Actress Watson to begin college career

PROVIDENCE, R.I., Sept. 5 (UPI) -- British actress Emma Watson is just days away from starting her new role as a Brown University freshman.

A spokesman for the Rhode Island school would not confirm Watson is a member of the incoming freshman class, but the "Harry Potter" actress has been open about her goals for her time there, the Providence (R.I.) Journal reported Saturday.

"I want to be normal," Watson, 19, said this summer. "I really want anonymity. I want to do it properly, like everyone else. As long as I don't walk in and see, like, 'Harry Potter' posters everywhere, I'll be fine."

The celebrity member of the school's Class of 2013 said she is interested in studying English literature and art. First semester classes at Brown start Wednesday.

Despite her new status as a college student, Watson suggested she may continue her acting career in the future.

"Acting and studying are in no way mutually exclusive, are they? Going there will mean a bit of 'normality' for a while," said Watson, who plays Hermione Granger in the "Harry Potter" films. "It doesn't mean that I will never act again."