I'm a third year English Literature Student AMA

Hi, Chloe!

What advice would you have regarding getting good grades in English lit?

Hey Chloe, thanks for the AMA!

I'm starting English Studies with Creative Writing straight into 2nd year this September. I did English language at A-Level and would have taken Lit but the course was full by the time I got to the table. I did a year and a half on Uni Journalism before deciding to switch to this course to broaden the availability of what I can write and get a bigger chance to study things that interest me that I could utilise for essays, as opposed to the Journalist's "Find a new story and write it in as few words as possible" method. I've spent the last few months reading "Studying English literature" and taking notes from their first year reading list to try and catch up. Sadly, this has meant my joy-reading has taken a back seat while I attempt a years worth of reading in 2 months.

Basically, I'm nervous. I firmly believe this is the right course for me, but having not done English Literature since GCSE I'm worried I'll be caught off-guard by key-words or general "things" that I'm not prepared for.

Apologies if this seems like a bit of a ramble, what I'm wondering is if there's anything you can think of that I'm not doing to prepare for the course, seeing as I'm starting in 2nd year.

Thanks!

Hi! I'm going to be applying for English lit joint honours courses in September and I've just had my AS results back and I've come out with a C in English, so it's been my lowest grade
The college think there might have been a problem with my paper, or it may have been marked wrongly, but I have to decide whether to get it remarked and pay for it and everything myself, which I am going to do (If i have just messed up then I'm planning on re-sitting)
But I'm worried lots of unis will reject my application because they ask for an A in English, is there any advice whatsoever you could give me? haha thanks!

Hi Chloe I'm going to start a degree in English at Sussex in September, and - I know this is such a typical question - I was just wondering how much I can expect the workload to increase between A2 and 1st year? Not sure if that makes sense!

I know there's meant to be about 10 contact hours a week, and were expected to do maybe 40 hours of reading, but on average per week, would you have a set number of essays due?

Thank you!

Do you have a job lined up for when you graduate? Did your uni help you with career advice/searching/applications?

Hi! I'm starting my English degree this year and I was curious to know if the course would involves things like oral presentations. I know the course structure might not be the same in every university but how many presentations have you personally had to give? It sounds like a pretty silly thing to ask but public speaking sends my nerves through the roof - maybe finding out about it from a Lit student beforehand could make it more bearable when the time comes. Thanks!

Hi Skyy!

Great to hear that you're moving to a subject you're really passionate about! I completely understand that you're nervous, but don't panic!

The fact that you care enough to have taken on extra reading is great. I was in a similar situation to you at the beginning of my second year, initally I was studying English Lit and Creative Writing but found that I was a lot more passionate about studying literature and so switched to full lit in my second year. Like you, I was incredibly nervous about what I'd missed but I shouldn't have been. It's rare that anything will be a huge part of second year, the only thing I'd suggest getting your grounding on is literary theory ( I'd recommend the Norton Anthology of Literary Criticism, it costs a bit but will help you with criticism in any essay). Just out of interest are you at Kingston?

My best advice though, would be just to ask. If you don't understand something don't panic, talk to the other students and most importantly your lecturers! They will know you have moved straight into the degree and to be honest most things they teach at A Level are completely different to degree...well that's what I found at least!

Also try and email the lecturers or a tutor if you have one and ask if there's anything specific you should take a look at. It sounds like you're really passionate so that should carry you through!

Good Luck and please ask me any other questions you have!

Chloe
Student Ambassador

Thanks for the response, you've made me feel a bit less nervous. [video="youtube;BYKX5FV6dUw"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYKX5FV6dUw[/video] That was the worry i was having about discussing literature with professors and 2nd year students. I do love both the aesthetics of language and the general subtext many stories can hold. I was just worried that I'll not be analyzing as in-depth or maybe not thinking of "key elements" that the more seasoned pro's are. However, your comment made me remember my time on Journalism, and how most seminars were a melting pot of conflicting ideas that we all collected and worked on. I guess I shouldn't be nervous about having a different insight into a book, but simply hope that my views can co-exist in the ideological trade network they set up in the class.

Nah, I'm going back to Teesside. When I first left journalism I had talked to the English tutors about arranging a transfer and frankly, I adore the way their course is structured. If only I had £9k I'd fund the first year myself to enjoy the modules!

Also, big thanks for that book! I still have SOOO much reading to give myself the background the other students got in 1st year. I also found Elements of Style was highly recommended while doing this reading, so that will have to make the list too. It's my own fault for trying to conquer the entire 1st year further reading in 2 months, but I really want to earn my place here.

Massive thanks for the reply! just wait, in a few days when I come to TSR for another reading break I'll have more panic to bombard you with

How much do you read?

What crime have you done