Taking a Leave of Absence from Graduate Studies

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the topic of taking a leave of absence from graduate studies. Participants share personal experiences, considerations, and potential implications of such a decision, exploring both the emotional and practical aspects of stepping away from academic commitments.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Personal experience sharing

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that many individuals take leaves of absence, but only a small fraction return to complete their studies.
  • One participant expresses a desire for time off due to dissatisfaction with their current graduate experience, despite having a supportive supervisor.
  • Another participant shares their own experience of taking a leave, emphasizing the importance of their advisor's suggestion to do so rather than quitting outright.
  • Concerns are raised about the potential challenges of returning to graduate school after a year, particularly if life circumstances change significantly during that time.
  • One participant acknowledges the value of an advanced degree in the job market but also recognizes the personal need for a break from academic pressures.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the implications of taking a leave of absence, with some sharing positive experiences and others cautioning against the potential difficulties of returning. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best course of action, as individual circumstances vary widely.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various personal circumstances that influence their decisions, including emotional well-being, academic pressures, and future career considerations. There is no consensus on the best approach to taking a leave of absence.

JasonRox
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Has anyone done this?

I've been thinking about it.
 
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Lots of people do this. Only a small fraction come back - something to keep in mind.
 
This may be somewhat off topic... but why are you considering this?

The reason I ask is because over the years I sort of "followed" you on these forums, ever since way back when you were struggling with Spivak. That is, you asked a lot of things I was going through at the same time. And what grad school are you at, if you don't mind.
 
I've done it. I was intending to quit, but fortunately, my advisor insisted that I should just ask for a leave of absence instead. After a year, I came to my senses and came back and finished.
 
TMFKAN64 said:
I've done it. I was intending to quit, but fortunately, my advisor insisted that I should just ask for a leave of absence instead. After a year, I came to my senses and came back and finished.

Cool, I was thinking of just taking a year too.

My supervisor will kill me too.

My buddy dropped out of his Master's just awhile ago.

It's not what I thought it would be either. My supervisor is great, but I feel like I need time off. Last year, I even told my supervisor I did not want to do my Master's yet. I wanted time off, and he insisted I do it. And now I'm here, not really enjoying it right now.
 
All the best to you Jason, but let me warn you: a lot can happen in a year. It's understandable that you tell yourself that you'll come back to grad school, but if you get into a serious relationship or start pursuing a career that interests you (even temporarily) you may find yourself making compromises that make it hard to jump back into grad school. I hope you stick with grad school - an advanced degree might be pretty valuable in the job market in the next 5-10 years and ongoing. Good luck whatever you decide.
 
turbo-1 said:
All the best to you Jason, but let me warn you: a lot can happen in a year. It's understandable that you tell yourself that you'll come back to grad school, but if you get into a serious relationship or start pursuing a career that interests you (even temporarily) you may find yourself making compromises that make it hard to jump back into grad school. I hope you stick with grad school - an advanced degree might be pretty valuable in the job market in the next 5-10 years and ongoing. Good luck whatever you decide.

Well, I'm going to talk to my supervisor about it. I do understand that lots can change, and I'm fine with that. I also know that if I don't come back in a year, I probably never will.

Lots have been going on in the term where I couldn't get work done properly. I feel like it's not going the way it should. I want the year off to take time and study basically. I just don't want to be bounded by any school related stuff. That's all. I don't care about the funding.
 

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