Overwhelmed by Uni Assignments
Hi,
I'm currently in my first year of uni working on my fourth ever assignment. I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed by the volume of assignments I've been set this week that are due in the next month. I guess I just wanted to ask: is it normal to feel like you have no idea what you're doing every time you sit down to do an assignment? I'm happy with my results in all of them so far (2x 2:1s, 1x 2:2) but even still, I still sit down and feel like I have no clue what I'm meant to do? I swear I'm just getting lucky when I get good grades.
Is this just something that happens in first year, and by the time second year rolls round it gets better, or is this not normal? I understand the content itself and I have access to the marking rubric. I guess it's just because I have no clue what a good example actually looks like?
Thanks in advance. I just need some reassurance.
I'm currently in my first year of uni working on my fourth ever assignment. I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed by the volume of assignments I've been set this week that are due in the next month. I guess I just wanted to ask: is it normal to feel like you have no idea what you're doing every time you sit down to do an assignment? I'm happy with my results in all of them so far (2x 2:1s, 1x 2:2) but even still, I still sit down and feel like I have no clue what I'm meant to do? I swear I'm just getting lucky when I get good grades.
Is this just something that happens in first year, and by the time second year rolls round it gets better, or is this not normal? I understand the content itself and I have access to the marking rubric. I guess it's just because I have no clue what a good example actually looks like?
Thanks in advance. I just need some reassurance.
Reply 1
Original post by Anonymous
Hi,
I'm currently in my first year of uni working on my fourth ever assignment. I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed by the volume of assignments I've been set this week that are due in the next month. I guess I just wanted to ask: is it normal to feel like you have no idea what you're doing every time you sit down to do an assignment? I'm happy with my results in all of them so far (2x 2:1s, 1x 2:2) but even still, I still sit down and feel like I have no clue what I'm meant to do? I swear I'm just getting lucky when I get good grades.
Is this just something that happens in first year, and by the time second year rolls round it gets better, or is this not normal? I understand the content itself and I have access to the marking rubric. I guess it's just because I have no clue what a good example actually looks like?
Thanks in advance. I just need some reassurance.
I'm currently in my first year of uni working on my fourth ever assignment. I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed by the volume of assignments I've been set this week that are due in the next month. I guess I just wanted to ask: is it normal to feel like you have no idea what you're doing every time you sit down to do an assignment? I'm happy with my results in all of them so far (2x 2:1s, 1x 2:2) but even still, I still sit down and feel like I have no clue what I'm meant to do? I swear I'm just getting lucky when I get good grades.
Is this just something that happens in first year, and by the time second year rolls round it gets better, or is this not normal? I understand the content itself and I have access to the marking rubric. I guess it's just because I have no clue what a good example actually looks like?
Thanks in advance. I just need some reassurance.
Hi!
I'm in my third-year now and honestly still feel the same sometimes! I haven't ever heard of anyone not feeling overwhelmed at least once while at university. It's unfortunately quite common to feel overwhelmed, just make sure that you reach out to your university's support/wellbeing services or NHS services if it ever becomes unmanageable! In terms of not knowing what to do - it also takes me a little while to get my head around most assignments! It can be a bit tricky to figure out exactly what's expected of you and how to then demonstrate that. My advice would be that whenever you feel this way, to reach out and book in office hours with your lecturers. They're there to help and will almost always answer any questions you have about the assignments, and I've found it really helpful to sit and talk with the person who'd be marking the assignment about what is expected, it makes it a little less overwhelming (in my experience anyway)😊
Hope this helps a little!
-Kiera (Student Ambassador, York St. John)
Best advice given to me by an academic :
Dont just dip in and out of 'everything' - that just adds to your sense of panic.
Start with the easiest one. Do it / finish it. Get that out of the way, submit it, and forget about it.
That will already make your heart feel lighter and there will be one less thing to do.
Work through your assignments like this - with an eye on deadline dates - even if you have to pull an all-nighter or whatever to actually get stuff done. Don't make excuses, and dont let other-stuff distract you.
Another tip - ask other people on your course, who you know get good grades, if you can read some of their essays (long gone submissions so that its obvious you are not cheating). Why did they get a top grade. How did they structure their essay. Is the introduction especially slick / well written, How does the essay flow. How does their 'thought process' or sense of a logical argument read. What sources did they use - and how did they use them. Etc.
Dont just dip in and out of 'everything' - that just adds to your sense of panic.
Start with the easiest one. Do it / finish it. Get that out of the way, submit it, and forget about it.
That will already make your heart feel lighter and there will be one less thing to do.
Work through your assignments like this - with an eye on deadline dates - even if you have to pull an all-nighter or whatever to actually get stuff done. Don't make excuses, and dont let other-stuff distract you.
Another tip - ask other people on your course, who you know get good grades, if you can read some of their essays (long gone submissions so that its obvious you are not cheating). Why did they get a top grade. How did they structure their essay. Is the introduction especially slick / well written, How does the essay flow. How does their 'thought process' or sense of a logical argument read. What sources did they use - and how did they use them. Etc.
Original post by Anonymous
Hi,
I'm currently in my first year of uni working on my fourth ever assignment. I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed by the volume of assignments I've been set this week that are due in the next month. I guess I just wanted to ask: is it normal to feel like you have no idea what you're doing every time you sit down to do an assignment? I'm happy with my results in all of them so far (2x 2:1s, 1x 2:2) but even still, I still sit down and feel like I have no clue what I'm meant to do? I swear I'm just getting lucky when I get good grades.
Is this just something that happens in first year, and by the time second year rolls round it gets better, or is this not normal? I understand the content itself and I have access to the marking rubric. I guess it's just because I have no clue what a good example actually looks like?
Thanks in advance. I just need some reassurance.
I'm currently in my first year of uni working on my fourth ever assignment. I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed by the volume of assignments I've been set this week that are due in the next month. I guess I just wanted to ask: is it normal to feel like you have no idea what you're doing every time you sit down to do an assignment? I'm happy with my results in all of them so far (2x 2:1s, 1x 2:2) but even still, I still sit down and feel like I have no clue what I'm meant to do? I swear I'm just getting lucky when I get good grades.
Is this just something that happens in first year, and by the time second year rolls round it gets better, or is this not normal? I understand the content itself and I have access to the marking rubric. I guess it's just because I have no clue what a good example actually looks like?
Thanks in advance. I just need some reassurance.
Hi there,
Firstly, it's impossible to get lucky all the time, so I can assure you that your grades are not simply luck and you are doing a great job!
Secondly, if you struggle, it's always a nice idea to look for help. For example, at DMU we have regular workshops for students to learn how to properly write assignments, use references, etc. I am sure your university also has something like this.
Thirdly, eventually you will get used to writing assignments, and it will turn into a habit. After three years, I am myself now capable to write a coursework about any topic, even if I had known nothing about it before I started writing
Let me know if you need any further support or have questions !
Ilya,
Cyber Security student from DMU
Original post by Anonymous
Hi,
I'm currently in my first year of uni working on my fourth ever assignment. I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed by the volume of assignments I've been set this week that are due in the next month. I guess I just wanted to ask: is it normal to feel like you have no idea what you're doing every time you sit down to do an assignment? I'm happy with my results in all of them so far (2x 2:1s, 1x 2:2) but even still, I still sit down and feel like I have no clue what I'm meant to do? I swear I'm just getting lucky when I get good grades.
Is this just something that happens in first year, and by the time second year rolls round it gets better, or is this not normal? I understand the content itself and I have access to the marking rubric. I guess it's just because I have no clue what a good example actually looks like?
Thanks in advance. I just need some reassurance.
I'm currently in my first year of uni working on my fourth ever assignment. I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed by the volume of assignments I've been set this week that are due in the next month. I guess I just wanted to ask: is it normal to feel like you have no idea what you're doing every time you sit down to do an assignment? I'm happy with my results in all of them so far (2x 2:1s, 1x 2:2) but even still, I still sit down and feel like I have no clue what I'm meant to do? I swear I'm just getting lucky when I get good grades.
Is this just something that happens in first year, and by the time second year rolls round it gets better, or is this not normal? I understand the content itself and I have access to the marking rubric. I guess it's just because I have no clue what a good example actually looks like?
Thanks in advance. I just need some reassurance.
Hey, I totally get how you’re feeling—honestly, this is completely normal, especially in first year! So many students feel like they have no idea what they’re doing, even when they’re getting good grades. It’s something a lot of people experience.
The fact that you’ve already achieved two 2:1s and a 2:2 shows that you’re actually doing well, even if it doesn’t feel like it. University assignments can feel overwhelming at first because it’s a whole new way of learning, researching, and writing. But trust me, it gets easier with time!
As a student you can also get access to academic skills workshops or writing support, so if your are not feeling confident and need asistance or support, feel always free to contact writing department in your university. And also, always keep a habit of looking and understanding the previously made assignment by other students which you'll get if from your lecturer.
Honestly, you’re doing better than you think! Keep going, and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. You’ve got this!
I hope this helps you.
Thanks & Regards.
Coventry University Student Ambassador
Kavya Maheta ( BBA Hons.)
Original post by Anonymous
Hi,
I'm currently in my first year of uni working on my fourth ever assignment. I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed by the volume of assignments I've been set this week that are due in the next month. I guess I just wanted to ask: is it normal to feel like you have no idea what you're doing every time you sit down to do an assignment? I'm happy with my results in all of them so far (2x 2:1s, 1x 2:2) but even still, I still sit down and feel like I have no clue what I'm meant to do? I swear I'm just getting lucky when I get good grades.
Is this just something that happens in first year, and by the time second year rolls round it gets better, or is this not normal? I understand the content itself and I have access to the marking rubric. I guess it's just because I have no clue what a good example actually looks like?
Thanks in advance. I just need some reassurance.
I'm currently in my first year of uni working on my fourth ever assignment. I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed by the volume of assignments I've been set this week that are due in the next month. I guess I just wanted to ask: is it normal to feel like you have no idea what you're doing every time you sit down to do an assignment? I'm happy with my results in all of them so far (2x 2:1s, 1x 2:2) but even still, I still sit down and feel like I have no clue what I'm meant to do? I swear I'm just getting lucky when I get good grades.
Is this just something that happens in first year, and by the time second year rolls round it gets better, or is this not normal? I understand the content itself and I have access to the marking rubric. I guess it's just because I have no clue what a good example actually looks like?
Thanks in advance. I just need some reassurance.
Hi @Anonymous#1
Thanks for posting this, as you will have seen from the previous replies you are not alone in feeling like this. Many first-year students feel like this as they get used to studying at degree level!
Plus, it sounds like you are doing really well for the first year scoring 2:1s and 2:2s, so you should be proud of yourself! On many university courses (although not all) you only receive an overall grade of pass or fail for the first year. This is because staff know that you might not only be studying a totally new subject, but it might be your first time moving away from home and all the responsibilities that come with e.g., paying bills, living in a new unfamiliar area, and trying to make new friends.
The best bit of advice I was given was to work hard in my first year, but for this to be the year to say "Yes" to everything I wanted to do and make mistakes. So I made sure I joined societies, made time to hang out with coursemates, took up extracurricular opportunities e.g., learning a language, got a flexible job, and explored Manchester and Salford (as I moved from down south).
My grades varied during my first year as I understood the content, but was getting used to being back in education after a break. Things began to click into place during my second year with help from my academic mentor.
Have you told any tutors how you are feeling? It might be worth reaching out because tutors can give great tips for any areas you are finding particularly hard and often reassurance.
Could your tutors let you see examples of past work, so you have an idea what your assignments should be like? We often get to view past work from students and are told what grade boundary their work was in, which has been really helpful guidance.
Have you thought about studying with coursemates? I sometimes have a study group and find not only can we motivate one another, but also help each other with bits we are finding difficult.
Good luck with your studies!
Lucy 😊
(Official Uni of Salford Student Rep)
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