In my completely biased opinion, majoring in English is one of the most creative choices a student could make. Nothing with English is ever set in stone and opinions become facts with the right support. So here are ten things to expect when choosing English.
1. You will do a lot of reading
Reading well and writing well are two sides of the same coin and, as an English major, this is the bulk of the work. English majors read articles, stories, reviews and anything they can get their hands on.
2. You will do a lot of writing
This is also the bulk of the work. English majors write articles, stories, reviews and anything they can wrap their minds around. Getting a little Deja Vu? Well, that brings up the next point.
3. Expect to read and analyze "Hills Like White Elephants" at least three times
English classes tend to reiterate the same points over and over and usually, those points have to do with close readings of a text and deep analysis. "Hills Like White Elephants" happens to be a story with a lot to analyze and is one of those go-to stories.
4. 5-page papers are a blessing
Topping off at 20 pages as the regular for a final paper, 5-page papers are God-sent.
5. Confusion as to which paper was about what
It's happened to every English major at least once; you're sitting down for the third class of the day to repeat the same speech you've been giving to the two previous professors. "My paper was about..." but then you think, "which paper are we talking about here?" It happens.
6. Not being a math person
Numbers, to the English person, don't make a lot of sense. Some people say math is like a language but to the mind of an English major, math is just symbols and numbers, but, no worries, math is a necessary evil before getting to the real fun stuff.
7. Inventing another layer to a text
"Dazzle them with brilliance or beguile them with bull-crap" is true when it comes to the English major. English majors become magicians when it comes to pulling a theme or a new perspective out of a text. When running across a text and being unable to find a new perspective, English majors have the ability to read into the smallest, most insignificant portions of a text and pull out a significant meaning.
8. Not having tests
Most English classes require an essay or two, but don't usually require tests, so no late night cramming for a big test that you HAVE to pass or else you'll fail out of the major.
9. Having a lot of options/having too many options
This is good and bad. A degree in English tells employers that you have a variety of skills. The downside is that there isn't any specific job you're being trained for, so finding work requires a bit more creativity.
10. Being creative
This is probably the best part of being an English major. To piggy-back off of point number nine, finding work requires creativity which can also lead to the creation of a new position. Journalism, editing and teaching are not the only options and, sometimes, not even the best. Managers, CEO's and other professionals are required to have excellent communication skills.
Enjoy being an English major!
