Studying English Literature at the prestigious University of St Andrews, Scotland is both a privilege and a challenge. Reflecting on an intense and rewarding semester in Scotland, the student of English Philology Sofiia Kalenska shares insights into demanding coursework, powerful contemporary texts, and the personal lessons learned while navigating academic pressure, distance from home, and a deepened engagement with English-language literatures.
How did it feel to get that email and see your name on the list for 2025/26?
It felt nice to receive this email, since the semester at St. Andrew’s was very challenging. It was a pleasant surprise, since I didn’t know there was such a list at all!
Which course or module did you enjoy the most this semester, and what made it stand out (a particular text, lecturer, seminar discussion, or topic)?
My favourite module was Literature of Crisis: 21st Century Poetry and Prose, taught by David Herd. The texts in this class were emotionally heavy, yet it felt important to approach the issues that we face today, from war and states of emergency, to ecological and societal problems. Despite the topics of discussion being serious, the seminars with Prof. Herd were actually a lot of fun and filled with insightful discussions. A particular text that stood out to me is Jay Bernard’s poetry collection Surge, where the poet engages with tragic historical events, creating an archive of lost voices. Anyone who has a chance to take David Herd’s class, don’t miss this opportunity!
What was the hardest academic challenge you faced this semester (e.g., essay expectations, reading load, participating in seminars), and how did you manage it?
The hardest thing was to keep up with the assigned readings. I found no better solution than to power through, but I wish I had done more reading before the classes began.
How has studying English Literature in Scotland changed the way you read, write, or think about literature now that you’re back?
I don’t think that it changed something fundamentally, but what I particularly enjoyed about my semester in Scotland was that I could delve into postcolonial literature, which broadened my knowledge of English-language literatures.
Looking back, what’s the one thing you learned, academically or personally, during your semester at St Andrews that you’ll carry with you forever?
One of the things I learned is the importance of maintaining contact with loved ones. I have been the furthest from home I’ve ever been, and with so much to do, I have not been talking to my family and friends as often as I usually do. Once I understood this and corrected my approach to study-life balance, it became easier to deal with homesickness and academic challenges.
If a high-achieving student from our programme is thinking about going to St Andrews for English Literature, what’s the one piece of advice you’d give them?
The most important thing is your module choices, since you have only two of them in St. Andrew’s. Choose the subjects you are actually interested in: since the workload is going to be extremely high, you have to care about what you study to be able to enjoy all the text and research you’ll have to carry out.
