Depressed student and don’t know what to do

[asd99]

I’m a final year university student, and I think I’m feeling depressed (or at least sad enough that I haven’t been able to shower for a week, and just feeling extremely down).

Now I’m terrified I won’t pass this year, despite working towards a 2.1/1st in previous years.

But I’ve never been diagnosed with anything (except autism). I don’t know if I’ll be entitled to any help from my uni or if there is anything I can do.

I have been taking propanol (because I could get it quickly without seeing a Dr), sadly it hasn’t been doing anything even when I tried the highest recommended dose.

I have to hand in a dissertation in less than two months, but every time I submit a draft my supervisor keeps telling me I’m doing it wrong and I don’t understand her feedback because I’m too thick. I’m so scared I will fail but don’t know who to turn to, or if any member of staff will care

I graduated a couple of years ago but have been diagnosed with Autism and got so much support from my uni. I applied for disabled students allowance and got a support worker for counselling and one to assist with assignments. I also got things like a dictaphone etc to help with recording lectures as I really couldn't concentrate taking notes and listening at the same time. You may not get the same things but I would definitely advise speaking to someone at your uni, it is in their best interest for you to pass your degree at the best level you possibly can so (in my experience) they will do everything in their power to help you get there.

There is also always the option to defer for 6 months etc if needed!

Theres definitely options for you and based on how well you've done so far I would definitely say don't give up!

Also, I should have said it that post, I am so sorry that you're feeling like this at the moment.

You're definitely not alone in those feelings and although it might not seem like it, there will be brighter days ahead!

Sertraline could help

I'm sorry to hear that things are difficult for you.
Have you emailed your department welfare office or university disability office to explain. I think they should try to help you whether it is your autism causing anxiety and affecting your well-being or something else.
Have you tried talking to your GP?

Have you told the supervisor that you don't understand their feedback?

You can apply for disabled student allowance before March of the academic year, i think, and get some mentoring.

Definitely talk to the uni welfare team. There might be support there.
Also let your director of studies know you're struggling. If they're unsympathetic, at least you tried.

I found my final year really tough.
Look at making a wellbeing recovery action plan (you can Google this), chunk out tasks and do things little by little, keep in mind that universities are aware that students are struggling more this year and should be more willing to grant extensions.

You're not thick. Tell your supervisor you need more specific feedback and wish to discuss it in a way that allows you to make sense of it eg teams call or similar.

Please seek help from student services or your faculty or doctor.
The uni want you to succeed- and these are extraordinary times. You have done so well. Extensions etc are possible- please seek help.
No one can help unless you seek help. You can do this.

Hello,

So sorry you’re feeling like this.
Please make an appt with your GP, contact your uni’s mental health services and I’d also advise trying to talk to the most sympathetic tutor on your course and letting them know what you’re going through.

I can understand why you’ve tried to fix this yourself, but self medicating is pretty dangerous, so please make sure you get some professional help and advice.

Have you opened up to your parents or any friends? It sounds like you’ve been having really a tough time. Well done on coming here and opening up about it, I know it can be hard to admit you’re struggling. Take care.

Also perhaps ask mumsnet to move this to higher ed where there are lots of uni professional and experts.

Don’t be so hard on yourself, you’ve clearly done well so far.

Does student services still exist? Do you have anyone irl you could talk to?

You can either carry on as you are or try to think positive and see what steps you can take to help yourself. I know easier said than done, but your Uni doesn’t want you to fail and there are loads of sources of support, but you need to find one suitable for you.

You're not thick, you need a bit of help getting back on to an even keel, and your supervisor hasn't managed to find a way to express their feedback that makes sense to you.

Its important to tell your supervisor that you need more clarity, more detail, or examples - otherwise they can't improve the feedback they're giving you.

It's also important to look for the help you need health-wise. The students union at your uni should be able to signpost welfare services, and your GP will be able to talk through options like medication.

You're not asking for anything unreasonable by asking for the support you need, and you're worth every bit of it.

Really sorry to hear that you're struggling asd99 .

You are not alone this year of all years as a student who's finding it all difficult. Do you have a Personal Tutor? If you do, please contact them and they can tell you how to access all of your uni's support services.

Most uni's have a Wellbeing support, which will include counselling and MH services, and as PP's mentioned, Disability Services can also offer support. It sounds like you have a case for mitigation circumstances, but the uni will need some documents to support a case for mitigation (which can be provided by the Wellbeing or MH services Team).

Unfortunately many academics are not necessarily great at providing feedback and tend to use terms familiar to them, but not to students. Many unis have a 'library' of past thesis submissions. Your Programme Team can tell you how to access these if your uni has similar. It can be incredibly useful to just go read as many examples of dissertations as you can (hopefully some in your area) as being shown is often more understandable than being told.

It might help to think that it's not you (so don't feel 'thick') but rather it's your supervisor who is not doing the job you need them to do in being clear with their feedback and explanation.

This has not been an easy year but please please make use of the services that will be available to you at your university. Many of those working in those areas are well aware that students are struggling this year and will be very supportive. Good luck.

Thank you all so much for your helpful messages. Genuinely means a lot, as felt so lost before

I’ve taken the first step and sent an email to my uni’s student support office. (I think I’d been putting it off in fears of not being taken seriously)

I hope they're helpful. Disability services in a lot of universities seem to be a bit rubbish this year compared to usual but you're entitled to support. Keep at it until you get some!

Could you drop a little email to your lecturer as well asking for a bit more support with the feedback? I'm finding this lockdown so de motivating, sending

Accessibility services are good for helping you with your department but you need to speak to your gp. Autism if you have the official paperwork is sufficient to qualify for your institutions accessibility services. You could also use one of the many self help websites/apps in conjunction, my exh swears by them, but hes also on fluroxotine. Finally what can really help is a routine, something lockdown has wrecked - schedule everything from calling your parents through to each lecture including showering, food etc. Give yourself rewards for completing a full day (for my dd it's a bowl of Ben and Jerry's). My dd is in the same situation as you completely but as delayed graduation to 2022

@asd99 you still need to understand your lecturer's feedback though, regardless of other support. I'm a lecturer (I teach academic writing among other things) and I spend ages trying to write good clear feedback. I've seen some colleagues' feedback and it's not very helpful.

Even so, my students often don't get what I mean or don't know how to address it. So in our first supervision I always stress that I expect this to happen and that part of the supervision relationship is in clarifying and aligning understandings. If you do approach them, they may [=should] adapt their feedback or supervision style to you.