life after phd quora

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I've just finished my PhD, and now I feel lost without academia

I was relieved when all the pressure and expectation ended, but I miss the intellectual way of thinking

I started my full-time PhD in 2014, and finally graduated this summer after having to extend it for health and financial reasons. I never thought I would succeed, but somehow I managed (even the dreaded viva examination wasn’t as scary as it sounds). For the first month or so after graduating, I basked in the relief and elation, absolved from all that pressure and expectation. But those feelings dissipated quickly.

Several months on, the wattage of doctoral graduation has dimmed. To put it simply: I feel kind of lost and empty. There’s something anticlimactic about post-doctoral life that has left me feeling directionless and with a sense of unarticulated potential. For the past three years I have been meeting deadlines, working non-stop and striving for something that felt bigger than I am, and now what? Just silence. This has left me feeling odd, sad and not myself.

I’ve come to describe this funk as a case of post-doctoral melancholy. To me, it’s a feeling of worthlessness upon completing a PhD, an introspective sense of grief over my intellectual deterioration.

Other postgraduates have similarly spoken of post-PhD blues or a post-dissertation slump , focused on the feelings of sadness and malaise following an intense period of study. For me, these feelings are best understood as my difficulties in adjusting to losing touch with my academic community and an intellectual way of thinking. There is this painful realisation, where I’ve questioned – on numerous occasions – whether my currency in the intellectual stock market has plummeted.

Outside of my academic supervisors and university colleagues, nobody really cares about the ideas and theories that I’ve spent five years researching and writing about. Neither can friends and acquaintances relate to many of the other features of academic life that occupied my attention: extortionate conference registration fees , avoiding predatory journals , the instability of casualised academic contracts , and the unrelenting demand for research output to bolster a university’s competitiveness in national league tables .

I’m glad to no longer be worrying about these things, but I also miss who I was and I how I felt when I was working as an academic.

It’s not unusual for PhD graduates to feel this way. A few weeks ago, I saw a social media post from a former university colleague who had just got her first job working in marketing for a telecommunications firm. One person joked: “You must be loving not being shackled, ball and chain, to our stuffy university conversations.” She replied: “On the contrary, I can’t help but pine for the ‘good old days’ … the stuffier the conversations the better.” It’s a sentiment I now find myself wholeheartedly sharing.

If I loved academia so much, why am I not applying for postdocs? When trolling through job advertisements online, full-time postdoctoral research and teaching opportunities are frustratingly few and far between. When they do appear, they are lowly-paid and on short term contracts. I assume that competition in my field will be fierce, with dozens of highly qualified applicants. The dream of a postdoctoral career now feels far-fetched.

When I began my course, my supervisor wrote an email that said: “PhDs are almost indispensable if you want to be an academic but it remains extremely difficult to get into the academic job market even with one, so please don’t walk into this lightly”. With that in mind, I have resorted to working as a private tutor for school children and taking on menial jobs. I tell myself this is a brief pitstop on my long-haul journey towards my dream job.

Not all graduates will share my experience, and many will adjust to life after their PhD quite comfortably. I’m sure they will be relieved that the final slog is over. I don’t wish to make my experience sound pathological or insurmountable; many graduates deal with some unanticipated negative feelings after they have walked across the stage and shaken hands with the vice-chancellor. It’s simply a natural part of the academic journey.

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•       Resources       15 Tips on Surviving Your PhD Program

15 Tips on Surviving Your PhD Program

15 tips and advice on making it through a phd.

It can be extremely challenging to complete a PhD program while maintaining physical and emotional health. The Chronicle of Higher Education reports that 50 percent of all doctoral students drop out of graduate school without completing their degree. Some schools report a 90 percent attrition rate. Common reasons for dropping out include academic shortcomings, students who change their career path, or those who lose interest in their pursuit. Some students have the ability to complete their degree but opt not to. One cause is the discovery of a poor job market for professors or private organizations in their fields. The Chronicle reports that math and science students leave in their third year. Some 25 percent of dropouts in Arts and Humanities occur after three years, potentially leaving candidates with high student debt and despair. This guide offers examples of concrete, accessible, and practical actions that can alleviate many problems that overwhelm doctoral students.

15 Tips on Surviving Your PhD

There is a legion of experts that offer advice on making it through the years of your PhD program. Many agree on the necessities of maintaining a balance of academic pursuits against routine personal outside activities that foster physical and emotional health. Here are 15 suggestions:

1. Establish a routine you can follow.

It’s crucial to stay on track. Your best option to do so and keep peace of mind is to create a schedule that you can follow – and commit to following it. Get up and do your work on schedule, just as you’d report for a job. Devote segments of your routine for research and reading pertinent literature in your field. Add time in your schedule to include sound sleep, good nutrition, exercise, socializing and recreation. Remember you’ll have other obligations such as attending lectures, symposia, commuting, parking, cleaning your living space, shopping for supplies, meeting with study groups and peer collaborators. At the same time, build a realistic schedule so you won’t work yourself into fear frenzy.

2. Start writing from day one.

Your writing practice and research methodology can put you ahead of schedule on your dissertation. That’s because learning to write comfortably in a scholarly fashion should become a second nature. To eliminate last-minute furies, organize your research times, round up and cite sources properly, and create a number of drafts. Writing at least 30 minutes daily can allow you to consolidate your notes and findings, and note discovery of areas that require additional research. Plus, much of what you write goes directly toward your understanding of your subject matter. Because of your other commitments to teaching, collaboration, and outside activities, keep a writing routine and stick to it. At the same time, read smarter, understanding how the literature fits to your purposes. In reading and writing, look for key points, not bulk.

3. Create a positive community.

Decide from the begging that you can’t afford to collaborate or socialize with friends or peers that exude negativity. Braggards or chronic complainers can sap your energy or even cause you to adopt negative thinking or comparisons with the progress of other PhD candidates. Lead your own research, but seek advisement from people that you can trust, who have your best interests at heart. Join groups involved in your major field of study with which you can share academic as well as social issues. A positive community can bring you out of isolation, and isolation can foster fear or despair.

4. Build effective networks.

Along with creating a positive community, get on with networking from the very beginning of your program. You’re going to spend four or five years at the university, giving you ample time to forge and grow partnerships with working professionals, educators, junior faculty, and peers that contribute to your evolving knowledge base. They can offer suggestions to explorer literature, research trends, and potential opportunities for publications, conferences, and workshops. Remember to investigate online tools and communities as part of your networking as a way to make yourself known as a colleague. Create your professional/research profile at places like LinkedIn or join a LinkedIn Discussion Group. Speak with presenters at seminars. Connect with authors you discover in your literature research and participate in career groups outside your usual sphere at the university. Finally, consider taking informational interviews as a means of understanding the workplace, getting your name out there, and connecting with potential employers.

5. Put money woes to rest.

Having ample money to get you through your program can be difficult, even excruciating. But just knowing solid funding resources can give you some comfort and save precious time. Have a financial plan and do the legwork vital to your economic survival. Don’t let finances overwhelm your primary purpose of discovering your interests, focusing on your expertise, and making progress. Financial aid options for doctoral students are available at the U.S. Department of Education . You may need to combine several opportunities to cover your total expenses, including grants, scholarships, loans, fellowships, housing costs, and securing teaching and research assistantships. Some grad students make money tutoring but you’ll have to consider the time against your routine and academic schedule. GoGrad provides detailed PhD cost estimates broken down by professional field, along with scholarship/grant/fellowship search tools.

6. Make sound nutrition your ally.

Rutgers University advises students to find other ways to palliate stress than by overeating – even healthy foods. Eat lots of fruit and vegetables and all your meals at the right portion sizes. Cut out junk food and sugary treats that create the craving to keep eating them. That goes for alcohol, too, which can contribute to a decline in your health and create another source of worry. Student and faculty events often include drinking, so proceed wisely, even if peers call you a wimp. Vary your meals and include a free day for eating what you want without guilt. WebMd suggests that students include berries, oats, milk or yogurt, salmon, dark green veggies, walnuts, beans, and dark chocolate. Coffee is okay in small doses (8 oz) and without lots of sugar. Latte and mocha drinks are satisfying but often contain large amounts of sugar. Green tea can wake you up, if you don’t want to overdo coffee, but eschew energy drinks or other stimulants that make you jittery.

7. Add exercise to your routine.

Exercise, even moderate, can do wonders for both your physical and emotional wellbeing. Among its benefits, regular exercise fights stress, improves memory retention, and boosts your mood (particularly in winter). Researchers at Colorado Tech report that exercise increases “the number of brain cells in the hippocampus, which controls the formation, retention and recall of memories – all essential for student success. In most adults, the hippocampus starts to shrink in the late twenties, leading to memory loss over time.” Exercise can also add to your social bandwidth if you have regular workout partners or participate in intramural team activities. Remember to stretch. Consider taking a yoga class or Pilates workout. Do some running, weight lifting, swimming, or join a rowing group. Hike with friends or colleagues. Get out the mountain bike. For best results, get in a 30-minute workout at least three times a week. Time Magazine reports that cardiovascular exercise can positively affect depression, anxiety and mood disorders. And you’ll sleep better, too.

8. Learn how to deal with rejection.

Rejection in an PhD program is a routine, unwanted emotional downer. But how you react to it is crucial. Unsolicited advice can feel abusive. Competition for internships, fellowships and publications can stress you out to the point of collapse. Coping tools include not taking rejection or undue criticism personally and chalking it up to experience. It can soften the blows as they come. Comparing yourself to other candidates can be toxic. As with athletics, there will always be someone better than you. But you’re not pursuing your colleagues’ goals, dissertations, or even the identical degree – you’re pursuing personalized knowledge and skills for your life after the doctorate. Barbara Robson, an Associate Editor for two academic journals, writes in Quora that most papers (80 percent or more) are rejected and that there’s an element of luck in getting published. If your paper is rejected by a journal, find another suitable place to submit it. If you’re passed over for a conference, don’t sent a hate letter or academic rebuttal. Move on.

9. Choose a qualified graduate advisor and mentor.

Finding the right mentor and dissertation advisor is pivotal to your academic success and survival. The Gradhacker Blog at Inside Higher Ed suggests that you choose an advisor that shares your research interests and career path. Ask about their success rate in graduating students that they mentor. Check out whether they walk the walk by viewing their list of publications, conference presentations, and other research accomplishments. Find out if they’re available for ongoing advising. Explore their aptitude as a mentor and the personal chemistry toward working together. Are they hard to communicate with, abusive or condescending? Are they unable to otherwise maintain a productive and respectful relationship during the time you’ll be in the program? Not all accomplished professors make for good advisors. Some may be too wrapped up in publishing or attending conferences to meet with you. You should leave advising sessions feeling more focused, energetic about your research and dissertation, and armed with strategies for accomplishment.

10. Build in time for family and friends.

There’s an old joke where a friend asks if you can hang out and you say, “I’m in a PhD program so ask me again in five years.” It’s vital to maintain relationships with family and friends. They can sustain you and keep you from deadly isolation. At the same time, they can be distracting. It’s useful to maintain balance by scheduling time with family and friends while sticking to the need to bear down on research and writing. The PhDStudent Forum says when possible to combine family or friend events around studying. For example, take study time for yourself during a longer visit to family to keep your academic momentum. Visit a coffeehouse where you can study along with family and friends that also like reading in public. Be sure to communicate clearly about your schedule and find ways to book in indispensable phone calls and visits. Join friends for exercise or recreation.

11. Set aside time to pursue non-academic interests.

Yeah right, when is that supposed to happen? It happens when you make it happen. To maintain a sane equilibrium, devote some time to routinely indulge in things you like doing. For example, work in the garden, take a massage class, learn photography, play live music, go kayaking, join a cooking class, volunteer in civic or advocacy activities or learn a foreign language. Build something with your hands. Play scrabble. Paint to indulge your playful or creative side. Take a dance class. Learn meditation or improve your ping pong game. Because it can be near impossible to turn off your PhD brain, relegate it to background noise. That way you might have breakthroughs or discoveries that emerge when you return to work.

12. Arrange and maintain a peaceful learning environment.

Living alone may create a peaceful learning atmosphere, but not if you have noisy neighbors above, next door, or below you. Yet you can develop a horrible sense of cabin fever if you isolate at home. Wherever you reside should be comfortable and workable. Clutter can be a source of stress. According to Inside Higher Ed , living with roommates can save on expenses, but comes along with its own set of challenges. Roommates can have other routines and schedules that introduce unwanted noise, emotional drama, unwanted guests, or social habits that can send you off the edge. Research potential housemates carefully, allowing a back-up plan for dealing with inevitable problems. Developing a friendly but direct communication strategy can help. Or, you can create a work zone in your bedroom that lends for privacy. If necessary, you can find a quiet study environment in a library carrel or small café. The same suggestions apply if you’re living with family.

13. Address your emotional health.

According to Inside Higher Ed , there is a mental health crisis in graduate education. Grad students are six times more susceptible to anxiety and depression than in the general population. The study found that “transgender and gender-nonconforming graduate students, along with women, were significantly more likely to experience anxiety and depression” than their straight or male counterparts. A poor work-life balance can be a powerful contributor to burnout and depression. The worst thing you can do when you experience mental health issues is to keep them to yourself or feel like a failure for having them. Seek out the campus counseling center (student health center) or a trusted outside mental health organization for personal counselling. Join their emotional support groups. The National Grad Crisis Line (877 472-3457) provides free intervention services, confidential telephone counseling, suicide prevention assistance, and referral services. Look into NAMI on Campus Clubs which are student-run mental health support organizations.

14. Deal with expectations

Who you are, ultimately, is not a PhD student. Your grad program is what you’re currently pursuing. The Indiana University guide to thriving in graduate school suggests that you shrink overwhelming expectations into bite-size challenges. It’s normal for doctoral students to think that they’re an imposter among experts. Johns Hopkins University found that striving to meet your expectations can cause low self-esteem, procrastination, guilt and depression. You may find yourself unable to meet your expectations for perfectionism, so modify your plans to hit deadlines with your best effort. The guide further advises to straighten out the expectations that others may have for you. This can be especially true with families and people who provide financial or emotional support.

15. Make conferences a part of life.

Opportunities to attend conferences and presentations are richly rewarding. First, you become part of the greater community in your research niche and you can build a lifetime network of colleagues. You can also gain a greater understanding of the professional options available to you. Even attending conferences out of your niche area can stimulate ideas and send you home refreshed. Participating in panels is a great way to network and demonstrate your expertise. Attending job fairs is another way to network while exploring the professional environment. By networking at conferences, you can set up additional meetings with experts by phone, virtually, or before the next conference. It doesn’t hurt to cite conferences and your own presentations on your CV.

From the Expert

What are PhD students afraid to talk about?

The number one thing that PhD students are afraid to talk about is the lack of progress that they are making on their PhD dissertation. This was certainly true in my case and also in the case of many of my classmates whom I spoke with. The dissertation is such a big project with different stages in it and requires such self-discipline over a sustained period of time. When I got past my embarrassment about it and started speaking to others about it helped a lot and I found a way forward.

Another thing that PhD students are afraid to discuss is their ambivalence about being in a doctoral program and whether they've done the right thing and whether they should continue. These are all important questions that such students need to be aware of and speak to others (counsellor, friends, etc.) about.

What was your greatest challenge and how did you succeed?

As mentioned, my greatest challenge in relation to completing my PhD was getting through the dissertation process. Two things really helped me get over the line (and came from speaking to friends and classmates). (1) Since my dissertation was quantitative, I hired a statistics advisor that I met with on a regular (weekly or fortnightly) basis and this helped me make good progress in that it served to provide much needed structure (and assistance with statistical analysis). (2) I fired my dissertation chair and found a new one that I had a much better working relationship with. My new chair was more knowledgeable about my dissertation subject area and also he was much more supportive. I made significant progress with him and thereafter completed my dissertation in a relatively short time frame.

What are good ways to alleviate stress and anxiety?

There are a number of ways that I think will help with stress while working on one's phd. The usual suspects are approaches such as regular exercise, good diet, fun activities (e.g. movies), counselling and/or talking to friends and/or family.

However, I think the best approach that one can take is to get steadily work through each aspect one-by-one of the PhD program towards completing it. A useful way to think about it (with both the dissertation and the PhD program itself), is to not get overwhelmed by the size of this enormous project but instead cut it up into separate pieces and focus on each piece at a time, complete it, and then move on to the next piece.

How did you handle the challenges of extreme competition?

My tip for students who are experiencing high levels of competition is to try put it all into perspective: Do your best to get the finest resources (internships, grades, etc) that you can but know that once you're out in the profession, some of those things might really matter that much in the bigger picture. So, one can be just a 'pass' in your doctoral program but then get out into their profession and make a big splash.

What can you recommend to keep interest or inertia up so you’ll finish the PhD/Dissertation?

‘Cut up the sausage' and focus on/work on it a piece at a time; Locate assistance or supportive individuals and meet with them regularly and ongoing throughout; Create 'deadlines' and milestones for yourself to work towards and have these other (helpful) individuals assist in keeping you accountable.

Find ways that work for you that help to bring structure into this enormous unstructured (or scantily structured) project called a PhD -- and especially its dissertation. At the end of the day, it's really about just getting through it and into the next (and bigger) stage of your profession. Just do your best while you're in it and don't get too caught up in the moment.

Additional Resources & Help for PhD Students

You should realize that you can’t do everything on your own. To do so is a recipe for financial despair, insurmountable academic challenges and poor overall wellbeing. At the same time, you may need to sift through the wealth of outside resources to find the one that addresses your concerns. The following links will connect you with financial options, bulletin boards in your field, and academic resources. Find tips for time management, exam preparation, and help with emotional issues that can and will arise:

• GoGrad Guide to Paying for Your PhD : Students are currently paying upwards of $80,00 in tuition to complete their PhD. Use our guide to research your financial aid options.
• PhinisheD : This free, comprehensive bulletin board is devoted to PhD students struggling with completing their degree. Find links for reference guides, financial aid, health and well-being tips, and writing guides.
• National Grad Crisis Line : It’s for when the going gets rough. The National Grad Crisis Line at (877) 472-3457 was founded in 1988 to provide free mentoring, confidential counseling, and referral services.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention : The CDC offers a pithy, wide-ranging college resource for maintaining wellness through sound nutrition and exercise. It offers diet plans, activity guidelines, and stress-prevention tips.
• U.S. Department of Education : Learn about financial aid for graduate or professional students including grants, loans and scholarships. The page links to government sites for applications and additional financial resources.
• ThoughtCo : This site is packed with articles on graduate school written by experts. Topics include prepping for comprehensive exams, time-management skills, and dealing with procrastination.
• Meetup : Student Meetups provide free, online listings for students to connect PhD candidates seeking peer support. Join an existing group or start one at your university.
• GoGrad : Discover tips for PhD students who want to complete their degrees online. Featured affordable online doctoral fields include business, computer science, criminal justice, education, nursing and psychology.
• The Grad Café : As host of graduate-school forums, the Grad Café operates a peer-run group that discusses the advantages and negative aspects of living alone or sharing housing.
• PhDJobs : Register for free and post your VC. Search among 1,600 current listings for PhDs and sign up for job alerts or information about post-doc programs.

101 Health and Wellness Tips for College Students Rutgers University

12 Tips for Surviving and Thriving in Grad School PsychCentral

CAPS Grad School Survival Guide Indiana University

Mental Health Crisis for Grad Students Inside Higher Ed

Modest Advice for New Graduate Students Medium.com

Surviving PhD and Postdoctoral Programs: Tips to Guarantee Success! Enago Academy

The Crucial Issue of Doctoral Non-completion The Chronical of Higher Education

Top 10 Smart Foods for College Students WebMD

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Tress Academic

#43: Life after the PhD: It’s waiting for you!

March 3, 2020 by Tress Academic

Have you forgotten that there will be an end to the PhD? Have you ever thought about how you will feel after your graduation? Awesome! Your life will be all the better, so why not trying to end the hardship and complete your PhD? Let us help you to get there quicker and more easily. 

We know that PhD students often – in the midst of hard work – forget to see the end! You have so many struggles, so much on your plate, that you don’t realise anymore that one day this will all be over! There is a day in the future when you will be a PhD holder and your life will be significantly different! Yes, you’ll have your PhD degree and all the hardship will be an experience of the past! 

Realising this and reminding yourself of the bigger picture can have a great effect: It can make you realise that life after the PhD is something fabulous and worthwhile striving for. Keeping this in mind is motivating and can help you to endure the momentary struggles! But it can also make you want to get there sooner! So why not pushing on with your PhD a bit faster, or at least trying to finish on your planned completion date instead of going for an extension. 

In this post, we want to assist you in reaching your goal more easily. To do so, we

• remind you why it is so important to have the end in mind
• give you nice inspirations for your life after the PhD
• let you develop a vision for yourself so you get a taster of how life-after will feel, and
• give you hints, what you can do to get to the end quicker and more easily! 

1. Regain a sense of purpose

At the beginning of your PhD, it was very clear why you started all this – you wanted a PhD, and you wanted to do a research project. Some time into the PhD, this initial motivation fades, and sheer hard work is taking over. In the middle phase, PhD students often experience the most severe problems and the daily rut of work seems never ending. This is the hardest phase in the PhD because you cannot yet see the end, and you can’t be sure yet that you will succeed. 

In this period it can be very helpful if you from time to time look beyond what you do right now, leave the problems aside and imagine how it will feel when you have achieved what you are striving for. Just pausing a moment and thinking about how you will feel after the PhD is completed! 

Allowing this to sink into your brain, will bring instant relief of your struggle. It has two great effects. First, it is highly motivating and second, it can help you to re-gain this much needed sense of purpose. In the middle of seemingly pointless and tedious work, this will remind you of the bigger picture of why you are doing it and how this PhD will improve your life! 

So, allow yourself to develop a clearer idea of how you will feel after graduation (imagine the evening of graduation day or a few days after! Imagine how your life will be and create a vivid visualisation of this. And then, whenever you feel stuck with your PhD, one problem is piling up after the other, or you have a seemingly endless and tedious task ahead of you, do come back to this visualisation. Recall that situation and evoke that mental image of yourself after PhD completion! If you lack any idea of how much having the PhD degree can influence your life, below we give you some inspiration to start with! But then, we let you develop your own vision! 

Want to develop it right away: Get our free worksheet “My life after the PhD”

2. Imagine yourself after PhD graduation

Let us give you a few ideas about your life after graduation. We look at the professional and also on the private part of your life.

Career in science:

Professionally, if you enjoy research and stay in the academic world, you’ll likely work as a postdoc or junior researcher after graduation, and that opens a whole array of new and exciting opportunities. You can decide whether to work in the same field as for your PhD, or deliberately chose something else (new, more exciting!). You can seek your own funding and set up intriguing new projects. You can expand your professional contacts and join international initiatives or research programmes. You can sharpen and develop your own researcher identity, and you can have your own MSc/MA or PhD students, which allows you to have a higher throughput and work more independently. Over the years, I have seen many PhD graduates moving from a first postdoc to becoming an assistant professor or PI in just a few years time. It’s possible, it’s within your reach!

Non-academic career: 

If work in academia is not your first choice or you took the PhD with the aim to improve your career chances outside, there are a billion of great options waiting for you. If you have not made up your mind yet which career path exactly you want to pursue, you’ll probably spend some time researching your options and see what is be the best fit for you! This depends on your skills, your personality and preferences, e.g. what would make you truly happy in the long run. 

You can work in the private, public or voluntary sector. You can choose a career in a big global corporation or work for a regional charity, be one of several thousand employees, or contribute to a team of just ten! Either way, you’ll work in exciting new environments, and you can finally apply the knowledge and skills that you accumulated all those years at university, and you can make a real impact to the world!

Just a side note, because we know there are always a few among you who are afraid of being unemployed. You can calm your nerves because the chances are slim. Unemployment rates among PhD graduates continue to be lower than those of graduates of lower-level educations. In many countries across the globe, unemployment rates continue to be very low with 2% on average (varying between <1% and up to 4%), depending on the country or region where you work (see, OECD 2013, and ESF/Boman 2017).  

Your private life after PhD graduation:

The biggest immediate change for many PhD graduates comes from the fact that they finally get a decent payday. This is certainly true for all those, who were on a scholarship during their PhD, which often is barely enough to make a living. But even those with PhD positions will get a remarkably higher pay after graduation. You’ll be able to afford the things that make life a little bit easier and more enjoyable, and without any valuation, I guess everyone can find something they are longing for here. Whether you finally want to move out of your tiny overpriced apartment, make a travel you always dreamed of, spend more on your kids or their education, or donate to a charity, you’ll simply have more freedom to live the lifestyle that suits you. 

Does this sound good? Well, it is! It is totally worth striving for! Now, imagine a few things that will come true for you after PhD graduation. 

3. Create a vision

There are many ways in which you can create a stimulating and compelling vision of your life past PhD graduation. To help you along the way, we have compiled a free worksheet “My life after the PhD” with some great exercises to get you started. 

Have you ever tried to imagine how you will feel a few days after your graduation? How relieved and happy you will be! How proud and confident you will be! Or, jot down a few things that you dread now and which would change after the PhD, and would be over once and forever. Or, picture yourself in a great professional environment, working for a great company, exploring new applications or leading a team, or meeting clients or patients, who rely on your expertise. Yes, all of this is within reach once you have completed your PhD. Feels good just thinking about it, right?

4. How and when will this come true?

Did you enjoy envisioning your life after PhD graduation and the good things that will come along with it? It’ll be awesome, right?

So why don’t you ask yourself the following:

• What can I do to get there as soon as possible?
• What can I do to get there more easily?

We suggest that instead of moving on with your PhD in slow motion and leave your graduation day in the distant future, you plan for timely completion. Instead of begging for an extension of your PhD time, see what you can do to complete as initially planned. Instead of having nightmares about running out of funding ask yourself what you can do to get the PhD in a more straight-forward and direct route. 

So ask yourself: What is your most direct path between now and PhD completion? What are the current obstacles that have to be overcome? What decisions have to be taken? What changes do you need to make to move ahead? Think about the following:

• Do you need a mindset shift? Do you need to move from “I do everything everyone asks me to do” to “I focus strictly on what is necessary now to complete”? Or from: “I do this later” to “I tackle this right now and move on”?
• Do you need to re-organise your workload? So you can finally spend more time analysing your data and publish those papers or write chapters in your dissertation?
• Do you need to recalibrate your PhD goal? Maybe you had it some months ago, but now you deviated from that idea and you have lost traction? So it is about regaining clarity and defining exactly what will constitute your thesis in the end?
• Do you need a better overview? Have you lost track of what you have completed and what is still missing? In need to define the most crucial steps until completion? Is it about planning the remaining months in your PhD in a way that you CAN finish on time?

5. We help PhDs who want to complete

Have you silently nodded to one, two or all of the above? Do you agree that something significant has to change in order to move the needle? Well, then let us help you, because teaching PhD students how to move ahead and complete is exactly what we do! 

As a member of our community , you have access to a lot of great material to get you started right now: highly recommended free resources are the SMART ACADEMICS blog post no# 2: So you want to finish your PhD on time and our Expert guide: 5 reasons why PhD students delay and how to avoid .

We are offering a free PhD Webinar to help you complete your PhD project – if you’re interested , sign up here.  

Related resources:

• Worksheet “My life after the PhD”
• Smart Academics Blog #2: So you want to finish your PhD on time
• Smart Academics Blog #46: What makes PhD students succeed?
• Smart Academics Blog #60: Are you delayed with your PhD ?
• Smart Academics Blog #73: What’s needed to finish your PhD?
• Smart Academics Blog #77: When should I start searching for my next job?
• Smart Academics Blog #100: PhD success stories that motivate!
• TRESS ACADEMIC Free Expert Guide: 5 reasons why PhD students delay and how to avoid.  
• Free PhD Webinar
• EuropeanScienceFoundation/Boman, J. 2017. Career Tracking Survey of Doctorate Holders. Project Report.  
• OECD/Auriol, L., Misu, M., Freeman, R.A. 2013. Careers of Doctorate Holders. Market and Mobility Indicators.

More information: 

Do you want to complete your PhD successfully? If so, please sign up to receive our free guides.  

© 2020 Tress Academic

#PhD, #Doctorate, #PhDGraduation, #Career, #PhDStudy, #PhDCompletion

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What is the life of a phd student really like, published by steve tippins on june 9, 2020 june 9, 2020.

Last Updated on: 2nd February 2024, 05:11 am

Life of a PhD student? Hell. That about sums it up.

Okay, that’s not a very satisfying answer. Nor is it completely true. Life as a PhD student doesn’t always feel like hell. It does sometimes, but it’s also an exhilarating and rewarding time to explore your area of interest and grow into a true scholar. So what does the life of a PhD student really look like?

The life of a PhD student is somewhat varied depending on the field you’re going into. Generally speaking, no matter what program you’re in, it has two phases: coursework and dissertation.

Coursework Phase

Doctoral-level are courses that are a lot harder than undergraduate or even Master’s courses , but they are similar in structure: there’s a syllabus, due dates, other students in the class, etc. There are definitive semesters, quarters, or terms. In between terms, there’s really not much work to do. 

Of course, there are different expectations for PhD students than for undergrads. They are held to a far more rigorous standard in the work that they do. Class sizes are much smaller, and students are expected to participate in nuanced discussions. There is no sliding by unnoticed in a PhD program.

All that said, the coursework phase of the life of a PhD student is not altogether different than their previous educational experience, besides being more rigorous. It’s like school on steroids. 

Depending on the school, there may be a transition from classwork: comprehensive exams. This is basically, “study everything you’ve learned so that you can be ready for any question.” 

Dissertation Phase

The dissertation phase is a world in which there’s no syllabus, no classmates, and no real structure. You have your Chairperson and Committee to keep happy, but they’re not pushing you forward or expecting you to turn things in by a certain date. They’re just waiting for you to do what you have to do. 

Once you get to the dissertation stage, the concept of semesters and quarters goes away, and you’re working on your topic all the time.

Over 50% of doctoral candidates don’t finish their dissertations.

Many students find that not having due dates can make it difficult to work efficiently and make real progress on their dissertation . I speak more about how to effectively navigate this later on in this article.

I f you go into a program that has a large number of doctoral students, you’ll still be alone when you get to the dissertation stage, but you’ll have other people a similar stage. If you’re in a smaller program (for example, I was the only person in my PhD program), you may be all alone during the dissertation phase.

You’ll have to be able to move from the structured format of classes to the dissertation stage, where there’s very little structure and it can be lonely.

How Many Hours do PhD Students Work?

How many hours do PhD students work? Many PhD students have about 40 hours a week of reading and classwork, plus around 20 hours a week of assistantship or lab time. And that’s minimum. You may also be teaching while you’re doing your dissertation. I had two classes a semester, which ended up being 6 hours a week of class time, plus preparation and grading.   It’s easy to have a 60-80 hour week. In the life of a PhD student, the concept of “weekends” does not exist.

When you get to your dissertation, it’s easy to say “Oh, thank god I don’t have to do that anymore” and just stop. But don’t. You’ll need to put in the same hours on your dissertation if you want to finish within a reasonable timeframe (unless you’re deliberately making a choice to finish over a longer period of time).

Life of a PhD Student

Here, I’ll describe some of the common themes of the life of a PhD student, regardless of discipline. If you’re not yet enrolled in a PhD program, I highly recommend reading this to get an idea of the realities of what doctoral-level work looks like. If you’re already living the life of a PhD student, you will find some indispensable hints and advice for getting through with your mental health intact.

Being a Doctoral Student Is Not Like Being an Undergrad

Life as a PhD student is not the same as life as an undergrad. You’re there for the academic experience, not for anything else. Don’t expect to be able to join clubs and have time to socialize or go to football games. You may even find yourself feeling jealous of undergrads. 

But you’re there for a completely different purpose. You are the reason that the library is open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. You are training to join the ranks of the world’s elite minds. 

You Can’t “Just Get By”

On the same note, the academic standards to which you’ll have to hold yourself change. As an undergraduate, you can get by easily with “what do I need to know,” and as a PhD student you ask, “what more can I learn?”

If you have the mentality of asking “what do I need to get by?” you shouldn’t be in a doctoral program. Because if you’re in a doctoral program, you’re going to end up as an expert. If your specific topic comes up in important policy decisions, you may be asked to be on an advisory panel. At some point, you will probably be asked to be an expert somewhere, and the advice you give will influence people’s lives. Society depends on you doing a good job in order to function well.

Doctoral programs are rigorous for a reason: only those who have a true passion and care for their subject area are afforded the power that a doctorate gives.

Writing a Dissertation Takes Over Your Life

Writing a dissertation is an immersive experience. It’s so much a part of the life of a PhD student that it’s hard to differentiate between when you’re working and not working. 

You also have to do things besides actually writing, and these things sometimes take a frustratingly long time. For example, making calls to institutions you are gathering data from, figuring out how to access or use software programs, or transcribing interviews. 

It doesn’t feel like you’re making progress on your dissertation because you haven’t written anything, so it can be easy to get discouraged. It’s important to account for the time spent doing this kind of thing so that you don’t feel like you’re failing when you have to spend entire days on it rather than writing.

I had a friend who spent an entire weekend trying to de-bug a program, and the problem ended up being a zero that had been replaced by an O. That kind of stuff happens all the time, and it’s often when students quit. Account for this ahead of time so that it’s just part of the deal.

It is hard to communicate to friends and family members about what you’re going through in this process. They may expect you to be the same person you were before you entered the program and have the same flexibility. This can put a lot of pressure on friendships and relationships.  

You see all these other people who seem like they’re doing amazing things. Going on vacation, having children, advancing their careers. It may feel like you’re missing out. The life of a PhD student is also extremely isolating. Your family may not understand what you’re going through. It’s important to take care of your mental and emotional health so that this doesn’t lead you to drop out.

No Time for Anything

Those people who go into a doctoral program and continue a job and have families have to understand that they’re going to have very little time for anything other than those three things during the program. There is often not even enough time for all three of those. Understand that your faculty will have expectations of you and rarely considers outside commitments or desires when evaluating whether you’ve met those expectations.

Much of the life of a PhD student is actually deferring life–or at least all of the facets of life outside of academia. It means following everybody else’s requirements until you graduate. 

Revisions, Revisions, Revisions

Being a PhD student means constant revising. That’s one of the reasons that people quit, because they don’t realize how much revising will be necessary. When students get a draft of their proposal back for revisions a fifth time, many consider that a failure, but that’s simply the nature of writing a dissertation.

People get angry because they think they’re failing or they think that professors are being hard on them. But having to do multiple revisions is the norm. You’re learning a new language (academic writing), and you’re conducting an extremely rigorous project.

In classes, professors may let things slide. But any professor worth their salt won’t let things slide in your dissertation. It’s a good place for a perfectionist.

Here are some common reasons why students struggle with the type of academic writing required in a dissertation:

• You feel like you’re repeating yourself a lot
• You have to make your argument very clear and slow
• You can’t assume any knowledge
• You have to be extraordinarily specific
• You have to be extremely consistent

A Warning for Doctoral Students

There are stories of faculty members who take advantage of doctoral students to pick up laundry, babysit children, or worse. However power can be abused, some people in positions of power will try to do it. While hopefully there has been enough conversation about this that it is declining, it is something to be aware of. Listen to other people and be careful. 

The academic system is set up for an uneven balance of power–even before you account for our societal power dynamics of gender and race.

While there is a worthy tradition of “paying your dues” in academia, this means paying your dues to the profession–through teaching, learning, and research–not paying dues to members of the profession.

All this said, there are times when it isn’t inappropriate for faculty members may ask you to do things outside of the realm of academia (you can feel free to accept or decline as you wish). When I was in my graduate program a faculty member asked if I could help him move one weekend. I helped him for an hour and a half, and he gave me $100. 

He was trying to be nice to me, and he certainly didn’t take advantage of the power dynamic. However, I was working as an assistant on a research project and getting paid $12/hr, and I jokingly chided him for paying me more for my brawn than my brains.

Final Thoughts

The life of a PhD student is not easy, but it is rewarding. Time and time again, I’ve seen the difference between students who complete their doctoral programs and those who don’t is whether they’re able to get enough support.

That’s why I started offering Dissertation Coaching Services . I help PhD students get through the dissertation phase of their doctoral programs, successfully defend them, and graduate with their degrees.

If you are interested in receiving support from a Dissertation Chair through weekly coaching sessions, feedback on your work, and accountability tools, book a free 30-minute consultation . As of this writing, I am nearing capacity, so please do so soon if you would like to participate.

Steve Tippins

Steve Tippins, PhD, has thrived in academia for over thirty years. He continues to love teaching in addition to coaching recent PhD graduates as well as students writing their dissertations. Learn more about his dissertation coaching and career coaching services. Book a Free Consultation with Steve Tippins

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“A PhD ruined my life” How getting a PhD changes everything

In this post, we delve into the often unspoken hardships accompanying the pursuit of a PhD.

It’s a journey that changes lives profoundly – sometimes leading to regret and unforeseen challenges.

We’ll shed light on common reasons behind these regrets and explore real-life cases where individuals felt their PhD journey was more damaging than beneficial. 

While a PhD opens doors to intellectual growth and prestigious opportunities, it can also set the stage for disillusionment, job insecurity, exploitation, intense competition, and more. Join us as we unravel these narratives, providing insights and lessons drawn from personal experiences.

Common reasons that people regret their PhD and how grad school ruined their life

A phd ruined my life case studies.

Here are some real-life case studies that demonstrate how a PhD programme can ruin someone’s life and show that PhDs are not always a positive step for someone’s career.

Case Study: The Unseen Struggles in Pursuit of a U.S. PhD

Background:

The subject, an international Black student, embarked on his PhD journey in the U.S. after completing his previous studies in a different culture. Already diagnosed with bipolar 2 and generalized anxiety disorder, he transitioned from a cooperative study environment to a highly competitive one in the U.S. The shift to a more individualistic and competitive culture, coupled with a drinking culture, intensified his pre-existing conditions and led him down a path of alcohol addiction. This had further negative impacts on his mental health, academic progress, and personal relationships.

Complications:

Despite his struggles, the subject sought help from campus therapists and received some institutional support. However, his mental health issues were compounded by what he perceived as a lack of understanding and sufficient support from the faculty and administration. His request for extra time to complete exams due to mental breakdowns and addiction issues was met with resistance.

He was eventually dismissed from the program due to unsatisfactory progress, largely influenced by his mental health struggles and addiction. This left him jobless and unable to travel back to his partner due to visa restrictions.

Lessons Learned:

• Mental Health Support : The mental health crisis in the PhD student community is glaring. Institutions need to better recognize and address the prevalence of anxiety and depression among their students.
• Inclusive Policies : The traditional structure of PhD programs, with rigorous and inflexible examination schedules, can inadvertently disadvantage students with neurodivergent conditions or mental health challenges. Universities should consider implementing more inclusive policies that take into account students’ diverse needs.
• Cultural Sensitivity : Universities should also be more aware and considerate of the cultural adjustments that international students may face. They should provide support to help students transition and adapt to the new environment.
• Faculty Training : Staff training should include understanding and addressing mental health issues and how to provide appropriate support. It’s not only about academic mentoring but also about nurturing students’ wellbeing.
• Early Intervention : Implementing systems to identify students who are struggling early on can allow for timely intervention, potentially preventing further deterioration of mental health and academic performance.

Case Study: “Identity Crisis: The Tale of a Disoriented PhD Graduate”

Jane Doe was a goal-oriented and motivated individual who thrived in an academic environment. For seven and a half years, she immersed herself in two graduate programs in two different states, earning herself two graduate degrees. Over time, her identity became intrinsically linked to her role as a student; she found comfort in the structure, rhythm, and recognition of academic achievement.

However, this success story took a twist when Jane graduated and was thrust into the world outside of academia. With her doctoral hood around her neck and her degree in hand, she found herself in an identity crisis. The very core of who she was had been tied to being a student, and with graduation, she felt as though she had lost a part of herself.

Jane found herself feeling lost, alien, and a sense of persistent dread filled her days. She continued to teach as an adjunct professor at her alma mater, but her heart wasn’t in it. Her social interactions, both online and offline, felt hollow and disjointed. She was stuck between worlds, not fully a part of academia anymore, and not yet a part of the “real world.”

Even her accomplishment, becoming a PhD graduate, something less than 2% of the US population achieves, did not bring her the satisfaction she had anticipated. Her self-identity as a graduate student was so deep-rooted that she could not rejoice in her achievements or take pride in her accomplishment.

Three months post-graduation, Jane realized the root of her discomfort: she had allowed her temporary identity as a student to define her whole being. The transition from student to graduate was a jarring one, stripping away a part of her identity.

• Diversify Self-Identity: It’s important not to let a single aspect of one’s life, such as a role or occupation, dominate one’s identity. A balanced self-identity is critical in mitigating such identity crises.
• Prepare for Change: Transitions, such as graduation, should be anticipated and emotionally prepared for. Understanding that change is part of life can help alleviate the stress and anxiety associated with major life transitions.
• Value Self Beyond Achievements: While academic and professional achievements are essential, it’s important to remember that self-worth isn’t solely derived from them. Jane learned to see herself as more than just her PhD, a lesson that can be beneficial to all.
• Adaptability: Becoming adaptable and resilient in the face of change is a valuable skill. Understanding that jobs, roles, and titles may change, but one’s inherent value and capabilities remain, is crucial.
• Seek Support: During such transitions, seeking support from a mentor, counselor, or peer group can provide valuable perspective and strategies to cope with feelings of loss and identity confusion.

In the end, Jane found peace in her new life and saw new ways to apply her knowledge and skills. Her journey serves as a stark reminder that while education shapes us, it doesn’t define us. Our identities are fluid and adaptable, ever-changing as we navigate the course of life.

Wrapping up – How a PhD can ruin your life

The pursuit of a PhD can irrevocably alter one’s life trajectory. 

This higher education undertaking has been a bane for many grad students who naively entered their program, only to face overwhelming pressure, mental health issues, and burnout.

Former PhD students have lamented on how the journey has ruined their life – from exacerbating pre-existing conditions like anxiety and depression, to leading to feelings of low self-esteem and suicidal thoughts.

The harsh realities of the academic job market and the exploitative world of academia can lead to disillusionment, manifesting as regret over one’s decision to pursue a PhD degree.

Moreover, the potential lack of interpersonal support from professors and advisors, coupled with the often dismissive attitudes of universities towards mental health problems, can make the situation much worse.

We must scrutinise the pros and cons of the PhD system and work towards reforming the academic culture, putting emphasis on mental health support services, fair treatment of grad students, and adaptable program structures.

In retrospect, a PhD is a monumental commitment – not a hobby to be undertaken lightly. It is essential for potential students to fully understand the challenges that lurk in the journey ahead.

Dr Andrew Stapleton has a Masters and PhD in Chemistry from the UK and Australia. He has many years of research experience and has worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Associate at a number of Universities. Although having secured funding for his own research, he left academia to help others with his YouTube channel all about the inner workings of academia and how to make it work for you.

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Opportunities After IISER: Packages, Placements, PhD?

Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) is a chain premium research institute in India that has the tag of Institute of National Importance. The rigorous academics and cutting-edge research prepares students to become a world-class researcher. IISER offers a flagship five-year long BS-MS program along with other programs like PhD and Integrated PhD.

One of the main questions that every IISER aspirant has is about the opportunities after IISER. Many are concerned about the salary and packages one can receive after completing the rigorous five-year-long degree program. Others want to know what jobs students are offered upon graduation. So, this article contains all the information on the same.

SciAstra YouTube Video: Salary & placements after IISER, NISER | What after BS-MS by NISER student

How IISER Prepares You for a PhD?

Unlike other colleges, IISERs are not built for placements. IISER is built for students who are passionate about exploring basic science and conducting fundamental research. Hence, many IISERs do not have a dedicated placement cell. So, unlike engineering colleges, you won’t find companies on your campus interviewing you and offering you 9 to 5 jobs.

Instead, most of the IISER students apply for a PhD rather than a job. But Ph. D. is not just another degree program but a work-study program. During your PhD years, you will have to conduct your own research under an established researcher who will be your principal investigator. Doing a Ph. D. at a prestigious institute and lab can earn you a nice stipend.

IISER students have an upper edge in PhD applications and are often preferred over other graduates both in India and Abroad. PhD positions secured after IISER are fully funded – meaning that all your expenses, including tuition fees and living expenses, will be covered by a grant or fellowship.

Ph.D. in Foreign Countries:

Good profile and academics during IISER can land you into Ivy League colleges. Favorite destinations for PhD for IISER students have been MIT , Stanford , Oxford, Cambridge, Max Planck, ETH Zurich, etc.

In the United Kingdom. The average tenure of PhD is around four years. The average stipend is 18,662 pounds or INR 19.36 Lakhs per year. This much is enough to cover your living expenses, and you’ll still be able to save 50k to 80k per month.

In other countries of Europe, the project tenure and funding are the same as in the UK, but the stipend varies with different countries. For example, Denmark offers an average stipend of INR 51.67 Lakhs per year. In Norway, the average annual stipend is INR 49.75 Lakhs per year. In general, students are able to save around 50k to 1 Lakh per month easily.

In the United States, you have to be a Teaching Assistant for a year or two and the actual PhD starts in the third year. The duration of a PhD, on average, can be four or six years. The average stipend is 15,000 to 30,000 USD per year, which translates to INR 12.5 to 25 lakh per year.

PhD in India:

Obtaining a PhD in India is a little more difficult than in foreign countries. IISERs, IITs , IISc , TIFR , and NCBS are popular choices for PhD in India. The average stipend is around 31,000 to 37,000 per month, which is enough, considering the cost of living in India.

Qualifying exams like GATE and CSIR offer an upper edge while applying for a PhD in India. However, many IISER students can secure a PhD position without having qualified GATE and CSIR. 

What After PhD?

If you want to remain in academia after your PhD and become a professor, you will have to do a post-doc in a lab or research institute. The duration for Post-Doc varies from one to two years. The average stipend offered abroad is INR 3-5 lakhs per month, whereas in India, you can expect the stipend to be around 57k to 74k per month. After completing your Post-Doc, you can apply for faculty positions at different universities.

You can also join the Industrial Sector after completing your PhD as a Research Scientist and expect an average salary of INR 7.8 lakhs per annum in India. Scientists and Life Scientists in the U.S. and Canada can earn around INR 98.5 lakhs per annum. Depending on your discipline and Industry, the average varies a lot. Following is a table comparing the average salary for different industrial roles.

Many IISER students also appear for exams like CAT, XAT, SNAP, and NMAT to pursue an MBA. Qualifying for these exams can guarantee your admission to premium institutes like IIMs, XLRI, SIBM, or NMIMS. The average package after the completion of an MBA is INR 20-25 lakhs per annum.

Government Jobs-

There are several options for jobs in the public sector after IISER. You can join as a Scientific Officer in government research institutes and labs. In NISER , students with a good CPI can appear for a BARC interview directly, which offers a starting salary of around INR 1 lakh per month, along with multiple amenities. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) also offers an average salary of INR 1 lakh per month to scientific officers upon entry. In ISRO (Read our blog on how to get into ISRO by clicking here ), the starting salary is 85k to 1 lac per month.

Teaching And Coaching-

Ed-tech giants like Physicswallah and Unacademy always hire people with Masters or PhDs with good teaching skills. as their faculty, and being from IISER can give you an upper hand in getting recruited by these companies. You can also join other coaching institutes. 

The starting salary over here varies from 40k to 1 lac per month, but there is no upper limit in this sector, and the pay depends on your expertise.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) stands as a beacon for those passionate about fundamental science and research. While not designed for traditional placements, IISER propels its students into a world of possibilities, with a strong emphasis on pursuing Ph.D. opportunities globally. The institute’s graduates find themselves well-prepared for diverse paths, whether it be academia, industry, government jobs, or even the entrepreneurial realm. IISER’s impact extends beyond research, fostering individuals who contribute significantly to education and various sectors, embodying the institute’s commitment to holistic growth and excellence.

• How to get into IISER?

To get into IISER, you need to appear for IAT. IAT is a computer based test which needs preparation. SciAstra offers the best courses that prepare you for the IAT.

• What is the most common career path for IISER graduates?

While many IISER students pursue PhDs, there are diverse options like research scientist roles in the industry, government jobs, teaching, and even entrepreneurship.

• Is it easy to get into an Ivy League PhD program after IISER?

IISER graduates have a strong chance due to their rigorous academics and research experience. However, the application process is competitive.

• What are the funding options for PhD programs abroad?

Most PhD positions are fully funded, meaning tuition and living expenses are covered by fellowships or grants. Stipend amounts in different countries like the UK, Europe, and the US are mentioned in the article.

• What are the salary expectations after a PhD in India vs. abroad?

You can expect significantly higher figures in foreign countries when compared to India.

• Can IISER graduates pursue careers outside academia and research? 

Definitely! Options like MBA are open, and securing positions in top institutes like IIMs can help you get packages of INR 20-25 lakhs per annum after an MBA.

• What are some government job opportunities for IISER graduates?

Scientific Officer positions in research institutes and labs, BARC (starting salary INR 1 lakh per month), DRDO (average INR 1 lakh per month), and ISRO (starting salary INR 85k – 1 lac per month) are all mentioned as possibilities.

SciAstra is a team of scientists and research scholars from the top research institutes around the world like Oxford, Harvard, Cambridge, and so on. Our vision is to promote critical thinking and scientific temperament by helping students pursue careers in science.

We offer many free and paid courses where our mentors from the top research institutes like IISER , NISER , IACS , CMI , ISI , IISC Bangalore , etc teach students in live classes, with study materials,  mock tests, books, and everything needed. We have taught more than 10,000 students already since 2021 and achieved over 1000 selections with AIR 1, 7,10, 12, and 13 in  IISc Bengaluru, IISERs, NISER, IACS, and so on.  If you are looking to prepare for IAT / NEST 2024, you can check out our courses and get access to live classes, recorded lectures, study material, mock tests, doubt-clearing classes, and much more!

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Top 7 Career Opportunities in India after PhD in 2024