Are you about to enroll yourself in the masters in English program? Read this.

Are you about to enroll yourself in the masters in English program? Read this.

source: https://www.skmvdbb.catholic.edu.au/teaching-learning/english/

Masters means a graduate degree program which takes two years to complete and is always managed by the department of Humanities or Social Sciences. And if you have decided to opt for Masters in English. It means you are going to read the literature which is written in English, English as a second language, Linguistics, History of English language and maybe the guideline to teach English to those students who are learning it as a second language.

There are so many professions that you may join after accomplishing this program. You may become a teacher or a writer or may start your own business and the list goes on. Someone asked me which job I may get after reading the plays written by Shakespeare. The answer is Masters in English program polishes your personality for so many professions. As it nourishes your way of thinking critically, improves your all four skills e.g. reading, writing, listening and speaking. English literature makes you broad minded.

Also, reading is the best therapy for your soul and brain. When you attend six classes a day for five days of a week. And in every class, you read and learn something different, it effects your brain in a positive way. Approximately, you will read thirty pieces of writing in a month. Which is, off course, a lot of reading.

In this two-year program, while reading literature, you will read the famous poets, dramatists, novelists, essayists, satirical writers, prose writers and many more. Some of them are Chaucer, John Donne, John Milton, Shakespeare (off course), Sophocles, Marlowe, Austen, Dickens, Eliot, Bacon, Jonathan Swift, Aristotle, Ibsen, James Joyce, Hardy etc. There are so many I can’t make a whole list here.

Most of the universities offer a four years program which includes both bachelors and masters program and you are awarded with the degree of BS. But if you have separately acquired the degree of Bachelors, you will go for two-years Masters program.

If you are a bibliophile as well as librocubicultarist (a person who loves to read in bed), you not only love to read books but also like their smell. Also, you love classic writings. Already own so many books and just can’t get enough of them. Ma English is a right choice for you. As It will give you a lot more to read. Because you are going to start from the Old English period; started around fifth century, when English was so different that it is impossible to read today. But don’t worry you will read the translated modern version of old writings.

Let’s do a reality check round of questions.

Do I need to be a master at English from the start?

No, you shall have enough knowledge of the English language that may enable you to read and understand what is written (in English off-course). It is sufficient as writing and speaking skills are taught from the very start of this program.

Level, Hard? Harder? Hardest?

Well, if you ask me on the scale from 1 to 10, what is the level of difficulty? I would say it depends upon you. If you are passionate about it and are willing to give your time, it is not that hard. Obviously, I am not saying that it is a piece of cake. But, it demands smart work not hard work.

Is it too much of a work?

If you are looking for a shortcut; I am sorry there isn’t any. You have enrolled yourself in a program which requires a lot of reading and writing. You cannot delay everything for later. There is always provided a schedule by the university, if you follow it and work accordingly, things are not going to get tough.

Will I have a social life?

I am not going to lie. You will have a social life but limited as compared to the life before getting admission in Ma English program. Why? As I have already said, this program demands your attention plus time. If you work responsibly and get things done in time, you can have more time to spend with friends and family. Speaking of my personal experience, I admit I was not able to attend community gatherings, or some of social meetings. But, I was able to make time for my friends and family, which is enough I guess. And, I made some of my best friends during this degree program.

If you think I have missed something that should be there in this post, comment below.