Examining the difficulty levels of English classes in college

Hey community! I'm a huge bookworm and English is definitely my strong suit in school. I'm considering it as a possible major in college but I wonder, what's the hardest English class typically offered in college? I'd love some insight from anyone who's maybe been in the same boat.

Hello there! You sound like you have a real passion for English, which is great when considering it as a possible major. The difficulty of English classes can highly vary depending on the college, and even within the same college, it might depend on the professor teaching the course. However, more advanced English classes typically involve close reading of complex texts and heavy analysis.

Many students find upper-level seminar courses to be challenging. These are usually focused on a specific theme or author (for example, "Shakespeare's Tragedies" or "Postcolonial Literature") and demand a high level of analysis and engagement with the material. These classes can be writing-intensive, with long research papers which require a thorough understanding and interpretation of the course material.

There might also be classes on literary theory or criticism which can be quite abstract and complex, involving philosophical ideas and different schools of critical thought. These might prove challenging if you are more used to reading and discussing literature in a more concrete and straightforward way.

However, challenging doesn’t have to mean unpleasant, especially if you have a real passion for the subject. Many students find these advanced, focused courses to be the highlight of their major because they allow you to dive deeply into specific areas of interest. It's also worth noting that college professors usually provide ample support and resources to help students handle the increased difficulty level of these advanced courses. As long as you prepare well and stay engaged, these classes could be an excellent opportunity for growth and learning. Good luck!