Its about some atom of seriousness brova,i think they read almost 247.

.

@ Topup how do you hope to acheive that with the amount of time you spend on Nairaland??

For the records, and I say this with sincere humility, RichyBlack made first class in his days at UNN. There's no secret _{(man and his fascination with secrets  )} to making > 4.5 out of 5.0. Really depends on the individual, however, let me drop my pipty kobo:

1. A passion for the acquisition (e.g. reading, listening to lectures), management (developing well organized notes, etc.), dissemination of knowledge (writing, teaching, etc.), and discovery (conducting research) of knowledge.

2. A sincere enthusiasm to seek the truth or essence at the core of your chosen field of study, be it mathematics, jurisprudence or biology.

3. An understanding that universities mainly exist as esteemed centers for the organized transfer of essential knowledge from trusted custodians of knowledge (professors) to willing students, who are supposed to advance the lot of humanity with this most important of all human possessions - knowledge.

4. An appreciation of the fact that only knowledge of our physical and non-physical universe can sustain man's existence on this planet.

5. A realization that in the sphere of knowledge acquisition, knowledge management, knowledge dissemination, and knowledge discovery, your competition does not lie in your class, your set, your department, or your university, but your competition exists in all of the world's great centers of learning!

I was only a moderate reader in school, mostly studying the night/morning before the exam/test. But i came out as a Dean's lister and a 1st class graduate.
My secret? Guess I'm just a genius.

Seriously guys, here's the secret:
Pay attention in class!

Secret #2:

Relax and take notes.

How I wish I had this kind of exposure before getting to the University!
I must print these posts and give to young people around me.
It is what I have been trying to let them know for some time and they never listen, maybe
because I did not have a first class.

Now I can show them something from the 'horses's mouth'.

Jascobee:

IN NAIJA,
secret behind 1st class is POLITICS{bribe your lecturer and be their pets}
IN ABROAD,
hardwork,

This is the kind of execuse Undergraduates in Nigeria give for thier failures.
I agree that settling lecturers is common now in Schools, but how can it get you a first class?
If you did not know before now, many posts on this thread have shown that you need to start from your very first Semester in School to be able to make a first class.

I have never been dissapointed in any Nigerian First class graduate I have ever met.

The 'sorters' will just have to settle for the lower grades.

Wow!, very nice topic.
I didn't finish with a first class, but i've been the best a couple of times.
Like ife-eco said, 1st class students are always calculating their G.Pd

Yeah, very true
You have to constantly review your position and your chances of making first class given the worst scenario.

Also, you have to study yourself and know when best you assimilate so that your least effort will produce maximum effect.

Also you have to make use of very good materials to make you stand out from your peers.

You also have to be in touch with your class, know the direction everyone is heading, pick all their best ideas, remix it, add more flavor, and release your own version in style.

You also need a crazy work habit, a consistently-high work rate, and keep reading at any point any time.

The N:

Again, I believe the choise of course determines the number of First class graduates in a class. it is easier to make a first class in mathematical courses than in theoritical courses. In the school where I did my first degree, Faculty of Social Sciences hadn't turned out  a first class graduate in 15yrs, meanwhile, Depts of Maths and Engineering turned out an average of 10 first class graduates yearly.

100% correct. Simply because Maths has a 'yes' or 'no' answer and a set system of doing it.

But another thing I seemed to notice is that naturally brilliant guys do not usually gravitate toward the social sciences anyway. On top of that, Scientists and Mathematicians seem to be more interested in politics and Social Sciences than the Social Science students themselves. For example, my girlfriend will never watch a political discussion, although she has a degree in International Relations. She couldn't even tell me who Angela Merkel, Lula or Juan Perron is, but she will tell me who Justin Timberlake is dating, no problem. For me, finance and politics is my hobby. I study that out of interest more than anything else.

I always believe that when studying Social Sciences, one must be informed. One must live that life. Read broadsheet newspapers, not tabloids. Watch News and documentaries everyday. Read the Financial Times or Wall Street Journal everyday. I always said that you can never understand politics until you understand Finance or Macroeconomics. The law of supply and demand runs through every political decision. Soon, you will find that every lecture becomes a breeze. These days, no political event can happen without me understand the significance, what it is borne out of, the historical precedents and how it links in economically. Therefore, do not study Social Sciences just because you hate Physics, Maths and Chemistry. Study it because you enjoy it.

Ibime:

100% correct. Simply because Maths has a 'yes' or 'no' answer and a set system of doing it.

But another thing I seemed to notice is that naturally brilliant guys do not usually gravitate toward the social sciences anyway. On top of that, Scientists and Mathematicians seem to be more interested in politics and Social Sciences than the Social Science students themselves. For example, my girlfriend will never watch a political discussion, although she has a degree in International Relations. She couldn't even tell me who Angela Merkel, Lulu or Juan Perron is, but she will tell me who Justin Timberlake is dating, no problem. For me, finance and politics is my hobby. I study that out of interest more than anything else.

I always believe that when studying Social Sciences, one must be informed. One must live that life. Read broadsheet newspapers, not tabloids. Watch News and documentaries everyday. Read the Financial Times or Wall Street Journal everyday. I always said that you can never understand politics until you understand Finance or Macroeconomics. The law of supply and demand runs through every political decision. Soon, you will find that every lecture becomes a breeze. These days, no political event can happen without me understand the significance, what it is borne out of, the historical precedents and how it links in economically. Therefore, do not study Social Sciences just because you hate Physics, Maths and Chemistry. Study it because you enjoy it.

In all human spheres of knowledge, I value history the most; mathematics takes a close second. _{How far with history of mathematics?}

@Ibime,
I agree with your observation about students in the social sciences. However, English and Political Science students are very savvy in geopolitics.

Ibime:

I am very disorganised, but I still managed to make it without going through all those long process. Sometimes, it requires Naijaman mentality. . . .
In exams, always write some 'memory triggers' on your body parts.

You call writing on your body parts "memory trigger", we call it cheating in an exam! Sorry dude, but that ain't something you should be proud of.

Well said peeps but I think we are missing some very good points.
1 Natural brilliance : Some people already have the X factor and they do not need any hard work to achieve it, like the guy on top of my class he sits at the back and plays snake 2 on his phone, reads mystic books in his room and just does his exams easy he does read but not like his life depends on it. The second category are those that need to work hard to get excellent grades they cannot afford to sit on their asses, these ones study like their life depends on it and for me I say they have the potential to have the X factor an example is the second guy in my class he studies like its oxygen and look where it got him . Then there are those who no matter how hard they study have been banished by nature to be average students academically and thats the simple truth we cannot all be brilliant.
2 Permutation: From most of the posts I read I was wondering how many were from Nigerian Universities. An example is this it is a lot easier to get a first class from a Uni like Uniben than from the Uniport and the reason is simple, in benin each level has a different percentage make up of the total GP with final year being the highest ( I think between 40-50%). But in port all levels are equal so there is really no room for failure a couple of C's and you kiss first class goodbye.
3 Nature of Education System: I cannot remember anyone really mention this and I shook my head in disbelief common how can you tell me that the system we have is optimized to produce first class graduates please! Lets not even go there or is it the state of our curriculum that has not been updated for years or our outdated lecturers can we face the truth here?

Oh by the way I am riding on a 4.0 Gp and I aint studying like me life depends on it cos like they say allow the school pass through you too.
Cheers

bigbimbo:

Its about some atom of seriousness brova,i think they read almost 247.

nah i dont think so, i know some first class holders who only read a couple of hours a day!

it is all down to assimilation, understanding, good strategy and correctness up-stairs especially!

Man should not leave by first class alone; but by everything first class is made up of. I want to ask, if our Nigerian first class award is really a first class? I found most of the so called first class guys in my class, so dumb in the field. Are they still first class?

Students should aim at developing their creative, innovative and memory instincts in their choosen displine. If it leads to a first class, that is ok and it also still fine if it leads to 2.1 or even 2.2. What is important is that the student recognises his or her natural abilities and seek to study those courses that are in line with his or her natural abilities. The student must also have a passion for his choosen course of study. Most exams are drafted to examine memory and memory is just a small aspect of intelligence. It will be misleading to categorize students as of high, average and low intelligence based only on their scores during exams. Intelligence is much more complex and mutifaceted than GPA seems to suggest. I had a first class myself and have graduated students that have first class, 2.1, 2.2 etc over the years. My experience with all of them is that while first class students are always good with memory, they are not always the best with respect to innovation, creativity and other aspects of intelligence. I have had students who did not make first class but are quite exceptional with respect to originality and innovation. Such students went on to become excellent scholars and professionals. Thus students should strive to develop intelligence in all its multifaceted forms, and not just to pass exams with high grades. Hopefully, in future exams should be redesigned to test different skills, not just memory.Cheers.

To add to the discussion one very key skill that is very vital apart from Natural Brilliance is Exam Taking skill.

There are some very brilliant people who just crumble on exam day and get a disappointing result.

There are some very average people who have mastered the act of exam taking and end out with outstanding results

However i have seen people that are Naturally smart and as well very good in exam taking.


What i have found out though is that there is a difference between Academic Brilliance and Natural Brilliance.

That is the reason why when you get into a more advance degree like a PHD where there are no exams, people with Academic and Exam taking brilliance crumble like a pack of cards while people who are just Naturally brilliant and innovative excel with ease.

The key to getting a first class in a bachelors degree is mastering the act of exam taking. However this skill is useless if you think you are smart enough to be an innovator or researcher.

1) its in a way natural.
Natural in the sence that most brilliant chaps are naturally inclined to studying diligently. They know what they want even before they get into school

2) They usually go extra mile. I can remember i was one of the few students who had all the textbooks in school, reading ahead of the class helped me a great deal.

3) Diligence: The koko of the matter is being a diligent scholar. Know what you want. Know how many As you need to get to stay above 4.5. I can remember how i used to calculate my points way back just to know what to do, courses to concentrate on and stuffs like that.  

one last point; PAST QUESTIONS. i had them plenty while in school.
At a point in school, my mates tot i was using juju. but all na lie. i banked on past questions and it worked a great deal.
I got just one B in my first 2 years in school.

I do not think its something very difficult to achieve. Making a first class isnt the koko, the koko is what you do with your degree after school. I can categorically state here that some of my class guys who got first class are lecturers in my UNI
can u believe that? after all the strikes!!!!!

read, read, read and be smart and you shall come out with first class
no be lie and if this wont work for u, get ur 2:2 and move on with it.

@ Topup how do you hope to acheive that with the amount of time you spend on Nairaland??

hehhehehehehehe

mecussey:

Man should not leave by first class alone; but by everything first class is made up of. I want to ask, if our Nigerian first class award is really a first class? I found most of the so called first class guys in my class, so dumb in the field. Are they still first class?

@ Mecussey, do i detect a tone of envy, or is it jealousy?  
Anyway thanx all for the contributions so far, in as much as i do not belong to this class now, i learnt this in my 4th and final years in school, but by then it was almost too late, but i buckled up and still made a better grade(2.2)
Am thinking of going back to school to study for another course, i believe with all these tips, i would make over 5.0 (if its possible)

Thanks all

CY_clone:

You call writing on your body parts "memory trigger", we call it cheating in an exam! Sorry dude, but that ain't something you should be proud of.

Him without sin should cast the first stone. I thank God you were not in my class. You would have been one of those uppity types who never like to work together - and still get lower scores because you did not work with your classmates

@Candylips
wassup man
whats ur siggy all about? are u into finance?

call options? just wondering what the equations are all about

Making a first Class is almost the best one should be focusing on instead of carrying your mate 'shits',i found out that too much of reading does not make one a better student nor scoring the greatest mark,getting what you desire for in mark is all about interest and focus,you might be surprised reading for 4hrs without gaining the content of what you are reading because one lacks interest and focus in the particular area of study.Meanwhile knowing some lecturers also helps as people end up paying money to earn them some marks after failing woefully.

fellow nairalanders, i believe that "All animals are equal and some are more equal than the others". Back in school then i know of a guy that always play around with women, smokin and drinking. He attends class at will, and the only thing he need is just to glance through a book for 20 - 30 mins, and scores the highest in class. In sort i look at him as a genius. "Some are born great, while some work hard to achieve greatness".

I have a first class in Yoruba language, evn with a Phd, no wonder i ended up at professor of yoruba in Burundi, love it though

lol

This is a very interesting topic that really begs for contribution.

The first class thing i believe some people are naturally brilliant. They find it easy to understand stuffs easily.
One can actually decide what he wants to be by looking up to people that have got something up.
If you crave to be like them, you can't be like them, but you can train your brain to sharpen so that you can measure up with what they do.
You can actually do this by cultivating that reading habit.
One has to study him/herself and find out what best suites him/her because we are actually created to be different. Everything boils down to how you coach yourself once you have noticed that you are not too intelligent.

Believe is very important in this case.

When i was in secondary school i had friends/schoolmates that turns out to be better than i am and i respect them and look up to them.
Then i try in my own little way to see if i can improve. When we entered university we dispersed into different schools and i decided to build on myself what i have learnt from them and became so serious with studies seeing every damn thing that concerns academic as important. I did it and i excelled.

I was a four pointer in my 1st year because i concentrated so well, so in 2nd semester "2nd year" towards "3rd year" i lost little concentration because i need to socialize with pals ( you should know what i mean) then i came down to 3.7-3.9.
in my finals i decided to do better and i made 4.8 for the first time meaning 1st class.
In my degree exams i told my self that i need to attempt all A's and i made all A's i.e 5.0

So i really think judging from myself that people actually differ cos i hate to see past questions or even read with past questions. I feel comfortable reading all what is within my scope (for any semester) and articulate the rest in the exam hall.

Yes! some are born just like that, and others can still achieve just that

no idea

This is quite funny

some posters are definitely on point

some are just. . . .

I belong to this Category in da Spirit

Anyways, i have a friend who was the highest in my program

but in primary and secondary school he was amongest the dumbest students

he barely made his WAEC, but he had a First Class.

his secrets, Calculating his GPA/CGPA from the beginning.

Falling in love With the Program,

Doing Assignments and tests, Exam is just 60%

If you ace your C.A you need only 40 out of your Exam to have an A.

You shouldnt take the little things for granted.

Most of the First Class students had first class results from the beginning.

i know someone else who had 4.48, he almost committed suicide, pity eh.

PLAN it From the beginning!

Even as God has made things, there are 2 ways to everything we indulge in.there are Intelligent people and there less intelligent people.even those that aint so good would always wanna be , but there is always an element of genuise in human being .Not everyone is equal.Attending class all the time does not quarrante ur grade.
Prayers help,cos i have being fortunate to make students script and c mistakes in some markings and dont see some,with prayers things could turn up good when the lecturer is marking
Those that Make First Grade should know they are Genuis, Just Like Osain Bolt

@Gamine
lol.it can be rili frustratin gettin a 4.48 o.

Am so loving this forum.for a long time,a meaningful and helpful post on nairaland.

Anyway,lemme contribute a lil.
In my own views, i guess some people are just naturally gifted than the others.
You know, i sort of disagree with the person who said you have to sit in front, write up your notes etc to get a first class. Its all about knowing what works for you. I cannot even imagine me sittin in the front rows of the class. Not because i am unserious, but its just not my style. But i am on a first class.

I guess there are two kinds of first class holders: The Hardworking ones and The not-so-hardworking ones.

I know a friend who would practically read her butts off.She is even termed ''librarian''.They always teased her for opening and closing the library.lol. But she just doesnt hit the first class spot and i just always feel guilty cos i dont work as hard but i do better.But i read sha o, Dnt get me wrong.

Well, i guess the following would help:

Know what works for you. Overnight reading, Reading a night before, Everyday reading, DO NOT TRY TO FOLLOW THE CROWD ON YOUR READING STRATEGIES.

Always put in your best.Always. The little things sure count.Your ca s, Your assignments.

Classes are important, try not to skip ALL.

Set high goals.When you do, you can atleast achieve the almost high one. When you set for a first class, and work for it, at least,u get a 2-1.
And pray, pray, pray.

It worked/works for me.It can work for you too.

Hi all! I took some little timeout to write this post so I'm pleading that you also spare a little timeout to digest it too.  

Unfortunately for me, I believe I'm First Class material - but sadly didn't finish with that  . I was opportuned to meet and know a number of 1st Class Students and the bottom line still remains that Natural Brilliance is definitely a deciding factor.

I believe most importantly comes Self-Actualization. I agree that God plays a Major role (how else would you explain sustenance for the very life with which you lived to achieve this goal?) but it's also stated that "Heaven Helps Those Who Help Themselves!!!" Back in school, there was this guy who graduated as the most Celebrated 1st Class student, though he wasn't near the best Graduating Student of his set.

His story?
He started out in his 1st semester in school with a GPA of about 1.0 (No F's included, but D's & E's danced accross his results). Of course, anyone else would see that as a failure and a good many would be totally discouraged about the whole University Education issue. That's when you start considering "Hmm, 2-1 or 2-2 or even 3rd Class doesn't sound so bad after all"   In this guy's case, he made up his mind (before it was too late) to make a 1st Class (though it seemed very very impossible).

He studied like mad and corected every possible mistake he may have made in his first exams and finally made a 1st Class in his next semester. But because of his previous poor performance, his CGPA dropped considerably (you do the math). Funny enough, he wasn't discouraged and he kept on smashing in his preceeding semesters (actually made 5.0 about twice during), all the while his CGPA dropping due to his first performance.

Eventually, by the end of his final yr, his CGPA finally landed him on a final 1st Class result (4.51 or thereabout - not sure). His story is a greater motivation to all who hear about it, compared to someone who tells you he's been making A's all his life and only managed a few B's.

Conclusion - Self Actualization! After that would you realise that your relationship with God, your studies, commitment to achieving the final goal etc all are all necessary tools to achieving a 1st Class. Some discover it early in life - as far back as primary school, but it's never too late to achieve it.

As much as we're posting stories of 1st Class achievements (I'm strongly convinced that there will definitely be one or 2 liars on this topic who are claiming to have made a 1st class - due to the annonimity of online discussion forums such as this) we should also find it in our hearts to encourage those who didn't make it so to let them know there's much more to be achieved in life beyond making a 1st Class in school. For instance, there are still many 1st Class graduates out there who are still very very jobless & unemployed in our Country today. Maybe they spent all their time & energy studying for the final goal, and may have missed out some other opportunities in life. How else do you explain the fact that in a course like mine (Electrical/Electronics Engineering) some 1st Class students are not confident when it comes to the technical aspects of the course they aced?   Some even find it difficult to manouver their way around a simple Personal Computer.  

So, brethren (I'm not a pastor O) let's also have a food for thought alongside. One thing is certain. Anyone who made a 1st Class (either by hook or by crook) must have put in a great deal of committment (either positively or negatively) towards achieving the Goal. It only shows that we as humans are capable of such amazing feats! Congrats to all!

Cheers

Sorry to digress a little. Being a first class product is good but in reality, how many first class products eventually become millionaires ($ millions not N millions) in their lifetime? How many first class products start up their own companies and contribute to mankind's development or sustenance by so doing? How many first class products make impact in their countries and the world by extension? How many first class products (engineers/scientists) have invented stuffs that mankind will keep referring to? How many first class products end up living fulfilled lives, being all they could ever have been? How many first class products know what they' were really born to do and fulfilled it (as in maximised their true potentials)? If Africa has such a large pool of first class people, how many first class products are in leadership positions in government and politics? Why is Africa still where it is? So many great people in life (or those that have achieved greatness in life were not 1st class products. What should be of more concern to us? Is it having a certificate that says you're a first class product in your chosen field, or really being able to make a positive difference in the world? Sorry to digress once again, i thought we should also look into this.

Making first class is the combination of many good points already enumerated above.
What worked for me, might not work for you.
There are no mathematical solutions!.