Original post
by ARU Graduate
Hey,
What you’re feeling is so much more common than you think, even though it feels incredibly heavy and isolating when you’re the one going through it. Please don’t mistake this for “not being smart enough.” What you’re describing sounds like someone who’s overwhelmed, anxious, exhausted, and trying to carry everything at once. Anyone would be struggling under that pressure!
I actually remember having my moment of feeling exactly like this. It hit me in my second year…I was completely overwhelmed, convinced I was too far behind to catch up, and genuinely considered dropping out. In a desperate panic I emailed my personal tutor, and he replied really quickly offering a Teams meeting that same week. Before the meeting, I wrote down every question, worry, and problem I wanted to talk about, and during the call I crossed them off as we discussed them so I didn’t forget anything. He gave me solid advice, real clarity about what actually mattered, and was incredibly understanding. He even checked in with me afterwards, which made such a difference. I remember feeling so relieved after that meeting and honestly, I’m so glad I reached out instead of struggling alone.
So, please talk to your lecturers or personal tutor. This isn’t failing, it’s exactly what they’re there for. If you explain that you’re overwhelmed and falling behind, they can help you prioritise, offer extensions, or guide you through what’s actually essential right now.
Right now you’re looking at 30 pages of notes, loads of lectures to catch up on, and exams after Christmas all at once. No wonder your brain is panicking, that’s too much for anyone to process as one huge block. Try breaking things down into tiny, manageable steps. Pick one lecture, or just three to five pages of notes, and focus only on that. Set a timer for 20 minutes, then take a short break. Small wins build momentum and make everything feel less impossible.
It’s also so important to reach out to your uni’s wellbeing team. Crying, throwing up from stress, missing lectures because you feel paralysed, those are signs you need support, not signs you’re incapable. They can help with anxiety, motivation, and building a manageable routine.
And honestly, the people around you are not managing as smoothly as they seem. Uni is full of students quietly struggling behind closed doors. You’re comparing yourself to a version of them that probably isn’t real.
You can catch up…not perfectly, not instantly, but slowly and steadily. Things feel impossible right now because anxiety is doing the talking. Give yourself support before making any big decisions. Don’t face this alone, reaching out could be the turning point, just like it was for me.
You’re not failing. You’re overwhelmed, and that’s something you can recover from. You’re capable, and you will get through this. And remember to be kind to yourself and give yourself time to relax! Building down time into your schedule is just as important as the rest of the hard work you’re putting in!
I hope this helps reassure you! Good luck moving forward. Sophie 🙂