We are three guys who wrote a book about the trials we faced and the strategies we developed on our journey to getting first class degrees. We live by the philosophy of working hard and playing hard. Each of us took a different path through university and approached studying in a different way, however what emerged between us was a combined knowledge of the experience, and a formula for getting a first class degree. This realisation, coupled with an incredible friendship motivated us to sit down and write about our university experience and how to get a first.
Rob got the highest degree mark in his graduating year, Jake had one of his essays published as a guideline for new students and Dan consistently topped the highest exam mark charts. Between them they started a society for magicians, played first team tennis, had a radio show and never missed a party. This is the book they wished they had when they started university.
• The book •
Hindsight is a wonderful thing. It is only after you've done something you realise whether or not you did it right, but more importantly, how you did what you did. Upon graduation we looked back on our university careers and thought that we could not have done it any better. Those three years were the best of our lives to date and we would not change a thing.
The truth is though, we realised with more strategy, getting our first class degrees should have been easier. If only we had developed the formula sooner. But that is just it we didn’t, but you can. Most people think you have to study non-stop to get a first class degree. That is not true, you have to study smart. You can balance your academic work with an incredible social life. You don’t have to choose between one or the other.
To really lead an incredible life at university, studying is just part of the story. The student with the highest IQ doesn’t always get the best marks. If you understand certain principles, not only will you achieve a first class degree but you will also have a first class time doing it. The academic system is not perfect, so it is up to you to learn how to beat the system. In this book we are giving you the inside track and the hidden truths in your path to becoming the Zen student.
Getting a first class degree at university is not always an easy journey, but it is definitely one worth taking. We hope you enjoy reading this book as much as we enjoyed writing it and reliving our university experience.