Reducing hours of volunteer research?

[TheRevenant]

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I'm in a gap year, during which I've been working 36 hours of paid internship and 16 hours of volunteer research per week. Quite frankly, I'm burning out. I am considering backing down to only 7 hours per week of research. Unfortunately, I already backed down from 24 to 16 previously in order to take on another shift at the internship. This shouldn't hurt my application because I already have an abundance of research experience; however, I am concerned that I would be burning bridges with a potential employer/recommendation writer. Is it reasonable for me to ask this of my grad student/mentor, or am I somehow obligated to continue this work?

 

[eteshoe]

It can't hurt to ask.