A resident of Whiteville, North Carolina, Bridgett Baldwin is a senior English major with a concentration in Secondary Education (Grades 9-12).
The ETFL Publicity Committee recently reached out to her to learn a little more about her experiences in our English program and to gain a bit of insight into the life of an English major.
What made you decide to major in English?
I decided to major in English because I have always been an avid reader and, upon deciding to return to school to further my education, I knew it would include literacy as a foundation. I wanted my future students to acquire the same enthusiasm for reading and writing that I have; therefore, I knew becoming an English major would allow me to deepen my knowledge, while providing me with necessary skills that I will carry into the classroom to give my future students the most beneficial learning experience possible.
What’s your favorite thing about being an English Major?
My favorite thing about being an English major is reading and learning about the different literary time periods, the authors, and their literary works.
What do you wish people outside the major understood about the field?
I wish that people outside of the field understood that there are many exciting things to be learned. It involves more than reading and writing, as it is a treasure chest of history and art as well. Becoming an English major opens one up to wonderful experiences in time and to places never imagined.
What do like to read for fun?
Reading for fun involves me reading short stories.
Is there a book you hate to admit to NOT having read?
One book that I hate to admit to not having read is I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou.
How do you spend your free time?
When I am not reading, I spend my free time taking care of my flowers. It relaxes my mind, and I enjoy the rewards of seeing the beautiful outcome of the work produced with my own hands.
Is there anything else about yourself you’d like to share?
Coming to UNCP as a non-traditional student was one of the toughest transitions that I ever made. My first semester I wanted to quit, but one of my professors said to me “no you are not.” That was the wind that helped push me forward. Having stayed the course, I am appreciative of every challenge that I faced to get this far. I have learned, and I am learning many things that prove profitable in equipping my mind for a great future as an educator.
This is my exciting senior year, and life has presented the toughest challenge I have ever faced. In the spring, I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Stage 3C. Giving up was the easiest thing to do; however, I decided that giving up was not an option. When I received my Cancer diagnosis in April, another professor looked into my eyes (it felt like my soul) and said, “Bridgett, you power through, power through”. Grace and mercy have allowed me to power through. As the sun is peeking out from behind the cloud, I look forward to May. It is these experiences combined with all the impactful knowledge that I have received from all of my professors that I intend to take into my future classroom to make a difference.