What Can Literature Students Learn from Generation X?
Literature students would hear lots of alumni stories during their first year. It would spur them to do better, but only if they take it seriously.
The study of literature is a privilege, but Generation X didn't have many opportunities back then. For one, they don't have the option to defer their entry to college. They would love to make the most of their gap year, working in academia. Going places could be another option, but budget traveling wasn't a term decades ago. Ralph Waldo Emerson would attest the benefits of sightseeing, which enabled him to pen thought-provoking essays. On the other hand, Joseph Conrad didn't like what he saw during his sallies in the colonized lands. Hr. Rider Haggard was thinking of something else, of lost cities and glittering stones that made him a household name in Adventure fiction. The current generation could do all of these things on a shoestring budget and wrote about their experiences on a blog. They would wonder what the older generation could teach them. Moreover, they would doubt about the alumni stories that they frequently hear during their first few months. Some could hear it earlier, and they would wonder if they were lucky. The answer is yes.
If you're an incoming Literature student, you want to think of what would make you enjoy your time in the university. You would learn many things from what you read online, and you could get an overload of information after Fresher's Day. You could still learn many things from former students, but those who finished their studies (and pursue different vocations) have many things to share with you. Open your eyes (and ears).
7 Alum Stories That You Must Take Heed
You're missing on many things if you've been attending too many parties. You would insist that socializing is important to your well-being, probably more important than attempting to read all the titles in the list. You would miss out on many things if you've been sleeping off your hangover many times. The thought of surviving on a diet of bread, chips, and soda would make you worry about the rest of the term, but you could do it. Your coursemates would have the same predicament as you do, and you could draw support from each other. It should help you in sorting through your confusion on your latest lesson in Medieval Literature, if not a short list of novels that is set on the sea (or the seaside).
You may be ashamed of the freebies, but not the experiences. If you're not lucky to get freebies, you may complain about not getting too many discounts. This is not how the professional world looks like, which prompts you to wonder if it's wise to defer your entry (and find a job). The term is about to start soon, so it’s too late to change your mind. Prepare early for the coursework. Embrace the experiences, be it good or bad.
You have the freedom to do whatever you like. You're not burdened with responsibilities, yet you must ensure that you beat the deadlines to your assignments and get a passing mark on your examinations (at the least). You may not look back at your collegiate years as your finest hour, when you're able to do whatever you like and when you like it. Your parents won't remind you about what you must not do. (And you don't have to hear it on a daily basis.) This should make you realize that managing the coursework isn't as daunting as you first think.
Your parents don't have too many chances during their time. You should have figured it out (after reading the introduction to this post).
You would receive the greatest gift. Perspective is something you have gained after you've been thrown off your comfort zone. You don't have to be far and away, as a daily stroll could do it. You would be aware of it sooner than you think of, and it would happen to novelists and aspiring writers alike. You're on the right track.
You might find your true calling in the university. You can count yourself lucky if you find a connection during your first year. You can consider graduate studies before you finish your undergraduate studies. This could be your excuse for studying abroad. You may even wonder if a Hollywood studio would stumble into your story and turn it into a film. It can overwhelm you, but don't think about it. Your admissions tutor must see your passion for literary studies, and you could get a nod before the end of the first month.
You should value the lessons you learned outside the lecture room. You would meet new faces in the hall, and one or two might recommend you of a place where you can find books that you need for a particular module. It could be a place to eat, which you can call a treat (after the long nights on reading and writing). Getting familiar with the establishments can be your other lesson. It should give you a cue to explore the nearby surroundings. What do you see?
How to Stuck With It and Find Your Niche
You would be hesitant to do all of the above, as you’re not used to unfamiliar surroundings and faces. It wouldn’t be an issue if you have traveled before, but it shouldn’t be a hindrance. Give it a chance. It won’t take long to find out that you’re not the only one in this kind of situation. You would find your niche, which should have dawned on you before you fill up your application form.
