My passion for reading started at a very young age. My dad would sit on my bed and read me the Harry Potter series every night before I went to bed which is what ignited my love of stories. Through grade school, I was always reading (sometimes even during class), and there was nothing I loved more than a good plot line. My passion became somewhat dulled as I entered highschool and discovered the bane of required readings, but my love for English and writing stayed with me as English was one of the areas I really excelled in. I could write a much better essay than I could write a lab report, and my English teacher’s faith in me and what I could do pushed me to pursue a major in English upon entering college.
The decision to continue reading and writing took a huge hit shortly after it was made as freshman year in college showed me that a passion for something did not necessarily equate to a talent. Writing ended up not being a strength of mine, and long, strenuous required readings vanquished any desire to read anything on my own time. I was told that I was among many kids who thought a love of words would turn into a major and eventually a career, but were mistaken, and was told to reconsider my major. After working hard on essays only to receive subpar grades for my first three semesters, I agreed that perhaps a major change was in store for me. I heeded the advice of my well-meaning professor and changed my major from English, but I wouldn’t let go of my “love of words” that quickly and kept English as my minor, which is the decision that landed me in Lit 305 this semester.
Going into this class, I knew it would be a challenge for me because it is a class based solely on writing, which I was newly aware of, was not a strength of mine, but I was ready to persevere. Lit 305 has pushed me to the edge of my patience, strength, and skill, but I feel more capable of writing now, and for that I am eternally grateful. Continuing to study English literature, despite the doubt, has made me more cultured and better educated. I understand more references that my professors make and am able to see the world through the eyes of the authors I read, required or otherwise. Each work of literature I read makes every new reading easier as many works reference other authors and works. Had I discontinued my English education, I would not be able to brag about having read Ulysses and I certainly would not feel as ready to take on the adult world. Studying literature has helped me to feel more sophisticated, educated, and ready as well as develop a writing process that will help me in my future classes and even later in life.
English and writing have been a real rollercoaster for me, and while I am at a lower point, I’m determined to make it to the top of the hill once again. Thank you for being a part of my wild ride.
-Alaina
