I felt that it would be easy to begin to panic and not think perfectly straight when in such a fix when solo, especially with low hours or limited XC experience.
You were right. It's dead easy! I don't know one pilot who hasn't had that experience.
Nausea is a nasty, insideous trap too. I've had one experience with it - I felt so dreadful that by the time I was nearly home it didn't occur to me that perhaps I might like to consider the 25G30 headwind along the runway when deciding when and how to set up my straight-in approach. Just as well my engine didn't quit, huh?