PhD Survival guide | Everything you need to know to get through your PhD

In this video, I talk about how to survive your PhD and the insider secrets for getting to your final year.
Newsletter: andrewstapleton.com.au/newsle...
0:00 - no one knows what they're doing
3:44 - staying on track
7:25 - protecting your ability to work
10:59 - the student supervisor relationship
15:27 - weathering the ups and downs
21:02 - summary

[@saliexplore3094]

Watching your videos should be a requirement for every PhD student!

[@BoilsonA]

Grow up !!! Life is ruthless and at the end of PhD you will acknowledge that the bit of paper 📃 you get on graduation is not the best toilet paper. I used mine to wipe my ass many years ago !

[@luminousblue1539]

I couldn't recommend your channel more strongly. I am almost done with the first year of my PhD. I have to say that it's impressive how accurate your descriptions are about the forces going on behind the scenes in the academia. Having followed your channel for a long time really helped me to navigate the 'office politics' of academia and these are situations no one prepares you for. I am hugely impressed and I think this is truly unique to your channel compared to other PhD related channels (yes, I watch all of them :P).

[@DrAndyStapleton]

Thank you so much for your comment and support of the channel. I think I am able to talk more freely because my current job doesn't rely on anyone in academia and having left the system a few years ago I am able to see it a little bit more clearer than people that are currently inside. I'm pleased that my perspectives are resonating with you and hope that I can do the same for others!

[@luminousblue1539]

@@DrAndyStapleton Honestly, anyone who is doing or considering to do a PhD has to watch your videos. Time and time again I've encountered situations which were already discussed by you and I knew exactly how to handle them. There is a lot of value here.

[@SalsabilAlmaniya]

I just got the great news that my future supervisor managed to find funding for a research assistant position FOR ME in a few months. I am forever thankful and so excited for this PhD journey, yay! Thanks for your videos, gonna stay tuned.

[@DrAndyStapleton]

That is awesome!

[@narendey4075]

Just covered all the topics and feelings of a PhD student. Brilliant!!!!!

[@aledelice2119]

Could you make a playlist with the PhD-related videos? I keep rewatching them whenever I'm in 'the down phase' and when I need to hear some words of motivation and to remind myself that most of the PhD students struggle the same way... It really helps, thanks, Andy!

[@hanshearth7745]

Hey Andy, huge fan. Been binging your videos for the past month. Can you please do an episode where you discuss Veritasium's episode highlighting how most published research is "wrong." I would really like to gain insight in how you can be statistically confident that the results you get from your research is valid! (Other than the usual p-tests and whatever we learn in introductory statistics. Thanks for the amazing content!!!

[@toothdoc8206]

one thing to do is pay more attention to the effect size, which tells you about the meaningfulness of the difference between the groups rather than the typical p value of .05, which only means there is a difference that may or may not be meaningful. start by reading papers on this topic by john ioannidis at stanford.

[@vulpes6144]

I really, REALLY appreciate it, man. I am sure you don't know personally your over a thousand of subscribers but you can understand that the vast majority are facing hardships in a phD and sometimes all we need is a heartfelt "You've got this, take care of yourself and one day at the time", which not everyone has the priviledge to hear this from a supervisor or someone who truly understands your situation. Thank you so much.

[@BrandonJohnson-bx1ht]

Thank you Andy, you speak with a passion that rallies my motivational spirit while also priming me to balance my emotional budget with sobering reminders that a PhD requires grueling commitment.

[@gloriabertolotti5632]

I share all your tips and as a first-year PhD i'm finding the tutor-student relationship really fundamental in my journey.

[@charuuppal7043]

Good. They are very important. Also develop an academic community, not just in your field, but those that are sister disciplines. That will help you develop as a scholar and bring some potential future publications.

[@gloriabertolotti5632]

@@charuuppal7043 Yep, but i think that also trying to ask questions, raise doubts in phd schools for example may help to be noticed.

[@charuuppal7043]

@@gloriabertolotti5632 Absolutely...

[@nanakojazz]

OMG, I am watching this in the middle of the night and just had a struggling day academically. Then hearing about the “kangaroo poo” analysis segment, somehow made such a relief. As always, I am a massive fan of yours. Thanks, Andy!

[@vickylau4981]

Thank you Andy for your channel and videos with so many helpful motivating tips. Currently stumbling aimlessly helplessly woefully in turmoil in my final stage, I wish I had actively sought out your channel sooner!

[@joeslade4483]

Thank you, Andy. You're a tremendous help to all of us trying to navigate our way through the jungle of academia. I will continue to spread the word about your channel!

[@suhas7385]

This was just awesome.. Thank you very much, Andy!

[@vishalrout1937]

Thank you so much sir, I am a first year PhD student and i always waits for your videos to get motivated and wonderful guidance.

[@elenakozhevnikova4009]

LOVE your videos. thank you)

[@thinkerscientist132]

Amazing video! I´m finally done with my PhD since a few months, and actually decided to follow you in your footsteps and also start a KZbin channel! You have taught us all so much, both as a scientist as well as a KZbinr.

[@DrAndyStapleton]

That's awesome. Best of luck with your channel! And thank you for your kind words!

[@thinkerscientist132]

@@DrAndyStapleton Thank you very much! 🤩 Do you actually have any content on your channel (couldn‘t find it so far) aimed specifically at aspiring science/PhD KZbinrs, or are you perhaps thinking about making any videos on that topic in the future? Have a great day!

[@shebarsultan]

Thank you so much for such realistic ideas.

[@jourytasnim7107]

Your video is very helpful. Thank you.

[@ratnanirupama3368]

Thank you Dr. Your videos help me a lot in my PhD journey, currently in my second year.

[@DrAndyStapleton]

You're very welcome!

[@ArianeMorassiSasso]

Thanks for the videos, they are great

[@DrAndyStapleton]

You got this!

[@sirmclovin9184]

Thanks, I love your videos and recommend them to my friends!

[@DrAndyStapleton]

Awesome, thank you!

[@stacialid1663]

So true! Subscribed.

[@DrAndyStapleton]

Welcome aboard!

[@nadagh3235]

Is it normal when you reach half of the journey and you still feel that you are lost and no publications and no supported community!

[@megha2319]

This video totally brightened my Morning (in India) 😍 Thanks Andy

[@DrAndyStapleton]

My pleasure!!

[@stateoftheart9542]

You don't have idea how much I appreciate all the things you just said. I'm trying so hard in finishing my masters and I'm really concern in how the PhD journey is going to be.

[@TunTun-bd5mt]

Hi, I just watched your videos today and will going to watch in coming days. I am going to start a PhD tomorrow and one of the most bothering thing is the statistical analysis on the data. How to do that? Specially how to read and describe that data? Can you do a detailed video on it please. Thanks!

[@kinanauk5012]

OMG.. you said the truth.. the publication game is killing me!!

[@sailawayteam]

In the middle of my PhD, and having wasted the last 6 months on the brink of burnout - your thoughts give me hope.

[@katto4586]

Andy, Love your channel love hearing about what academia is like - still in the post grad universe but moving into Phd in a few years time. Have a question about becoming 'academically independent'. I'm wondering at what point on the academic career path does your supervisor/professor stop 'taking credit' for your original ideas... I'm hoping to avoid that fate - going to be studying pure mathematics FYI.

[@charuuppal7043]

This credit taking is possibly more common in math and science where ideas are often connected to industry or big ideas which can be monetised. About being an independent scholar, there are several organisations for independent scholars, they charge a fee, but hold conferences, and book launches, and support those who are not connected to a formal academic institution. Being with a University has many perks, including a regulated year and the possibility of mentoring others. Do some research on independent scholars in math....and see if that is for you.

[@krisanthonysilveira8244]

time has numbed them..

[@no-de3lg]

I don’t have a topic what I should do im clueless literally cannot think of anything nor a thesis

[@charuuppal7043]

What area of study?

[@isaacstamper7798]

MORE

[@grammarlings6517]

Offering publication credit for work *is* research. You made it sound like it was an nefarious 'carrot'. If they do some work, they should get some credit, and yes it gives them experience. That's just the system working properly.

[@POLYMATHEMPIRE]

Well I survived by being the yeti you talked about. I didn't turn up and if I did it was at night 😂 lol

[@POLYMATHEMPIRE]

Corrections got accepted a week ago just need to stop procrastinating and submit the final (hard binded version) :-)

[@grammarlings6517]

Hard work + Luck, yes undeniably. But making it sound like all (or a majority) of tenured professors got there with a dose of privilege is patently false, some yes, some no. Do you know any research on it?

[@hanshearth7745]

also first* 🥇

[@odbhut424]

Is... is stepping on kangaroo poo a thing that happens in Australia?

[@nonee915]

ooohhh how much more they depend on "luck, euphoria and golden hands" is unbearable.

[@jayshan3645]

Now your knowledge is going in wrong direction. I’m getting negative vibes from you lately.