Dear All,

Just wondering if any of you had any experience of taking time out of a PhD and returning successfully i.e. to complete the thesis.

I have taken the rest of the academic year off due to illness. I hadn't touched any PhD work since the beginning of term so I thought a suspension would be a good idea until I felt better and had more energy.

Unfortunately, my supervisor has left my college now but has been kind enough to offer unofficial supervision during my break but I'm finding it hard to build up the motivation to work at the moment (I'm working in an office also).

I am also considering not returning (I've done two years already) as it took me a long time to settle on a research project (Humanities student) and I haven't really got down to writing yet. I'd be interested to hear different humanities student's experiences of writing up and how long it took. Any advice also much appreciated.

Thanks.

I took 2 years out after my second year because I had a baby. Actually, I did do some work so that I would not have to be full time this year and only use 3 days/week childcare. I planned that work schedule very carefuly but it has not gone quite to plan and I will struggle to submit this year with such limited time.

It is hard to get back up to speed and you need to build up again not just suddenly expect to jump back in. I only intended to take one year out but that would never have worked. To complete after a long break - you have to be VERY motivated.

Good luck to you, those sounds like some difficult circumstanes. That is very nice of your supervisor to offer some guidance to you on an unoffical basis. Could you set some limited goals for yourself, like writing 200 or 500 words a day, and submitting them periodically to the supervisor for feedback? It does seem like it would be hard to get back into it after being out of it...and Smilodon, I admire you for doing all of that and having children as well!!!!!

Thanks for your advice. I was ill for nearly all of last term and now I'm feeling better I'm trying to get a thorough plan together and work through sections when I have free time. It really is a struggle at the moment. I really admire those who have children mid-phd and still manage to keep going - well done.

As I've had a long while out already (4 months) it really feels like I'm starting my PhD all over again trying to get back into it. As I said, I'm tempted to abandon the whole project sometimes but I guess this is normal. Also, I feel very guilty that I haven't just sailed through as I intended.

Thanks again for your messages.