system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
Taken a leave of absence (LOA) from my PhD and I think I’ve made a mistake..

(Very Long post, sorry!) I’ll start by saying I’m from the UK, and this is in the UK. 
Back in October 2020, I started a PhD in synthetic chemistry at one of the top universities in the UK, and pretty much from the get go, it’s been turbulent. I joined during a pandemic, so I couldn’t get out much, or meet anyone, so I already felt quite alone. In regards to the PhD, it became very apparent to me that my laboratory skills were lacking. I did achieve a first class honours MChem at my last university, but it was a rather rubbish department with an awful syllabus, so my practical skills were not up to the same standard as anyone else, so I had no confidence and I felt clueless. I would feel quite crappy every day when I got home, and this meant that I did no literature reading, or general theory reading outside of the lab. My supervisor is good, he’s supportive and approachable, but there were times he would get a little exasperated if I didn’t understand something/had a list of failed reactions. In February 2021, I had to take two months off on sick for an unrelated  issue, and when I came back in April, everything has gotten worse. I’m mentally better, but I am physically exhausted all day every day, despite not overworking myself at all. I barely did a 5 day week, and no amount of sleep or rest made me feel refreshed.. on top of this, i was falling behind with a big report I had to write for my progression meeting, and almost a year in, I still haven’t read any relevant literature or general organic chemistry. So I decided to take a LOA for 6 months to figure out if there is something medically wrong with me, await my ADHD assessment (that’s another whole big thing that may explain it all), and generally catch up. Although this sounds like a good plan, I’m panicking now I’ve done this because a) I have to move hundreds of miles home due to LOA stopping your finances, so I lose the room I’m renting, b) with all the interruptions, I feel like my first year is an absolute dogs dinner, so if I return, how do I fix this? c) I’m not entirely happy with the project or city I’m in (think it’s under stimulating and boring), but I really DO want a PhD and I would be a fool to drop out/make a mess of this… I have no idea what to do, and maybe this LOA isn’t a good idea.
gpt
PhD experiences vary heavily across disciplines, countries, research topics and workload. Regardless, starting a PhD during the pandemic is an immense challenge. Full stop. Doesn't matter who you are or what your ailments you may be experiencing. In addition to all the challenges, if you aren't entirely happy with the project or city, then consider this your free pass to walk away. This is your life. You can walk away and start again whenever you feel ready. Anyone who criticizes you for quitting during a pandemic or for any and all of those reasons you stated above is a heartless prick. Find the lessons you learned during this tumultuous time, take a break from agonizing over it, and if you find that you still want to continue with a PhD, your supervisor will understand. If they don't, find a new one with a more exciting project. You'll be that much further ahead with what you've learned in the last year. Chin up, you got this!