If you’re reading this, you’re a future academic weapon who wants see a 1:1 on their degree – welcome!

As someone who quickly learnt what works and what doesn’t work in university essays, I wanted to drop my favourite hacks – things that have helped me to secure feedback like the ones below and score 70-80.

I promise your essay scores don’t have to fluctuate between 58 and 72 (I remember how that used to feel). 

1. Wider Reading = Foundation of a good grade. 

If there’s one thing that separates a 2:1 from a first, it’s wider reading. Explore texts, theories, and debates that sit around the topic. I won’t lie to you and pretend I do this for strategy. I genuinely enjoy it (and yes, my friends ALWAYS make fun of me for it, save me). But here’s the thing: when you start engaging with external sources such academic texts, historical context, opposing arguments, it naturally seeps into your writing. Suddenly, your essay isn’t just answering the question. Your arguments gain nuance. Your voice naturally becomes more analytical. You stop sounding like a student trying to get a grade and start sounding like those authors. If you check the mark schemes, this is the foundation of what separates a 2:1 from a first. 

2. Use the University Phrase Bank religiously. 

If you don’t know what this is, you need to take a look. Shout out to our university for making it, it was my biggest lifesaver when I started university. It’s a bank of academic phrases for everything: comparing theories, introducing evidence, disagreeing academically, and more. Using it elevates your writing immediately as your sentences become sharper, more critical, and more intentional. Because here’s the deal: every single sentence in your essay must serve the question, and the word bank gives you the language to make that happen. At the end of the day, if it doesn’t answer the question or directly support the sentence that does, cut it. The word count is tight so make sure every word is a word towards a first! 

3. Office hours = My BIGGEST academic hack. 

This is my secret superpower; I haven’t got below a 70 since I started using them efficiently! Here’s my process: I finish my essay by the final office hour before the due date. Then I go to the office hour with a full detailed breakdown of my essay intro, argument, evidence, how many references I’ve used, and a list of specific questions (all in my notes app).  

Your seminar lead will tell you exactly what they like, what they don’t, and whether you’re off-track in detail, and you can have a whole conversation about it for clarity. It deters you from writing the wrong things then getting hit with a 2:2 that is worth 50% of your module grade (may be specific to me… not confirming or denying). Also, fun fact: you’re allowed to show them up to 10% of your essay. It’s the quickest way for your seminar lead to see your language, tone and style before you submit it, use it!! 

4. Don’t slip up on the basics 

It sounds simple, but misspellings, incorrect formatting, or the wrong reference style can cost you marks especially if you’re juggling different subjects (this semester I’ve written essays in Politics, History, Economics). Know your referencing style because they can differ wildly by subject. Double-check spelling as well. Don’t lose a first over something that could’ve been fixed in ten minutes, because I promise you, you’ll beat yourself up when you see the reason you got a 68 and not a 72. 

I hope this helps all the aspiring academic weapons out there; may we all get consistent 70s in our essays from now on! The next academic year won’t know what hit it!