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The English guide
Studying English, History, Sociology or Journalism? We’ll help get you prepped.
Hit the ground running before uni even begins. Whether you’re diving into novels, analysing texts or sharpening your essay-writing skills, here are a few smart essentials (plus a couple of handy extras) to help you start strong.
What to look out for
Essentials
Kitting up for uni doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Here are the key tools you’ll use every day to focus on studying, instead of stressing.
Laptop
A reliable laptop is a must-have campus companion. It’s where your notes, research and essays live, so it needs to keep up. Lightweight, easy to use and built to last, this MacBook Air is ideal for essay writing, research and studying wherever you are.
Cloud storage & backup
Cloud storage keeps your files safe and easy to access whenever you need them. It’s perfect for coursework or group projects and gives you peace of mind if anything happens to your device.
Microsoft 365 Home and Student
This is your go-to toolkit for uni. Word, Excel and PowerPoint will cover everything from essays to presentations.
Your uni might already offer this for free, so it’s worth checking first.
Anti-virus software
The last thing you need during deadlines is a coursework calamity or vital files vanishing. Good antivirus software helps protect your devices so you can focus on your work without worry.
Nice to have
If you've got some budget leftover, here are some handy extras that'll make studying easier and more comfortable.
Headphones
Headphones are great for working in busy spaces or listening to music without disturbing anyone. Noise-cancelling headphones can help when you need to focus on hitting deadlines or getting to grips with revision.
Wireless mouse & keyboard
A setup with a wireless mouse and keyboard helps you stay comfortable, work faster and keeps your space nice and clutter-free. You don’t need cables getting tangled up in textbooks.
Tablet/iPad
A tablet or iPad is ideal for reading on the go without carting around heavy books. It also makes highlighting and annotating much easier.
Printer (or easy access to one)
Having access to a printer's handy if you prefer editing on paper. It makes proofreading simpler and lets you print docs whenever you need them.
Productivity tips for english courses
English degrees involve lots of reading, analysing and writing, often all at once. Staying productive is about working smart and managing your time well.
Break reading into manageable chunks
Split larger text into smaller sections and take notes as you go. It helps you stay focused and remember more.
Plan essays ahead of time
Give yourself a schedule to research, plan, draft and edit so nothing feels rushed at the last minute.
Highlight and annotate as you read
Mark key themes, quotes and ideas the moment you find them. Not only does it mean you won’t forget them, but you won’t have to go flicking through endless pages later on either.
Keep all your notes organised online
Store everything in one place so it’s easy to find what you need when the deadline comes around.
Get inspired by real careers
See how studying english can lead to exciting roles, and hear first-hand from professionals who’ve been where you are now
Meet Russell, communications director for AO
In 1995, I moved to Preston and started my Journalism degree at the University of Central Lancashire. It taught me every twist and turn of the profession from shorthand to media law but the freedom to sniff out a story and report on it was mind-blowing.
As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a journalist. Before Netflix, the original House of Cards got me hooked on stories, ""truth"" and what’s known today as “spin”. Not long after starting high school, I persuaded my local newspaper, the Glossop Chronicle, to teach me basic reporting. Stints of work experience in Manchester’s radio and print newsrooms followed along with on-air news reporting for a hospital radio station.
Now maybe I abused that freedom at times, having too much fun in Manchester’s clubs but I wouldn’t change a thing. University gets you an academic qualification but you’re living on your own for the first time. Life lessons, like self-confidence and managing money – or managing without it – come thick and fast.
After graduating, I faced a career choice: work as a junior reporter on a supermarket industry magazine or take a maternity cover in the Tesco press office. I never thought I’d sell my soul into PR but it was worth an extra ten grand a year. Everyone’s got their price and that was mine.
So, I never made it as a journalist but, I’ve been lucky to work for companies that are genuinely newsworthy and regularly making headlines, from the Manchester Airports Group to Asda.
Nowadays, I’m the Communications Director for AO, a company that’s bursting with stories just waiting to be found and told, which means my degree still comes into play every day.
Russell's tips
Get as much work experience as possible.
You’ll need the power of persuasion to be a reporter, so get practicing. Talk to every newsroom you can think of to get a break. You’ll learn the technical stuff in the classroom but you’ll only pick up instincts from being around journalists. The network you build will also help you in future. And it all looks great on a CV.
Read, watch and listen to the news.
Not just the news you like – all news. From Radio 4 to the Sun to Huff Post. Think about what’s behind the stories. Why are they reported that way? Where did they come from? Question everything because all is not what it seems.
Watch the West Wing, the Thick of It and, if you can find it, the original House of Cards.
Most TV might well be chewing gum for the eyes, but you’ll learn a tonne from these shows and be entertained in the process.
Social media and AI are fast changing the way people consume and find news and information
But PR and journalism still play a huge role and will for a long time into the future. It's nothing to fear. It's something to learn about and figure out practical ways to use your knowledge to your advantage in taking your first step onto the career ladder.
