4 Questions to Ask Yourself If You’re Thinking About Taking a Break from Your Masters

We know that these aren’t easy times to be a student. With rising living costs, technological changes, and an uncertain future, it’s understandable if you’re starting to feel the pressures mount! And even at the best of times, a Masters study can be challenging.

Most universities do allow students to take a break from their Masters under certain circumstances. This is called an ‘interruption of studies’ and can usually last for up to a year.

If you’re thinking about taking a step back from your Masters, or maybe even halting it entirely, we get it. Sometimes this can be the best decision – but it’s important to make sure you’ve thought it through carefully first!

Here are four questions we think you should ask yourself before making this decision.

#1 How long have I been feeling this way?

Much as it’s a bad idea to do your big food shop when you’re starving, it’s best to avoid making consequential decisions in moments of intense emotional stress.

If you find yourself overwhelmed after a frustrating few hours spent battling writer’s block, or trying and failing to wrap your head around a piece of reading, it’s easy to feel like there’s nothing for it but to throw the towel in.

If you're ever in this situation, take a moment to consider whether this is just a momentary blip, or a long-term trend. How long have you felt this way? Will you feel the same in a week? Or a month?

At the very least, the old adage ‘sleep on it’ definitely applies here. We know, it’s cliched. But seriously, sleep on it. Any course of action that seems sensible at 2am while scrambling to meet a deadline and guzzling down Red Bull is best re-evaluated in the clear light of day!

#2 Why do I feel this way?

If you’re feeling unhappy on your course, it might be tricky to figure out what the exact source of the problem is. Are personal circumstances making it harder for you to focus on your Masters? Or does the course just feel like it’s not the best fit for you?

If it’s the former, then it’s possible that taking a break could be the best course of action, especially if whatever obstacles you’re facing are likely to be temporary. Maybe you need some time to re-adjust after a big life event or recover from an illness – in which case, it’s worth reaching out to a personal tutor to discuss suspending your studies. That way, your Masters will still be there waiting for you when you feel more able to tackle it.

Or maybe whatever problems you’re facing aren’t going to be fixed during a temporary pause. For example, you could be struggling with your mental health or with the cost of living. Your university is likely to have services to help you with these things – so reach out! Don’t rush to abandon your course without making use of the support that’s out there.

Of course, sometimes it can be the case that your chosen course – or maybe postgraduate study as a whole – just isn’t right for you, and that’s ok! If you really feel like you and your Masters just aren’t clicking, then it could be time to consider switching to a different one, or maybe dropping out entirely. But make sure that before you rush to the nuclear option, you’ve considered every other factor that could be impacting you.

#3 Is it actually feasible?

Taking a temporary break from your studies will usually involve following quite a specific procedure. Depending on your university, you may be required to supply evidence of a valid reason, such as a letter from a GP or counsellor, or bank statements to demonstrate financial struggles.

It’s also important to consider how a break will impact any funding you’re receiving, or your student visa (if you’re an international student). Usually, taking an interruption of studies will mean that you are registered but not enrolled at your university, which could have implications on your right to remain in the country, funding status and access to student services.

Make sure you speak to a personal tutor or supervisor about the practicalities of taking time out! While we’re on the subject…

#4 Who have I talked to about it?

Sometimes all the introspection in the world just isn’t enough to decide, and that’s where some outside advice can be valuable. Chatting with a friend or family member could bring in some new perspectives you may not have considered.

It might also be useful to talk to your supervisor, especially if academic pressure is one of the reasons you’re struggling. They will be best placed to advise you whether the course is right for you.

#5 What will I do next?

If you’re planning on taking a temporary break from your Masters, then it’s important to consider how you’ll actually use it! What can you do in the intervening time to make sure you’re not faced with the same problems when you come back?

If you’re thinking about dropping out entirely, then you’ll need to think about how this will impact your future plans. It’s possible that your planned career path requires a Masters, in which case you’ll obviously need to have a serious rethink – or maybe you’ll need to think about how else you can fill gaps in your CV to achieve the same ultimate goal. Or perhaps you’ve decided to overhaul your future trajectory completely!

Whatever you decide, make sure you’ve got a workable plan in place.

Hopefully, this blog has helped you think through whether you want to pause or end your Masters in a little bit more detail. Whether or not you ultimately decide to take a step back, always reach out for support if you’re struggling!