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

All the many things I've learnt as a PhD Student and wish I had known earlier in the PhD process

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

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[TessaMae]

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

[minutesofyourtime]

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

[priyamirmira]

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

[iyeshafranklin]

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

[indirabarykbayeva]

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

[supryadi]

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

[joannaervik]

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

[munachiso]

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

[CChandam]

I have my pre-Ph.D interview tomorrow. Thanks for sharing yours. I was googling about PhDs and interviews and was glad to find your channel.

[sulaimanfayez]

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

[preciousamaechi]

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

[stevenedwards]

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

[retroSTAAR]

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

[JAlexanderCurtis]

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

[_luisabrasil]

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

[SMGorska]

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

[Proactive_nuel]

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

[MuhammadAli-ytlg]

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

[denisezambezi]

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

[johncoakleyjr]

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