How to engage a teenage brain in literature

Teenagers give in to peer pressure, which didn't surprise me at all. Most of them lack self-control, which I would blame on alcohol. And they couldn't live a day without getting hooked to social media. My friends have kind remarks on my (amateur) photography skills, which encouraged me to post more pictures (of the University grounds) on my Instagram account. How about literature?

My tutor noticed my lack of discipline during my first month, reminding me that my passion for literature (and good luck) won't be enough to manage the coursework. She didn't scold me, yet. (She knew what it was like to be a teenager, and we haven't discussed about coursework-social life balance.) Technology led to several studies, which probed into the teenage brain. I would have guessed the results, but it could have been different in another setting. I was referring to the English Department.

Let me be specific about it:

The English Department is the right place to take risks. There are basic rules in essay writing, but these won't make a good paper. I would recall my admissions paper, where I penned a lengthy paper on George Orwell's works, namely "Animal Farm" and "Nineteen Eighty-Four." My tutor had reservations, which I didn't understand at first. (I was a huge fan of Richard Burton, and the celluloid version of Orwell's masterpiece was his final appearance on the big screen.) I would learn about it during a lecture several months later. (Some critics thought he was an overrated writer, but this was a matter of opinion.) She was impressed at my use of analogy, as well as my interest in history. And she liked how I asked questions on matters I was uncertain of. I didn't want to avoid such things, which I hardly comprehend at all. Curiosity would be the only way and the right one as well. If I played it safe, then the uncertainty might have changed my tutor's assessment of me.

English major students need more sleep. It wasn't an issue, as I have been a heavy sleeper. In fact, Mom gave up (on her waking me up on certain weekends). I couldn't think straight if I lacked sleep. I would be in a cranky mood as well. My roommates thought I wasn't fun to be with, but they never knew Joseph Conrad, James Joyce, and D. H. Lawrence. I wished Reading Week would be a good excuse to attend a party.

Writers would express themselves better on pen. My parents misread my emotions (or lack of), and it won't be due to major issues. It was typical of teenagers. In the case of English major students, they would found an outlet on paper. I'm still working on articulating my thoughts and feelings, but I'll be good at it.

Assignments and examinations could have life-altering effects, as it would show how English major students handle pressure and the high expectations. I'm not too worried about it, as I can count on my tutor for guidance. My roommates never forget to ask me if I clean my room. (I appreciate their sense of humor.) And my parents are a call away. My only problem is my Instagram account, where I keep on checking my gallery every hour or two. I might need to exercise some self-control.