20 PhD students reveal what a PhD is REALLY like
TLDRIn this insightful video, 20 PhD students share their candid experiences about pursuing the world's most advanced degree. They discuss their daily routines, which often involve a mix of research, lab work, and data analysis, with work hours ranging from 8 to 20 hours a day. The students highlight the importance of a social life, with many enjoying the flexibility to balance work and leisure. They also touch on the diverse and international community they are part of, and the unique opportunities a PhD provides, such as attending conferences and exploring new places. The interviewees express enjoyment in problem-solving, the freedom to drive their own research, and the flexibility of their schedules. However, they also acknowledge the challenges, including dealing with failure, isolation, and financial struggles. Despite these difficulties, the majority would choose to do a PhD again, appreciating the personal growth and the chance to delve deeply into a subject they are passionate about.
Takeaways
- 📚 A typical PhD workday involves a mix of lab work, research, and data analysis, often starting with a morning routine and coffee.
- 🕒 PhD students work varying hours, with some putting in as much as 20 hours a day, while others average around 8 to 10 hours, depending on their progress and flexibility.
- 🤝 PhD students maintain a social life, often balancing lab work with social activities, and value the friendships and connections they make.
- 🌍 The PhD experience is enriched by an international community, providing diversity and exposure to a wide range of perspectives and interests.
- 🔬 Enjoyment of the PhD process often includes the excitement of discovery, problem-solving, and the flexibility to pursue personal research interests.
- 🌟 Conferences are highlighted as valuable opportunities for learning, travel, and networking with others in the same field.
- 🔁 The challenges of a PhD can include frustration from repeated experiments, periods of no progress, and dealing with failure as a part of the process.
- 🧭 Some students struggle with the lack of direction and the pressure that comes with the freedom to set their own goals and deadlines.
- 💰 Financial concerns are mentioned, with PhD students noting that the pay is not high and questioning the worth of the investment in time and effort.
- 🤔 Despite the challenges, many PhD students would choose to do a PhD again, appreciating the personal and professional growth, and the opportunities it provides.
- 😕 However, some express doubts about the decision to pursue a PhD, especially if they did not intend to continue in research, considering the time spent and alternative paths they could have taken.
Q & A
What is a typical workday like for a PhD student?
-A typical workday for a PhD student often involves a morning exercise routine, followed by spending the bulk of the day in the library or lab, conducting experiments, and engaging in data analysis using tools like Excel or R. The day may also include checking emails, attending formal events, and maintaining a social life.
How many hours do PhD students typically work each day?
-The hours can vary greatly, with some students working as little as 6 hours and others up to 20 hours per day. It largely depends on the individual's work ethic, the demands of their research, and their personal preferences.
How do PhD students manage their social life while pursuing their degree?
-Many PhD students maintain a social life by balancing their time between lab work and social activities. They often have the flexibility to choose their working hours, allowing them to attend social events or workouts with friends.
What kind of people do PhD students interact with during their program?
-PhD students interact with a diverse and international community of scholars who are academically strong and have a wide range of interests. They often form close friendships and engage with people from various backgrounds and fields of study.
What aspects of the PhD experience do students find most enjoyable?
-Students enjoy the flexibility of their schedules, the opportunity to conduct independent research, the ability to travel and attend conferences, and the intellectual stimulation of problem-solving and discovery in their field of study.
What are some challenges that PhD students face during their program?
-Challenges include dealing with failure and frustration when experiments do not go as planned, periods of feeling stuck or lost, the pressure of self-imposed deadlines, and the potential for isolation due to the independent nature of the work.
How do PhD students feel about the financial aspect of their program?
-Many PhD students express dissatisfaction with the financial compensation, stating that the pay is low and questioning the worth of the investment in terms of time and effort.
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What is the most challenging part of the first year of a PhD program?
-The first year can be challenging as it involves a significant shift from structured undergraduate studies to self-directed research. Students must adjust to setting their own deadlines and managing their own research projects.
Would the PhD students interviewed recommend doing a PhD to others?
-The majority of students would recommend doing a PhD due to the personal and intellectual growth, the opportunities it presents, and the passion they have for their research topic. However, some express uncertainty considering the time investment and the fact that they may not pursue a research career afterward.
What advice do the PhD students have for those considering a PhD program?
-Students suggest that passion for the research topic is crucial, as is the ability to handle independence, flexibility, and the inevitable challenges and frustrations that come with the territory. They also highlight the importance of a supportive academic community.
How do PhD students perceive the academic community in their institution?
-PhD students perceive the academic community as diverse, international, and full of individuals with a shared interest in exploring complex questions. They appreciate the intellectual and social camaraderie it offers.
What are some of the unexpected benefits of doing a PhD that students have discovered?
-Some unexpected benefits include personal growth, exposure to new experiences, and the development of problem-solving skills. Many students also value the international connections and the opportunity to work on projects they are passionate about.
Outlines
🎓 PhD Experience Insights
This video features interviews with 20 PhD students who share their experiences about the realities of pursuing a PhD, which is considered the world's most advanced degree. The discussion covers various aspects such as workload, social life, the emotional journey including highs and lows, and whether the degree was worth the effort. The students provide candid and varied responses, offering a comprehensive look into the PhD lifestyle, including their daily routines, the nature of their work, the challenges they face, and the social and academic communities they are part of.
🌍 Benefits and Challenges of a PhD
The PhD journey is explored in-depth with students discussing the flexibility of their schedules, the ability to drive their own research, and the opportunity to engage in problem-solving and discovery. They also delve into the challenges such as the frustration of repeating experiments, periods of no progress, and the struggle with failure. Additionally, the emotional toll of feeling directionless and the isolation that can come from the solitary nature of research work are acknowledged. Despite these challenges, the students express a strong sense of satisfaction from the intellectual and personal growth they experience through their PhD programs.
❓ Reflections on the PhD Decision
The final paragraph reflects on the decision to pursue a PhD. Students contemplate whether they would make the same choice again, knowing what they know now. While some are adamant that they would repeat the experience due to the personal and professional growth they have achieved, others express uncertainty, particularly if they do not see a future in full-time research. The overall sentiment, however, is positive, with students highlighting the valuable life experience and the joy they derived from their PhD work.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡PhD
💡Workload
💡Social life
💡Highs and lows
💡Data analysis
💡Flexibility
💡International community
💡Academic growth
💡Problem-solving
💡Conferences
💡Challenge
Highlights
PhD students describe their daily routines, which often involve morning exercise, coffee, and spending long hours in the lab or library.
Workload varies, with some students working 20 hours a day, while others focus on 8-10 hours of creative work.
Social life is possible during a PhD, with many students balancing lab work with social activities and maintaining strong friendships.
PhD students appreciate the flexibility of being able to choose their work hours and make exceptions for social events.
The PhD community is diverse, international, and full of interesting, like-minded individuals.
Many PhD students enjoy the opportunity to travel, attend conferences, and connect with people from around the world.
Problem-solving and discovering new knowledge are major aspects students enjoy about their PhD research.
Working as part of a team and discussing ideas with colleagues is a rewarding part of the PhD experience.
The flexibility of a PhD allows students to organize their time as they wish, balancing work and personal life.
Freedom to drive one's own research and tackle topics of personal interest is a key advantage of a PhD.
Some students find the process of repeating experiments and dealing with failures to be frustrating.
The lack of structure and self-imposed deadlines can be challenging for PhD students.
Feeling stuck, directionless, and isolated are common struggles during a PhD.
Poor pay and financial struggles are a significant challenge for many PhD students.
Adjusting to the self-directed nature of research and setting personal deadlines are initial challenges.
Despite the challenges, the majority of students would do their PhD again due to the personal and intellectual growth.
PhD provides opportunities for academic and personal development, opening doors for the future.
Some students question whether the time and effort were worth it if they do not pursue a research career.
Transcripts
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