/lit/ - Literature

>500 word reading response due at 9 AM
>haven't even started

do I drop out or just kill myself

>>8981130
you deserve crucifixion

Studying English literature is great, it's the most rewarding and exciting thing I've done with my life so far. I love pouring over texts, reviewing scholarship, and trying to produce new knowledge about literary works. All of this is made possible by being part of an academic institution which allows me access to resources, human and textual.

However, the major drawback I'm finding with English literature as an academic pursuit is that I no longer have time to read for pleasure. Don't get me wrong, I love the texts I work with, I have to. But it's work. This is not a problem I had anticipated when I started studying.

I assume there are people who have gone through/are in literature programs right now. How do you negotiate this? Is it possible, or even worth it, to try and read for pleasure when 70% of my time is spent reading anyway?