Newbie students: how's it going?

I fear I'll be sinking soon.

Loan check hasn't arrived. Can't shake off this cold (violent cough). Victim of a scam. Not understanding about half of my readings (or just unable to concentrate).

I'm beginning to wonder how I got accepted to this course in the first place!

You will not sink! A lot of US students are in the same position right now with the delayed loan checks, and half of the people on my course have this nasty cold thing that has seemingly gripped all of London, which probably explains the fuzzy-headedness. It's early yet - just do the best you can right now, get some rest, and hang in there...things will get better!

I feel underprepared at the moment because my primary seminar is full of postdocs and profs.  The Stafford loans came in normally for Glasgow Uni (I've already deposited my excess check).  I don't have the cold or scam, but I feel your pain.  I know I felt this way when I first started my MA program a few years back.  Like Anglokitty said, it'll get better.  My supervisor here has been really helpful, but he's as new to living here as I am (he moved here from Sweden over the summer).  It does help to get in touch with some international students who are going through (or went through) the same things you have.

I'm really, really overwhelmed with reading. Crossing my fingers that it gets better!!

Fortunately, my loan check did arrive okay.

Loan check arrived (though much less than I expected).

Still overwhelmed with the reading, though mostly because of my procrastination. My American instructors unfortunately want constant participation in seminar plus weekly response papers! 

Went to a Chinese doctor for some treatment. Acupuncture plus foul herbal tea seem to be helping my stress and bronchitis (!).