Today we introduce a new feature to our blog: “First Impressions.”
Using a Q&A format, “First Impressions” offers a glimpse into the first year experience of our undergraduate and graduate students in English as they settle in to the experience of English at Kansas State.
Today, we hear from A.J. Watson who is starting K-State this fall with a major in English.
What’s a little bit about your high school background?
I come from Shawnee Mission Northwest, a school in the Kansas City area. It was a pretty large school (graduating class of about 400), but still felt like a pretty lively, tight-knit community.
What are some favorite moments from English classes this fall? Feel free to elaborate, telling a story or two, if you’d like.
Moments that have stood out the most have been times where English is encouraged to expand beyond the classroom context. Examples would include class outings to plays or poetry readings. The poetry reading I’m referring to (Lisa Olstein reading her works), was particularly captivating despite me having to leave early.
Has college been about what you expected? If so, how so? If not, how not?
It has been exceptional! People are very sociable here, which reinforces many of the affirmations I heard regarding how assertive the community was prior to this semester. There also comes a refreshing degree of freedom with being able to study something by choice, although not a very novel concept; it shouldn’t be understated how much it elevates the experience.
What made you decide to be an English major?
For one, English has always been my strongest subject, and I thoroughly enjoy writing papers—especially if it’s over a work that I can find a connection with. However, I find English to be a sort of educational capital for all art forms, even expanding into visual and auditory mediums. I’ve always known that I gravitate towards making something meaningful to me, even if I’m not sure what shape I want it to take yet. It’s in English that I hope to find a common ground; use it as an outlet to make something more tangible from my thoughts.
What are some areas you’d like to explore further on campus and in the community?
Many things really; I took a great number of interests from high school that I’m hoping to develop with time. One being music, as I participated in my high school’s orchestra and have been learning guitar this past summer. Regarding the latter, I’m hoping to find a place where I can continue my guitar lessons on campus.
What advice do you have for your classmates back home (in terms of preparing for college, selecting a major, etc.)?
From what I’ve gathered since August, there is not as much pressure to know exactly who you want to be before you get here as high school makes it seem. I remember going back and forth a lot before I landed on English and was worried that picking something would come with a degree of finality. Now that I’m here, though, it is very comforting to know that there is no shame in second guessing yourself, especially during such a transformative period.
— A.J. Watson (BA ’30)
