I am really struggling to maintain momentum

The last few days I have really struggled. I feel very isolated on my course.  I am the only part-timer, who is at the 4th year stage.  There is only one other part-timer, and she is in her final year. 

Because I went away to study abroad last year, I don't really know the full time students on my course, although I have tried very hard to build relationships with them.  I have attended all the plenary and seminar sessions that are for the whole group - although there has been a lot of non-attendance by some of them.  There must be about 20 students on the full time CAA course, but very few of them are doing textiles.  A couple of students are doing textile print specialism, but even when I have been in the 2D workshop, these people have not been present.  So I am not getting peer support and feedback for my work.  I should have attended the final year students review of their degree planning module yesterday, but Jim was having a skin cancer cut off his leg, so my priorities lay with him.  But it does not alter the fact that I missed an important group review, so again I feel isolated.

Lisa, the technician, has spent a fair amount of time working with me, getting the digital printer working, and ensuring safe practice with the steamer.  But even with her support and encouragement, I feel quite alone in the creative practice.  Lisa has the Open Studies print classes running, and other people in the 2D workshop, who require her support as technician, so I can't expect to have her full attention all the time - and neither do I want this - I would just benefit from being in an actively practising class of textile printers.  I want to be surrounded by creative people who are developing their artistic practice, so the environment enhances my spirit. 

So, I have read my Degree Planning Proposal, and have realised I am making progress towards my stated intentions, I just feel a bit lost in the mire at the moment.  I have decided to try to do the design development as suggested by Sara, by mentally categorising it as "sketchbook work" so I can work up a variety of designs, and try to be a bit loose and free mentally.  If I consider it as "design development" I become tight and tense, and my work suffers.  I have been worrying about how to transfer the designs into Photoshop, but have now decided to work up (and have fun with) sketchbook work, and take advice on how to transfer into PS later.  I know I have a skill shortage with PS, but if I create the designs manually first, then work out what tasks and process I think I need, I can identify the questions I need to ask.  Once I have defined the questions, I can ask for some PS coaching.  Worrying about how to put my design into repeat, is stunting my creativity.

Also, at the moment, I have discovered that I am enjoying looking at a section of my drawing, rather than the whole object.  I can see me using sections of the whole as seat covers and cushions for my own domestic use, before getting the repeat patterns right.

Another thing I want to explore a bit further is increasing the scale of what I have printed so far.  My largest print is 50cm wide.  I an curious to see what happens if I print a colour version and a monochrome version of the pomegranate at 120cm wide.  Does the design break down and pixellate, or does it have a considerable impact at large scale?

And I have had the brace on my teeth tightened this morning, so that 's another reason to feel a bit fragile and sensitive!
I shall try not to be a wuss, and get on with my work!