Hi guys,

I'm new to kittyradio - stumbled across it while trying to find useful advice about failing uni, dealing with depression and anxiety. so yeah, really cheerful topics all around!

I'm supposed to be graduating from uni this month, instead, i'm failing my final semester because i haven't submitted most of my research essays. built a real little hole for myself and don't know how to get out of it.

Is there anyone out there who has expereinced this problem too - being unable to sit down and write essays, do the research, focus on the task at hand without feeling completely inadequate, dumb, clueless and in despair, thus just procrastinating the task until it gets so ridiculous you can't even face up to it any more? or am i just really weird?

nah loads of people feel like this about essays. theyre just depressing as hell. youve just gotta try and crack on anyway... a **** essay is better than no essay, right?

think most people get like that, the trick is to either always write on something that inspires you or that you can get excited about, or failing that, just put your head down and motor on through it. at the end of the day, inspiration might strike half way through, and if it doesn't, at least you will have an essay as supposed to no essay

Do you ever have the old perfectionist problem though of wanting to write something brilliant and if it can't be brilliant because you've run out of time or jsut haven't read exhaustively on the topic, then you just don't do it at all? I find I have gotten stuck in that rut with uni work generally and don't know how to get out of it. The idea that my essays will be read by lecturers I have so much respect for that are the authorities on the subject I am writing about absolutely terrifies me!

put it this way, i doubt they care about students essays that much or sit and laugh about how **** they are. or maybe they do, god knows. but anyway. theyd think less of you if you didnt even try than if you at least did! and maybe you could just go and talk to them about how badly you think you did aswell.

and yes for the brilliant thing except sometimes it gets to a point where there is not enough time so you just have to compromise with yourself and at least get something that maybe isnt to the best if your ability done. and just make sure you try harder next time to prove yourself