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The PhD student experience – What is it really like for PhDs?

Are you curious about what it’s really like to be a PhD student, navigating the world of academia and research?

In this article, we’ll dive deep into the lesser-known aspects of the PhD journey, from the profound impact of your supervisor to the competitive environment you’ll face.

Discover the truth about the importance of publishing papers and the realities of funding and job security in academia.

We’ll also give you a glimpse into the daily life of a PhD student, and explore the highs and lows of this challenging yet rewarding experience.

So, buckle up and join us as we uncover the secrets of the PhD student experience that no one else will tell you!

The little known-facts that you need to know about the PhD experience,

This is what no one else will tell you!

What does the daily life of a PhD student look like?

Embarking on a PhD journey can be a thrilling yet demanding experience, as a doctoral student is constantly immersed in:

• academic responsibilities,
• and professional development.

From the early morning, the life of a PhD student begins with checking emails, planning the day, and setting priorities.

A typical day usually involves conducting experiments or research in the laboratory, analyzing data, and reading scientific literature to stay up-to-date with their field.

PhD students often participate in regular meetings with their supervisors, who provide guidance and advice on their research projects.

These meetings are crucial for maintaining momentum and ensuring a productive working relationship.

A typical daily schedule for a PhD student might look like this:

7:00 AM – Wake up, morning routine, breakfast

7:45 AM – Check emails, plan the day, and set priorities

8:30 AM – Arrive at the laboratory, set up experiments or research tasks

9:30 AM – Attend a class or seminar (if applicable)

11:00 AM – Conduct experiments or research in the laboratory

12:30 PM – Lunch break, socialize with fellow graduate students

1:30 PM – Analyze data and read scientific literature relevant to the research project

3:00 PM – Meeting with supervisor to discuss research progress and receive guidance

4:30 PM – Continue working on experiments, data analysis, or literature review

6:00 PM – Dinner break

8:00 PM – Draft or edit thesis, work on conference presentations or publications

10:00 PM – Wind down and engage in a hobby or leisure activity for mental health and work-life balance

11:00 PM – Bedtime routine, sleep

In addition to their primary research, many PhD students assist and mentor undergraduate students, contributing to a diverse and dynamic academic community.

Balancing the demands of coursework, research projects, and administrative responsibilities can make for long working hours, which is why it’s important for doctoral students to maintain their mental health and work-life balance.

Attending conferences, participating in social events, and engaging in professional development opportunities are important aspects of the PhD experience.

Given the commitment and dedication required, full-time PhD students often rely on funded positions to support their education and living expenses.

Despite the inherent difficulties, the experience equips students with a range of new skills and expertise, setting them on a path to contribute significantly to academia and the world beyond.

How stressful is being a PhD student?

Being a PhD student can be quite stressful due to the unique challenges and demands of the program.

It varies from person to person and the supervisor will have a huge impact on how stressful a PhD will be for a student.

Here is a case study of the highs and lows of a PhD from a PhDs student’s perspective:

This PhD student experienced frustration with experiments not working or yielding results, leading to feelings of imposter syndrome and demotivation. A lack of progress was a significant source of stress during this time, as well as comparing oneself to peers who seemed to be achieving more success.

However, there were also numerous highlights throughout the PhD experience. Attending conferences and presenting research offered opportunities to gain feedback, collaborate with others, and even travel. Engaging in scientific discussions and exploring the significance of one’s work provided a sense of purpose and satisfaction.

Furthermore, working with cutting-edge equipment, such as advanced microscopes, allowed the student to appreciate the unique and privileged nature of their research.

The pressure to produce significant contributions to one’s field and the uncertainty of achieving results within a limited time frame can induce anxiety.

For instance, many students find themselves constantly juggling various responsibilities, such as conducting experiments, analysing data, attending meetings with their supervisor, and writing their thesis or papers.

Aside from academic pressure, managing work-life balance can be difficult as well. It’s not uncommon for PhD students to work long hours, often sacrificing personal time and relationships.

The lack of a structured schedule and the need for self-motivation can add to the stress and the competitive environment in academia and the constant pursuit of funding can further exacerbate stress levels.

PhD student workloads and holidays

The life of a PhD student is often characterized by heavy workloads and limited opportunities for holidays.

In a typical PhD program, students juggle numerous responsibilities, including research projects, coursework, and professional development activities, such as attending conferences and training.

This is particularly true for funded PhD students, who are expected to adhere to strict timelines set by their supervisors and the university’s academic calendar.

In the science field, the workload can be even more demanding due to the nature of research, which often involves conducting experiments that can take months or years to complete.

This commitment means that even during holidays, PhD students may feel the need to work in order to meet deadlines, leading to burnout and stress.

Later Stage PhD ( Doctorate Candidates )

When PhD students reach the later stages of their doctorate program, they become PhDs preparing to complete their research project and thesis.

This stage comes with an intense academic workload, with high demand for researcher-level skills and scientific knowledge.

A typical day for a PhD at this stage involves conducting research, analysing data, and editing their findings to complete their thesis.

In my experience it is WRITING, WRITING and more WRITING…with a touch of editing.

There are deadlines to meet, and students may face pressure, but the reward of completing a doctorate degree is worth it.

At this point, a PhD is expected to demonstrate their ability to conduct independent research and contribute to their field of study.

The latter stages of the doctorate program offer a rigorous and rewarding challenge for students who want to pursue a career in science, education, and research.

Wrapping up – PhD and Doctoral Student experience

The PhD student experience is a complex and multifaceted journey that offers a unique blend of challenges and triumphs.

As we have explored in this blog, the road to obtaining a PhD is filled with personal growth, professional development, and numerous hurdles to overcome.

But, for those who persevere, the rewards can be immense, leading to a sense of accomplishment, increased expertise, and the potential to make a significant impact in their chosen field.

In navigating this adventure, it is essential for PhD students to maintain a healthy work-life balance and develop strong support networks to help them manage stress and maintain motivation.

The journey may be demanding, but with the right mindset and guidance, the experience can be truly transformative.

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.

Thank you for visiting Academia Insider.

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8 big differences between the US and UK PhD experience

And one important similarity. 

Helen Robertson

Credit: Malte Mueller/Getty

And one important similarity.

11 March 2020

Malte Mueller/Getty

In 2019, I took a risk by moving halfway around the world as a postdoctoral researcher in molecular evolution.

Since then, I’ve been struck by how different the grad school experience is here at the University of Chicago in the US, compared with my time at the University College London in the UK, where I completed my PhD in 2017.

Here’s what I’ve noticed:

1. UK grad school interviews are shorter and more lab-specific

In the UK, you’re likely to apply directly to a lab for an advertised project or one that you develop with your supervisor.

In the US, the application process is more centralized. You usually apply to a school instead of a lab. Some programs even require you to take a standardized Graduate Entry Program test, though this seems to be on the decline .

Grad school interviews in the US tend to be longer. They can involve a series of interviews, tours, and faculty events over a number of days.

2. In the US, a work-life balance is harder to achieve

I’ve been surprised by how all-encompassing a US doctorate can be. Even after the first year of teaching, the number of seminars, journal clubs, and university-related activities make the US PhD experience very grad school-centric.

I was fortunate during my UK-based PhD to approach it more like a full-time job than a continuation of my masters year. There were intense periods that required late nights in the lab, but I had time to pursue other interests , which provided some balance and made me more productive at work.

Of course, it’s difficult to generalize about working patterns. Demanding schedules are not wholly dictated by the country you’re studying in. A recent study found that 76% of surveyed grad students spent more than 41 hours a week on their project.

3. It takes longer to complete a PhD in the US

Probably the best-known difference is the time it takes to complete a PhD.

UK PhD programs tend towards three years in length, although it’s increasingly getting closer to four years – a trend that might soon be reflected in funding arrangements .

It’s a different story in the US, where, according to the Survey of Earned Doctorates , students take an average of 5.7 years to graduate.

4. UK PhD fees tend to be lower

Fees err on the more expensive side in the US, as they do for undergraduate degrees – although this isn’t always true for international students.

US PhD fees, coupled with the longer study time, means that the costs associated with grad school are generally higher than in the UK, even before living costs are considered.

If you have a funding body attached to your project, it will likely pay your tuition fees as part of its finance package. But this flags a major difference between the two countries: funding and scholarships.

5. Many US students need to apply for their own funding

From my understanding, most advertised science-based PhD projects in the UK are attached to funding, which covers tuition fees, bench costs, and living expenses. The tax-free PhD stipend set by all UK Research Councils is £15,285 (approximately US$20,000), although other funding bodies pay more.

In the US, there is no national funding level – your level of financial support will be dictated by your school or lab. This means there is generally much more encouragement for US PhD students to apply for their own funding than there is in the UK.

This is good experience for a future scientific career, but if you have to work additional hours to supplement scholarships, you’ll ultimately end up with less time for your project.

6. US PhD programs are more structured

This is particularly true in the first year for US PhDs, which includes lectures, exams, and lab rotations. Only at the end of the first year, after passing your qualifying exam, do you have the opportunity to pick the lab you’re going to pursue your PhD research in.

In the UK, I started in the lab that I spent the duration of my studies in. This meant no structured classes or rotations in my first year, and I began my own research right away.

PhDs that are run through a Doctoral Training Centre (DTC) – centres that manage the Research Council-funded PhD degrees – are increasingly popular in the UK, and include classes and rotations during the first year, but often without the frequent exams and coursework that characterize grad school in the US.

7. There is more focus on defending your thesis in the UK

Writing my thesis was the final hurdle of my UK PhD experience. It gave me the opportunity to document my ideas, successes (and failures), and the context of my project. I defended my thesis in a closed session with two examiners: one internal to my institution, and one external.

From what I’ve seen, finishing a doctorate in the US is less focused on a thesis. Instead, your committee determines that you have completed sufficient work and skill attainment to warrant your defense. Only then can you write your thesis, and defend it in a public session.

In the UK, it’s unlikely you’ll know your examiners well, but a US PhD defense is assessed by the same thesis committee that have known you for the duration of your studies.

8. Teaching is an added bonus in the UK

My UK PhD funding set no teaching requirements: instead, I was free to teach labs and mark coursework at the discretion of my supervisor. And I was paid for any teaching hours I did.

Teaching requirements in the US vary from school to school. For some students, working as a teaching assistant is necessary to pay fees and living expenses – particularly if you don’t have comprehensive funding.

There might also be minimum teaching requirements for the duration of your PhD in the US. In this respect, the time commitment and financial compensation of teaching is very institution-specific.

One important similarity: The lab you join will determine your experience

Despite the differences in structure and requirements between UK and US PhDs, one thing that is common to them all is that, ultimately, your PhD is going to be shaped by the lab you decide to join.

If have a positive working environment and appropriate guidance and support from your supervisor, and you’re interested in and motivated by your thesis topic, then your grad school experience will likely be rewarding.

And that’s true regardless of the country you’re studying in.

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The challenges and triumphs of the graduate experience

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For many graduate students, the first time they enter MIT’s campus as a student is a momentous occasion. Standing among the pillars and domes for the first time as an MIT student elicited a moment of quiet reflection for recent graduate Hilary Johnson SM ’18, PhD ’22.

“It was this moment of awe and kind of reverence for the temple of learning that the architecture suggests,” Johnson says. “I paused in silence for a moment to absorb the aura of reverence for the task that we’re each pursuing: the discovery of new scientific knowledge and the invention of things that ultimately help improve the world in which we live.”

Vishnu Jayaprakash SM ’19, PhD ’22 had a similar experience.

“You grow up wanting to be on the inside of those pillars, so the first time I walked into Building 7 I just took it all in.  It was sort of the end of a lifelong journey to get until that point, but at the same time it was the start of a new one,” adds Jayaprakash.

That journey is one that can be incredibly challenging, both academically and personally, for doctoral students.

“Graduate school is a time of intense intellectual and personal growth, where our students gain all kinds of skill sets, new experiences, and academic and professional strengths at the very time they’re forming the foundations for their adult lives,” says Betar Gallant ’08, SM ’10, PhD ’13, associate professor of mechanical engineering. “It’s by definition a transitory time, which can feel unsettling.”

The mechanical engineering faculty and staff at MIT aim to help students through this transition by offering support and encouragement as they tackle challenges and grow as researchers. As faculty ambassador to graduate students, Gallant fosters dialogue between students and the broader faculty and emphasizes the need for empathy in both directions.

Students also have the support of the MIT Department of Mechanical Engineering’s Graduate Office to help them tackle challenges.

“The graduate student experience is unique and multifaceted for each student. At the MechE Graduate Office, our team approaches each student holistically trying to pave the way so that there are less bumps along the way,” says Saana McDaniel, academic administrator for the mechanical engineering graduate program. McDaniel and her team help solve problems to ensure each student can achieve their full potential.

While some challenges are inherent in completing advanced studies and contributing a significant piece of original research, there are other challenges graduate students face that can and should be addressed.

Over the past few years, the mechanical engineering department leadership have committed considerable time and resources to learning about the problems graduate students face and developing initiatives to improve their experience.

“An important first step is understanding the challenges faced by our graduate students,” says Evelyn Wang, Ford Professor of Engineering and mechanical engineering department head.

During Visit Weekend, after being admitted to the advanced degree program, graduate students face the first big challenge of graduate school: finding an advisor.

Navigating the advising relationship

“I think it’s one of the hardest processes at MIT that no one really talks about,” says Jayaprakash. “During Visit Weekend, everyone stresses how important it is to find an advisor and to do it quickly.”

Some students liken the process of finding an advisor to speed dating. They connect with a number of faculty members during their Visit Weekend to find one that fits.

For alum Cynthia Hajal SM ’18, PhD ’21, the process was seamless. After a 15-minute meeting with Professor Roger Kamm, she knew instantly that she wanted to work in Kamm’s Mechanobiology Lab.

“The advisor-and-student relationship is very important, maybe even more important than the type of research done in the lab, because the advisor is really the person that's going to vouch for the student during qualifying exams and during committee meetings” says Hajal.

“My meetings with Cynthia, nearly from the beginning, were a wonderful experience in which she would show me what she had done, we could actively exchange ideas, and then come up with a plan,” adds Kamm.

According to Kamm, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to advising. He adjusts the level of supervision needed for doctoral students depending on the individual. He also gives his students freedom to further develop their strengths, and resources to address any weaknesses.

“I listen a lot, and try to avoid telling the student what to do. To develop into a successful researcher, they’ll need to be able to identify problems as they arise, and take the necessary actions to solve them,” says Kamm. “Problem-solving abilities are critical whether entering industry or academia.”

While Hajal was able to easily find an advisor who helped support her growth as a researcher, the advisor-and-advisee relationship can sometimes be a difficult one to navigate.

“Part of the big problem is knowing what the expectations are of you, and what expectations you can reasonably have of your advisor,” adds Jayaprakash. “Everyone wants to see you succeed, and you need to know what that means. You need to know what success is, and I was blessed to have an advisor as caring as Professor Kripa Varanasi, who worked with me to define that.”

Faculty advisors aim to assist students in achieving this success and supporting them through the various challenges they face in their graduate journey. To help advisors better understand these challenges, the department recently launched a revised advising form to be completed each year. This form was designed to foster dialogue about any challenges or obstacles students face, particularly with regards to more effective communication between their advisor and themselves.

“Our students asked for a form that that would help structure better conversations with advisors and build stronger mentorship relationships,” says Gallant. “Students did most of the hard work to propose the updated content, and we worked together to get it voted in by the faculty this spring, which we’re all very enthusiastic about.”

Over the past few years, the department has held workshops and trainings to help improve the advising relationship and address issues related to lab communities, including a pilot workshop called “Building Inclusive Lab Cultures.”

“We have been offering trainings and support for our faculty and graduate students to enhance awareness and empathy. We’ve gotten faculty, staff, and students in lab groups together to recognize different perspectives and different forms of power, as well as to develop intervention strategies,” adds Wang.

The PhD qualifying exam

Another challenge doctoral students face is the PhD qualifying exam — or “quals.” Typically taken at the end of a student's second or third year of graduate school, quals consists of three subject exams and one oral research exam.

“Quals is a rite of passage, and like most rites of passage, it’s challenging and it changes who you are and how you see yourself,” says Johnson.

The months leading up to quals are among the most challenging in a student’s academic career. Students often form study groups, which prove particularly helpful in preparing for the oral component of the exam.

“Looking back at it, quals was the most challenging part of my PhD by far. What allowed me to go through it is having study groups with fellow MechE grad students who were also going through the same thing,” adds Hajal.

For Johnson, quals was a hurdle in her academic career. The first time she took them, she failed the subject exams. A conversation with Amos Winter, associate professor of mechanical engineering, who reminded her that she belonged in MechE, buoyed her spirits. She leaned in to her “growth mindset” as she built on her subject preparation.

Johnson passed her second attempt.

“I came out of quals feeling confident about my ability to justify first-principles thinking, present and share my research, and be interrogated. It was a really challenging and gritty process, but also ultimately very worthwhile,” says Johnson. “After I passed, there was definitely a sense of ‘All right. I'm a badass engineer.’”

Championing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) issues

After the death of George Floyd in 2020, Jayaprakash felt he reached a tipping point.

“When the tragic murder of George Floyd happened, I really questioned our commitment to DEI, and I questioned our commitment to dismantling racial inequalities that exist within the department, but also inequalities that are detrimental to people's success,” recalls Jayaprakash.

Jayaprakash approached leaders in MechE with his frustrations about the inequities and bias he saw within the department.

“The first thing that you would expect is for department leaders to be defensive, but what we saw was an acknowledgement of error and then a commitment to work on that,” he recalls.

Part of that commitment was the launch of the MechE DEI Task Force, a team of students, faculty, and staff led by Associate Professor Asegun Henry that Jayaprakash served on. He and his fellow task force members dedicated thousands of hours into understanding issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion that exist within the graduate program and the broader department. The mechanical engineering leadership provided resources to support this work, including access to a number of experts and consultants.

“Vishnu was a huge contributor on the task force,” says Henry. “He had awesome ideas to contribute and I learned a lot about how grad students think and feel about many issues today through him.”

According to Henry, including graduate student voices and perspectives in the process was invaluable as the task force developed a strategic plan to suggest possible actions that address various challenges within the department.

“I do know for a fact that MIT MechE cares about these grievances. Having a department chair and faculty who have been in this system and understand the disparities that exist for folks of different backgrounds, that empathy has really been the big difference,” says Jayaprakash.

The plan will propose a number of actions and initiatives that strengthen the department’s commitment to DEI both within the graduate community and the department as a whole.

Training the best in the world

Johnson found herself having another quiet moment of reflection on campus. This time, it was in a hallway in Building 1. She had just defended her PhD thesis on adaptive centrifugal pump geometry for improved efficiency and operating range. Having just presented her research to a room full of faculty, friends, and family, with a Zoom audience of over 70 people watching remotely, all that was left to do was wait as faculty members deliberated behind closed doors.

For a few minutes, Johnson reflected back on her time in MechE and what leaving well means to her. Her advisor, Professor Alexander Slocum, then emerged from the room, shook Johnson’s hand, and announced she had successfully defended her thesis. She was one step closer to becoming a doctor.  

“I'm thankful to be here, and for the brilliant people I've gotten to spend these six years with, learn from, and be inspired by — my advisor and professors, my lab mates, my sponsors, my peers, who I see at Friday coffee hour, the folks who I run into in the machine shops. It's been an incredible, wild roller coaster of a ride,” says Johnson. “I certainly know now, after six years, that I am capable of the sort of grit and wit to take on really hard problems.”

Gallant hopes students like Johnson, Hajal, and Jayaprakash continue to run toward the hardest challenges as they join the MIT alumni community.

“Graduate school is challenging, but we are training our students to be the best in the world. I hope our students can find pride in our ethos and culture of tackling the problems that are truly important and which desperately need solving to make this a good planet and society for all,” adds Gallant.

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Best 5 PHD Reddit Posts Everyone Should Read

Getting a PHD is a big decision. This article lists the top Reddit posts regarding getting a PHD.

Sep 10, 2021

As a current or prospective PhD student, Reddit can be an excellent place to share your experience and learn from the experience of others. It's also a good way to get advice if you're not sure whether a PhD program is right for you. 

The good news is that there are already plenty of PhD Reddit posts that provide a wealth of information about the process and what to consider before you pull the trigger on a doctorate program.

Here are five of those posts and how they can help you make the best decision about your education.

1. There's no guarantee that a PhD will improve your career path

Many people pursue a PhD program in order to increase their chances of getting a good job or earn more money. According to data gathered by  Michigan State University , the expected lifetime earnings for someone with a PhD is $3.3 million, compared to $2.7 million for Master's degree holders and $2.3 million for graduates with a bachelor's degree.

But just because the averages work in favor of getting a PhD — some career paths offer more potential than others — that doesn't mean it's going to work for you.

In one  post , user AltAcAcct shared their regret of going through a PhD program. Despite attending a prestigious "public ivy" school and having many other impressive experiences, AltAcAcct was in their second year of trying to find a job with no luck.

They implored readers to reconsider why they want to obtain a PhD and think about the potential downsides. While they had more pointed advice leaning toward not pursuing a PhD at all, it's important to decide for yourself if it's worth it to you.

The important thing is that you take the time to research your options — including ways to excel in your field without a PhD — and determine whether the potential risk of not getting a return on your investment of time and money is worth it to you.

2. Have a plan B

Going along with the idea that a PhD program doesn't guarantee future success, user acapncuster shared a tip in response to a  PhD Reddit post  asking for advice: "Have a plan B."

Some other commenters agreed, with one going so far as to say: "Have a plan B, then make that your plan A." Another user recommended having a plan C as well, just to be safe.

The idea that you should expect your first plan to fall through — and possibly even your second — may be enough to turn some off to a PhD program completely. 

But that's not to say you should ditch the idea. After all, many PhD graduates find success in their field, so it can pay off. The worst thing that can happen, though, is if you go through the program and spend the time and money earning your PhD, only to not have a backup plan when you don't accomplish your original goal.

Take some time to consider alternate plans before you commit to a PhD program. Think about asking others who have pursued your particular field of study and learn some potential options that you can pursue in the event that your plan A doesn't work out.

3. Understand the importance of time management

A PhD program can be time-consuming, with one Redditor saying they spend roughly 50 to 60 hours a week keeping up with coursework and doing additional research. But user SnowblindAlbino, who is now a professor, mentions in their  comment  that a lot of that time is unstructured.

In other words, time management is crucial to a successful PhD experience, not only in how much time you spend but how you separate that time into different activities.

Another commenter on that post, user cosmospring, wrote that their time spent on their program varied wildly depending on whether or not they had a deadline:

"Not really average days/weeks. More like 'average days when staring down the barrel of a deadline' and 'average days when not staring down a deadline.' The former: 10-12h at the keyboard. The latter: 6-8h at the keyboard and 2-4h doing something else academic (teaching, reading, navigating bureaucracy...). Once or twice/week cut those by 50-75% (the days off) and do laundry/something fun, unless there's a looming deadline."

Every program is different, so it's important that you approach your time management based on what works best for you and your program.

4. Seek balance

A PhD program can be grueling, so it's crucial that you find balance, according to user Theblackswapper1. On one  post  where another Redditor asked for advice, Theblackswapper1 commented that students owe it to themselves to have a workout routine and to take breaks when needed — though not as an avoidance activity.

More importantly, don't neglect your mental health and get help if you need it, they wrote: "Most colleges and universities have free counseling services for students. Now everyone's path is unique, and everyone's story is different, but I know that I regret not reaching out for help earlier."

5. Consider the opportunity cost

While there's no guarantee that a PhD program will improve your career path, you can still use average figures to try to find out what the return on investment of a doctoral degree can be. 

As part of that formula, user buspsych comments on one  post , recommending that you consider the opportunity cost of pursuing a PhD. Even if you get free tuition, you're missing out on income you could be earning with a full-time job. Depending on how much the degree increases your salary, divide that by the opportunity cost to find out how long it'll take to make the degree worth it.

You'll also want to consider how pursuing a PhD program may delay your retirement savings and other important financial goals.

Ultimately, there's no right or wrong answer to whether a PhD program is worth pursuing, so it's crucial that you run the numbers for your situation to decide if it's right for you.

Join Juno today to find out more about your options for affordable private student loans to help fund your degree. 

Ben Luthi is a personal finance and travel writer based in Salt Lake City, UT. He loves helping people better understand their finances. When he's not traveling, Ben enjoys spending time with his kids, hiking, and watching films. His work has been featured in U.S. News & World Report, The New York Times, MarketWatch, Fox Business, and many other publications.

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