When I was learning in California due to DI progression (precession ?) I got lost on a solo XC. I flew a reciprocal course back to my last checkpoint and found the error and headed back in over the mountains to Gillespie, this time with my DI and compass agreeing.
However that initial problem had put me about 40 minutes behind schedule and was flying into a low, setting sun and a sea mist was rolling in. Which effectively obscured most ground features and I was scared I was going to fly into a hill. However a quick call to Gillespie confessing to being lost and asking for vectors meant they were able to guide me in. After about 10 minutes they told me to look out my right hand window and I should be able to see the runways at about three miles and I could, much to my relief.
Never be afraid to admit you are lost or have made a mistake !