Feel out of my depth at College

LegacyUser

Have recently returned to do a postgrad after two years working. To be honest I am beginning to think that I have made a mistake and think I would be better dropping out. I suppose it all came to a head in the last week and a bit. One of my parents was seriously ill in hospital, which stressed my out even more, trying to balance my part time job with college too.

It just seems like there is not enough hours in the day to get every thing done. Ended up getting sick to boot last week and doctor has told me to rest up for a few days, which is the last thing I can imagine doing at the moment, have assignments due which hopefully I will get an extension for since i have a sick note.

I know I sound like I am having a right pity party for myself, but I am so down about it. I live with friends from home, they don't really understand. They all went straight into the workforce and have the idea that a postgrad is much the same as an undergrad i.e.; partying and having a good time. My best friend is in the UK also doing a Masters, and we are supporting each other as much as Skype allows. Boyf has been away since the week I started and maybe get to chat to him once every few days and I don't really want to tell him how hard I am finding it coz I don't want to ruin his holiday.

At this stage I just want to give it up. I love the course but I am so sick of being exhausted all the time (almost falling asleep in lectures) and crying about trivial things. Should I leave it behind?

LegacyUser

Can't really give you any help OP except to say i'm in the same position, not helped by people thinking it's just an easy ride, and that i'm out partying every night of the week...i haven't been out in 6 weeks in fact every day i go to college come home and work until about 11 at night and i'm still behind ... have been on the verge of tears of the last few weeks.

All i can say OP is look on the bright side or try at least, you have a BF and friend who are there for you (i'm single and moved to a new city and completely alone, i'd love to have someone to just give me a cuddle for a few minutes)

Just try stick it out for another month and see how you feel then, that's my plan anyway
All the best OP, you're not alone

dory

It's up to you, but I would stick it out. I was very overwhelmed at times during my masters. The only way through it was to just concentrate on one task at a time. Forget about the 17 assignments. You only have one until that one is done.

Keep lecturers informed. They're generally very understanding if you go talk to them. Especially with the sick note.

Do you think a masters with a low-ish grade is better than no masters for what you want to do?

LegacyUser

Hi OP,
You poor thing, it sounds like you have had a rough time lately.
Any postgrad is draining and takes up most of ones time. You have to consider the benefits of this course, will it help you to gain entry to another profession/area of work that you are interested in, will you gain extra pay as a result of having this masters. Are you enjoying the content of the course?

Consider these questions, it might help you to make up your mind. You have a lot of other difficult stuff going on at the moment, but this will pass will time and improve, don't let these other circumstances colour you view of whether you should continue with your course or not.

In the meantime, mind yourself, don't be too hard on yourself.
I wish you well and hopefully it will all work out.

LegacyUser

Does your college have a student counselling service, OP? If so you should make an appointment. They deal specifically with problems such as college-related stress, money worries, feelings of being overwhelmed...

LegacyUser

Thank you for all your positive thoughts. I have has a scroll down through other threads and it is sad to see how many people are in the same boat. It hasn't all been bad to be fair. I have had good news in that my grant application has been approved which will take some pressure off, so relieved I have got my letter.

kflhfwhj, I know what you mean. College from half 8 to 5pm work at half 5 to 9pm then try and fit in some study before bed at twelve!! But sure we're students so we're having a ball every night of the week of course. I am in awe of you it must be especially difficult in a new city and on your own, fair play, you are tough out. You are dead right a cuddle would make it so much better but haven't seen him in a month and when he comes back I probably won't let go for another month. Sad I know, but I'm needy at the moment. I hope you manage to stick it out too and find the time to make friends. I think you are right about giving it another month at least.

Dory and advice 3345. I love the course I am doing find it very interesting. The undergrad I did is pretty much useless on it's on. As bad as things are in most industries these days, there was never really an industry for this. I decided to take a slight change of direction and initially was aiming for a high 2.1 for my Masters but at this stage i will be lucky to get a 2.2 despite the work I put in. I guess I should suck it up and power on. I (hopefully) have reached rock bottom and the only way has to be up.

Tulile, I was actually looking at the Universities counselling problems earlier today and will call in when I am back at college. Writing all this down has been a weight off my me so if I can talk it out with someone it might be of great benefit to me.


Thanks again