Get a degree in English

Looks like my plans for this goal are back on the road. Halfway through school, I ran out of money, and have not been in school this last year. I didn’t think I’d be able to return to school until Fall 2008, but it looks like I’ll be able to go back this year if I go only part time and stop going for two degrees and just get one. Yay! On the road again. I almost can’t wait to be back!

This isn’t strictly related to my desire for an English degree, but I just need to release some frustration related to grammar.

Grammar skills have always come naturally to me. Even before I was able to explain basic grammar/spelling rules, I could spell almost any word given to me, even if I didn’t know what it meant. I knew the difference between boys, boy’s, and boys’. I would automatically edit signs and announcements I saw with poor wording, grammar, or spelling.

I know that not everyone has these natural “grammar” skills, so I try to be patient. I also have to realize that it’s not as big of a deal to everyone else as it is to me, much of the time.

I was looking at some new goals today, on zeitgeist. I was astounded that over 1000 people have a goal to “loose weight”. People, you don’t “loose” weight, you “lose” it. “Loose” is an older term, usually meaning “to release”. Today we usually say “loosen” instead – as in, to loosen a knot.

I realize that grammar does not come naturally to everyone. But I also realize that most people do not take the time to use proper spelling and grammar in whatever they write. This is not only bothersome, but it makes me not want to take them seriously. If someone submits a work full of punctuation and spelling errors, this tells me that person does not really care very much about their work. It’s just the way it is.

Of course, I’m always happy to help my fellow students edit their papers and stuff like that.

I don’t really have a “point”. LIke I said, I’m just leaking frustration. And I’m done now.

Actually, an English degree is useful for many careers besides teaching English. A few skills English majors tend to have: Reading, writing (not just books!), editing, communications, advertising, and public relations. Besides getting me a job after I graduate, I hope someday to raise a family and homeschool my children. I really believe a strong English background will help me greatly in teaching my children, and perhaps in teaching a few classes either formally or informally to homeschoolers, or even in a public or private school.

I realize this is a long way down the road, but I think it’s important to have the rest of my life in mind when choosing a degree. Knowing the things I value, English seemed to be the best degree choice for me, both for a career and for my life.

Working on it. I’ll graduate in forever. Bachelor’s – nothing special.