The University Student’s Concise Guide on How to Major in Living Your Life

I am very disappointed by this as I did everything on time but the instructions were not clear. Hej Rendani, I am sorry to hear about the complication in your application. The certifying part is probably the most challenging part of the application process. I am Ilda from Albania, reading your blog was interesting, I have a question about the characters, what does it mean characters , I thought it is words?

Glad you liked the blog!

On Study Skills and Learning - How to Succeed in Your Studies

It is not words that are counted but characters letters, spaces etc. You write your answers in the boxes below the questions. I was wondering if you could offer some insight into the competitiveness of getting into Lund for international students? Glad you liked the blog post. To my knowledge, there are no official data showing the competitiveness when applying to Lund. What you should take into account is definitely the fact that it is the most international university in Sweden, thus, they really seek for talented internationals and make space for them.

Check out this blog post where I wrote about Lund University. Good luck with your application. Applying to study in Sweden: Dena 4 years ago. Find a programme or more programmes Check if you meet the admission criteria for both the university and the programme s you want to apply to. Create an account on universityadmissions. You will use this website for your application.

Study in sweden

If you are not an EU citizen, you will need to pay an application fee. There are separate instructions for Bachelor students and Master students. Swedish Institute Study Scholarship: Written by Concillier 18 Dec at 2. About me Academics How-tos and tips. That is, you learn how to wield the body of techniques that are used to identify and investigate natural phenomena by formulating and rigorously testing hypotheses. The origins of the scientific method date back at least 1, years, and it is arguably the most important invention of civilized man. Armed with the scientific method, we can explore and understand nature to the limits of our intelligence.

What can match being the first person who has ever lived to know something new about nature? And not just the big, infrequent, paradigm-making or breaking discoveries, but the small, incremental discoveries that occur on a daily or weekly basis too. Making discoveries is the core reward for the myriad of difficulties you will face in your scientific career see Part II, in which I discuss making discoveries 1.

Although it is possible to succeed in science even if you lack this passion for discovery, you will almost certainly be miserable and make your colleagues, friends and family wretched too. Science has other perks. Contemporary science is one of the most communal activities ever pursued by humanity, and is among the most international careers possible. You will probably be interacting on a daily basis with scientists from all over the world, both in your laboratory and over the internet. You might even train a generation of researchers in your laboratory who will disperse around the globe to pass the torch of the scientific method to the next generation of their nation.

This generational transfer of Scientific Methodism is, in fact, the most important and tangible achievement of a scientist. Discoveries are the joy and stock of our trade, but when your career is over and probably well before this moment , few people will remember your brilliant papers.

Applying to study in Sweden: a concise guide | Study in Sweden: the student blog

If you are successful and lucky , you will have contributed a few lines to text books that future students will resent having to memorize. Through no fault of your own, and for reasons that you could not have anticipated, your discoveries might prove to be the artefacts that led your field in the completely wrong direction.

You will be happiest in science if you are content with pursuing the truth to the best of your abilities and in passing the skills and insights you have developed to the next generation. Scientists who pursue fame are destined to be forgotten and forever dissatisfied with their achievements. In practical terms, peer recognition is needed only to maintain funding and to attract talented individuals to your laboratory who will make your daily laboratory life more productive and enjoyable.

Beyond this, chasing fame is a waste of time that could be better spent on science itself, or on enjoying life outside the laboratory. Choosing a graduate school in which to pursue your Ph. Obviously, you should choose a programme that has a well-respected faculty.

Size provides a large number of advantages, including a larger number of potential mentors to choose from, more students and postdoctoral fellows who can become lifelong friends and colleagues, better chances for collaboration, greater access to reagents, techniques and specialist equipment, and a more exciting intellectual environment.

It should take 4 or 5 years for a decent student to finish a Ph. Any longer than this and the student is either not suited for science or is being exploited by the mentor. Also, choose a department where the current Ph. Once you have chosen a school or vice versa to work in, your most important decision will be to choose a laboratory. The decision can be based either on the topic of research or on the mentor. I would strongly recommend the latter BOX 1. Good scientists work on interesting and important topics, so a good mentor has this covered.

Your goal as a graduate student is to become an expert in wielding the scientific method, and this can be achieved pursuing any project. The topic matters most in the types of experiments it entails. A good project will enable you to design, perform and analyse experiments on a routine basis, ideally several per week, if not daily. This provides the best training and, importantly, is also the most fun. This will also develop your abilities to conceive the crucial controls that are needed to interpret the data in a meaningful way.

You should avoid projects that are largely based on using a single technique to develop a reagent or collect data for example, generating a transgenic mouse. I just gotta hear this one! The rabbit clears its throat and intones: Can I have fries with that? But only the rabbit comes out.

So the two rabbits scurry down the burrow. In the first chamber is a workstation, covered with and surrounded by piles of books, papers, printouts and half-eaten carrots. In the second chamber are boxes and boxes of wolf bones, all catalogued and annotated.

And in the final chamber, in a rocking chair, is a large and very satisfied looking bear. Although there is tremendous subjectivity in choosing a compatible mentor, there are a number of objective criteria FIG. Are the people in the laboratory happy and enthusiastic about their research? Have former students gone on to productive careers? Does the mentor treat students as junior colleagues and not as employees? Generally speaking, you should run from laboratories where a PI is referred to as Doctor X and not by his or her first name.

This cartoon was kindly provided by Alexander Dent, http: Frequently, you will have to choose between a small laboratory with a new investigator versus a large laboratory with a well-established scientist. Newly minted assistant professors will not have much of a track record as mentors; you might even be the first student they train. Still, you should seriously consider joining such a laboratory if the chemistry seems right. These skills might include computer programming, social media management, web design, or skills related to science or technology.

You might pick these up through minoring or double majoring in a technical field or through teaching yourself on the side. As Goldie Blumenstyk notes, having some specific technical skills might make the difference in a liberal arts major getting a first job in a field outside of the liberal arts. If you do that, you can put to good use what you can learned about how to learn in your English major.

Gather resources on job advice and job searches. You can keep a file on your computer or a folder in your email or tab for bookmarks on internet browser. I would also definitely get a hold of the book by the editor of that site, Alyssa W. A Guide for English Majors.

Mapping Your Way from Chaos to Career. You can also browse their blog whether you are a member or not. As you approach graduation, begin working on those specific skills needed for navigating the job market.

You are here

Learn how to write a compelling cover letter. Get someone to practice mock interviews with you. You can and should get help with these things, but you should also know enough about how to learn by now to be able to get started on your own, with some internet searches. Studying English—studying writing, literature, language, analysis, critical thinking, discussion, empathy, culture, and so forth—provides powerful opportunities for growing both professionally and personally. And, to say it loudly once again, there are jobs, good jobs, available for English majors.

Whoever tells you otherwise has been misinformed. But do start taking some practical steps to prepare yourself. Put working on your writing at the top of the list! Of course, work is an important part of life.

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So majoring in English prepares you for both: Thanks to all those who completed my questionnaire, including those quoted above by name or anonymously. Want to Go to Grad School in English? Like Liked by 1 person. On March 10, a well-known author, Diana Gabaldon, stirred up a controversy by tweeting this: Was your blog post in any way a response to this controversy? Thanks for your quick response. The number of critical tweets Gabaldon received means that a great many people agree with you and not her.

I will share your advice with the English majors I teach. This is a fantastic article. Having graduating from Allegheny College with a degree in English, I have faced all of these exact conundrums. That being said, I have had so many successes as well. A degree in English has given me a depth of skills that I know I would not have gained otherwise, making my career options pretty much endless with a little hard work!

The liberal arts, in my opinion, teach life skills — things that carry across the boundaries of a single profession.

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Try a Career on for Size: Saturday Snippets Jen Russum. I am in my final semester of my graduate degree in English. The last two years, while educationally and intellectually stimulating have been emotionally isolating and lonely. It has been an interesting dynamic, doing what I believe is best for me, while being surrounded by the naysayers of an English degree. I have had to keep my spirits up while navigating a curriculum that was challenging and difficult. I am proud of my decision but have pondered on several occasions if I was doing the right thing, if I was going to find a path after school.

My advisor and professors are encouraging and supportive. They encourage students to keep moving forward and to think outside the box. I want to pursue doctoral studies and be a professor, however if that does not pan out, then I will look to other opportunities to use my education.

Your article is thought provoking and gives hope to those who have no support outside of the school environment. I have spent some time researching where I can build a career after graduation and I am have always believed that work does not need to be miserable.

I worked for over a decade in a job I despised with people that treated me like a piece of garbage. Leaving my job was the best thing I ever did for my own peace and health and I know that I will forge a new path in the coming years. Natalie, Thanks for sharing your story! Thank you Paul for your reply and kind words. It has been a painful although ultimately rewarding journey. I feel fortunate that I was able to leave my corporate career and go back to do something I truly love.

Your article is very worthwhile and positive especially for those of use dealing with some negativity. The PW curriculum offers a variety of courses including an internship class. The class is required to graduate, but also serves a great opportunity for students to gain valuable, hands-on experiences. The internship course allows students to self-assess and learn to use their skills and knowledge to write professionally and technically across the workplace.

Students meet weekly to discuss their experiences—good or bad—to give each other advice to succeed in their internships. Additionally, my school offers a career portal that allows students to filter and search for specific careers or internships that are available. The speakers emphasized the importance of networking and taking every opportunity to meet people.

Bianca suggested using LinkedIn to find connections and job postings. I think that making those connections with people will help with the job hunt. Bianca and Laura mentioned that the job hunt was similar to dating and it was important to find the perfect match. As for Laura, she said it was most important to be up front and honest about what we want. It is important to keep your options open, learn from your experiences, and acquire new skills along the way.

Bianca explained that she seeks candidates that are detail-oriented, communicative, and tech-savvy Google Drive, Box, etc. But nonetheless, all three speakers mentioned the importance of communication and good writing skills. Laura said there are more creative paths [careers] then before. Today, there are many opportunities for those in pursuit of an English degree.

The other speakers also suggested many examples of entry-level jobs and necessary skills employers are seeking. Overall, I noticed most of their guidance coincided with your article, which is very reassuring for an upcoming graduate such as myself. Those kinds of comments sadden me. But there are so many possibilities, so where could I possibly begin to explain?! Anyways, thanks for sharing your insights! One day, I hope to use my skills to enlighten people on the wonders of writing! Oh, and sorry for the long comment. Gina, thanks for sharing all of this!

Even so, it sounds like your ahead of the curve there. Lots of practical advice from that panel. Hi, I graduated with an English BA in and have since been trying to find a career where I can apply some of the skills I gained studying literature- the analytical, critical thinking type of skills- to no success. Any hope for someone who has honestly been lazy creatively? I never realized my degree was not enough to get any kind of writing or editing job. Thanks for your comment, Winter. I think your observation that a degree alone is not enough is accurate—and that goes for most any field.

Better late than never, it seems. I just wanted to say how much your article helped me! Rumors about how hard it is to get a job had me under the impression that an English major would get me nowhere. I only wish I had come across an article similar to this one ten years ago. I have a B. I have been living in the New York City shelter system for the past five years after one of my grad school colleagues hired me for a job in Jacksonville, Florida I had been living in the Bronx, having attended graduate school in Staten Island.

I have severe scoliosis, multiple herniated discs, bliateral sciatica and plantar fasciitis. I spasm and fall after hours of standing, and it starts to seriously hurt after anywhere form ten minutes to half an hour. I have written a novel, five screenplays, three stage plays, and am working on other material, including an opera and a musical. Since becoming homeless, I have applied for over 3, jobs and interviewed for nineteen, many of which were the infamous entry-level marketing scam which is on your feet for peanuts or intake interviews for temp services.

My only path into office work has been temping, which has hurt my chances at permanent work. In the rare interviews I have had, it has been treated as job hopping even though it is stated to be temporary work right on the resume. I got an F in pre-calculus in high school and a D in college algebra.

I have zero interest in that sort of work, and probably would not be physically capable of any of it, either. Everyone says that my resume is fine or that my degrees and experience are worthless and comes to the illogical conclusion that my lack of interviews is the result of doing poorly on interviews, being negative in interviews, etc. The issue here is lack of opportunity, lack of meritocracy, etc. There was never a good explanation for the Bs in my last semester that brought my GPA down, either. One hung up on me after telling me how talented she thought I was when I was her student.

Applying to study in Sweden: a concise guide

Maybe she resented that I ignored her advice to transfer to the University of Texas at Austin. Meanwhile they give them to the aforementioned colleague who fired me, who can never get his Ph. I did not report this until after I had been homeless many months. At my exit interview, the department chair rattled off a list of things that the professors had said about me in conference that they disliked, all of which were identikit features of introverts, and included things like not hanging out with the professors during their smoke breaks.