STUDENT B - READING

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 475.

You are going to read about Francesca Stellman. Your partner is going to read about Melissa

Malins. Read the article to complete the information about Francesca. Then ask your partner for the missing information for your chart. Was there anything that surprised him / her about the article?

How to get that first!

Yvette Essen hears the secrets of two women who made the grade.

Francesca Stellman read anthropology and linguistics at University College London. She was the only person to get a first in her year.

“There is definitely more work doing a joint degree - this year alone I had two more courses than straight anthropology students. Easter was a nightmare as I had a dissertation and six essays, and two exams to revise for. However, I organised my time well by choosing essay titles, photocopying readings and taking books out well in advance.

To get a first you need to work consistently. I had lots of friends who worked hard this year but not in the first and second years. I also did all the reading for each essay, which helped as there was a large amount of coursework and my teachers commented on my "impressive" bibliographies and independent research.

Living at home made a difference to my final grade. I had lots of parental support, my own space and could work in peace without worrying about things like food and ironing. However, self-motivation is also important, as if you miss an essay deadline, the lecturers won't chase you up. I planned ahead but it took me months to research, write and redraft my dissertation.

For my finals I spent at least six hours a day revising and working on exam technique. As there isn't much time in exams I learnt a few topics well, made lots of essay plans using past papers and listed the arguments on both sides. My social life was more restricted during the exam period, but I also tried to relax and not work late in the evening.”