#english degree

[charmedchapters]

[nelliesnook]

Tips From a Recent English Graduate (That May Apply to Other Arts Degrees)

• If you can't understand a certain book/essay, find a summary first, and *then* read what you needed to originally. It'll (hopefully) make more sense!

• If you're on a time crunch and you have a dense reading to do, read the abstract/introduction paragraph(s) + the concluding paragraphs. Authors will most likely have their key points outlined in these sections. Afterwards, you can go through the middle sections to pick out more concrete details.

• You probably won't be able to read every required text, and that's okay! I would skim a lot of my readings and make note of any sections that seemed particularly important (you learn to pick out the major details with practice). Also, if your professor seems to place more importance on a certain text than others, try to read that one more thoroughly.

• When it comes to essay writing, and you're required to choose between texts, brainstorm in bullet points key info from each text. Do this to identify the ones that a) have enough material for your argument and b) relate to your argument the most (they don't necessarily have to *back up* your argument; rather, they can serve as a counterpoint you can argue *against*). Making bullet points are a good way to ensure you're not stuck grasping for material later on in the writing process!

Hope these help! :)

[theartofperishingslowly]

My mind says get a degree but my heart says open a pet friendly book cafe.

[lefaystrent]

My English degree is very useful. Like when someone asks me a math question, I get to say, "...you know I was an English Major, right?"

[thethiefandtheairbender]

Hii, I love all of your writing so if you don't mind me asking, what was your degree in exactly? Do you have a bachelor's in English Philology, English Literature, what was it called?

Thank you!!

I got my Honours Specialization in English Language and Literature, which is just a fancy version of a Bachelors but with more specialization, and the honours part is because my grades were good (80% or higher average). I also almost got a creative writing minor (I was two classes short cause I didn't feel like doing more) and have been writing creatively consistently (on my own, some writers' groups / summer camps when I was younger) since 2012.

I loved getting my English degree but I will say I think I would've really struggled if I was a slow reader (ie. someone who can't read quickly). I'm not a speed reader by any means, but I can sit down and read 600 pages of a book in 8 hours (with a couple of breaks) and typically retain the bulk of info (themes, characters, symbols, etc), and I had to do that sometimes to just to try to keep up with my coursework. And lots of times that meant likewise reading books that were interesting but not enjoyable, or boring and not enjoyable but important (Jane Eyre my beloathed) so it's definitely not for everyone!

[tinkerbitch69]

Christ sake I’m arguing with a Redditor about basic plot structure. Never do an English literature degree! This is pretty much the only way you’ll ever get any use out of it.

[veeeolet]

that moment of being an english student when you are going to bed at 5 am after 4 mugs of coffee bc you were writing a paper with 3K words that took you almost 2 days of research and FIFTEEN FUCKING HOURS of straight writing about a very niche regional topic that literally no one would know about but you're happy?

its my brain baby! why wouldn't i be proud of it!

[thundergroundwriter]

Knowing what I know now I would do a few things different. I would not waste my time taking something in university that I learned I disliked. I would go for the dream path instead of the make me money path. Something would always allow me to make money.

I have this I want to save the world in me. University has not ruined nor dulled that. A professor ruined the spark for that specific degree. I still want to save to save the world. Just in another way.

I’ll just write the stories that I as a child needed to hear. I would’ve loved knowing that someone out there could succeed being like me. I know I can succeed because I have people telling me I can. But seeing someone else would be special.

[charmedchapters]

[scorpiusmalfoylovesoscarwilde]

IM IN A CLASS FOR MY SHORT STORY MODULE AND WE HAD TO BRING IN SOME SHORT STORIES WE LIKE AND SOMEONE'S BROUGHT IN MINECRAFT FANFICTION. WE'RE HAVING AN IN DEPTH DISCUSSION ABOUT MINECRAFT FF, MY WHOLE DEGREE IS SO UNSERIOUS 😭😭😭😭

[theartofperishingslowly]

Pt 2. Of Things my English teacher has said in class:

"Don't just study literature for happiness, but also have some passion and usage: be a hedonistic utilitarian before everything else."

I would've started clapping if the class wasn't so serious.

[acallfromolympus]

I don’t share my writing on here but I’m in my final year of getting my English/creative writing degree :D I actually got into writing bc of the spoken word poet Shane Koyczan! I was introduced to his work in my English class when I was 12.

“how did you get into writing” girl nobody gets into writing. writing shows up one day at your door and gets into you

[charmedchapters]

things meant to be remembered

[theartofperishingslowly]

Oliver(IWWV) and Richard(TSH) were both so naive and enamored/infatuated with the picturesque that they lost themselves into ruin. That's the energy I'm taking with me to my English and Philosophy degree<3 wish me luck, for I learned nothing.

[ahdalen]

i read so much for class this past year that i am thinking of reading nothing but fanfiction + comic books for the foreseeable future.

[nebraskashouse]

class so energy draining i had to get out of the building and stare at plants to remember life is still worth living