Annotating System Suggestions and Reading Notes (fiction, not fiction, theory) as a Lit Major.

Hi! I hope you're all doing great. I am very new to this group! I am a first year in English literature. Honestly? I am kind of struggling and I would appreciate any help or suggestions!

So, in Highschool, and all my life, I loved reading and writing a lot. I am in my second year of Uni (but my first year being declared), and I feel as though my talent and love has been stripped. I am doing a literary survey class (pt 2) and I am also taking Literary Criticism and Theory as well.

Anyway, All this to say, I am wondering if anyone has any tips about how to succeed? More in terms of annotating (I am looking for a new system etc), how to take reading notes, suggestions for understanding the more dense texts in lit theory, and also how to annotate lit theory.

I am sorry this is all over the place, I am so flustered. And I would really appreciate any help or examples. I used to really love English and I used to be so insightful and creative, but I feel as though I have been stripped of that and it makes me so sad. Thank you so so much in advance.