at university and with no time for novels

[Veva]

I know that there are many of you here who make their living of writing, teaching, studying or doing whatever with literature, but I was wondering if there are any university students here, who do not take courses that have something to do with literature... I, personally am in this state {my course is political science} and I find it shameful that I have to read non-fiction at 4AM because that is the only time I have free? Anyone here in the same condition, maybe we could form a support group.. ;)

[jon1jt]

I'm curious why you just didn't major in literature rather than poly sci, at least you would have been reading what you enjoy, some of the time, anyway. Poly sci stuff is very dry, especially the awful journal articles they assign, like eating hay.

[Veva]

I'm curious why you just didn't major in literature rather than poly sci, at least you would have been reading what you enjoy, some of the time, anyway. Poly sci stuff is very dry, especially the awful journal articles they assign, like eating hay.

so true, if you are not into it as much as I am...
but anyway, when I opted for univesity I knew that I have two passions - politics or literature... and I do not want to sound it as I would be a shallow or greedy person, but my parents refused to support me if I had chosen literature... so bad luck... still I am planning to take lectures in creative writing and turn myself towards media...

[Joreads]

I know that there are many of you here who make their living of writing, teaching, studying or doing whatever with literature, but I was wondering if there are any university students here, who do not take courses that have something to do with literature... I, personally am in this state {my course is political science} and I find it shameful that I have to read non-fiction at 4AM because that is the only time I have free? Anyone here in the same condition, maybe we could form a support group.. ;)

I work full time and study at night. I am studying accounting. It is very hard to fit in reading time when classes are in session.

[Bumbeli]

Law and philosophy here, but I make time for books as they are one of the major things that keep me going. Can hardly imagine my life without the reading, and I really don't want to.

[JBI]

I don't watch T.V., and very few movies, and then I read instead of wasting time - and read purposefully. When I'm on these boards, which is somewhat often, I am generally writing things - such as notes that I have taken from reading, or emails, or even assignments. It's all about budgeting. Plus, novels take forever, poetry is better as it is stronger, shorter, and more lasting.

[Etienne]

My time is split between university, reading (mostly in my frequent public transportation travels, because of my work), work, chess, girlfriend, eating and sleeping (with a little exercise sometimes). Haven't watched any TV for a few years, besides a few movies recently.

[Bumbeli]

The thing with TV is, it takes less concentration and is easier to enjoy. When I'm tired I hardly ever want to read a book, as I feel I could miss something important, not get it all, so I watch TV instead. Also, there is some really great stuff on tv. I tried reading on public transport a lot, but I can't concentrate if there's people around me and, even more, if there is a beautiful landscape passing by. I just wanna plug in my earphones and listen to some great music.
And I never really got into poetry, it's like I can't connect with it, plus, I highly doubt you can say poetry is stronger than novels, at least it never felt that way for me.

[Joreads]

[QUOTE=Bumbeli;667325]The thing with TV is, it takes less concentration and is easier to enjoy. When I'm tired I hardly ever want to read a book, as I feel I could miss something important, not get it all, so I watch TV instead. Also, there is some really great stuff on tv. I tried reading on public transport a lot, but I can't concentrate if there's people around me and, even more, if there is a beautiful landscape passing by. I just wanna plug in my earphones and listen to some great music.
QUOTE]

I tend to only watch TV when I can not be bothered reading as well. I cannot read in anything that is moving or I get sick :sick: so a chair at home it is for me.

[mayneverhave]

Plus, novels take forever, poetry is better as it is stronger, shorter, and more lasting.

That's debatable. Reading something of the scope of Paradise Lost or the Divine Comedy (especially for the first time) could take just as long as a standard length novel. In the case of shorter poems, I assume you mostly aim at reading a poet's entire work, or at least set collections of poetry, in which case we can equate a mid-length poem with a single book's chapter - a small section in a much larger work.

[stlukesguild]

I rarely watch TV. Surely I must average an hour of less per week. I sleep only 5 or 6 hours per night... excepting the weekend. I still work full time and put in another 20+ hours in the studio as a working artist... still I have time to read. I do lean toward poetry and shorter fiction myself (although I have certainly read my share of novels)... but I also tend to read some sizable tomes of non-fiction. I won't get into the argument of poetry-vs-novels except to say that poetry has had a far longer history than the novel and it is in no way inferior to the novel.

[JBI]

That's debatable. Reading something of the scope of Paradise Lost or the Divine Comedy (especially for the first time) could take just as long as a standard length novel. In the case of shorter poems, I assume you mostly aim at reading a poet's entire work, or at least set collections of poetry, in which case we can equate a mid-length poem with a single book's chapter - a small section in a much larger work.

Reading Paradise Lost outloud takes probably around 4 to 5 hours. In ones head, it is more like 2-3 hours on a reread (assuming you still look at the footnotes) or closer to 1 and a half if you don't. Reading a novel (300page average) will take about the same, if not longer. Reading Tolstoy will take forever.

Reading Four quartets on the other hand, takes about 10 minutes of quick reading, or up to 2 hours of slow reading, and I usually put in about an hour to an hour and a half of the latter each night, so yeah, you may have a point.

The Comedia though, isn't that long, and it is 3 books, and, though you can make the case for Chapters, we must remember The Epic tradition is divided in to books, and the Comedia is divided into Canti.


But beyond that, there is always time. Reading is so integral I find, that if there isn't time, I'll skip a meal, or lose a couple hours of sleep, just to squeeze in a little more.

[LitNetIsGreat]

There is always time to read despite me working full-time, having a family and studying part-time. However, I do feel that the quality of my reading suffers due to tiredness at night. My comprehension and concentration drops and I mostly find it profitable in the long run to read less at night and more at the weekends. On top of this I need at least 7 hours or more sleep at night otherwise I am a miserable grouch the next day. Having said that I am trying to increase my reading at night, plays are also good as they can be mostly done in one sitting quite easily.

[Wilde woman]

and I do not want to sound it as I would be a shallow or greedy person, but my parents refused to support me if I had chosen literature... so bad luck...

Veva, that's not shallow at all. I had a similar discussion with my parents and fortunately they came to see it my way. I majored in literature, went to an out-of-state school, and my parents supported me all the way. But I can definitely understand why parents wouldn't want their child studying literature; its money-making potential is not all that high. But there are definitely jobs out there if you know where to look.

If you like lit, maybe you could minor in lit or English or just take a few classes pass/no pass when you have the time?

[miyagisan]

I'm an English lit major, so luckily I get to read nonstop! However, when it comes to my own personal reading list, it is indeed difficult to find time. On top of the hectic college life, I have a very hard time reading in loud settings, so I try to set aside time before I go to sleep for my own reading. It's not much (usually only about 10 pages a night) but enough to feel that I have some leisure reading time.

I've also lately made part of my morning ritual to read a few poems or a short story of my choice.

[optimisticnad]

Everyone's strapped for time. But it all depends on YOU. I think people waste hours of their lives watching **** on t.v and then complain they have no time to do this or that. I once had a conversation with a peer, who like me studied Eng. Lit. and she was complaining that she had no time to read class texts. Then she had to sign off msn and go and watch Big Brother. Enough said. Everyone has responsibilities like work, school/uni etc. but I think if you prioritise you'll find all this free time. What's really important in your life? The next installment of Big Brother? Also multitasking helps! I'm not a fan of e-books but when I was reading Vanity Fair I found a copy online which meant I could several chapters at work when it was quiet!

[Veva]

For all you who study something miles away from literature, I would like to know why did you decide to take that way....

[Chava]

Same as you, I study politics and international development. And I actually love the course material. Even the political economy books. I don't think there was ever a question of my pursuing something other than what I chose. I love literature, I love literary analysis, but if i had to make a living of it, I figure it might have kiiled my love of books. Now they are instead my oasis in a busy week.

It's hard to make time for reading good literature, especially books that require you to spend time getting into the tale. I think it's a matter of deciding to spend time on reading. And I must admit there are times when I decided not to read 50 pages about Habermas, so that I could delve into the world of literature.

[Joreads]

For all you who study something miles away from literature, I would like to know why did you decide to take that way....


I have always been in the accounting field. Reading is something that I do for pleasure not for study I guess.

[John Goodman]

I'm in commerce at Queen's University (the Kingston one, not Belfast) and I really don't read much in my own time like I did in high school. I've met so many more great people than high school that I'm almost always out doing something with friends. I'm so much more social than I ever was in high school so reading really takes a back seat, as much as I feel I want to. I just have more fun being with people now.

That, and with 3 roommates in a house, it's a little hard to concentrate.

[Phranchesskah]

Veva, it's really about prioritising. Many people have busy lives, and still find time to read. Maybe not a novel a day - even if a page a day is all you can manage, read that page a day. It's better than nothing. It might take a year to read a novel that way, but it's likely that at some point you'll come across a day in which you have some free time to finish it.

Take a book everywhere you go, and read whenever you find yourself doing nothing for five minutes. If you're the type of person who finds it difficult to read in public, where there are lots of distractions (I know I do), still take the book around with you, even if you never read it. Alternatively, you may be able to lock yourself in a toilet during a lunch break in order to avoid distractions.

At home, use every spare five minutes to read, instead of doing something else, such as coming online. In the time it took you to post this thread you could have probably read at least a page or two. If you watch TV, read during the ad breaks. If you cook, read while you are waiting for the oven. If you procrastinate, change your habits so that you read when you're procrastinating, rather than logging onto Facebook or whatever (I'm not condoning procrastination though, obviously...).

You get the idea. You don't need to have an hour or more a day non-stop reading time.

If your life is such that you don't even have a minute or two here and there of redundancy, you might want to do something about it because that can't be healthy. As I said earlier, it's all about your priorities.

[Silas Thorne]

I have always been in the accounting field. Reading is something that I do for pleasure not for study I guess.

shaking my head. 'Accountants! That what the word needs, more accountants!' :lol:

....It does, actually. :)

Actually, I'm surprised students have time to read books any more , when they have to study them. It's all about the reading more and less about the reading.;)

[kasie]

It probably doesn't feel like it at the moment but student life doesn't last forever. :D

When you have finished your studies, you'll have the rest of your life to catch up with your reading. You'll (hopefully) be working and your life will be just as full and nearly as pressurised, but those moments that you do have to yourself can be freely used for whatever you want to do instead of being indulged in with that nagging feeling of guilt because you think you ought to be doing something towards your studies, as at present. That's when you can put phranchesskah's good advice into practice and seize every moment for a little read. (Had many overcooked dinners, phran? I have!) And remember - when you have a book with you, you never have to wait in a queue. No book = a long wait. It's a sub-clause of Murphy's Law.)

[*Classic*Charm*]

For all you who study something miles away from literature, I would like to know why did you decide to take that way....

I'm studying Animal Biology!!

I had a hard time choosing between this and Lit as my major. I've been planning on doing this major and going to vet school since I was 11 years old, even though I have to work really hard to get good marks in sciences, while english and writing are what come naturally to me. My last year of high school was pretty rough, and I came very, very close to choosing english, but when it came down to making the decision, I realized that as much as reading and writing are a passion, I don't know how I could ever make a career of it, and if that's what I chose, I'd have to give up medicine and animals (in the scientific sense) altogether, and I could not do that. This way, I have to work way harder since science is not as natural for me, but I get to do what interests me and hopefully at some point be able to write on the side.

I make time for reading when I can. I have an hour break between classes three days a week that I devote to reading, and I read before bed every night, no matter what time it is so that I can relax my mind before trying to sleep. If I go right from doing science homework to trying to sleep, I end up dreaming about physiology and genetic defects. :p I don't get to read as much as I'd like, but I make the most of that over breaks and holidays.

[Joreads]

shaking my head. 'Accountants! That what the word needs, more accountants!' :lol:

....It does, actually. :)

Actually, I'm surprised students have time to read books any more , when they have to study them. It's all about the reading more and less about the reading.;)



I have been told I am not normal for an accountant. For proof see the games thread:D

[thelastmelon]

I study full-time at the University to become a teacher. I actually have a lot of time to read anyway, since I hardly watch any TV, and just a few movies every month, there's a lot of extra time if you plan well and not do things like watch a lot of TV etc.

[Nightshade]

Well I am sort of but not in the same boat, I have time to read provided I read 'junk' that doesnt absorb me too much, Im banned from classics because I am liable to curl up in bed with a pile and not come out for a couple of months..still only 54 days to go!!!!!!!
:banana:
Also as I work in a library and am doing a librarianship course Im rarly short of anything to read, Im just short of time which remind I have to be off or I will be late!

Plus I can get really worked up about some ( no many) but some of the set texts about policies and such. And technically I am suppoedly doing a unit that relates to literature, but not really.

[sixsmith]

I took an English major as an undergrad and to be honest i did badly and hated it. It took me about a year after i'd finished to really get serious about literature and reading. I'm now doing a Juris Doctor and that takes up a lot of my time. I still find time to read a fair bit - nights, in between classes etc.
I'm troubled though by a constant feeling that i should be studying literature now. I chose law partly because i tried everything else (Phd in history, teaching, international relations) and partly because i wanted the challenge. I did seriously consider doing a Masters in English lit but i guess i erred on the side of the many doors i thought a law degree would open. (as opposed to a Masters, which i still think wouldn't open much). This is very likely the wrong approach.

[Emil Miller]

I took an English major as an undergrad and to be honest i did badly and hated it. It took me about a year after i'd finished to really get serious about literature and reading. I'm now doing a Juris Doctor and that takes up a lot of my time. I still find time to read a fair bit - nights, in between classes etc.
I'm troubled though by a constant feeling that i should be studying literature now. I chose law partly because i tried everything else (Phd in history, teaching, international relations) and partly because i wanted the challenge. I did seriously consider doing a Masters in English lit but i guess i erred on the side of the many doors i thought a law degree would open. (as opposed to a Masters, which i still think wouldn't open much). This is very likely the wrong approach.

May I comment here on your post? Pesonally, I don't think you have taken the wrong approach in assuming that your career has been compromised by your adherence to literature . If you have decided to follow a legal career, your reading of various writers will give you an insight into human behaviour that cannot be gained simply by the limited contact with human beings that everyday life affords. I have to say that I am grateful for the writers who have given me the benefit of their wisdom that has allowed me to form my own opinion of those I come into contact with. I know from experience that the study of law is a very, and sometimes needlessly, complicated process, but an understaning of literature helps in explaining why the law needs to be applied and defended.

[crystalmoonshin]

I'm a student of European Languages, majoring in the Spainsh language and taking up French as my minor. My first and biggest passion is literature but my parents wouldn't want me to take it up in college, saying it's a waste of money and time. They keep on saying that I have to be practical especially now that we're experiencing a big economic crisis.

I love my course, but oftentimes I find myself reading novels. I also watch a lot of anime and I do work part-time. It's hard not being able to read if you want to, especially when we have lots of schoolwork. I sometimes stay up until the wee hours of the morning just to finish a paper because I'd rather read a novel or watch anime.