Rice

Hello everyone, I made a post back in September about my concern for being able to do well in my program based on my background. I come from a non-mathematics/statistics undergraduate program and am currently doing a course-based Masters in Stats. Well, it seems like my worries have come true. I've honestly lost any and all interest in what I'm doing. I suppose I never had a very strong interest in stats and just thought I did because I did well in the stats classed I took in undergrad (which were extremely easy compared to the classes I am now taking). All the classes I'm taking right now are required for my program and I'm finding myself lost in most of them. I may be able to complete most of the assignments but that's only through intensive googling and group collaboration. I still only have a general gist of the topics we've covered but not much deeper than that. There's at least one class I'm sure I'm failing. I know I completely bombed the midterm even though we haven't gotten them back yet (there was really only one question I was able to complete and I'm not even sure I got it right). The only way I'll be able to pass this class is if I do exceptionally well on the final exam which just seems out of my ability. Actually, the only class I'm doing well in and am fully understanding is a non-stats course. On a more personal note, I've transitioned from crying hysterically (basically all of September and a bit of October) when I'm alone in my room to just not caring about any of it. I find myself wasting a lot of time trying to avoid working because that's the only time when I'm feeling less depressed. I constantly feel like I have this ball of anxiety in my chest and it's draining. I'm tired all the time - no matter how much sleep I get! I know I made a big mistake coming here. I really don't like research which was why I avoided thesis-based programs like the plague, and thought at least with this degree I'd be able to get a job afterwards. But now, even if somehow I manage to get through it, I can't imagine actually having a career in this field. I'm at the point where I'm wondering if it's worth it to stay? If I do, then there's a very good chance I'll fail one of my classes and there's no guarantee that I won't get kicked out because of it. So should I withdraw before I get a big fat fail on my records? Which would look worse? Thanks to any and all who read this post (I know it's pretty long).

Thanks for your input everyone! I thought I would be able to handle it since I entered through the Health department (it's a collaborate program). I have a meeting with my advisor on Monday so I'll see if there's anything that can be done about it.

Hey everyone, I've just finished my first week of classes and already feel that I'm not fit for my program. I'm currently in a MSc Biostats program but I don't come from a very math intensive background. I completed an Honours BA in Geo and Enviro and have only taken second year stats courses (which I stated explicitly in my application). The reason I wanted to go into biostats was because I really enjoyed the stats courses I did take and working with data. While I'm enjoying the courses on learning how to use different statistics programs, I'm already lost in my other courses and I don't feel like I have the adequate background knowledge. I'm really scared I'll end up failing my program! Does anyone have advice on what I should do?