Robert Worrell

What made Loughborough one of my first choices was the vast scale of what was available for study. There were plenty of options to study classic literature from across history, but what stood out to me were the modules that had a focus on the modern examination and application of English literature in the present day. For example, this year I have completed assignments ranging from essays on The Picture of Dorian Grey to creating a blog focused on contemporary social activism.

I would say that the element of choice when selecting modules is one of the best things about the course. With such a wide range of available topics and time periods to study, it practically guarantees that the majority of my projects will be on material that I have a genuine interest in. This year I have been able to produce work focused on elements of the Gothic in both Victorian and contemporary literature.

During my time here I have found both the facilities and quality of teaching at Loughborough to be of a very high standard. The library has proved an invaluable resource to me throughout my studies as both a place to work and conduct research.

One of my favourite modules this year was the ‘Weird Tale’ module that focused on short literature pertaining to the weird, strange and supernatural. Not only were these stories interesting and unnerving, but when analysed further served to highlight contemporary social fears in profound ways. Writing a story of my own at the end of the module was challenging but richly rewarding as a writer.

As well as regular meetings with a personal tutor to assist with any potential queries or problems I may have encountered during my studies, the faculty have been incredible with providing any extra assistance with specific topics and material. Even throughout the pandemic the staff have been ensuring that all email inquiries were responded to, and they also published a wealth of online content to assist any students who may have needed assistance with a topic.

After finishing my degree, I hope to potentially pursue a career in journalism which would be a great fit for the writing and analytical skills that I have developed here at Loughborough. My studies here have equipped me with a host of skills not only for writing, but also for research and content analysis that will be greatly beneficial when put into practice.

I would encourage those who are considering an English literature degree to take the time in their first year to experiment with their writing style and expose themselves to a wide array of voices and material. This has helped personally to develop my own voice as a writer in an environment where experimentation is encouraged and supported.

The social atmosphere on the Loughborough campus is very welcoming. The many social events that are held alongside the efforts of the different halls of accommodation to foster their own unique identity results in a great sense of community among the Loughborough students.

I would say that my favourite part of being a student at Loughborough is the access to fantastic facilities and support with both academic and careers support. One gets the sense that the staff and lecturers genuinely care about their students and strive to help them to achieve their goals.

With visits from different authors and literature events, Loughborough has inspired me to diversify my approaches to, and the selection of material that I read for both study and for pleasure. By being exposed to so many different viewpoints and experiences I have been inspired to widen my appreciation of literature as a whole.