Eighteenth century navigation techniques work when your fancy gadgets let you down. But the 20th century radio is really nice to have when temporarily uncertain of your position near controlled airspace! The student in this case did exactly right, and got sorted. I've been there.
And once I was there flying IMC in the US, (with an Instrument Rating) Filed a flight plan, climbed up into the murk, viz about 20 feet all round, no problem, being followed on radar of course and separated from other traffic....except the radio went very quiet. too quiet.
This does get your attention. We are trained in case of radio failure to follow your flight plan, and everybody is in theory supposed to get out of your way. Except I can never remember which code to key into the transponder....