How to fail a PhD | 5 key things to avoid!

Failing a PhD is pretty uncommon in my experience. Your supervisor should do everything in their power to make sure that your PhD is successful. However they can only guide you through the process and there are things that you need to do to make sure you don't fail. In this video I will talk about the five key things that you should avoid at all costs so you don't fail your PhD.
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▼ ▽ TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - introduction
1:23 - cutting corners
3:20 - not turning up
5:40 - choosing the wrong examiners
8:05 - Poor time and project management
10:34 - No synthesis of results
12:44 - Outro
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[@tahmidfaisal9147]

Choosing the right supervisor and the lab is another vital step in this process.

[@robertnewell5057]

Very true, but few students have the luxury of being able to pick and choose a supervisor.

[@cosmicprison9819]

You don’t simply start cutting corners because you had somehow suddenly turned lazy, after already having completed your bachelor and master studies on a good-enough level to even get the PhD position in the first place. You start scaling back your efforts once you hit a point where you’re dependent on other people to progress, and realise they are under nowhere near the same time pressure as yourself: When you finish up your first paper’s manuscript quickly, only to have it stay on your supervisor’s desk for three months, without any feedback, so that you can’t keep working on it in the meantime (at least not if your supervisor is your co-author; if you just keep editing stuff on your own, it’s hard to tell when you’re improving it or making it worse). When you’re waiting for reviewers to send you their comments on manuscripts you’ve already submitted, until that you can finally work that feedback into the text and get it published. And, of course, when the lab shuts down for several months due to a pandemic, twice actually, during the course of my PhD - and you have no way of doing the research you have to do outside of that lab. Those are essentially cases of learned helplessness / reduced self-efficacy. That’s when you start toning down the effort. Because you realise it’s like cycling in first gear: You can keep kicking all you want, the bike isn’t going any faster either way. You can keep reading papers for the sake of it, but you’ll have forgotten about what you read by the time you can finally get back to working on your papers. So you’ll have to re-read them again either way. Also, the feeling of not knowing enough and being bound to get caught eventually, that remained the entire time. And I’ve already handed in (in digital format, at least; the dean’s office was closed this week, so I’ll have to submit the printed copies next week - but those are identical, so that’s just formalities). My colleagues still seem to have the impression that nobody knows more about my topic than myself. But then again, they’re human; AI is much better at finding stuff out: Whenever me and the other PhD students played Among Us, with what felt like above random chance, the computer would often pick me as the “Impostor” 😂…

[@Brenda-hs8wj]

I was able to turn my F into an A. I wanted to say a super thanks since your videos and words are inspiration, because getting a PhD is not a simple walk in the park. Thank you so very much!!!!!!!!!! Brenda Palmer

[@DrAndyStapleton]

Fantastic news! Happy to help you along the way.

[@emmanuelkefasbwade5824]

Good day Dr. Thank you so much for your videos; they are highly educative and the timing is superb. It may interest you to know that you have been doing a great job of guiding us in making an informed decision at every single step of our journey to the PhD. Keep up the excellent work.

[@SyedRizvii]

Good points but most importantly beware of rogue examiners kids! don't get someone too specialised in the field....egos in academia are the number one cause for most of RRs...

[@msrizal2159]

Agree...not just academia, but also for others professional career too.. It's like you want to sell your product to the knowledgeable stranger, how to convince them to buy your product? This is about a phd.

[@IamPali2024]

Yet again, another simple yet important video. This is awesome 👏 thanks again

[@talalsaleem8835]

Thanks for the video. Your knowledge sharing did motivate us during our journey.

[@shebarsultan]

Thank you Dr. Andy for such a wholesome advice in every video. Really appreciate.

[@jigneshnagar4128]

One of my favourite person. I am always getting more and more confident after seeing your videos. Thank you very much for putting hard effort to make such a wonderful informative videos with all the comprehensive details which required for a successful PhD students. Thank you very very much.

[@aldgio85]

Thanks for sharing these tips

[@asiimwejoytu2489]

Good advice! Thanks

[@merdekaagussaputra1504]

Thank you very much Andy. You help me to work on my PhD. I really follow your tips. :)

[@DrAndyStapleton]

Happy to help!

[@ThePresident001]

Ok, I think I've avoided these things. Now, back to writing my thesis. Thanks for the video!

[@ahmhmd1990]

Andy I would love if you talked about the importance of meeting with your supervisor every now and then

[@Mariegilbert12345]

Can you speak to PhD students that start directly from completing their undergrad?

[@tariq3erwa]

I'm thinking about it, I spent 7 years as an undergrad because of COVID, uprisings and military coups

[@fernandohuaranca8006]

Please. I've noticed that it's very common for my classmates to enroll in a PhD program quickly, even when they don't know what their research topic will be

[@jonf568]

I would say picking a topic in which you can get "stable" funding and listening to your supervisor if certain things need to be revised. So many PhD students make the mistake of have the attitude of "I know WAY more than you" and end up not completing the program or if they do suffer career wise.

[@surajpowar4915]

Hello Dr. Stapleton, really loved your advice. I have a suggestion, if you can make a video on how you write up a research paper. Like your preferable method from starting to end would be really helpful to all of students who will be joining grad school soon. Thank you so much.

[@schmetterling4477]

Get yourself a stack of the best research papers in your field. Analyze what the authors were doing to make them excellent. Imitate.

[@vanessaphd]

Great video! Can you do one on choosing a mentor?

[@Brenda-hs8wj]

Your the best Dr. Andy Stapleton!!!!!!!!

[@ArianeMorassiSasso]

First of all, I love your videos Andy, thanks for putting them out there! Now, wow, the "no cutting corners" hit me hard! How would you differentiate that from impostor syndrome?

[@takiyaazrin7562]

Great content. I'm surprised it receives less views

[@hkicgh7277]

Great work Andy, appreciate it. I do have a question however. My question is, what is expected of a newly commenced PhD student in terms of the practical knowledge? Thanks

[@zhanwenchen9238]

Honestly just dive straight in. 0. Choose an area of research that aligns with your own interest and your lab’s expertise (including how knowledgeable your PI is and your labmates/postdocs/alums); 1. Literature review; 2. Choose a baseline or two and reproduce them; 3. Come up with some ideas (likely inspired by other areas or concepts or techniques) and make your improvement on the baseline. At least this is true for Computer Science.

[@trianglebook3616]

I'm doing mine in art history, the advice you give on minute 11 applies to al fields thanks

[@spacedandy7555]

I was thinking about pursuing a Ph.D. Reconsidering that now after subbing.

[@Kevinwatts0316]

Great points mate. Should i wear my power suit when i defend my dissertation?

[@sutiko]

Well this was depressing... I've wasted a lot of time, not been organized and have now very likely set my self up to fail...

[@u.4177]

I got accepted to ASU when I was a junior in high school. So yeah it is a little exciting!

[@borteleabam8787]

Andy, I'm really struggling to manage my time, I'm 13months into my phd, got 35months more to go but my time management has been so poor in the past months I must admit. I'm told being able to manage your time is part of the process. How do you help your students manage their time as a supervisor?

[@chavoux]

I cannot answer for Andy, but scheduling regular feedback times with your supervisor (who should know what your planning is looking like) could help. Do not wait or expect them to schedule the meetings (they will never have the time), but push them from your side. One of the major reasons for bad time management (something I struggle with as well), is when you do not know exactly what to do next... so you kind of do a little bit of this and a little bit of that, but nothing really productive. Although, sometimes it is good to just set aside some time for simply thinking things through, especially if (when) you get stuck.

[@mapleenglishschool]

Dr. Amdy, May I make you a video suggestion? Perhaps you could talk a little about the difference in a course based and a thesis based PhD

[@robertnewell5057]

In the UK a course based doctoral programme is generally not called a PhD. This term is reserved for thesis alone studies, although the thesis may be a number linked experiments. A non PhD doctoral course contains taught modules, usually each with a smaller dissertation attached, but sometimes with the dissertations as separate module(s). In the UK they are often regarded as being of equal academic merit as PhDs, but with more specific focuses (usually this view is not held by people with PhDs).

[@kingjaries]

I'm just about to start on January after finishing my undergrad this December, kinda scary. I'm definitely showing up if I'm paying the six figures for it.

[@novita5921]

I am wondering about the expectation of examiners in thesis particularly in each chapter, what makes a good thesis?

[@Brenda-hs8wj]

Thank you so much for these videos. I watch them all the time, even re-watch. Just started my PhD in Technology Management with Computer Science and have been getting all A's on my papers but this last one I used to many citations and got an F, but luckily the professor will let me redo the paper. Still disappointed in myself, but your videos help me so much I had to tell you super thanks!!!!! Brenda Palmer

[@DrAndyStapleton]

Thank you very much for the super thanks, Brenda! Congratulations on your results and progress so far and I'm pleased to be helping you along the way. You'll recover from that F I'm sure. Never heard of too many citations though!

[@cheikhdiop7223]

And we master pursuer..we need video

[@POLYMATHEMPIRE]

Waiting for viva

[@xy4669]

I think i am a suckish phd student, but mostly due to a very poor match with my supervisors. Is there anything i can do or should i just leave the project?

[@katekbaulpaule5711]

Hello bro, if I publish monograph books on each chapter from my PhD,,,,will it be counted as credible ??

[@youcefsaidOtmani]

Hi Andy, thanks for the video. Hope you can respond to my comment. I am in my third semester PhD program in Business Management. I haven't even finished the introduction of the first chapter. My problems are ( I hope I'm not alone): 1- I feel like I am not good enough for PhD level because I read articles and I can't extract what is good for my research. I feel everything is important in every article I read, and I took a lot of notes hence I got overwhelmed with the amount of information I got. 2- I procrastinated a lot. Even when I set goals, I ended up not achieving them. I used Gantt chart, Asana.. and many other project management tools,but I couldn't stick with it. 3- My writing English is not really good and that's what makes it worse. Please, just any advice from your side.. I'm thinking of quiting my Ph.D.

[@musadan-azumimohammed8140]

You are not alone. I thought i was the only one.

[@borteleabam8787]

I thought I was the only one too! not yet achieved my goals and I'm far behind on my supposed timeline

[@matthewmullin8168]

What's the topic of your thesis and why are you pursuing a PhD in business management in the first place?

[@youcefsaidOtmani]

@@matthewmullin8168 I am pursuing PhD in business as I have an MBA and I did it with no problem at all. My PhD topic is about Social Media Influencers

[@matthewmullin8168]

@@youcefsaidOtmani Typically people are motivated by things they feel are important AND are good at. It seems that your skillset aligns well with business management, but why do you think this is important? Who does your research help? What value does it create? Does this value excite you? When I personally have answers to these questions, it's very motivating and it helps me understand exactly what to look for in the papers I read. It also helps you clearly define the question or questions that your thesis is asking. Another question is opportunity cost: Are you better off in your career if you just go into the workforce as opposed to obtaining a PhD? Does what interests you require a PhD or just an MBA?

[@moen5313]

Hello Andy, love the content. How can we reach out to you? Seeking a word of advice about pursuing a PhD in the near future

[@alexbrowne369]

I second this! I just finished my masters and I am now considering applying for a PhD next year once covid is under control. I'm a bit overwhelmed by the process and would love to ask you a few questions if you have time for that? Keep up the great content, it's really inspiring and has helped me in making my decision.

[@yurirodrigues2216]

I am screwed

[@nanacarazone906]

didnt start yet but scared alot

[@mackss9468]

Do I have to go to conferences for my PhD? My partner is disabled and it’s very hard for me to be away from home. How bad is it if I’m not flying around the world, producing a huge carbon footprint, to go to these meetings?

[@amgx9670]

i want to start a business when i grow up(im 13), so i feel like getting a phd in something, idk what its gonna be, but probably computer programming, stuff like that. the biggest thing i was worried about was the really big thesis, tons and tons of stuff to write, too much stress.

[@DrAndyStapleton]

If you want to start a business when you grow up I would recommend looking to see if a PhD is the best thing for that goal. A lot of the time, especially in the business world, experience and connections will be far more valuable to you than a PhD. However, if your PhD is something that you want to do for other reasons - go for it! Just make sure you have a clear goal for what you're trying to achieve at the end!

[@amgx9670]

@@DrAndyStapleton well to have a successful business i think you would need to have expert-level knowledge in the area that ur doing

[@DrAndyStapleton]

@@amgx9670 If you are doing the work in the business then yes having an expert level of knowledge will help you be the best. But if you want to own and build a business a PhD may not be the best option for return on investment. Read the E Myth and Built to sell for more details on building a great business without being the "technician" in the business.

[@hack2science945]

I am doing a PhD I had a fight with my supervisor because he didn't gave me any setup to perform experiment or reserach topic ..what should I do next?

[@schmetterling4477]

If your lab doesn't have what you need, then you are done. Question is... do you actually need what they don't have or do you simply not understand what your supervisor wants you to do?

[@marwakenawy3212]

VEDIO ABOUT WRITING TIPS/ANALYSIS TIPS LIKE PRISM/ SURVIVING A PHD IN AN UNFRIENDLY LAB? PLEASE

[@shaumi8114]

May i know, how many words is it?

[@robertnewell5057]

Add: doing it part time (especially in the institution where you work); not listening to your supervisor.

[@hantu4321]

From this video I realized that I don't want to do an academic PhD, I want write industry papers like IEEE rather than theology

[@queentitan2855]

I'm only in highschool but, I do believe the most basic thing in education is turning up.

[@niceguysi394]

I have a PhD and you're 100% correct! You don't need to be a genius just turn up when they ask you to and do a little bit of work everyday. Education is slow and steady marathon not a series of all-out run til you drop sprints.

[@ashleymiller8571]

PsyD vs PhD ??

[@schmetterling4477]

In other words: Know your stuff. Love your stuff. Do your stuff right. Be your own worst critic. Of course, if you didn't love the stuff you were doing in the first place, then it's a miserable experience all the way.

[@hugofriberg3445]

Simple. Just start the night before the deadline

[@Drganguli]

Some examiners are psychopaths. You need to find out before submitting your thesis.

[@schmetterling4477]

If that is your attitude, the PhD program is wasted in you.

[@Mnogojazyk]

I would add: not giving people their due but also not being a sycophant yourself.

[@sihambenzai3620]

God I am sweating 🤯

[@marianab.g.7593]

What do you think about changing the project during PhD? Is it understood as big red mark by peers?

[@chavoux]

Do they need to know? My PhD had to change dramatically because of funding challenges not allowing my originally planned methods (after I already started). However, I still answered basically the same original questions, but now using a totally different approach (and with some gaps "for further research" that might not have been there if everything went according to the original plan).

[@marianab.g.7593]

@@chavoux I didn't put it in precise words. I wanna mean that a preview background in some field that is different from the one a person chose for PhD studies. I decided to mix those up somehow. It's possible but it's a challenge in my case.

[@chavoux]

@@marianab.g.7593 Oh yes, definitely. I know of only one girl who did it and it was really only her enthusiasm that could carry her. I often wonder how it turned out and if she kept at it all the way to the finish. Good luck!

[@marianab.g.7593]

@@chavoux I see... I don't mean have a supervisor in a different field that you are doing research at the moment but the intention of pursuing a PhD degree in a different field through which you've been trained before, in Masters. I'm right to go to the right direction now. :D

[@chavoux]

@@marianab.g.7593 Yes, I think I got it this time. ;-) This girl did a BA (and I think an honours or MA) in sociology or something like that, and then decided to do a climate change study (on the impact of climate change) on a specific species of bird in the Kalahari for a PhD in science. She had absolutely no background in biology or science in general. But she read a whole stack of journal articles during her holiday (we were co-workers for the same organization) as preparation for the PhD application. I think her biggest hurdle were just getting accepted as PhD candidate for this degree; and it was only her enthusiasm and willingness to learn, that carried her through (there were other applicants as well). In any case, it is possible, but I think it takes something special. I do not think I would have been able to attempt something like that, but I do think that it would count as a huge plus if you make it.

[@trianglebook3616]

Dense

[@silverhetch3383]

showing up is 80% of the work

[@albertomelo803]

So. I guess my tesis and my PhD is trash