I am looking for some advice regarding applying for a leave of absence, I have been struggling to make any real progress for that last 12 month (I am a part time PhD student and work full time (currently very busy working in excess of 50 hours a week) I have finally hit the point where I think something has to give, and I think it is going to have to be my studies. Does anyone have any experience of applying for a leave of absence, what is the general process and was it agreed. Also if anyone has been granted leave how di you cope with your return to study, any advice / suggestions welcomed.

Thanks
Max

hi max
I applied for a suspension due to family bereavement. The process was simple. Someone from admin sent me a form to fill in. Later they sent me a letter saying the suspension was approved and my registration date shifted forward. I had an extra year to work on my thesis. This was very helpful. I actually finished 10 months ahead of the end-date.

First, I made a tentative schedule with my supervisor; and then did things in blocks (I call it blocks). I put dates on certain chapters (of work I was to send my supervisor) and put the calender in the living room where I could see it every single day. It was torture but it served as a reminder.

What I would suggest is to allocate certain days to work on your phd, maybe only Thursday and Friday. This will help you to space out what you need to do and this way, you won't lose touch with your phd.

I had a lot of support from my supervisor and colleagues, this way I did not feel isolated working away from the university environment. Posting on the postgrad forum was helpful too! If I managed to complete what I was supposed to do, I would reward myself with little treats---extra TV to watch, shoes on sale etc.

love satchi

Hi Max,

I haven't applied for an interruption to studying, but know a couple of friends doing PhD's who have. As Satchi mentioned, it was a case of filling in a form and submitting it to Admissions / the College office and then waiting for confirmation of the interruption. Both friends got back into studying with little problems, as far as I know, and one has just submitted.

Good luck,
Lizzie

Thanks for the replies, I have spoken with my supervisor and started the application process.

Satchi, I have sent you a direct message :-)

Thanks
Max

A couple of quick thoughts (meat to be helpful), given the experiences of other part-time students I have encountered.

1) Do you foresee the current workload easing in the medium term such that at some future point you can continue your studies?

2) If not, how do you plan to change your personal circumstances such that you are able to finish (if you're able to change these)?

I'm thinking of your situation 6 to 12 months hence and how that might compare with now. Once you hit write-up, the demands on you from a study perspective will only become greater.

Ian (Mackem_Beefy)

Hi Ian, my current employer is trying to recruit more staff to ease my current workload, so I am hopeful that things will get easier. Time will tell if that becomes a reality, but for now something has had to give, unfortunately studies have had to take the hit. It has taken a lot of thought to get to this point, I have been trying to put off a leave but I currently think that it is a break or the funny farm.

I am hoping a few months break will give me time to clear my head, re-charge batteries etc so even if work hasn't improved in 6 months time I may be in a better place mentally to continue.

Max