Secrets of the Top 0.1% PhD Students (+ Become One)

In this video, I dive into some key strategies that top PhD students use to thrive in their research and stay on track. Getting through a PhD can feel like navigating a maze of tasks, responsibilities, and complex decisions.

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From selecting high-impact experiments to balancing a busy schedule, these unique habits can help you focus your energy on what really matters. If you’re searching for practical PhD tips for success, this video offers insights that can make a difference.

One core principle I discuss is how successful PhD students focus on experiments that lead to concrete outcomes, whether that’s data for their thesis or a paper for publication. They’re not just working hard—they’re working smart by keeping their eyes on results. This kind of focus helps them avoid the trap of busywork and gives them a clear path toward progress. In terms of PhD advice, learning to prioritize like this can be a game-changer. It allows you to direct your time and energy toward what will advance your research, ultimately helping you finish a PhD more efficiently.

Alongside productivity, another key focus is developing a work schedule that aligns with your own rhythm. Everyone has different preferences, and top PhD students understand how to balance intense research with rest and recreation. This is something I encourage every PhD student to try: find a schedule that works best for you, whether it’s a strict 9-to-5 or something more flexible. Good PhD student advice involves recognizing that there isn’t one perfect way to manage your time—it's all about what keeps you motivated and productive over the long haul.

Successful PhD students typically work on more than one research track. This “backup” approach isn’t just about ambition; it’s a smart risk-management strategy. Research doesn’t always go as planned, so having multiple tracks keeps you moving forward, even when one path stalls. It’s all part of a mindset that top students adopt to navigate the ups and downs of academic research.

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▼ ▽ TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
00:02 They focus on data to papers
01:11 They are doers
01:54 They work how they want to work
03:57 Parallel research tracks
05:09 Understands what a PhD really is
06:54 Understands the academic game early on
08:36 Enthusiastic
09:47 Outro

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[virgirma_PhD_scholar]

That’s why I like your Channel Andy.Every now and then you drop some golden advice !After 5 years trying to ´please ´ my supervisor, I decided to go rogue and just do what I want .I ´ m working on 3 different papers now and hopefully I can meet my requirements within 4 months and leave this hell hole .Hood luck to the new PhD students on this page !

[lucaguarrasi]

Good stuff, I start my PhD in biology in December and I got my studentship offer today so will be binging this content

[nasera]

Andy, I’ve been watching your videos for a long time, and they’re absolutely wonderful! I’ll be starting my PhD in November, and I’m sure some others will be starting around the same time. It would be great to see a video from you covering all the do’s and don’ts for those of us in the early stages of PhD studies. I'm a bit stressed!

[farzadjahanfard]

Just got my phd studentship yesterday and my guy uploaded this love you man ❤

[DataRae-AIEngineer]

Andy - thank you SO MUCH for your hard work helping us do well with our PhDs. Watching your channel has given me SO MANY golden nuggets.

[meghaparvathy]

You are a saviour for the PhD students ❤ thank you ❤

[imthinkingthoughts]

Cheers Andy, hopefully going to start a phd in human factors on AI agents in healthcare next year. Wish me luck!

[farzadjahanfard]

Andy could you please make a video on how make notes and make sense of data we have and how tidy and categorise them.

[ezasokotela]

Andy, this is amazing advice! Thank you so much!❤

[coldlyanalytical]

Years ago I considered a PhD - but on discussing the options with the college staff I realised that I really wanted to do Product Research & Development ... designing and making things ... heavily research & academic based but in truth an engineering direction.
So my first job was as Research Scientist at a major commercial research lab.
Patents rather than Papers!

[dangkhoatrannguyen]

I'm not a Phd. I'm a researcher in the industry, and all these tips have been helping me out a lot. I wasn't aware that I was doing it. I was just trying to survive the year end reviews haha

[jmkyarrow]

Depends who counts as "top" though... Some these points could be quite circular. I like parts of this video but others just sound like "depsite everyone complaining about the flaws of academia, submit to them anyway". Not the best message if we want to improve the way things are done though practice.

[wrbl]

watching this instead of preparing for PhD defence next week (not elite lol)

[debmalyabanerjee]

Thank you so much Sir for this wonderful video. I am an ardent follower of your videos. Unfortunately, I have just crossed one year of my PhD and still continuing my coursework as our PhD regulation demands learning subjects not of our field which cannot be avoided. I have generated lots of data but right now after discussing with my guide but the entire work needs to be repeated again alongside my coursework. Can you guide me how to recourse my direction? Moreover, publishing papers has now become extremely hard. So, how to address these issues and how to overcome this situation?

[abc_ratio]

I want to squeeze everything and handle quickly but my supervisor won’t let me in. Always waiting their response confirmation their time to talk and then weeks but no progress. Maybe I should supervise myself on my own.

[petergreis]

I play hard….. perhaps it‘s time to apply for my PhD…😂

[taopaille-paille]

There is no data or experiment at all in my phd field

[coldlyanalytical]

Re: Top people playing hard. I used to be part of the CEO's team of a high tech. After a while I realised that almost all of my colleagues, in addition to being very capable at work, also took part in extreme sports.