But I don't really want to do that. I think it would make me feel best now to get through a lot of work and feel capable in that regard.
You can have both options if you give your professors a heads-up that you may need an extension and ask for one just in case. If it turns out you're able to dive into work and get the degree wrapped up and get that blast of endorphins (managing your own brain chemistry is important!), then you won't have needed the extension, but better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it, you know? Emotional states can be very labile after the kind of experience you've had, so if you find yourself needing to take advantage of an extension, asking for one will be one less thing you'll have to do.
no subject
You can have both options if you give your professors a heads-up that you may need an extension and ask for one just in case. If it turns out you're able to dive into work and get the degree wrapped up and get that blast of endorphins (managing your own brain chemistry is important!), then you won't have needed the extension, but better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it, you know? Emotional states can be very labile after the kind of experience you've had, so if you find yourself needing to take advantage of an extension, asking for one will be one less thing you'll have to do.