I’m currently having my internship, I just cannot really take it anymore, I have been feeling anxious and whenever I type on the laptop my hands will shack and sweat like mad , my eyes will turn blurry idk why and I would type super slow. The person who taught me always rush me to do this and that even though I’m just trying to get the job done one at a time so I would not forgot or I was just omw to do the task and she just rushing me like hey you forgot to give the form etc but is not I forgot. Then things gets worse when we were trained to talk to customers, she will kept correcting my English and tone even though I was sick for the past few days and I couldn’t speak well due to my sickness. Then when she was teaching she will give me the “tsk” face and like annoyed cause I’m not up to her expectations and I somehow got panicked and stressed till the point nothing went into my brain even though I do notes when she was talking. The other day I accidentally eardrop that she say I don’t have effort and attitude is very important. It turned worse as I couldn’t sleep properly and I just feel tired even though I haven’t even started work in the morning, initially I could speak properly when I was there but now I just stop after every word I said whenever I talk to strangers there. Like I have been feeling uncomfortable as well idk what to do. This is a graded internship somemore… now whenever I remember there is work next day my heartbeat will race like mad. I cannot imagine doing this for the next 5 months… idk what to do now… like is this a very bad issue? Should I tell my school counselor? LO? Or shld I just tahan? The things I learned there isn’t related to what I learn in school as well.
Hey @QwQ,
It’s clear that you’re struggling with the pressure and expectations at your internship, and I acknowledge just how tough this situation must feel. It’s understandable that, with everything going on—your health concerns, the overwhelming demands at work, and the negative feedback from your supervisor—you’d feel anxious and uncertain. The physical symptoms you’re experiencing, like the racing heart, shaky hands, and trouble sleeping, are signs that your anxiety is affecting you quite intensely right now, and it’s okay to recognise that this is not easy to manage.
The feelings you’re having—like worrying that you’re not good enough or that you’re disappointing others—are a heavy burden to carry, and I really hear the self-doubt in your words. It’s also understandable that the constant rush from your supervisor, especially when you’re already struggling with health and emotional exhaustion, makes you feel overwhelmed and even more anxious.
It looks like you’re caught in a cycle: feeling unsure about yourself, getting anxious when things don’t go perfectly, and then internalising those feelings of inadequacy. It’s important to recognise that these reactions are common in high-pressure situations, and they don’t reflect your worth or abilities.
As you have asked, it might also be worth considering whether you can speak to a school counsellor or someone who can offer guidance on how to navigate these work dynamics and stress. If not the counsellor, is there anyone in your life, like a trusted friend, family member, or mentor, that you feel comfortable talking to about these concerns? Sometimes, just talking to someone who can listen and provide perspective can be really helpful.
You’ve shown a lot of strength already by reaching out for help and reflecting on your situation. That’s an important first step. It’s clear that you care about doing well and are striving to improve, but it’s also okay to give yourself grace. You’re doing the best you can in a difficult environment, and sometimes things don’t go perfectly, and that’s okay.
Remember especially when you’re facing tough challenges that it’s not a sign of weakness to struggle with anxiety or self-doubt—it’s just part of being human. Take small steps toward easing the pressure you’re feeling. You’re not alone, and there’s no shame in asking for help when you need it.
Please be kind to yourself as you move forward. You’ve got this, step by step. If you ever feel that the pressure becomes too much, don’t hesitate to talk to someone who can help you manage these emotions. Keep going, and take care of yourself along the way.
Not trying to stress you out even more or tell you it’s “all in your head”, but having supervised both overachiever and underperforming interns, thought I’d share the perspective of someone on the other end. Can’t speak for your supervisor specifically, but maybe hearing this POV can help you feel less self conscious and alleviate some pressure.
Honestly, unless your supervisor is just a really mean person, they probably want you to do well at work, and will do what is within their means to help you succeed. When they hurry you, or express dissatisfaction with nonverbal cues, these reactions are most likely response to their own stress to get the task done within the time they have, and is directed at the work or situation, not necessarily at you. And it’s totally normal to feel stressed out by their response, after all no one likes to be “tsk”-ed at. But also, your supervisor could also be new to managing a subordinate, or even if this isn’t her first time, learning to be a good manager does take time. So give yourself a little grace for taking time to learn the skills for this internship, and give your supervisor a little grace for taking time to learn how to manage someone new. I think once you are able to separate her stress responses from your value at work, you’ll be in a much better headspace to work on improving your skills.
Also, if you feel comfortable doing so, maybe it’s worth scheduling a check-in with your supervisor. I think open communication is always welcomed and beneficial. Especially while you’re an intern, expectations are honestly at its lowest, and stakes are also pretty low. I would advice during the session to:
- Acknowledge that you have room for improvement, and ask for areas that they think you can work on
- Ask about their working style, and share your own working style as well as preferred way of communicating feedback. This can include how often you check-in with her, how you could ask for help (F2F, message, collate questions and schedule regular time blocks?)
If you can practice having a conversation with your manager about your performance, asking for constructive feedback, and working on it, it’s really good learning for your future workplace. Also I think asking for something like this shows your own maturity and willingness to learn. How your supervisor responds and changes their management style is on them and not something you can control, but it is within your power to try to create an environment that helps you thrive.