I have known my calling since I was 12 years old. I have always had a love and passion for books and writing. It’s been my release when I’m upset, a way to express myself, and something I genuinely love doing. So when I came to college and was one of the few students who already knew exactly what major they wanted to go into, I was psyched. However, I’ve learned over these last few years that being an English major is definitely not all it’s cracked up to be. And although I absolutely love being an English major, I’ve compiled a list of all of the things every English major deals with and why it's kind of the worst.
1. The annoying, “What can you even do with that major?” question.
Which is almost always followed by, “So are you going to be a teacher or like Meryl Streep in 'The Devil Wears Prada?'” and “You know you’re going to be poor, right?” questions where you have to bite your tongue and give back the usual, “No, I do not want to be a teacher, and no I am not interested in writing the next 'Twilight' series.”
2. Being asked by everyone you know to edit their papers.
And then reading said papers and wondering how there are people in this world that still don’t know the difference between they’re, their, and there. It's first grade, people! Get it together!
3. Feeling bad about yourself when someone asks what your major is and they respond with, “I’m an engineer.”
Or nurse. Or anything that involves the kind of brainpower we lack. Yeah, it's cool that you'll be saving lives...I'm gonna write books and stuff...
4. "I hate reading. How do you do that for fun?"
Insert blank stare.
5. The moment you have the, "What am I going to do when I graduate?" panic.
Every English major has at one point had or will have the horrible thoughts that you should have picked a different major and there's no jobs ever out there and you will have to live with your parents for the rest of your life and why did you do this to yourself moment. It just happens, and the feeling will pass. At least for a little.
6. Asking yourself whether you're even a good writer.
"Am I just extremely vain and don't even know what I'm doing? Are all my friends just lying to me?" And then wondering if you should even show anyone anything you write. Being an English major makes you paranoid.
7. Writer's Block.
Those days where you're really trying to get something written down, and there's just nothing inside your head no matter how hard you try. This leaves you half nervous breakdown-y and pacing around your room wondering if you'll ever get your story done.
8. Unreal amounts of homework.
People will always assume that English majors are doing absolutely nothing and it's the easiest thing ever. But just because we aren't doing math or science homework doesn't mean what we're doing is easy. First off, running out of prints at the library because you're constantly writing extremely long papers is the worst. While reading novels in class is the best for us book nerds, it gets stressful at times when you're reading three novels a week for a few of your classes. Sparknotes aren't an option because you genuinely get hooked on the book and need to know what happens. This results in staying up way past your bedtime and feeling like your eyes are permanently crossed.
9. "That's so awesome. I wish I could be an English major!"
Just don't.
Yes, people may be inconsiderate at times, and we may wonder what is going to happen to us after graduation, but we English majors have to stick together. There are books to be written, things to be published, articles to be edited, and more! There is just as much opportunity for us as any other new graduate looking for work. Doing what you love will get you where you need to be. Don't write us off just yet! (See what I did there?)
