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have you taken psych? there's something called learned helplessness, which i might not-too-lightly suggest you suffer from. maybe even stereotype threat. who knows. i also don't think you're taking enough breaks from MIT. you need to spend some alone time and just get away from your work. i don't know if there's anywhere on campus you can do that, considering you're right in the city. but something like just walking for an hour and thinking every friday evening. just to reevaluate, refresh, rejuvenate. you can do it. (did you ever look into transferring?)

http://web.mit.edu/counsel/www/
http://web.mit.edu/ome/
http://web.mit.edu/medical/services/s-mentalhealth.html
http://mit.edu/firstyear/2011/resources/

Who the fuck is your advisor? I'm tempted to blame him, but at some point, you need to take responsibility for your actions and actually make time to see some of the people at the links listed above. First, make an appointment with Miri Skolnic or any of the Deans at Student Support Services; they'll take care of you without swearing at you.

Also, ask yourself some questions. Have you been going to office hours? Have you sought tutoring? Have you asked your advisor for help? I can only assume that you don't know about the support services offered around campus, because surely you wouldn't be bitching about failing if you haven't even tried...

But seriously. Make an appointment at Student Support Services. /They/ don't want you to fail.

Hank, I agree with Wallace. You know my situation - I went to S3, and yeah I'm taking a year off (this term no longer exists and I'm taking next term off), but god, I get to make up everything and start over and get background I need and stuff. It's absolutely wonderful. And the deans at S3 are WONDERFUL. The dean I'm working with is Mthembu, and she's completely understanding and opened up options I didn't expect.