While you should always aim for the very best, the following
reasons are why some people feel it is better to graduate with a second
class.
See reasons below;
1. Employment
A job is not always guaranteed for anyone. So instead of spending
five years totally focused on getting a first class why don’t you
include building a CV in your plans and getting a stable source of
income. Do not wait until you graduate before you look into building
your streams of income.
While most universities promise automatic employment, sometimes this
promise is not fulfilled, so a first class graduate without a job is
more common than you would think. Get a source of income and graduate
with a second class, instead of focusing on just getting a first class.
2. Paycheck
Many feel that a first class degree is the ticket to a huge paycheck
running into millions, every month. In an ideal society, this would be
true.
However, the reality is quite different, because while there are some
organizations which allow for varying salary structures, most
organizations, pay everyone equally as long as they are in the same
position. So a first class graduate should not be surprised that they
are earning the same as a second class graduate.
3. Streetwise
Many have found that due to the amount of time, first class graduates
dedicated to their books and libraries, their knowledge in other things
is affected. This is usually passed off as eccentricity.
Some therefore graduate with a first class degree, but with a little
knowledge of how the world works or how to interact better with other
humans. The ability to relate with humans outside of an academic
environment is a very important skill to have.
4. Social life
This is closely related to the point highlighted above. Avoiding
parties and limiting socializing to the barest minimum is almost like a
prerequisite for all Nigerian first class graduates.
However, the truth is that most of Nigeria’s business and other
endeavors is done in a social setting. Deals are concluded over bottles
of beer, and people get jobs at parties where they meet their future
employers.
5. Working experience
Many first class graduates end up working under people who graduated
with a third class or even people who did not see the four walls of a
classroom. This is the reality of today’s employment experience, one
that most graduates need to accept soon.
A second class graduate might be able to swallow the obvious slight,
while a first class graduate, due to the amount of work he/she has put
in to get that degree.
6. Knowledge
Many first class graduates do not know as much as people think they
actually do. Many were able to graduate with a first class because they
had good reading and retention abilities. It is possible that the more
practical aspects of their field of study might still be difficult for
them.
So when they get into labor market, there are unusually high
expectations which they may not live up to, leading to problems for them
which a second class graduate may not face.
7. Cash prizes
The tradition of giving cash prizes to first class graduates seems to
be expected in these times. It however has become what most graduates
expect upon graduation.
This might foster a sense of entitlement and foster dependency. A
second class graduate, is not expecting any such gifts and will likely
be more proactive to gain financial freedom in his/her own way.
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