Being an English major for the past three years has been amazing. I love my major and would never change it. However, the assumptions people make about English majors are sometimes completely and utterly wrong. So much so, they’re actually hilarious. So if you are an English major, I bet someone has assumed these things about you.
1. You want to be a teacher.
No I do not want to be a teacher. There are SO many things you can do with an English major besides be a teacher. You could work in publishing, a newspaper, go to law school, or work in media. The possibilities are literally endless
2. You’re a spelling champ.
I cannot spell to save my life. There are words I still get confused about. The other day in my notes I wrote “analyize.” Yes. I, an English major, did not spell “analyize” right. Sometimes we make mistakes! We’re only human.
3. You’re the Queen of Grammar.
People LOVE to correct my grammar. They get some sick satisfaction out of it, especially when they remind me I’m the English major. I’m sorry if every once in a while I mess up my “there/their/they’re.” It isn’t the end of the world!
4. You’re a book worm.
I absolutely love to read. That being said, the English major requires a lot of reading. People somehow assume I have endless time to read for pleasure in addition to all the reading I do for my major. I’m sorry, but there are only 24 hours in the day.
5. You need to improve your ability to speak the English language.
People think they are HILARIOUS when I tell them I’m an English major and they tell me my English seems fine. Ha. Ha. Ha. That is SO funny to me.
6. You’re an introvert.
Personally, I am an introvert. But I have met English majors who are extroverts. There’s some sort of assumption that English majors are these losers who just want to read a book alone in their room. English majors like to go out with friends too!
7. You want to be a best selling author.
Again, personally I love writing fiction. But I’ve met English majors who hate creative writing.
8. You love to write essays.
When I first told people I wanted to major in English they said, “you must LOVE to write essays.” I HATE to write essays. It’s stressful, it’s hard, it takes forever, why would I enjoy that? Are there some essays I love to write because I’m really passionate about my topic? Yes, of course. But there are also essays I write just to get them over with.
The moral of the story is English majors come in many different shapes and sizes. Don’t try to generalize or assume things about us! Most of us will surprise you!
