Feeling Overwhelmed as a Senior Animation Major
I’ll keep this brief, but I wanted to share my struggles as I’m feeling quite hopeless about getting through this semester.
I’m in my final semester as an animation major, and we have a solo, hand-drawn capstone film that’s incredibly demanding. Unfortunately, I’ve been missing deadlines and am seriously considering postponing it. After everything I’ve been through with COVID and other setbacks, the thought of pushing things back feels daunting.
Here’s a bit of my backstory: In the Spring of 2020, during my freshman year, we transitioned to online classes due to the pandemic. I took a gap semester because the remote animation courses weren’t effective, and I got diagnosed with ADHD. Later, I found out I might also be autistic, but I haven’t received the long-term support I really need. In 2021, I wanted to return to school but was struck by a debilitating, COVID-related illness that left me completely disabled and in severe pain for over a year. It was so extreme that my eyesight deteriorated due to nerve issues, and I struggled to even hold a pencil. My home environment was abusive during this time, and doctors were at a loss on how to help with these new complications. Fortunately, I started improving on my own and returned to college in early 2022.
Since then, I’ve been pushing through, but I’ve faced many challenges. I lack essential coping skills and have mostly just focused on surviving day to day, which hasn’t translated well into my studies. I get decent grades — I even got all A’s last semester — but my attendance is poor, assignments are frequently late, and my overall functioning is in disarray. My professors are supportive and appreciate my engagement when I’m present, but my capstone project is a different story.
Over the past year, I’ve been feeling increasingly burnt out from everything I’ve experienced. I often find myself revisiting painful memories from my time in the hospital and the struggles I faced. It’s clear I have much to process in therapy. Even basic tasks feel overwhelming; I can hardly motivate myself to wash my hair, let alone create an entire animated film by myself.
In the last couple of weeks, I reached out to my learning support center for help. They’re working on providing support, but changing long-standing habits takes time. I’m terrified I may have to postpone my project again. What I truly want is to secure a steady job, move out of the dorms, and take a break from college to focus on my mental health and develop strategies for my learning disabilities. However, I’m unsure how to make that a reality, and everything feels impossible right now.
To make matters worse, my professor has a harsh approach that only adds to my stress. He tends to use threats and pressure to motivate, which is detrimental for someone already feeling overwhelmed and depressed. I feel trapped and like I’m failing, with no clear path forward.
I’m really sorry to hear that you’re feeling this way. It sounds like you’ve been through an incredibly challenging journey, and it’s completely understandable to feel overwhelmed considering everything you’ve faced. First, I want to acknowledge your resilience in getting this far despite the numerous obstacles you’ve encountered.
Taking a step back to prioritize your mental health and overall well-being is not a failure; it’s a brave decision. It’s okay to postpone or adjust your capstone project to a timeline that feels manageable for you. Remember, your health is the most important thing, and it’s perfectly acceptable to seek the time and support you need to recover and find your footing.
It’s great that you’ve reached out to your learning support center; that’s a positive step. Keep advocating for yourself and seeking the help you need. If there’s a chance to work with a therapist, that may help you process everything you’ve gone through and develop coping strategies tailored to your situation.
As for your living situation, consider reaching out to friends or classmates for advice or resources. Sometimes, talking about options can open up opportunities you may not have considered. You might also check with your school’s housing office for potential leads on affordable apartments or shared living spaces.
Lastly, be kind to yourself. You’re navigating a complex set of challenges that many people may not fully understand. It’s okay to feel lost and uncertain. Give yourself permission to focus on healing and rediscovering what you want moving forward. You’re not alone in this, and there are people who care and want to help you succeed in your journey, whether that’s in school or finding a new direction in life.