Introduce yourself - Name, ID #, specialization. You may specify why that is your chosen specialization. - Hi! I am Cyan Bernal, ID 121 taking AB Literature Major in Creative Writing, specializing in fiction. As with any lit major, I grew up with a love for stories. More than dialogue and compelling characters, I adored the authors’ worldbuilding and how they could conjure such fantastical images through mere description. When I took up this course, I wanted to learn more about what made these pieces so enchanting. It also helps that our syllabi are packed with masterpieces from all over the world, so every term I get to read—and reread—great literature.
Why did you choose Literature? Was this your first choice? (If you shifted, what course did you come from and why did you shift?) - During college applications, literature wasn’t even an option I considered. At the time I was going through a major burnout period and I had no motivation to write anything remotely creative, let alone do it for the next four years of my life. I originally entered DLSU under Behavioral Sciences because the curriculum involved a lot of theoretical work that I was interested in, but after two terms, I didn’t find myself feeling very fulfilled in what I was studying. I figured if I was going to shift, I might as well pursue something I have always enjoyed, so I decided on the AB Literature program. It was honestly really scary! I had no idea if it was right for me or if I would be any good at it, but I knew I would regret not trying, so I did it anyway.
How is your experience with your Majors? - To say I was suffering from heavy impostor syndrome at the beginning would be an understatement. I started majors a term later than my batchmates, so I always felt like I was playing catch up—in some ways I was, especially with adjusting to a heavier workload—but a lot of it was an internalized sense of feeling like I didn’t belong or that I had to prove my place. But with every course I took, I found myself wholeheartedly enjoying going to class and learning not just from my professors, but my fellow batchmates. It’s so infectious to be in a room full of impassioned individuals that care so deeply about telling stories and honing their craft—you can’t help but be inspired.
Favorite moment in your Majors so far? - I remember one time I was neck-deep juggling studying for a written exam and finishing a paper due the same day, but never at any point did I hate what I was doing nor did I want to quit. This isn’t my favorite Lit Major moment, but for me it’s a defining one. It’s when I realized no matter how difficult my coursework could get, I would still be enjoying the process of it. Never did I have so much fun studying and accepting the learning curves I had to adjust to. And isn’t that what passion is about—finding something that you can never tire of?
What’s your advice for incoming Lit Majors? How to survive subjects? Orgs? Opportunities? - Studying literature takes so much dedication, maybe more than people think, and I don’t think it’s a course that anyone should enter half-heartedly. Expect that you will learn a lot, your worldview will change entirely, and you’ll acquire words of wisdom that will embed themselves so deeply into your psyche that it influences everything you create, but you must open yourself to learning and put in the work to hone your skills. Becoming a good writer is one of those things that the only way to go is through. Improvement doesn’t happen overnight; to stand on the shoulders of giants, you need to first look them in the face. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and ask questions—you’ll be taught by some of the brightest literary minds in the country, best you take advantage of that.
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