When You’re Struggling

Learning is hard. Life is hard. Sometimes everything feels like too much.

This is normal. You’re not failing.

What Struggling Looks Like

You might be struggling if:

Academically:

Emotionally:

Physically:

Socially:

All of these are signs you need support.

What to Do Right Now

If You’re in Crisis

Go to: When You’re in Crisis

Quick crisis numbers:

If You’re Struggling But Not in Crisis

1. Name it

2. Tell someone

3. Ask for what you need (see below)

Getting Outside Help First

Start With Free Resources

Before asking Multiverse for support, check these free resources:

🔍 findhelp.org

988 Lifeline

See: Mental Health Support for more free options

Asking for Help in Multiverse

What Facilitators and TAs Can Offer

Note: Facilitators and TAs are volunteers with limits.

They can:

They can’t:

What to Say

Good asks:

Boundary-violating asks:

See: Student Boundaries

What Peers Can Offer

Peers can:

Peers can’t:

See: Mutual Aid in Action

Breaking Down Overwhelm

When Everything Feels Like Too Much

Try this:

  1. Brain dump - Write down everything overwhelming you
  2. Categorize:
    • Crisis: Needs immediate attention (housing, food, safety)
    • Urgent: Needs attention soon
    • Important but not urgent
    • Can wait
  3. Pick ONE thing from crisis or urgent
  4. Break it into smallest possible step
  5. Do that one step

Example:

Smallest Possible Steps

For “I can’t do this exercise”:

For “I can’t show up to community”:

You don’t have to do everything. Do one tiny thing.

When You Need a Break

It’s Okay to Step Back

You can:

This doesn’t make you a bad student. It makes you someone taking care of yourself.

Telling People You’re Stepping Back

To facilitator:

“I’m struggling right now and need to step back from [thing]. I’ll check back in [timeframe].”

To community:

“I’m taking a break for my mental health. I’ll be back when I can.”

You don’t owe anyone an explanation beyond this.

When Learning Feels Impossible

Learning IS Hard

Normal struggles:

When it becomes too much:

This might mean:

Working With Your Brain

If you’re neurodivergent:

If you’re dealing with trauma:

If you’re in survival mode:

Comparing Yourself to Others

Everyone Is on a Different Timeline

What you see:

What you don’t see:

Your timeline is your timeline. Comparison steals joy.

Imposter Syndrome

Feeling like:

Truth:

Helpful reframe: “I’m learning. Of course I don’t know everything yet.”

Getting Professional Support

When to Get Help

Consider therapy/medication if:

See:

You Can Do Both

You can:

These aren’t mutually exclusive.

Survival Mode vs. Learning Mode

You Can’t Learn When You’re Just Surviving

Maslow’s hierarchy is real:

This doesn’t make you weak. This is how brains work.

Address Survival First

If you’re in survival mode:

  1. Secure basics: Housing, food, safety
  2. Access resources: Survival Resources
  3. Let learning wait: It’ll be here when you’re ready

Multiverse will still be here. Take care of yourself first.

Small Wins

Celebrate Tiny Progress

Learning doesn’t have to be:

Learning can be:

Progress is progress. Even tiny.

Mutual Aid

You’re Not Alone

Ask for help:

Offer help (when you can):

Remember

Struggling doesn’t make you a bad student. AND struggling doesn’t give you a pass to harm others.

Everyone struggles sometimes. AND everyone is accountable for respecting boundaries.

You’re allowed to need help. AND people are allowed to have limits.

You’re allowed to take breaks. AND you’re responsible for communicating them.

You belong here even when it’s hard. AND you’re accountable for how you treat people.

Both can be true at the same time.

See Also: