You can let yourself off the hook for starters. Life happens! It’s ok! Also, try not to put too much stock in the whole notion of ‘on time’. One of the greater failures of our education system is that it perpetuates the idea that everyone must learn at the same rate (thank you Bush). Everyone learns at a different pace, and that is alright. I wouldn’t get worried until they kick you out for being too old! Sounds like your head is in the right place, so hang in there and get ‘er done!