Taking a Break During PhD: Navigating Challenges and Finding Inspiration

Many PhD students find themselves in a challenging and sometimes demotivating situation where taking a break becomes a necessity. In this article, we explore the experiences of several students who had to take breaks for various reasons, including family financial requirements, personal interests, and research challenges. We also provide insights into how short and long breaks can affect their progress, and suggest strategies to maintain discipline during and after a break.

Leaving the PhD Early

One such student, faced with family financial pressures, had to leave their PhD program early. As soon as they had a first draft of their dissertation and no further research was required at the university, they took a break from grad school. Their faculty committee member, who was abroad, took fifteen months to sign their dissertation, during which they had to maintain their full salary.

Another student experienced a period of demotivation during their second year of grad school. They struggled to find an answer to their main research question and found themselves less focused and attending the office less. To reignite their passion, they started working on a different project from an online competition. Interestingly, this project provided a fresh perspective that helped them solve the original research problem.

Longer Breaks and Their Impact

Long breaks during a PhD can be particularly challenging to return to research and writing. A student, who took 10 years to complete their PhD while building an internet company, shares that longer breaks can hinder the return to the research process. However, short breaks (a couple of weeks or less) are generally considered healthy for students' mental well-being. The key is to maintain discipline and engage in alternative projects or other activities that can keep the mind active and motivated.

Anecdotal evidence shows that breaks, especially for longer periods, can indeed set back progress. But these breaks can also offer unique opportunities for self-reflection and problem-solving. For instance, a student's spontaneous fishing trips during summers were a refreshing change of pace, revitalizing their spirit and bringing a sense of joy back into their academic life.

Strategies for Managing Breaks During PhD

Here are some strategies to consider when taking a break during your PhD:

Choose a different project: Engage in a different academic or creative project to maintain discipline and keep your mind engaged. This can provide a new perspective and help solve research challenges. Short breaks are better: If you need to take a longer break, aim for a duration of a few weeks rather than months or years. Set achievable goals: Break your PhD workload into smaller, manageable tasks to reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed. Stay connected: Maintain contact with your advisor and committee members to stay informed about the progress of your research.

In conclusion, taking a break during a PhD can be a necessary and beneficial experience as long as it is managed effectively. Whether it's due to personal or family reasons, or a period of academic demotivation, short breaks can offer a much-needed reset, and strategic planning can help regain momentum when it comes time to return to research.