Writing and What I Learned in College
January 17, 2008 · Written by Melissa Donovan
After graduating high school, I took a year off, so I could figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I worked, and contemplated my future. One thing was certain, I was going to go to college, earn a degree, and have a career… in something. But what?
When the year was up, I started taking classes at a local junior college, and eventually completed my general education coursework. I was ready for the big time, but I still wasn’t certain what I wanted to study. English was an obvious choice, since I’d been a voracious reader since the age of four, and was already a hobbyist writer. My thinking at the time was that since I was already a well read and active writer, why major in English? My notion was to study something I knew nothing about. You know, expand my horizons.
Once again at a crossroads, and with no idea which road to take, I started exploring. I spent a semester in southern California taking dance classes, then another in San Francisco studying Web design and multimedia. Then, I took a break to spend a few months living in Hawaii so I could clear my much cluttered brain. When I returned, I had made my decision. I would major in English, with a concentration in creative writing. If there was one criteria that my major had to fulfill, it was that it had to be something creative.
Before I knew it, I had earned my degree, and I was ready to enter the workforce.
Jennifer of Catalyst Blogger recently discussed the hurdles that an English major faces in the working world. Her post-college experiences struck a chord with me, because they are practically identical to my own. Her post, A Career in Writing: Four Things My College Education Didn’t Teach Me does a great job explaining why I, and many other English majors, end up working run-of-the-mill office jobs for years, despite that hard-earned degree. Jennifer’s post explains all the things that an English major doesn’t learn in college, and it got me to thinking, well, what did I learn?
I never had an opportunity to speak with a person who had earned an English degree. Frankly, I had no idea how such a degree could improve my future. I knew I’d be doing a lot of reading and writing, but how would I benefit? Now that those years are behind me, and I can reflect on them with objectivity, I’d like to share with you what I did learn in college as an English major.
- I read novels, short stories, plays, and poetry that I never would have if they hadn’t been assigned to me.
- I fell in love with Shakespeare and finally appreciated why he is considered one of the greatest writers of all time.
- A poet must read (a lot of) poetry. Doing so will not have a negative impact on one’s originality.
- I learned how to offer useful and insightful critiques which would help other writers improve their work, but which would not offend.
- I learned how to accept and appreciate feedback and criticism.
- I realized that there is no monetary future in poetry.
- I discovered that the most important element in fiction is its characters.
- I came to understand that good poetry is like fine wine, and only a very few have the palette to know the difference between a novice and a master.
- I learned how to write and format a screenplay.
- I found out that writers are incredibly supportive and generous to one another, and that the writing community is smart, creative, open-minded, and friendly.
- I discovered that college professors are nothing like K-12 teachers.
- I did countless writing exercises, and quickly discovered how these could help improve my writing.
- My writing improved, drastically.
- I accepted that there will always be worse writers than me, and there will always be better writers.
- I learned that a college education teaches you a lot more about life and the world we live in that the skills you need for a specific career.
- I found out a lot of people who attend college aren’t that smart, and plenty of people who never go to college are quite brilliant.
- Finally, I learned that it feels good, feels incredible, to achieve a long term goal. When I accepted my degree, I was beaming.
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Thanks for sharing this, Melissa. It’s interesting to discover what you learned and the process you’ve gone through to become the great writer you are today!
You’re always so inspiring!
Smiles,
Michele
This was interesting to read. Not only because it gave me some insight into who you are, but because it let me see what you received from your formal education in writing.
I have no degree in literature, journalism or writing. Yes, I’ve taken university courses in each of those. No, they did nothing for my writing career (unless I was to be a poet or a fiction writer). Oh, wait, yes, my courses in Academic Writing did a great deal - but those are limited and few. You can’t major in Academic Writing.
Your post reinforces my beliefs that a good writer does not require a degree, does not learn how to write well by going to university and mostly studies other literature rather than writing.
Don’t get me wrong. I value formal education for many reasons, and my children know that university isn’t an option - it’s a part of growing up. I continue my education in psychology as well. (There is no age to learn. Besides, Dr. James has a nice ring to it.)
My biggest complaint is the false perception that to be a great writer, one must have degrees out the wazoo. Let me tell you, I’ve seen some very terrible writers with plenty of degrees fail in basic writing.
It’s a shame - both that writing per se isn’t taught more in higher education and that people assume a degree means top quality. (Which does not mean you’re not top quality
)
I wholeheartedly agree with you about achieving a long term goal. When I got my Bachelor of Science degree, I was excited and relieved. Four years of sweat and tears were finally done and over with. It was a great feeling.
Great post Melissa! When I read Jennifer’s post I wholeheartedly agreed and also thought to myself, “well, what did I learn by getting my English degree.”
One thing I know is that I simply wouldn’t have been ready for life without spending a more years in school.
I truly believe that formal schools need to provide writers with more applicable classes on the upper-end (copywriting, web writing, etc) as options, but still…I learned a lot and wouldn’t trade my time at university for anything (especially since I met my sweetie there).
@Michele, Thanks! It was a long process. For me, college was quite a journey, and I was lucky enough to try many different things along the way.
@James, I feel that every course I took at the university improved my writing. All those literary essays! I had a couple of very strict professors who required the best writing from their students! If I were to dole out advice to anyone who wanted to be a writer, I would suggest majoring in English, creative writing, or journalism, but I would add that a minor in business would be most beneficial. Having said that, if college is not an option, for whatever reason, there are plenty of resources to help people improve their writing skills. That to me is the key - an infinite willingness and desire to improve.
It’s true that a college degree does not guarantee anything, but it sure helps.
@Rudy, I’ve heard it said that some companies require a degree solely because earning one shows that a person can simply set a goal and complete it. I don’t know how true that is, but crossing that finish line certainly ought to count for something.
@Chad, I am incredibly grateful for what I learned in college, and it goes far beyond writing skills. It definitely prepares you for life, though as Jennifer said, it doesn’t do so one hundred percent. All schools, even K-12, need to do a better job preparing people to enter the workforce.
Bah. Chad just went to school because of the girls. Slacker
Thank you for sharing this, Melissa. As you know, a degree is something I want with a passion and will return to formal education spcifically for when time (aka children) and finances permit. I’m actually hoping to find a part time course I can do this year.
I think getting a degree is more about personal achievement than the opportunies it offers in the workplace. Graduating doesn’t mean you’re a brilliant write and not finishing school doesn’t mean you’re a terrible one. The sense of accomplishment, personal pride, and confidence however are valuable in all areas of life.
@Rebecca, One of the reasons I wrote this post is because Jennifer’s resonated with me so much. But at the same time, I loved college and feel that I gained immensely from it. So I wanted to show that there are huge benefits to a writer earning a degree in English/writing.
It’s quite simple. Attending college presents tons of opportunities to expand your knowledge and hone your skills. Are there people who don’t go to college but become brilliant writers? Sure! Are there folks who earned a degree but whose writing is weak? Of course. These are the exceptions rather than the rules.
For the record, my college experience is unparalleled in helping me become a better writer. All that I learned before then, and all since doesn’t even compare. So if there are young writers out there trying to decide whether to go to college, or whether to major in English, I would wholeheartedly, vehemently say do it!
@ Melissa - Does this mean I’m brilliantly exceptional?
@James, Look at you fishing for compliments! Yes, it does mean just that
But you are currently in college, right? Studying psych?
University, 2nd year, yes. It’s funny you reminded me of that because much as I’m working towards that degree, I don’t really think about it. Kind of like… It just is. Hm. Never thought about it as important, really.
And yes, I’ll have to ponder and do some introspection on why that is.
I’ll probably be 85 by the time I graduate and by then we’ll need a Doctorate to practice, but hey. At least I will have made it
That’s interesting James. Since I did so much reading and writing on my own, I could have expected that studying it in school would have been secondary. But it wasn’t at all. In fact, my passion increased tenfold during those years.
I was 30 when I graduated and I walked with my sister, who is four years younger than me, and her now husband, who is six years younger than me. I took my fair share of part time semesters, and a few semesters off completely, but I finished (and the time off was priceless for all the experiences and adventures I had).
Out of curiosity, why isn’t a brilliantly exceptional writer like yourself majoring in English? Or, as an entrepreneur, why not business?
When you major in English, you study literature. You don’t write. You read what other people wrote and examine it. You don’t work on your own writing. (At least up here.) My English lit classes in CEGEP (akin to your college) were a waste of my time completely. I did well in Creative Writing but… well, creative writing is so subjective and not really what I’m into. I wanted to know how to write, not read silly books about women sleeping with bears.
Psych is far more interesting than literature to me (sorry, guys.) And at the time when I began University (not so long ago), there really wasn’t much that was in line with my strengths or interests.
I love languages, though. I pick those up like natives. Took German, Italian, Spanish… loved it. And promptly forgot it all - I mean, come on. Who speaks German in Quebec?
However, McGill U is now offering ecommerce courses and Simon Fraser U has a publishing degree. I’m exploring those options, actually.
I also never realized I was a businessman. I was just James, doing my thing. Funny the way our mind works.
“When you major in English, you study literature. You don’t write.”
Here in the U.S., there are plenty of tracks (concentrations, minors, etc.) in English studies that focus heavily on writing, creative and non.
Other than GE requirements, I probably took three lit courses for my major (Women Writers, Early Brit Lit, and Classical Mythology). There’s also always journalism and communications. It’s too bad they are so heavily focused on the reading side of things up there in Canada.
I thought about majoring in psych. Then again, I contemplated almost every major on the list that wasn’t math or economics.