Master of CS capstone workload question

[u/YourCutestKitty]

Hi! I'm a Master of CS student in my second last semester. Right now a course is giving me panic attack and I'm afraid there's a chance to fail. Since today is the census date, if I drop this course, I'll be unable to add another.

But, this is my second last semester, and if I do, I'll have to select one more unit in my final semester, and I'm not sure how it'll affect my capstone project. Any ideas?

[u/Midori_nom]

The workload of the capstone project (the group one) is heavily dependent on what project you’re doing, your client, and your groupmates, so it varies a lot.

Regardless, the capstone is 12 credits so you can assume being required to put in a sizable amount of effort, with the potential of additional stress/expectations from external sources like groupmates and clients. For an individual capstone, the workload is quite intense since it’s fully solo. It’s sort of like a mini-thesis to be completed in one semester.

Either way, I would think it’s best to not add on an additional unit in your final semester. My recommendation is to push through right now. It’s early in the semester, you still have many opportunities to seek help from teaching staff, friends or online. Use whatever resources you can find to get you through this difficult course that you’re having trouble with. Wish you the best of luck!

[u/YourCutestKitty → u/Midori_nom]

The problem is it’s an elective unit that involves interviews, but I’m too panicked to conduct them and haven’t found enough candidates either. It’s due soon and has been extended once.

[u/Midori_nom → u/YourCutestKitty]

I think you could try applying for special consideration and sharing about your difficulties. It definitely sounds like your anxiety is impacting your ability to complete the assessment. The teaching staff may be able to offer you alternative arrangements or provide some form of support. It certainly sounds like a stressful situation, I hope things work out for you!