No matter what your major, it’s always important to know the ins and outs of what you’re getting into when it comes to studying at university.
This guide will provide you with 5 Tips for Aspiring Literature Students to keep in mind if you’re looking into studying literature as a course in the university.
From study tips and tricks to evaluating professors, here’s what you need to know before studying literature.
5 Tips for Aspiring Literature Students
1) Finding the Right Program
Choosing a program can be challenging, but it is important to find one that matches your goals and interests.
One way to narrow down your options is by looking at the school’s course requirements and deciding which ones you would like to study.
It is also important to consider how much time you will have to devote to studying literature.
For example, if you work full-time and want an online degree in English, then a program with less than 15 credit hours may be ideal for you.
Some programs allow you to transfer in credits from other colleges or universities.
Some schools offer different degrees (i.e., BA or BS) so make sure that you know what degree you are interested in before choosing a program.
There are two types of bachelor’s degrees: the Bachelor of Arts (BA) and the Bachelor of Science (BS).
If you plan on going into research or graduate school after earning your undergraduate degree, it is best to choose a BS.
The majority of liberal arts institutions offer this type of degree.
You should also think about whether you prefer to attend class on campus or online as this can affect where you go as well as what major or minor courses you might take while enrolled there.
2) Determine Your Concentration
If you’re still deciding on your concentration, here are a few things to consider:
What interests you most?
What are your strengths?
Do you want to focus more on writing or reading?
Where do you see yourself in five years?
You should also think about which concentrations may offer the best opportunities for jobs and internships.
Knowing what you hope to do after graduation can help with choosing an appropriate concentration.
For example, if you are interested in academia, English is a good choice since it will be relevant across many areas of expertise.
But if you hope to work at a publishing company, then Publishing would be better suited for your needs.
Likewise, if you want to pursue law school or teach literature courses, majoring in literature might not be the way to go.
It’s important to know where your career goals lie before settling on a concentration.
Once you’ve made that decision, take some time studying up on what careers in that field entail.
3) Consider an Interdisciplinary Approach
Taking an interdisciplinary approach will allow you to explore the different ways that literature can be applied to life.
You might be surprised how many of your classes overlap with this subject!
When you learn more about different disciplines and perspectives, you’ll see why a diversity of opinions is important.
For example, if you’re taking Biology 101 and Environmental Science, there are many parallels between these two fields because they both deal with studying life and its environment.
On the other hand, if you’re taking English 101 and American History, these two courses are not likely to have as much in common.
Even so, learning about them both will give you a richer perspective on our society and make you better rounded as a person.
One thing is certain: by exposing yourself to all the ways that literature applies to life, it’s impossible not to get even more excited about reading it!
4) Develop a Reading Strategy
Read broadly: It’s important to read a wide range of novels and short stories in order to develop the critical skills necessary to read, analyze, and understand literature.
Reading only one author is not enough.
Develop an understanding of literary terms:
To be a successful student, you’ll need to have a strong understanding of literary terms, such as metaphor and allegory.
Familiarize yourself with definitions and examples of each term so that you are comfortable using them while analyzing texts.
Practice Writing Essays :
One way to increase your writing skills is by composing essays on different texts or themes; this will allow you to practice writing essays on a regular basis, which will improve your technique over time.
Make Use of Study Guides:
Many schools offer study guides and notes from previous students who took the course before you.
These resources can help you save time when studying for exams because they provide explanations about difficult topics and strategies for tackling essay questions.
Take Advantage of Tutoring Resources:
If you find that academic work is taking up too much time in your day, then it may be worth investing in tutoring services to supplement your studies.
5) Get Involved in the Literary Community
Get involved in your local literary community by attending readings, volunteering at events, following your favourite authors on social media, and joining your school’s literary magazine.
The more you put into the community, the more opportunities will come your way!
But don’t be discouraged if that doesn’t happen right away; it takes time to build a network of contacts.
You can also make an impact online through which gives you an opportunity to hone skills like research, editing, and creative writing without leaving your room.
You may also find creative communities online like Tumblr where people share pictures, fan fiction, and memes related to their favourite books and characters from literature.
Don’t forget about good old-fashioned face-to-face conversation though.
