How Long is Acceptable for Holiday Vacation?

Dear Dora,

I am a new PhD student and I relocated several states away from my home to attend graduate school. I am looking forward to going home for the holidays but I am unsure of how long is appropriate to be away from the office. I am not going home for Thanksgiving but I would like to take as much time as I can to enjoy my family during the Christmas season. What are the expectations/norms for graduate student time off around the holidays? Is there an ‘unspoken rule’ that even if we are home for the holidays that we should still be working?

Thank you,

First-year PhD student

Dear First-year PhD student,

I am not aware of an unspoken rule that students are expected to work during the holidays. Since most students travel during the holidays, labs and offices are very quiet at that time (if you went to work during the Thanksgiving weekend, you might have experienced that).

Students who go to school far from home usually spend fewer but longer vacations with their families. As far as I know (and there is a chance your school or PI might be stricter) a vacation means time-off, so no work is expected. In fact, supervisors hope that you will return from your vacation rested and refreshed so you can focus on your work again in the New Year. While it is unlikely that your PI would expect work from around the holidays (especially if you are on vacation), it is always best to discuss with your PI which projects you will be wrapping up before traveling.

Have a great time with your family,

Dora

Dora Farkas, Ph.D. is the author “The Smart Way to Your Ph.D.:200 Secrets from 100 Graduates,” and the founder of PhDNet, an online community for graduate students and PhDs. You will find links to her book, monthly newsletters, and discussion board on her site. Send your questions to [email protected] and keep an eye out for them in an upcoming issue!

Stay tuned for the next Dear Dora in two weeks!  In the meantime, check a few of Dora’s recent posts:

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Submit your questions to Dora at [email protected], or use the comment box below!

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