Resignation Letter for Going Back To School (Best Samples)

The employment sector is constantly changing, and to cope with the dynamic, you may want to return to school for several reasons. You may want to further your education, change your career, or improve your expertise. Some students also start working during their summer vacation and need to resign when they have to concentrate on their coursework. Whichever your reason, you will need to resign from your place of work using a resignation letter.

In the letter, you need to state why you are resigning. You may not know how to write your letter or need guidance on what to include. This article will help you by providing tips and tricks on how to write an effective letter.

In addition to this, this article also discusses the following:

• What is a resignation letter?
• The importance of a resignation letter.
• Information you should include in your letter.
• What you should not include in your letter.

Going Back to School Resignation Letter

A back-to-school resignation letter is a formal letter submitted by an employee to their employer informing them of their intention to resign to pursue further studies. The letter should contain information on why you are leaving and when you will stop working. You may include reasons like transitioning into another career or improving your academic qualifications in your field. Typically, resignation letters should be sent at least two weeks before the date you will stop working.

Why is it important?

First, resignation letters are considered a professional courtesy. By sending the letter, you let the employer know why you are leaving and when you will leave. The information you provide helps the employer understand how much work to assign you for the remainder of your employment. The notice period also allows the employer to plan and issue advertisements for interviews to fill your position.

Second, these letters promote the termination of employment on good terms. Most educational programs may request a letter of recommendation from your employer; if you have a decent relationship with them, you are more likely to get a good recommendation. Further, you may help your employer help a new employee transition smoothly into your position.

Your letter should be comprehensive. It should provide your employer with the necessary information so that they can prepare for your departure.

You can follow the following steps when writing your letter:

Step 1: State your intention

It would be good to mention that you are writing this letter to resign from the job. You should also specify the job position from which you will be resigning. You do not have to provide a detailed description. A brief and concise explanation will suffice. From the first paragraph, you should maintain a positive tone.

For example:

“Please receive this letter as my formal resignation from the sales manager position at Bloomfield Sales Agency.”

Step 2: Specify your last day at work

Once you have stated your intention to leave, you must state the last day you will work. While most employers require a two-week notice, it is recommended that you refer to your contract to be sure. In addition, there may be other stipulations you need to fulfill. You may also need more time depending on when you start your classes and whether you need to relocate from your area to a place closer to your school. You may also schedule your last day of work to be after you have completed your assigned tasks. This information should be included in your first paragraph.

For example:

“Following the terms of my employment contract, my last day of work shall be May 14, 2022.”

Step 3: Explain your decision

When writing your letter, you need to mention your decision to resign. You do not have to provide details, but you can mention them if you have a friendly relationship with your employer. However, you should do it as a courtesy to your employer. You may also briefly describe the contribution education will make to your life.

For example:

“I have decided to temporarily cease employment to pursue my studies full-time as I am nearing the technical part of my course. I would have loved to continue working, but I am afraid it would be difficult to complete my duties to the best of my ability.”

Step 4: Describe your future education

You may describe your aspirations for the program you will be undertaking. It will help your employer understand your reasons for taking the course. If you are friendly with your employer, you may discuss your goals for the program with them. Sometimes, your employer may remain in contact and offer you employment in the future. Further, your employer may better understand your motivation for the program.

For example:

“The Master’s program will be instrumental in my career goals as I intend to transition into other areas of business and marketing. I hope to become a business consultant at the end of the program. Along with other benefits, the program may allow me to work part-time at the school as a professor’s assistant. In addition, I believe I will gain more hands-on experience as a student.”

Step 5: Reflect on your past

As part of leaving the job on a positive note, reflecting on your progress as part of the company or organization is essential. You may mention the highlights of your career as part of the team. You can also mention the contribution the company has made to your life.

For example:

“As a sales manager, I appreciate the growth I have experienced at Bloomfield Sales Agency. I have gained unique experience in customer service and practical skills in handling customers. Further, I know how to work in a team and continuously improve my skills.”

Step 6: Express your gratitude

Once you give your reasons for leaving, you should appreciate that you were allowed to work at the company. The appreciation promotes good rapport and ensures you cease your employment on favorable terms. Therefore, this part of your letter should be brief and sincere.

For example:

“I have enjoyed working in this company, especially because I had the opportunity to rise through the ranks from being an intern. In addition, I have appreciated the vibrant work environment and the opportunities to explore my interest in sales and marketing.”

Step 7: Offer your assistance

Since every position has a job description, your employer may need assistance in planning the induction of a new employee into your position. You should offer to assist in the transition by providing information on the pending tasks. You may also offer to train the new employee on the tasks you have been handling.

“I am available to assist in training a replacement if you require my help. I shall also be glad to offer guidance concerning my position.”

Sample of a Back-to-School Resignation Letter

For your assistance in understanding the back-to-school resignation letter, here is a sample:

Leaving your place of employment may be difficult, and you may not know what to include in your resignation letter. Since it is a formal document, it is essential to have all the vital information. To ease this process, you should use a template. A template will guide you on the information to include and how to phrase your words. We have provided free downloadable and editable templates to create an effective resignation letter.

You can consult the following templates:

#01

#02

#03

#04

#05

#06

#07

#08

#09

#10

#11

#12

Standard letters of resignation contain basic information such as your last day of work and reasons for leaving. Effective letters, however, should be comprehensive and easy to understand.

You can use the following tips to prepare an effective letter:

Follow the 3 C’s

The three C’s you should follow for writing a resignation letter are; clear, crisp, and concise. Your letter should not provide unnecessary information. You should mention your reason for resignation, the course you will take, and the institution you will be at. Extra information may make it lengthy and tedious.

Make it memorable

As stated before, the letter is to express your intention to resign. Therefore, avoid giving other reasons besides educational purposes. Further, you should maintain a professional tone throughout the letter. Any grievances you have can be mentioned in another forum.

Keep it unemotional

When writing your letter, avoid using emotional language. Instead, the letter should remain professional and formal. Also, avoid personal examples that add no value to the letter.

Proofread and edit

Once you finish writing your letter, proofread it and edit any mistakes you identify. It is essential to avoid grammatical and substantial errors like indicating the wrong date, which might expose you to liability. Spelling errors may also make you appear careless.

Things to Avoid

Resignation letters form part of your employment record. Therefore, they may be referred to in the future when you need a recommendation from your previous employer. As such, there are some practices you should avoid when writing your resignation letter.

For example:

• You must avoid using negative language in your letter. However, the resignation process is formal, and you should consider using other appropriate channels to express dissatisfaction.
• You should send your letter through formal channels, not social media or text. Such methods appear unprofessional.
• You should avoid giving too many details about your resignation as your letter may be shared among personnel in other departments.
• When offering assistance, do not give unrealistic promises to complete tasks that you know you cannot complete within the notice period you have given.
• You should avoid suggesting a specific person replace you as you might favor an employee over others.
• Since you should leave on good terms, avoid leaving negative reviews on your colleagues and superiors.
• Avoid asking about your final dues when writing your letter, as the information is available in your contract.

Your resignation letter may be the last document in your employee file when you intend to rejoin the school. Therefore, it may contribute to your conduct as an employee to the person needing to review your file. As such, you should ensure you provide the correct information. In addition, in some cases, the letter serves as your notice of resignation. Therefore, it should comply with the terms of your employment contract.

When writing your letter, be positive and professional, and avoid using vocabulary and superfluous words, as they do not add value. You must address the correct recipient, especially if there is a strict termination process. Where there is a standard format for such documents, ensure you adhere to it.

About This Article

Authored by:

William Lehr

Human Resources Specialist, MS Office Expert

William Lehr combines a profound understanding of human resources with a certified expertise in Microsoft Office, making him a dual asset in any professional setting. With a keen insight into the intricacies of HR, William adeptly manages talent acquisition, employee relations, and organizational development. His Microsoft Office proficiency further amplifies his effectiveness, allowing him to design and implement seamless workflows, reports, and analytical tools. Whether it's optimizing HR processes or crafting efficient MS Office solutions, William's comprehensive skill set ensures that organizational objectives are met with precision and excellence.