A must-have conversation: Taking a break during your PhD

Jaye Wilson
Sep 5, 2023
1 min read

Have you ever felt the weight of stigma when taking a break?

As a doctoral student, especially as a minority, there is so much negativity surrounding taking a leave of absence from your degree. Compounding on this issue are additional roadblocks and overwhelming questions: Will you ever return? Do you have the support and resources to continue your journey if you take a break?

These uncertainties can be daunting, and they often deter students from seeking the much-needed assistance they deserve. In fact, many students are encouraged not to take a leave because their peers, mentors, and trusted advisors fear they will not return.

These apprehensions and more were the same for me as I looked around for resources during an already difficult time. So I put together a "How-To Guide on Taking a Leave of Absence” for those who need it to make the process a little less cumbersome.

Please share this valuable resource with your community. You never know who’s struggling with the decision of taking a leave or leaving their program altogether!

Together, we can support and empower one another to make the best choices for our well-being and academic success!