You are currently in AP Lit, applying to English undergraduate programs, or maybe you have already started your collegiate career and you're declaring/changing your major. Regardless, if you are planning on becoming an English major, then here are a few tips that should not only help to smoothen the transition, but also help you realize long-term academic success. Whether your English major is focused on education, literature, journalism, etc., the entries below should all be valuable bits of info to keep in mind moving forward.

5. Get A Back-Roller

Keyboard posture is important. Nonetheless, I, like many others cannot help but hunch over the keyboard when I'm typing; especially if I'm 'getting into' the work. Reading and writing-by hand can also cause chronic neck-craning and result in back and neck soreness. Expect these small annoyances, and if you can, try to pay attention to your keyboard posture and catch yourself if you're hunched over or craning. A small investment into a back-roller will be extremely beneficial to any English major, as it will ease your muscles and make for a relaxing intermission that will refocus your mind. You may want to buy a high-quality back-roller from Chirp, a back-roller company who recently pitched their innovative approach to the 'traditional' back-roller this year on Shark Tank.

4. Get Undesirable Courses Out Of The Way Earlier Rather Than Later

If you are looking at the list of courses required for completing your English major and it appears intimidating and/or boring, then maybe consider whether an English major is for you. Sure, you may have your least favorite literary styles, classic works, or time periods, but if you are not ready to read a lot, think a lot, write a lot, research a lot, and even speak/present a lot, then you may want to pick another major. Nevertheless, if you are sure about your major/option but there are just a couple of courses you aren't looking forward to, then get them out of the way now! Don't taint your final semesters in the program by taking less-favored courses you've been putting off. It is best to 'eat' the undesirables early so that you can have additional time to improve your GPA (if concerns about a course stem from academic performance), and your future-self will appreciate it because they aren't stressed or disinterested throughout their senior year.

3. Read On Your Own Time

A major component to being an English major: reading A LOT! If you aren't the most productive reader, then don't worry about it. You are fine. However, recognize that you should become a frequent reader outside of the classroom if you want to be optimally successful as an English major. Additionally, one underrated positive of reading outside of class is that you can read whatever interests you. Take William Faulkner's advice: "Read, read, read. Read everything -- trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it."

2. Don't Be Afraid To Put Down A Book That You're "Reading On Your Own Time"

Once you begin or continue reading on your own consistently, set a daily reading goal as well as a benchmark for how many books you want to read by the end of the year. Apple Books includes these goal-setting features, but anyone could easily keep track of reading goals by hand or with an alternate app. Although having goals and persistence is important, it is not as important as reading works that excel your academic perspective and/or knowledge base. Accordingly, if you feel like you aren't getting anything out of what you're reading, then pick up something else! If you are someone who never quits and always tries to finish anything they pick up, then it may be extremely difficult to skip a chapter or put the book down. However, it is for the best because there are too many valuable texts spread throughout both scholarly and artistic endeavors. We cannot afford to waste time on something that isn't grabbing us, especially if we are spending our own time on it.

1. Sparknotes, Schmoop, Chegg, And Whatever Else Are Things Of The Past

It's time to take off the training wheels; time to quit skating by with thin and underdeveloped interpretations of assigned readings, which result from the abuse of mentioned sites. It simply won't fly at this level (for most programs). Sure, summaries can be valuable resources as a quick way to navigate a text while putting together an essay. However, when it comes to discussing and debating readings in class, you're surface-level Sparknotes readthrough will NOT save you. Avoid any glaring holes in your work and just read the book. You'll thank yourself later anyway.