English majors. AKA, the "what are you going to do with that?" degree. If you're actually an English major, you know what I'm talking about. Every major has stereotypes that follow it around like shadows, and English majors are no exception. If you're going into your freshman year of college, or if you're well on you're way to an English degree, here are five things that you'll encounter along the way.

1. The dreaded question: "What are you actually going to do with a degree in English?"

Let's chat about this for a second. When people ask this question, it's usually with a tone that portrays their true question: "Why on Earth would you spend X amount of money on a degree you can't do anything with!?". What most people don't realize, is that there are a plethora of jobs that you can acquire with an English degree. You don't have to be a teacher, contrary to popular belief (although there is nothing wrong with that-- see more on point #2).

A lot of the time, English majors don't have one specific career narrowed down when they first start school. Half the time, they still don't know by the time they're 3/4 of the way finished with the degree. However, we have ideas and goals. Personally, I want to be an author. I want to write novels and create worlds. Realistically, I know that takes time and energy, so I'm planning to get a different job after I graduate until I can achieve these goals.

I just don't know exactly what I want to do, although I'm looking at copy editing and publication. It also depends on the job market the month of graduation and so forth. So if you get a strange answer when you ask an English major what they are going to do with their degree, don't feel bad. It's a complicated answer that we're tired of answering.

2. The inward cringe: "I seen."

It's bound to happen at least once a day. You're peacefully walking along, minding your own, and you hear the two words said. It pierces your soul, but you can't say anything, so you keep moving. You've heard someone say "I seen." Horrible grammar in general will make you cringe after a few grammar classes, but one of the worst offensives is the statement "I seen." "I seen it yesterday." I can't even type that without staring at it evil-ally for a few moments. Hanging out with your family suddenly makes you realize how often grammar-sins are committed. But, little English major, just hang in there. It gets worse.

3. "Hey, do you want to go grab some tacos?" "No, sorry. I have to write 4 papers and finish a novel by Thursday."

You probably already know this going in, but be prepared to write paper after paper after paper. This is simultaneously the best and the worst part of our program. Often, in the first year of college, English majors really see the difference between high school and college: freedom. For the first time, you're asked to write about, and defend, your own opinions on topics, rather than arguing why one specific thing is true. You have the absolute authority to tear something apart and write why you believe the author meant something completely different than the professor's beliefs. Often, the professors like these papers best.

Being able to defend your opinion and having the authority to write whatever you want in papers gives us a sense of freedom that high school never really let us have. However, on the flip side, you're not given structure every time you have an assignment. So it's good to know that a lot of the responsibility and topic creation relies on you.

4. You're going to meet some of the most creative, passionate people, and they're going to become really good friends.

Classes aren't a mixture of people who are interested in different majors once you get to Eng-specific classes. Once you're in the higher level English classes, you're going to be surrounded by people who love literature just as much as you do. You're going to have some amazing discussions, and you'll realize that you're not self-conscious that your opinions differ from classmates, because everyone has a different opinion, and no one is going to attack you for it. People in these classes read for pleasure most of the time, which opens conversation to lead you past the classroom door. You'll find friendship and companionship in these people, and I bet you'll have some of the best conversations with them.

5. Don't worry- It's completely normal to question your major a few times.

It doesn't matter what you're major is-- everyone goes through the question stage. "Is this what I want?" "Should I be doing this?" "Where is this going?"

We've all been there. Sometimes, people really are in the wrong program and need a change. But don't sell yourself short. You're truly capable of achieving your goals in life, and if you're really passionate about your area of study, than don't give it up. You'll find a way to make it work, just like we all do. English majors may get a lot of grief, but that doesn't mean we're worth any less than math and science majors. We're all just pursuing something we love, and there is a companionship in that. You're going to be fine, English major. We all are.