I just feel kinda lost and stressed about it. I have no passion really. It's like my brain overclocks regularly from this. I had a panic attack in the initial Zoom meeting. I hate having this decision for something which will be 2 years basically isolated :(

Hello 👋

I hope you’re doing ok. I just started my MSc end of September and I am struggling. I feel overwhelmed with the workload, lost in my lectures and isolated because my classes are still online. I can understand your anxiety as I am feeling it, especially with January deadlines creeping up. Yesterday I was convinced I was going to quit because of a formative group presentation. I didn’t and I managed to get something done to show participation. Just know you aren’t alone and there are probably many of us who feel like this. Take care of yourself and remember you got this!

Hi! I feel you! I have done that online since it starts. So isolated and lonely. I joined some of the online workshops which allow me to talk to others at school even it’s still virtual. But I understand that isn’t enough. Take care of yourself first. Take a break if you need (I’m doing that). I was told that not to make a big decision while feeling overwhelmed. It won’t be a problem to deny your decision making for a few weeks or months. Hope you are good!

Hi, I am studying through distance learning so my entire course is online and the pandemic has not really affected my studies. But I can understand why you are finding it difficult, if you are used to face-to-face learning. I think the key is to remain active and speak to people. Set aside an hour each day when you forget about your studies and go outside for a walk or a cycle ride--anything that will get you away from the computer and get you some exercise. Do you have a forum where you can communicate with other students on your course, or do you have Zoom meetups with them? Your university must have a counselling service which you can use to talk through problems. Make use of this. Good luck!

I'm not sure if this will be a help, but...

I've been teaching quite extensively online at BSc and MSc level, due to Covid. One of the more unexpected problems I've seen is that students communicate less with their peers. The result of this is they don't realise their peers are also struggling, and assume the bar is way higher than it is. This is coupled with the fact that, as a tutor, on-site I could chat to students and (hopefully) either help with the problem or reduce their level of anxiety by explaining the assessment is meant to be difficult and to remember 70%, not 100%, is a 1st, and a pass is only 40%. Online, this is much less easy, and only a handful of students will ever contact me one-to-one.

I would definitely encourage you to reach out to your tutor, and ask to chat. It's a bit of a myth (though like any myth, sadly grounded in reality in some cases), that tutors hate students and don't want to talk to them if it's avoidable. In my experience, the one thing that frustrates tutors more than anything is the students that suffer in silence, and that when marking their work you're thinking 'if only they asked...', since it's in our best interests too for students to succeed.

Failing that, reaching out to peers will help, as you'll very like find them in the same boat.

All that said, be aware that whilst some degree anxiety is normal, if it's interfering with your daily life, it's not healthy, and I'd encourage you to speak with a GP - it can be treated, and whilst there's no magic pill, you shouldn't accept regular panic attacks as something you should have to deal with without any support.