little or no entitlement mentality bugging down many graduates.

Regardless, first class definitely makes your life a lot easier with huge advantage getting good job early in life and it's up to you to take advantage of that otherwise the third class guy will eventually employ you. First class must be your primary goal while it's still doable.
Re: Is First Class Worth The Stress Or Overrated? Need Your Opinions And Experience by nnewsnjobs: 2:36pm On Apr 22, 2025
Acidosis:
Stress? Who told you that stress will help you achieve a first-class? First-class is mainly for people with exceptional academic talent. Let’s be honest, no matter how hard most people study or stress, they won’t earn it. It is 70% talent/gift + 30% hardwork.
I disagree with you comments above.
Someone that can comfortably make 2.1 with ease can make 1st class when little effort/stress is added.

I can tell you from my experience, I was making 2.1 easily, sometimes I will tell my friend that we own 2.1, even if they want to mark all the exams in the moon, na we get 2.1.

Some semesters I enter 1st class in my result.

With more effort, I could have come out with 1st class, but the reason is best known to me and am not regret it all. Reason being that the poverty was not here and most time am away from school traveling for like 2 weeks missing lectures in search of fund. Am not talking about this era of mobile phone, it came towards my 400 level and I couldn't afford it.
Re: Is First Class Worth The Stress Or Overrated? Need Your Opinions And Experience by bixton(m): 2:36pm On Apr 22, 2025
Ridross:
I’m currently studying for my first degree in Statistics. I can graduate with a 2.1 effortlessly, but getting a first-class would require a bit effort. My issue is that I’m already balancing a job , plus I’m feeling lazy and unmotivated about school.

For those who have graduated and have experience about the labour market, please:

Are there any significant advantages to having a first-class over a 2.1?
Did it make a difference in your career, further studies, or job opportunities?

I need real-life experiences and opinions to convince me whether to put in the effort or just avoid unnecessary stress.
What's the relationship between bolded 1 and bolded 3 ?

An education above secondary school is not actually compulsory but a necessity if you're looking to be employed by another.

Ideally your chances of getting a job offer is high and high expectations are also required by your employer from you.....
Just having a first class effortlessly should not be your point of call but been able to defend your certificate when the time arises in season and out of season.

I have a friend who was a barber who never dreamt of having a job in the place he is because he had no one to help me.
It was one of his clients who came to have his hair cut and asked him what he studied and what he graduated with.......he studied mechanical engineering and with a 2.1....
The man just requested for his CV and that was how he went to Milan for training and is now in a managerial position in one of the OICs. This happened about 17 years ago.

You never know when it would come handy.
Also depend on God in all your endeavors.
Re: Is First Class Worth The Stress Or Overrated? Need Your Opinions And Experience by Engen(m): 3:02pm On Apr 22, 2025
I had a FirstClass Bsc in Gelogy and Mining 1997 and I think I was the only student at that time with 1st class, but trust me you will still have to pass interviews, I think the only thing my first class did for me was grant me access to these interviews...I worked with one of the companies that came to recruit me for 26yrs until I retired in 2023
Re: Is First Class Worth The Stress Or Overrated? Need Your Opinions And Experience by Trojan8(m): 3:21pm On Apr 22, 2025
It depends on a lot actually. If you can graduate under 25, then it makes absolute sense when you are looking at GT roles because it gives you an edge or the focus is on japa via scholarship route.

However, if you are above 26 and you ain't looking at academics long term just focus on your business and get a 2.1 with it. First class requires a lot especially in public schools but rewarding in the context that I shared above.
Re: Is First Class Worth The Stress Or Overrated? Need Your Opinions And Experience by Ahigbo1: 4:32pm On Apr 22, 2025
Go for the First Class! It's nonnegotiable
Re: Is First Class Worth The Stress Or Overrated? Need Your Opinions And Experience by Acidosis(m): 4:32pm On Apr 22, 2025
nnewsnjobs:
I disagree with you comments above.
Someone that can comfortably make 2.1 with ease can make 1st class when little effort/stress is added.
You've only reiterated my point. 70% talent; 30% hardwork.

There are people who are exceptionally sound and intelligent. The difference is that they learn and retain knowledge faster than majority. With just 12 hours of study, they will outshine everyone else who studied for weeks/months.

I've never been a fan of 2.1/2.2 classification though. It is trash. We should not be comparing a 4.49 with a 3.50.

I'm a fan of:

91-100
81-90
71-80
Etc.
Re: Is First Class Worth The Stress Or Overrated? Need Your Opinions And Experience by nnewsnjobs:
Acidosis:
You've only reiterated my point. 70% talent; 30% hardwork.

There are people who are exceptionally sound and intelligent. The difference is that they learn and retain knowledge faster than majority. With just 12 hours of study, they will outshine everyone else who studied for weeks/months.

I've never been a fan of 2.1/2.2 classification though. It is trash. We should not be comparing a 4.49 with a 3.50.

I'm a fan of:

91-100
81-90
71-80
Etc.
But he mentioned that he makes 2.1 effortlessly, he was only saying does it worth it for him to put a little extra stress to make 1st class, he is already comfortable in 60-70% mark, he only needs a little more push to be in 70-80% mark which is 1st class.

But you said who told him stressing himself can earn him 1st class. It can, considering his level of education.

Anyway seems we are saying the same thing but the way you put it in your first post.
Re: Is First Class Worth The Stress Or Overrated? Need Your Opinions And Experience by jUeLiZ: 5:38pm On Apr 22, 2025
If you can study to get first class please do. Especially in STEM....two my guys are doing PhD in USA right now... fully funded scholarship....both left one year ago....
Re: Is First Class Worth The Stress Or Overrated? Need Your Opinions And Experience by Kingdavid579(m): 6:40pm On Apr 22, 2025
NYSC certificate is the most important thing in Nigeria more than the degree itself.


If you are not in Engineering and Medical field try get NYSC CERTIFICATE, your score does not matter.
Re: Is First Class Worth The Stress Or Overrated? Need Your Opinions And Experience by Jeffy1206(m): 7:47pm On Apr 22, 2025
Ridross:
I’m currently studying for my first degree in Statistics. I can graduate with a 2.1 effortlessly, but getting a first-class would require a bit effort. My issue is that I’m already balancing a job, plus I’m feeling lazy and unmotivated about school.

For those who have graduated and have experience about the labour market, please:

Are there any significant advantages to having a first-class over a 2.1?
Did it make a difference in your career, further studies, or job opportunities?

I need real-life experiences and opinions to convince me whether to put in the effort or just avoid unnecessary stress.
it's worth it when you know how to hustle join am if not, na book you chop through out your life. undecided
Re: Is First Class Worth The Stress Or Overrated? Need Your Opinions And Experience by Blunzzad: 7:57pm On Apr 22, 2025
First class is overrated abeg... If you nor get connection, you go perish with your first class... Nobody send your papa... I'm a living witness, I don hold First Class result for the past years still dey do work of 40k... My guy nor kee urself joor do the best u fit do.. na only connection fit carry u go where u want for naija cool
Re: Is First Class Worth The Stress Or Overrated? Need Your Opinions And Experience by Ijoba85: 7:57pm On Apr 22, 2025
Something wey other people dey find , na him dis one dey ask jamb question on top
Re: Is First Class Worth The Stress Or Overrated? Need Your Opinions And Experience by Villa12(m): 8:00pm On Apr 22, 2025
Acidosis:
You've only reiterated my point. 70% talent; 30% hardwork.

There are people who are exceptionally sound and intelligent. The difference is that they learn and retain knowledge faster than majority. With just 12 hours of study, they will outshine everyone else who studied for weeks/months.

I've never been a fan of 2.1/2.2 classification though. It is trash. We should not be comparing a 4.49 with a 3.50.

I'm a fan of:

91-100
81-90
71-80
Etc.
I think when it's come to scholarship, a 4.4 will be rated higher and above a 3.65.
Re: Is First Class Worth The Stress Or Overrated? Need Your Opinions And Experience by Horlamidey25(m): 8:27pm On Apr 22, 2025
[quote author=ExudeLoveToAll post=135078128]When you chase a scholarship that's when you will understand the importance if first class [/qusote] This is golden.
Re: Is First Class Worth The Stress Or Overrated? Need Your Opinions And Experience by jrobbins: 9:33pm On Apr 22, 2025
A first class candidate won't ask this question, it'd come naturally.

Don't force yourself, Thinking if it's worth it means you don't want it. I was teaching in 2 schools and also handling a typing/photocopy center as an undergraduate student and still made first class in Mathematics.

I got my first ever scholarship to leave Nigeria through AIMS ( Mainly for first class) and ever since, the rest has been history.

Get it if your brain can carry it or rest.

Every body's path In life is not the same, Hustle your own, pray for grace,

At the end, I'm not even really using my full mathematics knowledge (just a bit), though the first class opened way for me to get other things.
Re: Is First Class Worth The Stress Or Overrated? Need Your Opinions And Experience by jrobbins: 9:41pm On Apr 22, 2025
[quote author=Oracle411 post=135081841]I
as a first class grad
I have a good Job ( bank Managerial role )
Fuel station
into RCN export
landlord collecting rents
wife and kids are abroad


first class does not stop you from opening business or making money (because that's what average people think to mean you're successful),

May God just continue to show everyone their destined paths in life

whatever is worth doing, just try your best so Nature can see your effors
Re: Is First Class Worth The Stress Or Overrated? Need Your Opinions And Experience by Abee79(m): 7:48am On Apr 23, 2025
It's worth it, provided you can defend your grades and add value.
Re: Is First Class Worth The Stress Or Overrated? Need Your Opinions And Experience by Warrior99: 9:26pm On Apr 23, 2025
Engen:
I had a FirstClass Bsc in Gelogy and Mining 1997 and I think I was the only student at that time with 1st class, but trust me you will still have to pass interviews, I think the only thing my first class did for me was grant me access to these interviews...I worked with one of the companies that came to recruit me for 26yrs until I retired in 2023
In other words, it was worth it smiley
Re: Is First Class Worth The Stress Or Overrated? Need Your Opinions And Experience by ExudeLoveToAll: 10:22am On Apr 25, 2025
geelite:
Ppease tell me more. Doesit means its easy for first class in Nigerian universityto secure scholarship?
It's easy compared to any other grade, they will consider the first class first before moving down any time any day when it comes to scholarships unless there is no first class competing
1 2 3 Reply

Second-class Upper Is Overrated In Nigeria By Deji YesufuAre Certificates Really Overrated? What I Saw In My Uncle's HouseUniben Law Student Destiny Ogedegbe, Graduates With First Class, Becomes Second234

Application For Admission Into Nigerian Defence Academy 62nd Regular CourseI Wrote Gce Exam 2004 And I Lost My Result2024/2025 UNILAG Msc & Postgraduate Info Thread - All You Need To Know