Work/$$ vs Sanity

[Pandora]

Hi guys, I'm new to this forum. I've been following it for awhile but I'm finally taking the plunge!

Please forgive me if I am posting in the wrong section. I need your advice on something:

I'm beginning my MA program in Sept. at another university. I've been doing RA work this summer for two professors at my UG school. They keep piling on the work and I'm on campus mon-fri 9-5 kinda deal, which is great because I can make more money. But lately I've been thinking I should take some time off before I start fresh again in Sept. I've basically sacrificed my summer to work for them, and to gain experience (which is worth it I think). I don't want to look weak in their eyes, and I'm worried that if I tell them that I have to stop in mid-August that they'll be a little disappointed in me. (Plus I need them to write me awesome LOR's for grant money this fall. :S

Should I be thinking of taking a few weeks off before Sept? My friends and family have been telling me that I'm crazy to work all through August. I haven't travelled, and haven't had a break in a really really long time. I'm starting to feel a little overwhelmed with the process of moving to another city, and all this work. I'm thinking I should take those two weeks off, but I'm not sure if it's a good idea. And I'm also not sure how to break it to my two profs. Based on your experiences entering grad school, do you think it's best to have a few weeks off before another academic year begins?

Thanks for reading this!

Pan

[LingGrad2009]

I'm thinking I should take those two weeks off

I know I am. Just tell them you need a couple of weeks to arrange the move and get settled in. Unless your professors have never changed jobs or moved, they'll understand. Two weeks is not a lot to ask at all.

[belowthree]

They'll understand. Take the time off, if you're asking here you've gotten to the point that you know you need it and you're looking for reassurance.

So be reassured. Take time off, it's okay to be human. (At least right now, once you enter grad school of course, you're expected to be a super-hero. So take the break.)