PhD Student Advice - 15 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting a PhD

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  • čas přidán 2. 06. 2024
  • All the many things I've learnt as a PhD Student and wish I had known earlier in the PhD process
    0:00 - intro
    1:12 - 1. How a PhD is assessed
    5:20 - 2. A PhD is more than a scientific contribution
    6:30 - 3. No two PhDs are the same
    7:52 - 4. Everyone feels imposter syndrome - and it doesn’t go away after your PhD
    8:50 - 5. You can't expect the unexpected delays
    10:11 - 6. Keeping research diary so important
    11:35 - 7. Organising your code is so important
    12:29 - 8. You need a digital note taking system
    14:12 - 9. It goes by really fast
    15:13 - 10. You won’t be able to everything
    16:19 - 11. The Supervisor relationship is so important
    17:38 - 12. You will underachieve
    18:40 - 13. People not doing PhDs don’t understand
    19:56 - 14. Taking the time to project plan will save you time
    21:04 - 15. You need to learn how you learn
    Similar: First Year PhD Student Advice - • First Year PhD Student...
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Komentáře • 73

  • @TessaMae
    @TessaMae Před rokem +77

    the imposter syndrome is so real! it always feels like the other students in the program know more than you and it's almost debilitating! I am still working on it myself.

    • @PhDandProductivity
      @PhDandProductivity  Před rokem +2

      YUP. In a class of 24 students that all joined at the same time I had convinced myself that I was the last student accepted

  • @5minutesofyourtime
    @5minutesofyourtime Před rokem +30

    The big one for me is your supervisors matters! Their experience, their contacts, their interest in your research, and time. I quit my phd during lock down for lots of reasons but I think the biggest was lack of support.

    • @mikasa3092
      @mikasa3092 Před rokem +2

      Yes, this is such an important advice that people tend to overlook and then are forced to go through with the PhD. I am still making up my mind to pursue PhD but am scared if I will be able to handle the pressure.

    • @PhDandProductivity
      @PhDandProductivity  Před rokem +1

      Totally agree. I definitely chose well by having a topic my supervisor is really interested in and it has helped me endlessly. I imagine it must have been very difficult to quit your PhD. It's such a shame when that happens due to poor supervisor relationship.

    • @PhDandProductivity
      @PhDandProductivity  Před rokem

      I would definitely say be sure to meet with the supervisor a couple of times before deciding - if there are any bad vibes don't choose them. And be sure to cultivate a strong network of supportive people around you for when things prove difficult.

  • @iyeshafranklin1046
    @iyeshafranklin1046 Před 11 měsíci +2

    I am currently at the IRB phase of my Dissertation and this video was wonderful ♥️ You hit all the important things!

  • @indirabarykbayeva52
    @indirabarykbayeva52 Před 9 měsíci +1

    Thank you for your video. You helped me a lot. This is a direct instruction that I needed.

  • @munachiso937
    @munachiso937 Před rokem +2

    Hi, your channel was one of my greatest finds on CZcams. Thank you! I started my PhD in 2020 and wish I'd heard all this back then. You're so spot on. I'm also writing my thesis now and struggle with keeping a digital diary and daily momentum. In truth, I'm sittl wondering how I juggle it all with a full time job and a toddler. Let's just say, only God knows! I can't wait for my life after this...all said, I've enjoyed the stretch experience.

  • @joannaervik1824
    @joannaervik1824 Před 4 měsíci +1

    Thank you very much for sharing these valuable experiences. I am starting my Ph.D. program next week, and I am both excited and apprehensive about it.

  • @supryadi7034
    @supryadi7034 Před rokem +1

    Wow, thank you for your video, really motivates me in my phd journey

  • @Nour-N
    @Nour-N Před rokem +1

    Thanks for sharing.

  • @sulaimanfayez5389
    @sulaimanfayez5389 Před rokem

    WOW, it is so true, and thanks for sharing. I am overwhelmed by how I can satisfy my family that Ph.D. is my job. in addition, I used to feel that I was the dumbest person in the room but NOW I know every Ph.D. student feels they are dumb. it helps to get back your confidence.

  • @retroSTAAR
    @retroSTAAR Před rokem +1

    Hey it's great to see you uploading again. Your videos have helped me so much!

  • @priyamirmira3246
    @priyamirmira3246 Před rokem +17

    I'm also a 4th year PhD candidate over in the U.S. (I've been watching your channel since the beginning! Love your content!), and I've got about a year left. And I totally agree with everything you've said here, particularly about how people who aren't doing PhDs have a hard time understanding what you're doing. I'm an experimentalist, so I've pulled really late nights in the lab to try to get my stuff done, and it can be pretty difficult trying to explain to friends and family why I can't just hang out spontaneously. It can definitely take its toll on relationships, and that's been tough to balance

    • @PhDandProductivity
      @PhDandProductivity  Před rokem +2

      Hey Priya. Hope your final year is going well! Yes I think you're so right, but the true friends/loved ones will be there for us in the end!

  • @stevenedwards2532
    @stevenedwards2532 Před 6 měsíci

    Thanks for some excellent thoughts about PhD work. I'm a PhD candidate working on my dissertation. I've struggled with a few things you bring up here.

  • @preciousamaechi689
    @preciousamaechi689 Před 7 měsíci +2

    I’m just less than a month into my PhD. I have been reading and rereading and even being overwhelmed and confused about the things I truly gotta do. It’s all crazy, I have spoken with my supervisor and how much I want her to set a bit of deadlines for me she truly agreed. I think I’m feeling a bit better now.
    Thanks for the video too

  • @goodvibes3249
    @goodvibes3249 Před měsícem +4

    Thank you! I really needed to hear this :) I'm starting my PhD in September in International Realtions

  • @_luisabrasil
    @_luisabrasil Před rokem +3

    This video is so helpful!! Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I’m on my first year, feeling really overwhelmed, and so glad that I came across this video ❤

  • @JAlexanderCurtis
    @JAlexanderCurtis Před 3 měsíci

    "You can do anything, but not everything". I really like that, and its so true.
    I also want to echo how important your PhD Advisor / Supervisor (we call them advisors in the US) is to your success. I have an amazing one, and i would have probably given up on my PhD if it weren't for them. I have talked to other people who have terrible advisors and it makes their lives so much harder. Don't be afraid to switch advisors to a professor you have a good relationship with. It can 10x your success in the program and just make your happier. I also really like point #13, that non-PhDs never relate to what you are doing. I found it hard to talk about my progress with people who aren't familiar with the process. Its a unique experience to be in a PhD and really most people won't be able to relate. Also I wanted to share my excitement when I got something published, but the research papers I was reading and writing were too complex into my research topic for most of my friends and family to understand or even just appreciate the accomplishment.

  • @ahmadalayoubi1418
    @ahmadalayoubi1418 Před měsícem

    thank you, very informative

  • @arxhita
    @arxhita Před 17 dny +1

    this was so helpful, thank you!

  • @johncoakleyjr
    @johncoakleyjr Před 21 dnem +2

    Such a useful video. I'm contemplating pursuing a doctorate, so these tips are definitely value-added to my decision-making process. Thank you.

    • @PhDandProductivity
      @PhDandProductivity  Před 21 dnem +1

      I’m glad these have helped John! Best of luck with your decisions

  • @Proactive_nuel
    @Proactive_nuel Před 5 měsíci

    I'm starting my PhD by January 2024 and I am happy to find this video. Thanks for sharing, I wish you are into Materials Engineering

  • @teeaurakzai26
    @teeaurakzai26 Před rokem

    Deeply grateful👍

  • @MuhammadAli-yt9lg
    @MuhammadAli-yt9lg Před rokem +1

    This is so helpful for someone like me who just started his PhD and completely feel lost 😅

  • @helemkay7690
    @helemkay7690 Před rokem +1

    Great video. Thanks for your tips. I am also into planning before starting a project. I am now over my second year of PhD and realize that I need a digital notebook. Just got an Ipad. Can you make a video about how you are taking diary lab notes?
    By the way, this Imposter syndrome is REAL!!!
    Thanks.

  • @denisezambezi3124
    @denisezambezi3124 Před rokem +7

    This is super helpful. Im in my final year and still getting imposter syndrome, delays and set back.

  • @sarajaaksola
    @sarajaaksola Před rokem +1

    This is perfect. I'm starting my Ph.D. now so this came to my attention at the right time. Thank you!

  • @nooral-huda
    @nooral-huda Před rokem +1

    Thank you so much 💞... keep going 🙏🤩

  • @zainabyounes2464
    @zainabyounes2464 Před rokem +7

    This video couldn't have come at a better time. I am currently preparing to apply for PhD programmes and even the process is so daunting, let alone the actual experience.

  • @pharaohcaesar
    @pharaohcaesar Před 2 měsíci +1

    It must be difficult to go into a PhD looking to discover something new compared to discovering something new first and then writing your thesis based upon that. So instead of having to find your needle in the haystack you've already found it and your just justifying your discovery. There is no way I would want to try and do a PhD without first understanding that I have already discovered something new. I couldn't do it. I've made various discoveries in various different fields but I discovered them just based on the normal process of living and learning things and then being surprised when I have discovered something completely new and than doing the research to support that discovery. So I have a lot of respect for those that do this the other way around!😀

  • @midyaazad7215
    @midyaazad7215 Před 7 měsíci +1

    This is just a great video.

  • @ahmadaltaweel4981
    @ahmadaltaweel4981 Před rokem +1

    Thank you very much

  • @yashprajapati4176
    @yashprajapati4176 Před rokem +1

    very very helpful for who are thinking about pursuing........

  • @AndreTJones
    @AndreTJones Před 8 měsíci

    Just tuned in to your channel. You have an American-ish accent. Have you spent some time in the States. Also I’m an undergraduate student at the age of 40 pursuing a physics PhD. Giving good info. Thanks

  • @umarjibril8376
    @umarjibril8376 Před 4 měsíci

    Very rich snippets of wisdom regarding PhD programme.

  • @brianferrell9454
    @brianferrell9454 Před rokem +2

    You have gotten really good at speaking over the years, awesome video!

  • @urpicoya
    @urpicoya Před 10 měsíci +1

    Hi, thank you for sharing. What do you mean by "organizing tour Code"? I also have another question. I started to do literature reviews of articles and I don't find a better way to organize by just opening a new Word document and creating a folder organized by the last name of the authors I need to remember what the article is about and sometimes I can't find the review. I think you were using some software called Mandeley? Can you or someone recommend a better way using also keywords? I am in humanities. Thanks

  • @hajarlaabidi9646
    @hajarlaabidi9646 Před rokem +1

    Thaaank you 🙏🙏🙏

  • @cathrinebaungaard
    @cathrinebaungaard Před rokem +3

    Could you do a video on your research journal, especially as someone working with code?

    • @PhDandProductivity
      @PhDandProductivity  Před rokem +1

      Video coming soon! But largely with code I am using Jupyter / Google colab notebooks which allow for a lot of text to be put in.

  • @rosehosking5564
    @rosehosking5564 Před 5 měsíci

    So interesting the examination proccess where you are!
    I'm in Australia, we have 2 external examiners only, (unless their decisions conflict majorly then another is appointed) your supervisor arranges it and you never know who they are, because we don’t do a viva, just the thesis!

    • @sashapurcell4938
      @sashapurcell4938 Před 4 měsíci

      I’m in Australia too. What’s your PhD topic? Mine is in the law school

  • @slim590
    @slim590 Před 5 měsíci

    thank you

  • @jdjadav
    @jdjadav Před rokem +1

    Thank you so much ma'am!!❤️, It was really helpful

  • @jumanahsaleh4412
    @jumanahsaleh4412 Před 10 měsíci

    Do you have any videos on how to work with a supervisor, and the relationship because I am quite confused and scarred

  • @jumanahsaleh4412
    @jumanahsaleh4412 Před 10 měsíci

    There is a sort of full exam in Canada do you know anything about it ?

  • @aulidemartineztapia5337
    @aulidemartineztapia5337 Před rokem +1

    How does theresearch diary works? Can you make a video about it, please?

  • @isletheologian
    @isletheologian Před rokem

    i am starting in September in Dublin

  • @jumanahsaleh4412
    @jumanahsaleh4412 Před 10 měsíci

    When to write the thesis ?

  • @kabashialtahir8263
    @kabashialtahir8263 Před 7 měsíci

    One of the most daunting things in the PhD is the imposter syndrome, especially at the early stages of the PhD.

  • @marryamakbaar3014
    @marryamakbaar3014 Před 6 měsíci +1

    💜💜

  • @Heyu7her3
    @Heyu7her3 Před rokem +2

    16. Don't make life-changing decisions during a pandemic LOL
    (I know, I know, it's unavoidable)

  • @sujogeographer
    @sujogeographer Před 14 dny

    PhD research in Geology : czcams.com/video/wRcCYQyEGcU/video.html

  • @BlackSakura33
    @BlackSakura33 Před 3 měsíci

    10-15 minutes thesis defense 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
    The minimum is an hour.