Why did Emily choose to study English?
I chose English because of the flexibility it offered, allowing me to explore subjects like history, psychology and philosophy without narrowing my options too early.
Choosing English meant I could pursue and develop my interests without closing any doors, something that mattered to me more than picking a single, fixed career path from the outset.
Why did Emily choose the University of Bristol?
I chose Bristol for the balance it struck between city life and academic quality — its culture is vibrant and diverse.
The university gave me the sense of being part of a large city, while still having access to a first-class academic experience, a combination that made Bristol stand out among my options.
What surprised Emily about studying at Bristol?
I was most surprised by how much academic support was actually available, having been warned beforehand to expect a largely independent experience with little one-on-one contact. Whilst it's certainly a transition from secondary school, relying on intrinsic motivation, I was pleasantly surprised to see how much my tutors cared about each of our academic journeys, encouraging us to attend office hours, giving feedback on drafts, and ensuring that everyone was able to participate confidently in seminar discussions.
“Whilst it's certainly a transition from secondary school, relying on intrinsic motivation, I was pleasantly surprised to see how much my tutors cared about each of our academic journeys, encouraging us to attend office hours, giving feedback on drafts, and ensuring that everyone was able to participate confidently in seminar discussions.”
What is a typical week like studying English at Bristol?
A typical week for me involves relatively limited contact hours, roughly four hour-long lectures and three two-hour seminars across my three modules, leaving plenty of room for independent reading and university life outside the classroom.
I spend around 20 hours a week reading for seminars, rising to around 40 hours during busier periods with multiple deadlines. The flexibility of my timetable has also given me time to join several societies and take advantage of Bristol's wider social life.
What was the hardest part of studying English for Emily?
My biggest challenge was finding the confidence to speak up in seminars, having started university with a degree of imposter syndrome that made sharing my ideas difficult. After engaging in small group discussions and realising that tutors are more interested in hearing thoughts rather than perfected solutions, seminars became more of an enjoyable interactive discussion, an opportunity to discuss and expand on partially formed ideas.
“After engaging in small group discussions and realising that tutors are more interested in hearing thoughts rather than perfected solutions, seminars became more of an enjoyable interactive discussion, an opportunity to discuss and expand on partially formed ideas.”
How has Emily's career direction changed since starting university?
I started my degree with publishing in mind as a natural path from studying literature, but have since developed a strong interest in environmentalism, prompted by lectures from leaders in the field.
Through opportunities to work with and advocate alongside companies and organisations in Bristol, my focus has shifted toward environmental humanities. I'm now aiming to pursue an MA in Environmental Humanities, followed by a career in environmental policy work.
What does Emily wish she'd known before starting university?
My biggest lesson has been the value of being proactive, since university offers far less structure than secondary school and puts much more control in your own hands. Since having a more driven mindset in second year and forging my own path, I feel as though I'm able to take advantage of all of the opportunities the city and university have to offer. It's less about statistics and rankings and more about what you are able to create for yourself.
“Since having a more driven mindset in second year and forging my own path, I feel as though I'm able to take advantage of all of the opportunities the city and university have to offer. It's less about statistics and rankings and more about what you are able to create for yourself.”
Would Emily recommend studying English at Bristol?
Yes, I'd absolutely recommend both the course and the university — the range of modules, the extracurricular opportunities, and my own growth in confidence are all reasons why.