Feeling mixed feelings about "quitting"
In Fall 2024, I started an online master's degree hoping it could help me pivot from my job as a lab scientist to a career in bioinformatics, as I knew I would not be able to continue lab work with my ME/CFS. I was at about 50% functionality when I started and I had to give up basically everything else just to focus on the degree. I had to get some extensions, but by Summer 2025, I managed to complete the taught courses with good marks (one merit and the rest distinctions!). All that was left was the dissertation, but at this point my functionality was at 0-10%. At my worst I had to be in my room alone with no light or stimulation for several days. I decided to take an interruption in my studies and do the dissertation Spring 2026. I have recovered a bit since I interrupted, but I'm still only at about 10-20% functionality. I still spend most days in bed, my partner makes and brings me all my meals, and I have no responsibilities besides rest. Now that the resumption date is approaching, I feel like I'm not ready (except for the rare day that I feel like I'm suddenly cured and can resume my old life). I talked to my disability advisor about strategies to return and help I could get from the university, but the more I think about how sick I got from the courses and how the dissertation will likely be much more challenging (as I've always struggled with large, self-directed projects as someone with ADHD), the more I think I should just withdraw and take a Post Graduate Certificate as an exit award. I don't think getting the full master's would be beneficial because I likely will need to find a pretty low intensity job anyway. I think if I push myself, I'm likely to get worse and struggle even more with potential eventual employment. But every time I start to feel comfortable with the idea of withdrawing, I get worried that I'm just lazy, I'm a quitter, I should just push through and rise to the challenge, etc. I know this is from decades of societal pressure, but it's hard to shake completely. I was wondering if anyone here had similar experiences or perhaps some words of wisdom. Thank you for reading. ❤️
Posted Feb 20, 2026, 4:26 PM UTC