Can someone just chat this though with me?

[TheGumption]

I have been working on my degree for so long now. I've had setbacks with mental health and just..life getting in the way. I am now 3 assignments and an exam away from finishing and I feel like I've hit a wall.
I keep crying, I can't focus. Even when I'm not studying I'm thinking about it but then when I sit down to work on it I just can't. I feel incapable, I just want to throw in the towel because walking away now will feel less humiliating than failing.
How ridiculous is it to get to this point and not finish.

Well done for getting this far. Without knowing your situation would any of the following help?

Speak to your GP and explain how you’re feeling. I experienced something similar (couldn’t even face putting a wash on never mind degree course work!) and ended up getting counselling and some short term medication.

Break down what you have into digestible tasks. Take one assignment and break in into smaller pieces and then task yourself with one piece to begin with.

Talk to your tutor for advice (and poss extensions of needed).

Feeling like this is no indication that you’re a failure, it means you need to take a pause and get some help, whatever that looks like. I imagine you’ve worked hard to get to this point and you’ve got the capability. This bit is going to be bumpy but with the right help I’m sure you can do it. Good luck and all the best.

Hello, I remember when I was 2 assignments away from my final degree I completely had a mini breakdown thinking to myself I will fail. I didn't, I spoke with my tutor and was told this is normal , he has had many students feel the same as myself .
I got my degree , just like you .
Good luck keep going you will get there .

I've got my mental health nurse coming to visit on Monday so I'm hoping a chat with them will help me get things a bit more clear in my mind.
I'm just so cross with myself, I've managed to get pretty decent grades throughout the pandemic and having a baby in lockdown last year! Now it's almost over and I'm having a bloody breakdown, it just seems ridiculous. Thank you for taking the time to reply. I felt like my head was going to explode and I just needed to write this all down!

Its not ridiculous to feel this way, it's stress building up probably. Without knowing your schedule/other responsibilities, I'd say the best things that help with stress and focus are a brisk walk, relaxing night sleep, a full meal with lots of protein and allowing yourself to switch off e.g. a TV prog, movie.

If you can work to ambient music like classical this is calming (London Philharmonic Orchestra Greatest Classical Hits is fabulous). There is also a website called Focus Mate where you make a 1 hr appointment with a buddy, lots of people doing PHDs use it. Best of luck to you.

Oh wow, congratulations on your baby! Hats off to you getting good grades while having a baby during a global pandemic, that’s no mean feat. I’m trying to remember finishing my degree 20 odd years ago, I think I’ve blocked the horror out 😂 What I do remember is that as a carefree, single person with no dependants I was definitely stressed! That’s great you’re seeing your mental health nurse. Reflect on all you’ve achieved so far and take heart.