Why I DROPPED out of my MASTERS DEGREE (Knowing when to quit something)

Story time with Jac :)

In this video I talk about why I dropped out of my masters degree and advise for anyone who is maybe thinking of doing the same. I really struggled with motivation to study and it was time for me to quit and go out into the world of work instead.

I hope by watching this video it will comfort anyone who is thinking of doing the same. You will be absolutely fine whatever you choose :)

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[pryncecharming]

I absolutely hate being in my masters degree program.
It is so needlessly stressful. The online zoom meetings are annoying and a waste of time and the work is constantly piled on.
I am so stressed out I am now seeing a therapist.
The only thing is that the career I am studying for is what I love.
I've decided I will finish this degree, but after this I am DONE with Academia forever.
I really can't express how much I hate this.

[dikshabrahma]

I felt completely burnt out and lost while doing my master's programme so, I decided to drop out of my master's programme today and of course against everyone's wishes (READ:FAMILIAL PRESSURE). This video is all that I needed to calm myself. I can't thank you enough Jac! :)

[dot]

Not even one semester in and I’ve realized how pointless and tiring doing a Masters is for me personally. Gonna at least try to finish the semester and see if I want to quit or push through the next one.

[MichelleBolten]

I’m in a similar situation right now. I haven’t even finished my first period yet but I’ve known from the start that this isn’t for me. I’ve never been into the academic world; it always felt like it wasn’t my environment. I finished my Bachelor’s, took a gap year and worked a retail job, and decided I didn’t want to look yet for a serious job, so I decided to enroll in Uni once again. Now I realise I’m here for the wrong reasons (family pressure, thinking that obtaining a Master’s is all I am). My head is in it, I’m determined and hardworking, but my heart isn’t. I simply cannot do it. I don’t like the Master’s, I’m missing a huge amount of background and knowledge in the field, and the environment is not it for me. So thank you for this video, this truly felt like a hug and a “it’s going to be alright.” I needed that.

I know the Internet is adamant on finishing such a degree but I also know that sometimes our mental health is more important than a piece of paper :)

[endu]

Last year (2022), I dropped out of my master's program. The stress and workload outweighed my motivation. My only concern was not disappointing my family. I had decent grades for the first two semesters, but I took control of my life and dropped out nevertheless. Right now, I'm doing well.

[taylorjones]

I’m in this place right now. I keep failing courses, wasting time and money; causing my graduation date to be pushed back. I want the credentials, but I already have one degree, and I am struggling to get through my masters! I appreciate this video, thank you!! I may take time away for now.

[elledargavel]

"I didn't want to get a job and I didn't want to go out into the real world"...yeah, this is basically me.
I didn't particularly want to do a masters in the first place, but it seemed like everyone else thought I'd be silly not to. And on paper, it does look like a good idea, but my heart is sooo not in this. The thought of spending another year enrolled on a course that I'm not passionate about, and then researching and writing a dissertation, is a bit sickening and physically headache inducing.
Watching this has made me a whole lot more comfortable with my decision - Thank you for sharing!

[ClaireEliseLumiere]

It is such a comfort hearing your story as a contrast to the main background noise of everyone else always saying I need to keep going, thank you so much. I'm in a bit of a pickle myself, I have a BSc in Psychology which in itself isn't worth a lot unfortunately, hence I decided to do a master in pharmaceutical neuroscience, because I felt that would give me more unique skills and a better paying job in the future. But Lord, do I hate it. I have zero motivation, I'm pretty sure I don't even wanna pursue a job in this field anymore and do something completely different (something design-related maybe), but I honestly have no idea where to go. For me personally I would love to just get to work, I just have no idea what to do or which direction to go in, so doing *something* that will at least help my resume seems like the best option. Tough situation. But the video definitely helps :)

[MissKareeBaby]

This really helped me. I’m at a top university in my country for my master’s and…i’m miserable. I don’t want to come off as ungrateful. I don’t want to be judged or looked at as if i can’t finish things. but I know I don’t want to finish. I want to still pursue law school, i’m just skipping my graduate degree. This video really comforted me. 🥺 thank you!

[cleng]

Thanks for the video man. I dropped out last year from my Masters degree program in Computer Science. Amidst the COVID lockdowns here in China, the stress was just too much.
It was a hard decision but I’ve decided to go home. Blessings to everyone

[Nelson_]

I feel very sad about dropping out of my Master's program. Due to my age, I think this was my last chance to get a MSc degree, but doing it while working 2 jobs, has made me feel miserable. I'm feeling mediocre at everything because I can't give my best. It's too much and it's messing with my mind.

[larryc]

You've helped me tremendously with this video, Jac. I actually tried getting a master's degree two different times, and still never got one. First time, I had to drop out of school when I was diagnosed with cancer. I recovered from that, but instead of returning to school, l got a good corporate job. A few years ago I decided to try again to get a master's. By this time, though, I was in a different place in life and couldn't stand school. It was a miserable experience (and that's putting it mildly). Some days, I still feel like a failure for not having that master's degree. Of course at this point I realize I'll never attempt it again -- your video calmed me down and lets me know that it's OK.

[JacWilliamsVideo]

I hope this helps anyone who may need it :)

[Bryane]

Thank you for this! I’ve been dreading to quit especially with all classes being online. I felt like you and I just wanna start working already and not being stuck at home doing online classes. I’ve already finished my first year and I have another year left and I’ve been thinking to quit now before the new school year starts next week.

[kandneeko]

I decided to drop out today (I have one semester left) and i related to everything you said in this video. Like our stories are basically the same lol. Why can’t I have one unique experience 😂 no but for real, thank you for posting this. I’m actually really excited for what is ahead. Nervous as hell, but excited

[BiancaBetts-vmoq]

Thank you so much for making this video. I've been feeling exactly how you described feeling on my masters course. The only aspect for me staying is not wanting to disappoint my family but I struggle to keep my mental health together and continue. This video was just what I needed to hear :)

[LoveAndSnapple]

My desire to drop out of my master’s program lead me here and from what I’ve learned from other people is that higher academia is really just hazing through books. 😅

By the end of it you’ll get your letters and you’ll belong to MSW, PHD, JD, MBA, etc. A master’s degree is just pledging different houses and hell week last years. ☠️

[julespetrikov]

Completed all my classes, only thing left is just finishing my thesis and defending it. I had somewhat of an interest in my first semester, but I lost my enthusiasm over the next ones, until I lost all my interest in academy and a good chunk of my field.

I'm burnt out. I don't want to read papers, I have started with an overambitious thesis subject which ate up my energy early on and I think now I'd just rather focus on my job and hobbies instead of stressing myself with this misery.

I realised the moment I finished my first semester that I'm not a scholar and I have zero interest in being one.

I don't know. It's nice to see other people that were/are in the same ship as I am.

[tatyanabooz]

It's crazy because I am in the last semester of my thesis for my program and I am dreading it. I have no motivation to do the work and I legit get crippling anxiety whenever I have to speak to my thesis advisor, whenever I have to start my work, or whenever I have a conversation with someone about my studies. I am torn between the decision of just sticking it out (I am literally at the finish line) or just throwing away two years' worth of master's work. I have even been looking into other master's programs that will not require a thesis or capstone towards the end of the program (that's how badly I am looking for my out). I am just stuck between a rock and hard place and your video has given me a little faith about whatever decision I do decide to go with.

[heyitsNsuku]

i've been contemplating dropping out of my MSc degree since June 2021. I initially thought that it was because I was doing a project that I had no interest in so I spoke to my supervisor and I switched to a different project. the project that I'm doing now is a lot more interesting and it's something that I thought that i would feel different. now I'm almost 6 months into this new project and i still have no motivation to get anything done. I'm obviously behind on my project and i know i should be working but i can't bring myself to do anything. grad school makes me feel so depressed and i feel like I'm not allowed to quit because I'm on a bursary, i promised my supervisor that i would stay in this project until the very end and my parents would honestly lose their minds. i don't know what to do right now 😔