#english degree

[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?"

[academic-vampire]

What are you planning to do with your English degree when you finish college??

Personally, I would love to be a writer. I know people say that often—and the statement has become hollow—but I know I can do it. Everyone who reads my best works says the same.

But obviously, jumping right into that is unrealistic. So, I have been looking at some editor positions, and am shocked to find out how well-paid the jobs are. I will most likely try to get a typical job catered to my field (editor/publishing/professor’s assistant/journalist/etc.) until I can lock in a piece of my writing.

To be honest, uni was very different than I expected. Granted, I have one year left, but even still, I learned more about myself than I did in my classes. When I first started uni, I wanted to study traditional art (because I paint with a Michelangelo style). But my uni didn’t offer that, so I jumped around until I took some English and literature classes. It was like opening another part of my mind that had been tucked away and locked. So, even if my degree isn’t the most helpful thing in the world, it started me on the path I want to take. My studies, professors, classmates, and assignments have all shaped me into the writer I am now. And I think that is just as valuable.

I remember this one day after class, we had completed a workshop (meaning everyone reads everyone else’s personal essays), and this one girl in class came over to me crying. I was so shocked and didn't know what to do. She explained that my personal essay had moved her to tears more than once. I was bewildered by this and thanked her. Then, another student who runs the uni publishing in the class came over to me, asking me to submit my essays for publishing during the next reading period.

All that to say, I love writing, and I want to keep doing it. I love stirring emotions—breaching the soul.

[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!

[jaqegaytona]

I’m grateful that I’m using my English degree by writing gay ass fanfiction.

[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.

[fancassticfiction]

So, it’s official. My thesis director approved my idea.

I guess I’m writing an autoethnography about deconstruction and religious trauma through the narrative of Ghost lyrics. I would say��“Lord help me”, but I don’t think that works here.

That being said... if you have a Ghost song that helped you through deconstruction or with your religious trauma, drop the title here. I'm building a playlist of religious trauma tracks. Lol

[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.

[env0writes]

Before the Fall 6.19.23 “Slam! Into Opportune Earth"

Standing on a precipice, thankful for the world at my feet Reluctant from the fear of defeat, knowing that if I dive There’s a chance I’ll be beat Experience has taught me that it’s better to arrive Being alive is worth the painful growth spurt Wiping the ash from my face, when I’m down I’ll revive Standing up taller, I’ll call her next time, no matter the hurt Wiggle my toes on the edge I’m alert, balanced not to false start Swimming I’ll keep my head up, but dry? I’d sooner exert Hands held up higher for rainfall, praying any clouds never depart Watching that windswept dance is art I’d imitate were I able If I think then I am, so says Descartes Devil’s rain, is plain and painful, so share bread at my table I may never be Clark Gable, but you’ve believed my acting What’s the rush with reacting, I’ll be the Cain to your Abel Find me a rock, I’ll find you a hard place in late spring I’d give you a ring, when I the struggle is over Covered in dirt I’m still racing, hiding offstage in the left-most wing Cliffs of Moher beat the White Cliffs of Dover When trying to look over and lose your stomach at sea Call me up I’m ready to come over, red rover red rover I’ve kissed the Blarney stone and I’m asking for money-back guarantee Stutter and flutter, my tongue-detainee, is useless at best to impress How I’m still going is anyone’s guess, despite my four-year degree There’s a staircase ascending – to Heaven? Unsure, I’ll confess If cleanliness be to godliness, my bedroom, a mess, I am a devil Like the fall, so too the rain fall, from my eyes no crocodile tears will caress Through sword and flame we’ll sort the blame of more than several Wipe the slate clean and ready a level, this borderline balancing act grows old Opportunity is not a lengthy visitor or so I’m told, yet all worth the revel If a phoenix can falter mid-flight having grown cold Realight and ignite in the gold medal fight Am I prepared to place my bets at the precipice, a life to be sold My skills aren’t productive, reductive at best for stories at night I’ll lead you on journeys for constant delight should ever we meet Whether a clover, four leafed, or a leaf fall, my impact will be anything but light

@env0writesC.Buck Ko-Fi & Venmo: @Zenv0 Support Your Local Artist! Photo by @env0

[stinastar]

I know it’s cute and funny to make fun of English degrees, “and what jobs did that line you up for” and all that.

But actually

Fuck that

Arts and culture and critical thinking matter a fuck ton, actually, and fuck you and your stupid “joke”

[useyourblinker]

[asmrrpaddict]

As a hopeless romantic and a woman with a bachelor’s degree in English, it feels weird being 30 and just now reading Pride and Prejudice. I’m only a handful of chapters in, but I’m really enjoying it so far!

Also I love my copy, I will never regret buying it because it’s so pretty, but I may have to buy a copy of just Pride and Prejudice. This giant book is a bit much. I have a copy in storage, but I’d rather just go find another one. It’d be so much easier.