PhD student tips | 5 eye opening truths that others can't tell you!

PhD student tips that no one else can tell you. I have been out of academia for a number of years and because I have left the system these are the tips that others can tell you for fear of losing their job.

0:00 – Introduction
1:07 – Treat your PhD like a 9 to 5 job
2:46 – Academia contains a lot of politics
4:47 – "Zoom out" as often as you can
6:57 – Enjoy the journey
8:54 – Do not put up with bullying
11:42 – Outro

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[acid-nitroizoftalic]

Can you do a video about how to get over the feeling that you don't deserve to be a PhD student?

[RafalSB]

I am currently doing a PhD and I constantly get snarky comments from postdocs when I say "it's a 9-to-5 job" & plenty of emails requiring a prompt response on weekends & ridiculously late hours of the week. I'm not letting these issues affect my work progress, mental health or enjoyment of the journey.. It's just a degree.

[PhDCoffeeTime]

One tip of "Zooming out", as a biologist, I hangout with Engineer/Medical/Law Students during my PhD. I also joined an athletic team.

Another tip to enjoy the journey is the use of a timer and try to track the highly focused hours. I also look back fondly to my PhD and I think the experience contribute to who I am today.

Really sorry to hear about your bullying experience. There are times we must speak up and I think you have used the right language to mitigate the situation @10:32

When I started my postdoc in the US, I was told I would be a "good secretary"/"Chinese spy" when I took careful notes, and I had to confront diplomatically and it was one of the toughest conversations I had to make. But also, that conversation contributed to a great working relationship with my supervisor for the rest of my Postdoc (4 years) so it was worth it.

Really helpful video Andy. Let me know if you may be interested in doing a collab video whenever you need new ideas to add to your video list!

[chinosts]

It's interesting to see that the rule of everything is better when done in moderation still applies to doing a PhD. Moderation might mean something different depending on what you are doing, taking a day off every couple of weeks for example. I am about to embark on an academic journey, after working for most of my adult years for big corporations, and I cannot wait to just immerse myself in that bubble. I am super excited to be surrounded by people who have actually studied something and have endeavoured to learn rather than most people I worked with, who are more of the 'fake it until you make it' types... Another great video.. thanks for the content.

[sirmclovin]

From my experience as a current PhD student: Very valuable advice.
It is also relieving to hear how flawed the system is from someone who has gone through it.

[Davao]

It's very interesting, I've been following your videos and I'm doing a PhD in Norway. The way your supervisor acted would never happen here. I mean, wow.

[tanyas.]

Hi, I am currently starting to apply for a phd. I’ve been watching all of your videos and I found it extremely helpful. Thank you so so much for producing such a helpful video 😃💕

[minnujayapal]

Very useful
We don’t have to put up with bullying . We can always document and report it to fair work (in Australia)or government authorities if it is horrible

[Megabrain]

Coming directly to a PhD from Undergrad, I can say that the first tip is really eye opening! It is really tempting to go back to my old study habits.

[onwrdandupwrd]

fantastic video. Liked and subbed. As an undergrad about to go into third year chemistry this stuff is still super useful to me.

[jonf]

The "bullying" topic is true, but I think its at all levels, however, I think its best to pick and choose your battles when it comes to either standing up for yourself or not and who is doing the bullying. Sometimes it can be others that may have more seniority than you do or it can be as you said the PI themself.

[coolshan]

The Advice is really awsome...I would like to know more about your bulling experience...because it give really important prospect to new students that how it can be managed..Good work and really good content of your videos.

[drgjenkins]

Great to hear comments on 'focusing on you' - I'm not sure that every supervisor has their students interests as the number 1 priority (luckily not the case for me)

[evertonfernandesdacunha]

Thanks for these videos, they help me a lot.
Can you talk about the personal statement? I need to write one for a PhD application and I don't have sure about what I really need to write in this 1~3 pages.

[shubhanginiawasthi]

There are a lot of professors who forget how to behave, so really a wonder tip that stand for yourself. This is also a part of growing up guys!! Be strong, go there with plenty of proofs and data. No-one can ever stop you from working on what you desire.

[albina]

Thank you for your kind advice and benevolent attitude

[A_Box]

Can you talk about the people who managed to get into R&D in the industry?

[Teilnehmer]

I have just started my PhD this month. This is very helpful. I guess I am kind of lucky in the sense that there is little politics in the department where I work and my supervisor is exacting but a very understanding person. However, I was heavily bullied during the final months of my master thesis which due to mental illness was stretched out from a one year project to almost 3 years (which was in itself highly stressful). I am currently debating whether I should inform my superiors about the bullying and personal insults. At the time I could not really change advisors because I was already in too deep and there was no one else with enough expertise in my area. Now, that I am technically free of him I could openly complain about his behavior. I wan to make his behavior known to our superiors (I was one of the first students he advised) but I don't really want the politics to engulf me. So I am a bit paralyzed.

[pixameha]

Thanks Andy for those tips! I would like to suggest a topic. In my case, I am doing my PhD in Spain and I want to do a research stay of 1 year in South Korea. I don't know how to persuade a professor for doing a PhD research stay for that long and from zero. Would you mind make a video about how to persuade professors for research stay or how to do a research stay on universities, research centers or industry.

Thanks and cool channel!

[foz]

Your videos are a God send! I am hoping that you can answer another one of my questions. A few people said to me to start writing from the beginning (don't leave it until the end) but what exactly am I supposed to be writing? What do people mean when they say this. I began my PhD in May and am reading and trying to narrow down my focus. Could you clarify?