Can anyone give me some straight advice on what to do about my course? Anyone suspended studies for a while?

[IHeartKingThistle]

Turning to MN! I am tying myself in knots - I need someone to go 'right Thistle, here's what you do'. (BTW I know there are huge problems going on, I hope you're all OK and I know I'm ridiculous for giving this so much headspace).

Short version: should I suspend my MA for a year?

Long version: I'm nearly halfway through a distance learning MA in Creative Writing. It's been lovely. It's something I'd waited to do for years and years and finally was able to do it with some inheritance money, so it's a big deal for me.

Next week I was supposed to be going to the university for a one week residential summer school. I was looking forward to it so much! Obviously it's been cancelled but there is a full programme of zoom sessions etc running all week.

However, I'm a secondary teacher. I've just taken over as Head of Department. The workload is insane. And Year 10 come back next week and I get my very own bubble (actually I'm delighted about seeing Year 10 again, don't think I'm moaning about that). I just won't be able to be at the majority of the zoom sessions so I basically won't be getting the benefit of the Summer School. And it's not about money but it's not a cheap course!

My tutors have been very nice and they think I should stick it out and that a shaky summer term won't be too much of a problem. I'm worried if I suspend my studies I'll find it hard to get back into it. But I need to throw everything at work at the moment (and occasionally my own kids!) and creative writing is the last thing in my head at the moment. I'm worried about trying to complete my massive final project during an academic year that is unlikely to be back to normal.

Right, here's where you go 'right Thistle, here's what you do'. I'll appreciate any advice I get, I promise.

Tricky one. I’ve just finished an online Masters, having written the dissertation in the last 3 months. If I’d known this insanity was going to go down, I would have suspended it. As it was, I was already halfway through my thesis when everything went pear-shaped, and I did a bloody good job, if I do say so myself! Put it off. You’ll love going back to it when you can. And you’ll make a much better, more satisfying job of it.

Slightly different situation to you, but am a FT Masters student (one year course) and I've suspended studies. I couldn't give it the focus needed while home schooling. I figured it was better to take a break and risk the difficulty of getting back into it rather than risk getting a poor mark or failing. The relief of not having that extra stress has convinced me that was the right decision.

We don't know what schools are going to look like next year, and as you said it's unlikely to be 'normal'. Work might continue to be stressful for you. Only you know what your capabilities are, but a suspension seems like a sensible choice

Thank you both so much for your kind responses. I know it's daft but I feel like you've given me permission to put it on hold and not think of myself as a quitter.

Not daft at all to feel that way. And you’re definitely not a quitter- you’re giving yourself the best chance to do everything properly, rather than always feeling pulled 4 ways. Best of luck at work- it must be very hard at the moment.

Agreeing with DramaDromedary here. Good luck with it all