How to Survive Literature General Education Classes
As an English major, creative writing minor, and literature-lover, I’ve heard a fair share of complaints about my field of study. Writing essays? Reading Frankenstein in a week? No multiple choice?!
Yes, but also… literature classes can be pretty low-stress if you manage your time well. If you take good notes in class and work hard writing papers, you probably won’t have to spend hours (or tens of dollars on Venti caffeinated drinks) in a café studying for a literary exam.
Here are a few tips to help you beautiful, non-literary souls prevent a literature Gen Ed from tanking your GPA:
Surviving the *Yawn* Lectures
Saddle up, strap on your thinking cap, and try to get invested in the topic. From William Wordsworth’s colloquial style to Jonathan Swift’s use of Juvenalian satire, pretend you like it. Find some interest for it in your heart. Fake it till you make it.
You might just get to the point where you don’t have to pretend anymore! Otherwise, bring a good snack and a large non-alcoholic beverage. And, of course, remember to take notes. Notes can be brief or meticulous (I tend to avoid ever looking at my notes again if they are too meticulous, so brevity works well for me).
Surviving the (Yikes!) Reading List
If reading books is not your thing, audiobooks are your new BFF. If it’s a classic novel, you’re in luck! Most classics are free as audiobooks on YouTube.
If you choose to take the audiobook route, though, beware of your nemesis, a.k.a. multitasking. Don’t start folding that pile of laundry in the corner while you listen — take notes! Even if the notes are reminders of major plot points and character names. It’s always awkward when I’m in class and forget the name of a major character (I’m looking at you, Mercutio).
Surviving the Writing Assignments
This is the final and most daunting task you’ll have in a literature class. Before starting every paper, I am Ann Darrow staring into King Kong’s eyes for the first time. Here are a few tips for when an assignment is chest-beating the blonde curls right off your head:
Go to your college’s tutoring or writing center.
Don’t fret! This isn’t middle school anymore. As a college writing tutor, I can vouch that nobody thinks you’re dumb for seeking out help. If my friend hadn’t gone to all the tutoring sessions in the Milky Way for organic chemistry, she wouldn’t have been one of the absolute superstars to get an A in the class.
Tutoring centers are another resource that can help with time management if that’s something you struggle with!
Ask for example papers.
Writing takes practice. You might feel like you don’t have the time — you already have to practice trigonometry problems, lacrosse, warming up pizza rolls, etc. A simple way to cut down on writing practice time is to ask your professor for example papers from previous semesters. Mimic the format — emphasis on format, not words or ideas. Plagiarism is not cute.
Conclusion: You Got This!
Although I may not have convinced you to change your major and read The Color Purple for fun, I hope you realize that you do have the tools to survive literature general education classes (and I hope you do read The Color Purple!).
Keep these tips in mind, and I have no doubt you’ll be successful in a literature class:
- Try to get invested in the topic.
- Take notes in class.
- If you struggle to make it through long reading assignments, listen to audiobook versions and take notes about plot and characters.
- Go to your college’s tutoring/writing center for every paper you write and/or to get tips on time management skills.
- Ask your professor for example papers.
- Breathe. You got this!
I’d love to hear how you survived your toughest Gen Ed classes. Let me know with a comment!
