Why English?
I always loved English at secondary school and originally chose to study it at A-level because I thought I was good at it, but it was through my study at college that I began to really love English lit. I consistently worked towards and achieved higher grades in every piece of writing I did, and I really enjoyed the research and wider reading for my coursework.
I loved reading longer novels, poems and plays I had never heard of before, and how much more in-depth it was to study these books. Ultimately, I couldn’t picture studying anything else at university, and that’s what made me realise I wanted to pursue an English Literature degree.
Why Durham?
The course itself made me choose Durham. When I visited for the Open Day, I couldn’t believe the breadth of literature you can study at Durham. In my time here, I have studied Ancient Greek literature to Medieval tales of knights and fairies, to creative writing and horror. The choice I have had throughout my course and time at Durham has made university incredibly enjoyable and rewarding. I have found so many favourite authors, books and even genres through my degree that I would never have discovered otherwise.
How is studying at university different to school?
At school and A-level, I felt very restricted in what I could study, but the freedom at university is one of the best aspects of the course at Durham. In a module I studied this year, we had the opportunity to write about any book from that period, which I found really exciting, and I was able to write on one of my favourite books, even when it was not lectured on.
Many more texts are covered at university than at A-level, so I can choose what I’m most interested in researching. I also have to do much wider reading and research at university; however, the number of resources, such as the library, the number of study spaces, and the lecturers themselves at university, is hugely beneficial.
My favourite bit
My favourite thing about the English department at Durham is the staff. The time I’ve had interacting with the staff, whether through lectures, tutorials, emails, or one-to-one meetings, has been a highlight of my undergraduate degree. Their passion and interest in their job really makes the difference, and has significantly helped improve my essay writing, my thoughts around literature and beyond.
I have also been able to access many creative writing opportunities through being a part of the English department, whether that be magazines, anthologies, or writing competitions. The access to these opportunities is what makes English at Durham so amazing, and university so enriching and rewarding for me.
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