Why I Chose My Course

I’ve always loved English, and I especially love writing stories, so I wanted to find a course that would tailor specifically to my passions. Queen’s had the perfect option for me, which is how I went on to study English with Creative Writing here in Belfast.

Through the course, I could expand my knowledge on what English is as a subject, and come to understand it in greater detail, which would also help improve my writing. I could receive valuable feedback on my work, go on trips, and connect with other writers.

^{Poetry and Pints!}

I also heard about Queen’s English Society, which would offer me even more opportunities to create and share. The society has their Poetry and Pints nights, where the first few people to read their poems get a free drink, and as well as that they run their own writing workshops. I liked the sound of it, a safe place for me that gives me the time to write and talk with like-minded people.

Belfast was an aspect of the course that appealed to me. It’s a big city bubbling with life, it would be a nice change from the usual small-town scenery. There’s so much to do in Belfast, so many different shops and sights to see. I could walk around Botanic Gardens after class, or visit the Ulster Museum.

^{Admiring insects at Ulster Museum}

It seemed like a dream come true – and it has been!

What My Week Looks Like

In the mornings, I catch the train from my town to Belfast. It’s roughly a 45 minute journey, which seems quite long, but I don’t mind it. I busy myself with reading a book, and it’s usually a book I’m reading for my course.

Once my train rolls in, I’m off and making my way to the university. It’s a 7 minute walk from the train station to campus, so I’m not in a rush. That’s the good thing about the Botanic area – everything is within walking distance.

^{Find out more about studying English at Queen's}

Whenever I arrive at either a lecture or seminar, I like to make conversation with people who are waiting for it to start as well, and when I’m in class, I make notes and ensure I engage in discussion. Voicing your thoughts not only helps you improve academically, but I found it can help you make friends because you might find that someone will agree with your opinions.

After my classes are finished, there’s a chance I’ll stay in Belfast for a bit because of a society event. I’ll grab a bite to eat down at a local chippy or pizza shop, then walk back up to the Students’ Union, where the societies tend to meet. Then when the event is over, it’s back on the train home, looking forward to the next day.

The Skills I’m Developing

It’s important to enhance our communication skills if we want to be successful in our future careers. But I’ve learnt that the key to this skill is to be clear and concise. I first expected English essays to be strong in descriptive and metaphorical language. Of course, you want to sound scholarly, but you don’t want to confuse whoever is marking your assignment. The teaching staff remind me that it’s better to stick to simpler words and phrases.

^{The course is taught through a mixture of lectures and group tutorials}

English is helpful when it comes to improving your critical analysis. I have to look at a variety of texts and try to pick out the meaning of certain literary devices that the writer decides to use. I won’t get away with reciting what happens in the plot, I have to dig deep. Don’t just think about what the words look like on the page, think about what they’re doing and how they’re doing it.

Research is vital. There will be many different topics to delve into, and since it will be a scholarly essay, I’ll have to quote scholars. I want my sources to be reliable, so the McClay Library and JSTOR have become my friends on this course. Reliability is one factor, relevancy is another. There’s no point adding extra information into my essay if it doesn’t illuminate what I’ve already written.

^{The C.S. Lewis Reading Room in the McClay Library}

I’m glad I chose to study English with Creative Writing here at Queen’s. I feel that I’m becoming the writer I always wanted to be, and I can’t wait for what comes next in my university experience.

Find out more

Study English with Creative Writing

Why choose Queen's?

More blogs about Studying and Courses

Tiffany Murnaghan English with Creative Writing | Undergraduate Student | Northern Ireland Hi my name is Tiffany and I'm doing English with Creative Writing. I'm a member of the English Society and Queen's student newspaper The Gown. I like to read and write stories and poetry.