10 Brutally Honest Lessons About Doing A PhD | Real PhD struggles and PhD Stress

Embarking on a PhD journey? Feel like your PhD struggles are real and overwhelming? You're not alone.
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This video dives deep into the heart of PhD student life, unveiling the raw and unfiltered truths behind the prestigious degree. From the initial excitement to the daunting challenges, we cover it all. Whether it's navigating academic expectations, dealing with PhD stress, or juggling the demands of grad school, our comprehensive PhD student advice is designed to support you through every hurdle.
We don't just stop at the academic struggles; we also explore the critical aspect of mental health in the PhD journey. Understanding the importance of well-being, we provide practical tips and strategies to manage stress and maintain balance.
Whether you're a current or prospective PhD student, this video is a must-watch for anyone looking to understand the realities of a PhD and how to successfully manage them. Let's face it together: your PhD struggles are real, but so is your strength and potential to overcome them. Dive in for an enlightening journey through the highs and lows of PhD student life.
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▼ ▽ TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Lower your expectations
01:24 Praise
02:27 A**holes
03:39 Don't fixate
04:37 Don't Wait Around
06:10 Be Stupid
07:42 Take Control
08:57 Kiss Ass
10:00 Don't Worry
11:11 PhD's are Hard
12:42 Wrapping Up
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[@DrAndyStapleton]

Unlock the secret formula to thriving in your PhD: turn the toughest challenges into your biggest triumphs: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6XJdqSebJl1hrs

[@chunnaiyamspo5062]

Please do a video on supervisors (often senior professors) who claim first authorship on every paper from their research lab. And how it can possibly impact his/her PhD students' future? And how to remedy if the student is already in the midst of it? author some single authored papers? Please do a video on it.

[@stiggofthedump]

I'm 6 months in - honestly, this should be required viewing for every new PhD student at about the 6 month mark. Thanks Andy!

[@agnieszkastarczewska3018]

Same!

[@TheSamuanelS]

I am in my second year of PhD, and only lately have I managed to learn and understand all these invaluable lessons. I am still stunned by the staggering difference between my experience as undergrad and master's, compared to that of a PhD student. I was convinced like many that the path before a PhD would serve as preparation to research, but my world was instead overthrown! Utterly flipped inside-out. Up was down, left was right. I am left now wondering why people are kept ignorant of such catastrophe, and are not educated and prepared accordingly (or at least, I wasn't). Secondly, although I am finally coming to terms with all these harsh truths, I can't but think that things could be better, and that a lot of all the struggle a PhD student has do endure could be alleviated. It really feels like it has to be this way and no other, and I fail to see the causal relations determining this conclusion.

[@webiorg6147]

"Up was down, left was right. I am left now wondering why people are kept ignorant of such catastrophe, and are not educated and prepared accordingly" Could you please tell me a bit about that? What was the most shocking to you, and how do you think this could be prevented?

[@Nevy21]

I'm a big proponent of doing a PhD later in your career after you have some experience in your field and more financial ressources. You'll have a much clearer view of what you want to do.

[@starfish258852]

I am just applying for a PhD and this feels important to know

[@Psyaii]

What field are you in?

[@emilyt3737]

Same here…

[@br7693t]

Good luck starfish and Emily! Took me several cycles to finally get admitted. Don't give up.

[@starfish258852]

Thank you :) I am already working to say with my potential supervisor, I am very excited!@@br7693t

[@kevinrams]

I withdrew from my PhD. This is basically everything you need to know from the psychological point of view.

[@Daxx88888]

Being your own cheerleader is great life advice in general

[@k0185123]

So true!

[@62Deepblue]

What you are saying is in an actual fact the reality of life!! You are in control of your own destiny.

[@noelgillett346]

I'm not sure that this is a correct synopsis of his argument. Having to suck up so as to get thru gate-keepers sounds like hell to me. and as myself am being put through an initiation ritual at present, it seems to me that much of the control lies in the hands of others.

[@cesargcedeno]

I have a PhD and, in no small part due to bad advicing and other life choices, i am working an entry level job. Spare yourself the drama and think twice about it

[@krishnasaikia6132]

On what , phd

[@hoangphucpham2182]

going through my first month of PhD. Gonna binge your hold channel now Andy!

[@amberlawes-johnson300]

Andy! you have helped me to see through some of the deep struggles I've had throughout my PhD so far. I'm indebted to your wisdom and your ability to empathise and be real about this journey. So much of what you preach goes beyond PhD to the wider sphere of life! Massive thanks always

[@jean-bosco729]

You are # 1 Andy! Recently got my doctorate, yes you're telling the brutal truth. Keep it up!

[@pabloreed7717]

Thank you Andy!!! Your videos are always so inspirational

[@SoufyAsth]

I can't help but be so disappointed by my supervisor's lack of support and guidance and it is definitely affecting my mental health.

[@strayorion2031]

Oof thats one of the hardest one, try to find support in other people, but generally not getting enough support from the supervisor is one of the worst case scenarios you can be in

[@diaryofagraduate]

me too

[@KaiwenTeh]

I’ve been there.

[@JupiterThunder]

Well I wouldn't allow it to do that. The situation is quite normal. When I started my PhD my supervisor said "There's the lab. Get in there and do some top science. Get a couple of papers published, and stick my name on them. See you in 3 years time for the viva."

[@diaryofagraduate]

@@JupiterThunder how? I put pressure on my supervisor, but he but the regeants and materials.

[@DrPinayLoves]

This is just too frank and I love it. I'm writing these tips and putting the note in my notebook to remind me. Thank you, Andy.

[@Vale08131]

I’m writing these down, thank you so much Andy ❤

[@Mountaineer170]

Amazing video man! Would love it if you do videos for post-PhD career building, resume, the transition, etc.

[@emigonzalez9765]

This is one of the most helpful videos I've seen in a very long time… and just what I needed to hear today! Thank you so much for this pep talk!

[@sohumkapadia4740]

Thanks for this! It is very relatable and feels relieving to hear from you.

[@paulineelisabetholsen]

Andy, thank you! At the end of my doctoral journey but just lost my daughter, so diving back in has been excruciating. “I am doing all right.” Thanks for the push

[@theeternalgus9119]

Sorry to hear about your daughter. When I was a kid I lost my brother and this was during the time my mum was doing her thesis for her phD. Sadly she never continued to complete it. Wish you all the best. ❤

[@Nevy21]

This... freaking sucks terribly. I'm sorry about your loss.

[@glitcharcing]

Wow, I’m so sorry. I commend you and understand your motivation to push through a period of suffering. I will share my story with you in the hopes that it makes you feel even slightly less alone in the pursuit of research through a difficult time. I will hopefully never know the pain of losing a child, I simply cannot imagine how painful it is. However, I can relate to feeling grief and loss from the unexpected severance of a familial connection. In 2020, my mom started going into psychosis (she has had bipolar I my entire life) and disappeared in 2021 as a result. My mother was never the greatest person, definitely lots of trauma to unpack still, but it is still sad for very obvious reasons. I tried to help her but I was only 19-20 years old at the time and very lost myself. I was hopeless because I had no family at that point. I had many mental health withdrawals during that time, and I honestly completely lost myself for a year. I have no memory of that time. While I cannot say I have fully recovered, I can gratefully say that I’ve been able to find myself again and live a full life again as of last fall. I remember listening to this one band El Ten Eleven last September around 6 A.M., pretty much alone in the library, and walking outside to a refreshing and beautiful brisk wind. I took a deep breath and I felt like my soul had been renewed, and at that moment, I knew there was hope for me. I was so motivated that I befriended my instructor and asked him to discuss some research papers. He was kind enough to believe in me despite my lackluster academic transcript and he let me join his lab. There have been quite a few struggles… particularly with anxiety and depression… but I am still doing it, and so are you. The pure love and joy you feel when you’re in the flow of research is unparalleled. It really takes away all the pain for a few moments. I don’t know you, but I’m proud of you for powering through this time and I wish you the best.

[@notreallydavid]

Condolences and best wishes, Pauline. Do everything your daughter would want to see you doing - especially, being happy.

[@amanda-clairebennett6132]

You just described my undergraduate course, best wishes from Perth Wa and many thanks for a very entertaining video.

[@albondar]

This is the best video out there ! Really shows the hard truths more and cuts thru all tbe glowing glitter of your 1st year “i’ll come in and kick ass”.

[@joeh212]

Wow spot on. This is profoundly accurate, and I'm glad you made this.

[@chrisjfox8715]

A PhD is something one has to do for themselves as a further road towards edification

[@lycaenops]

Not easy but not impossible !! Thanks Andy , and to all of us who are struggling in our research, good luck and success!

[@jonathansonnenschirm8535]

one of my most favorite videos that you made lately! 🙏🏻

[@alje311]

PhD's might also get you turned away from many jobs because you are deemed way overqualified, its better to leave it off your resume if you really need the job you applied for.

[@dmitripopov8570]

Brilliant advice and expertise! Thank you!

[@oyingwenya]

I really needed to hear this...thank you so much!!!

[@cedargrace]

I really value your content for bursting my illusory fantasy bubble of what I hoped a PhD would be for me. It’s really saving me from a lot of future heartache.

[@NDM0613]

Thank you so much for this valuable advice!

[@bmimagining9415]

I haven't seen all of your videos, but I think this could certainly be one of the best 🎉

[@TheJourneyofAugustine]

Amazing video for someone who is at the beginning of their journey. Thanks a lot

[@alicecarle_1941]

So true … you put words on my feelings … you’re awesome, thank you!

[@jeng4867]

Well, this was spot on and fantastic. Thanks for putting together the great content Andy! Helping me through the final year :)

[@julianosvonskingrad7009]

People always wondered why I, someone who was one of the smartest of his fellow students, was not interested in doing a PhD. Actually, I informed myself so early about pro and cons of a PhD, that I decided it is not worth it. Others are still trying to finish to this day and completely misjudged the needed effort and the brutality of this path.

[@annipurple]

this speech is so good it fixed my life. literally. every line can be easily applied to life in general. i feel healed

[@Universe728]

Lots of GREAT advice! Thank you

[@womenscvresearch]

You are ON POINT Andy.

[@javiercamacho3259]

I am currently experiencing most of the situations described. Thank you, @DrAndyStapleton, for your helpful advice. Please continue providing your valuable insights.

[@rainydayz7]

I was treated like crap by PhD candidates and professors. I was a nice person...and I was a naive person to boot. I saw how chronically exhausted PhD candidates always were, and it was always about kissing the butts, schmoozing the right people, cloistering themselves in their own little, self-centered worlds, stomping on and using other "lesser" people all in that holy quest of publishing and getting ahead, and spending years researching and working for a pittance of a stipend, only to get that PhD. Life is too short to slave away for a PhD for most people, at least it is for me anyway. I've got years of living and earning power over my former "colleagues" who had to pursue their PhDs.

[@qookiemonsta2557]

I am not doing a PhD, however I thoroughly enjoy your enthusiasm, energy and humour in your videos; plus of course the occasional useful tip regarding research and AI. Great work Andy!

[@Vullfy]

Im writing up my dissertation and have experienced all of these problems! I feel like I should acknowledge the shittiness of university process and culture in the acknowledgments section of my dissertation! I love your tips Andy. Thank you. Although the reality they reflect does take the shine off PhD or even academic qualifications in general. If I didn’t feel so strongly about my own research topic I would have quit a long time ago.

[@marohs5606]

Maybe the best video ever about PhD... thank U

[@k0185123]

Hello Andy, I have been following your channel since around one year ago. In the beginning, I was intrigued by how you interpret and explain what PhD is, because at that time I just got my PhD offer from an international research center was was really excited about my future. Later on, I gradually lost the interest in watching your videos, because I couldn't relate to it anymore. I wondered perhaps I need more realistic PhD experience to really understand your point. Now it's one year into my PhD. All you said in this video totally match what I have been feeling in the past few months. I am developing a simulation tool in a team where 95% of people are experimentalist. I was jealous how "easy" it is for them to do experiments and generate papers, because those equipment is already set up completely and continuously maintained by vendors. As for my research, I have to code all by myself and no one in our team has any clue about what I am doing. It's like explaining calculus to normal people outside academia. But perhaps like you said everyone has their own difficulties. In addition, my relationship with supervisor is also interesting. He is really nice and kind, but I started to think he is not capable of supervising me, because he is not an expert in this field. This makes me doubt his profession and even start complaining him in my mind. But after watching this video, I realized he is just a human. Just like me, we don't know everything, so I shouldn't care that too much. Instead, I should take the ownership of my research. One thing that I've been thinking is what counts as a good Ph.D. student / researcher? Like you said, I set a really high expectation of me in the beginning, and after realizing the realities, I started losing my confidence, thinking perhaps I couldn't accomplish this and that. But then your words remind me that no one is perfect and we just need to follow some specific steps to get the PhD, and that is it. PhD is nothing more than some specific research and administrative steps. Don't set our expectations too high. Anyway, I just want to say your video really helps me a lot! Thank you so much for sharing these invaluable tips and advice! Sorry for my limited English.

[@elifcliff]

Just when I needed this. Thank you!

[@joeh212]

Same

[@Slide61]

Awesome!!! You nailed it - especially academic egos!!!

[@daydaykeyis]

You are so bloody helpful mate

[@cocs88715]

Thanks for confirming that hardships and difficulties are CERTAIN events in academia. So many PhD students were simply not prepared when they signed up…

[@csbc92]

As a PhD student in the final year, I can relate to every point 100%.

[@LUXi125]

This is so funny and real I love it, I did not start yet. I can imagine that these points are so important.

[@kuenzangdorji5628]

Appreciate your inputs. Would you mind making video on how to prepare a candidacy exam? Thanks!

[@siyabongapatrick2257]

Great video. I'm in my first year PhD focusing on fuel cells, metal air batteries and water splitting and every point you mention are 100% true. This applies to everything in life, you are your own motivation

[@user-om7mk4xf2f]

Thanks for the video. Lots of great points in it. I'd say that while most of this applies to PhDs in the Humanities too, the writing up process can be a bit different in that the crafting of an argument as well as presenting your data can be important. Very useful though overall. I wonder how many people eventually quit academia because they decide they don't want to be jerks

[@yeahdudex]

I'm not sure how I ended up here, but: thank you; these lessons generalize surprisingly well to someone starting a new career in software development (working in an organization with a lot of recovering academics, no less)

[@breathlessMay]

Very nice, real, and useful.

[@annika8877]

Thanks for your video! I just reached half of your points but there is so much truth in it! I am so happy I finished my PhD last year and it was honestly the hardest thing I did in my life until now. Honestly, I am still not sure if it was worth all the struggle. 😅

[@psp_online]

Oh... I've seen ALL 10 😂😂 On point Andy 👍

[@RyanCaesar]

I wish i had access to this advice when i was doing my phd! i will now be sharing this with all my students who are considering going for one. thanks for your work!

[@DrAndyStapleton]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@jessicahenning]

I really appreciate your insights!

[@DrAndyStapleton]

Thank you for supporting the channel!

[@chrisogonas]

Can't agree more! You wrap it up, and you realize you still got lots more to do to penetrate the industry, and work with countless others with lesser degrees but often in key strategic positions. However, all said, a PhD well done is still worth your time if you can make time to get it done. It stretches you into a greater resource in so many aspects. Stay stupid, stay hungry, keep learning, keep growing 👍

[@mlpb]

I'm stuck in my thesis. I liked listening to this. Thank you Sir.

[@javieraalfaro1091]

Same... 😢

[@TimTeatro]

Well, where the hell were you ten years ago when I needed you? ;) Great advice.

[@BenjiShock]

Honestly I am so glad I didn't try to do a PhD. I think in general doing research is just really harsh for your mental health. Because most research is really boring or has disappointing results, which are of course still valuable but I can't fathom to spend 5 years on something that would just be thrown into a book shelf and never looked at again. In contrast I've started to work now as an engineer and I can see the value of my work really fast really often. And that has been so refreshing. Big respect to everyone that takes on this challenge and good luck to you!

[@Three-Chord-Trick]

I wanted to do a PhD so I could feel superior to everyone else. It had nothing to do with any money or a job.

[@rainydayz7]

At least you're honest about your true motivation. Sounds like a huge amount of time and money spent just to feel "superior" to others. Um, okay.

[@drts6955]

Well at least you're doing it for the right reasons!

[@foodie8779]

Facts spilled❤

[@marlo512]

I have my first PhD interview tomorrow!!!

[@glitcharcing]

How’d it go?

[@Dark_Souls_3]

Update ussss

[@anirbandas4201]

Video with all real facts covered. Plz make this type of video frequently.

[@filipposaatkamp6337]

I think that everything you said applies to life in general...not just academia, let alone PhD programmes

[@user-nj3qm2dh4s]

I enjoy your videos, Andy 😇

[@MaicMayer]

I have experienced all of them in master LOL and I will face them AGAIN in PhD.. LoL

[@jakubburnos7095]

Man I am so glad I left after one year. Best decision of my life.

[@wmpmacm]

I got one. It helped with pay at the community college. The only research I did was to get it. It may have been a waste of money, but it was something I wanted for myself as a way of reaching a difficult goal academically.

[@skreppeknekker]

I work at an occupational health service at a university and forwarded this to my colleagues

[@suheylkarakaya4238]

wow, that's worths a re-watch

[@eli_here]

Andy this was useful even for my thesis haha

[@MrCliverlong]

The advice goes way beyond attempting a PhD. Can apply to life outside academia especially how people defend themselves by hitting out when they feel vulnerable.

[@h.vie.363]

So true❤

[@OlgaTsygankova]

I don't think it's the most productive thing to tell people to be assholes and engage in ruthless flattery. This kind of cynical approach can (and probably will) work in the short term, but it will undermine your sense of self, personhood, and integrity, so you might end up with a tenured job, but without knowing who you are anymore. I see such people around, and they are never happy, no matter how many papers and books they have published. This is another brutal truth - you are going to live with yourself for the rest of your life, this is your tenure. There is no "getting away from toxic people" if you become one of them.

[@JK-vc7ie]

The world needs 67% fewer phd students.

[@incememed55]

You are basically suggesting us to be a machiavellist :) I believe one needs to do whatever it gets; otherwise, nice people can not have fun with their lives and get their PhD at the same time. I am doing my PhD and I mostly agree with your suggestions but it is such a pity. I hope one day the system will change.

[@noxiousdow]

I wish I had had videos like this available to me when I was doing my PhD. Back then this was not talked about at all. You were just expected to shut up and get on with it. And yeah, nobody gave a shit. I mean, I'm glad now that I did it, but I feel like I lost something in my life. I think it might have exacerbated existing mental health problems and I may suffer from lasting effects to this day. Who knows? I can't know how my life would have gone if I hadn't done it.

[@DanOneOne]

PhD prepares you to be the best Taxi driver in the universe!

[@cfc730]

need similar video on masters!

[@dottedrhino]

Cheers! 😁

[@riianiu]

Good video 😊

[@MrWolynski]

Originally I thought it was about making more money. Now there are so many, that the market is flooded, that they are not as valuable, except for inside of academia, where the market is even more flooded.

[@paulduff3555]

Thanks for this! It’s hard to keep going sometimes. I’m almost done with classes and some days I just want to say, why am I even doing this?

[@finophile]

Hi Andy, great presentation and I couldn't agree more. I have a research masters (no, not spoon fed by coursework) and basically the differences are small. Much of what you said I've already been through. Its worth noting I'm an Xer and have been in and around the Uni scene (not as an academic, but in academic support roles) for some decades. So from that perspective I assumed that your presentation was to "tail end" Millenials and the fist run into Uni of "GenZ" (hence the direction and premises of all the personal advice) You may rightly guess that I've hit upon this because KZbin has sniffed out that I'm now working towards a PhD Candidacy of my own now. However your other videos (not least kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4aqq6GAjtmLmLc ) has me rethinking this whole process. I know that a PhD is just one degree (out of a possible 360 degrees in a circle of knowledge), but thanks for making that point again and clearly. Always good to be reminded.

[@greensombrero3641]

My expectation was to leave the university a bit better than when I entered. I wanted to leave better and I want the university to be better when I finished. I learned a lot - especially about hard work and coffee - and was fortunate to contribute to a couple of high profile papers - luck contributed as much as hard work. In order to stumble (into something interesting) - one must be moving.

[@jamesdenofantiquity]

I'm doing a PhD in the humanities and I am very much alone in this process. I have lately not only begun to question what I am doing but also my topic. I have faced pressure to change my topic from non-academic people and I have noticed that a lot of people don't share my enthusiasm for the topic. I am struggling right now, I guess it is a part of my general life struggles and trying to hold on in other ways. I often derive a lot of my motivation from doing my research but I am at a low ebb right now. By the way I don't have a supervisors so I am shooting around on my own and so it is hard not to give into peer-pressure or even non-peer pressure to change my topic and my pursuit but I don't know..Yesterday I nearly cracked because I wondered if I was worthless and whether my PhD was worthless. I have another semester beginning around the corner and I am working right now to keep in the fight.

[@YangMills]

I came to know about how academia works and the postdoc issues through KZbin videos, quora, reddit, some articles, etc. ( only during the final year of my undergrad). I find particle physics extremely interesting ever since high school and decided to become a physicist. What are your suggestions for me, guys? Should one focus on becoming an academic by pursuing a phd or should pursue some other route which I also find interesting ( I like electronics too). I would like to my prospects if I end up picking the academic route as I'm only about to finish my undergrad and I have only a very vague idea of what lies ahead of me upon choosing the academic route. My question is WHETHER IT IS GOOD TO PURSUE A PHD ONLY WITH THE INTENTION OF BECOMING AN ACADEMIC AND NOT FOR ANY OTHER JOB THAT REQUIRES A PHD. I'm really confused guys. So any suggestions from you are warmly welcomed. Thanks in advance!

[@HouseTre007]

Learn your way out of problems

[@Dr_Doe]

Brilliant, Andy. Special mention on the use of methafors to sum it up. I'd love to have coffee with you. No homo ☠️ Anyway awesome vibe, bud. Last time i checked you seem a bit sad. From your earlier videos. Sincerely, A friend you never knew.

[@johnsmith1953x]

*You will NOT get a job after your PhD* *You will NOT get a job after your first Post-Doc* *You will NOT get a job after your SECOND Post-Doc* You will then CRY.

[@engineering_guy]

Man Andy...I'm doing a PhD now(2nd year and still no paper)..and all of this is real..I know..I used to watch all of your videos. But every time I see one..I feel more and more dejected. I know you're speaking truths..but I have to believe that things will work out. I really like my project..it's just taking way more time. Make some cheerful videos once in a while

[@heavenlyjoy8499]

I'm in my fifth, still no paper

[@SuperSwaggaboiz]

Tell him

[@Vullfy]

Andy, do you (or does anyone!) know where I can pay a competent person in my field to do the job my supervisor is supposed to do? I just want some guidance, rather that the long term guessing game I’ve been playing for several years now. I get that PhD is a journey for one … but a basic map and a torch would really help me out.

[@diaryofagraduate]

In my case I cannot progress because I do depend on my supervisor buy what I need. When I talked about my progress he took it personally,

[@workingmoodleclass5925]

Kiss ass always..in fact, when you have an idea, make sure to make it seem like it came from the supervisor. Suck up!!

[@ambrosekola4011]

There is need for a revolution in doctoral studies. I think we need to focus more on writing impactful journal articles than this bunch of theses that other people will barely read.

[@robw1927]

PhD = Permanent head Damage

[@sharmas7586]

Awesome

[@peterrichards931]

Hey good luck...universities will be hurting seriously for students in the coming years, so make sure you'll be able to do more than just teach, as they'll be slashing programs.