I'm happy doing my PhD
Hi everyone,
It's a shame to read a number of threads on the board from people who are feeling very depressed/anxious etc and it's great that people on here are available to offer the support that people need to get through the PhD process. It can however, give a misleading view of PhD life however to anyone browsing these boards considering doing a PhD (If they are like I was then they don't just read the prospective PhD bit!). I'm currently working as an RA and doing a PhD part time. I've come up against problems such as being unable to find my supervisor for weeks, being in a large room on my own for hours on end, procrastinating for way to long on things like this board etc...
However, despite the numerous annoyances and frustrations, stress and heart ache that people quite rightly mention, it is still enjoyable. I worked in industry for three years as a mechanical engineer and trust me, EVERY job/vocation has bits that drive you to distraction, and I have found that the annoying things of PhD life are not as bad for me as the annoying things in working life.
In summary - Forum is great for helping out those in a bind, long may it continue to do so, but people do also enjoy the process!
Anyone else fancy lifting the mood and letting people know (especially any people browsing the board as prospective PhDers) that it is not all bad?
I'm only a few months into my PhD, so I can't detail my responses to the process over a protracted time period. However, having spent the entire first term feeling I'm making no progress, producing numerous rewrites of research proposals, and wondering if my sups were losing all faith in me, I feel I've finally turned a corner...
I had an extremely productive meeting yesterday and finally nailed down my research topic, methodology, and a theoretical framework for the thesis. I'm now working on a chapter draft with a much clearer sense of where it's all going. I'm far from ready to open the champagne, of course, but feel considerably more upbeat. I'm sure I will pass through phases of greater or lesser productivity and enthusiasm, but for now I feel I'm finally on track. In short, PhD life is good right now (if confronted with the same question a fortnight prior my response would have been different).
I think it's the nature of this kind of forum that people tend to post when frustrated and/or demoralised. Many threads perhaps don't provide a balanced view of PhD life as a consequence. Then again, I'm a newbie, so what do I know... ;-)
Hey! I've always enjoyed my PhD from the word go- In my first year I just thought, well the worst is clearly to come...in my second year I was waiting for the second year blues to hit...and now I'm in my final year I'm waiting for the panic to hit me...and none of it ever has happened! I suppose there's still time yet, and I have of course had the odd bad day (usually supervisor-related), but on the whole I've loved every minute and it's been the best experience ever! I have encouraged several friends into doing a PhD and they have all loved it too, so I think you're right- we should spread the good news too! Best, KB
Thanks for this post Screaming as i, like you, am loving every blodi minute of it.
Have done since day one. Its been hard work, worst ever but ... god... its amazing and as i'm nearing the end i am truly sorry that i've nearly finished.
And although i don't want to fail and have to re-do it ;-) I am looking for a change in career so I can carry on researching ..
I guess the question should be raised as to why us jollies are jolly. What's the story there ? Is it subject, age, supervisor relationship, past experience, reason for wanting to study, other life stuff. .. mmm...
Chuff
I love every minute of doing this PhD. I only recently started, but still. I feel very priviliged that I have been offered this opportunity and plan to make the best of it and develop myself in all aspects! Life is pretty good at the moment!
It's ok to take a snapshot survey, but PhDs tend to be a bit of an up-and-down experience, and things can change in the future for people who are very happy at the moment.
It's also natural during a PhD to hit really difficult sticking points, whether it be in the writing up (as happened to me) or whatever. And there's the notorious mid-PhD doldrums or blues, which seem to hit quite a high proportion of students. Again, it's par for the course.
And, as others have said, people are more likely to post about the dificulties, when they're seeking help, rather than people posting about the positives. This makes your thread very valuable!
I finished my part-time PhD earlier this year. I enjoyed it throughout, but there were nevertheless some very difficult phases. But I'd still give it all a big thumbs-up.
To be honest the only part I've really disliked is the end. And even then it's not just simple dislike...
I've enjoyed it immensely, even when the research has hit snags or when there have been tight deadlines. I can't really think of much, if anything, that would have made me as happy these past three years as my PhD has. I do want it to be over though so I can actually start my career, and earn something. The end just seems to be lots of paperwork and waiting though which is frustrating.
Wanted a job or to do a PhD that reflected my interests but couldn't get either. I very, very much needed money and so the studentship is the ONLY reason I'm doing a PhD. I do feel bad in that someone else would probably enjoy this but it's a hard life and I had to look after number one.
I love my PhD too, even though I'm going through a temporary period where I'm finding it hard to make progress. These boards are great because they do help me realise that everything I feel about my progress and every struggle is completely normal. And yes, that does mean a lot of the threads here are people having problems, but there are also the supportive ones like the One Goal thread which I find just helps with motivation and day-to-day keeping going. But it's great to say every so often that a PhD is a great thing to do - and way way way better than any job I've ever done!
To be honest the only part I've really disliked is the end. And even then it's not just simple dislike...
I've enjoyed it immensely, even when the research has hit snags or when there have been tight deadlines. I can't really think of much, if anything, that would have made me as happy these past three years as my PhD has. I do want it to be over though so I can actually start my career, and earn something. The end just seems to be lots of paperwork and waiting though which is frustrating.
I guess the question should be raised as to why us jollies are jolly. What's the story there ? Is it subject, age, supervisor relationship, past experience, reason for wanting to study, other life stuff. .. mmm...
Chuff
That's a pretty good question really. Maybe we should investigate in the thread?!
For my part...
The general area of mine is Psychology with the specifics of it being a bit obscure and combing two areas that don't really play well together.
I'm 24. Barring any horrible events I should still be once I'm all done and dusted. And to answer the past experience question along with it I went straight on from my undergrad. Same supervisor and similar area to my undergrad project.
Have a fairly friendly relationship with my supervisor. We can joke about things and chat happily enough. When it comes to work and the PhD it's always been a case of the research being mine and led by me (barring the initial tips and direction to begin with). And I think importantly we're fine with disagreeing - predictions, interpretations, direction etc.
Other life stuff has been great too. Good Uni, lived in a nice vibrant area. First 2 years I lived with a great friend. We were well match house mates. Final year I got to live alone. And towards the end of my first year I started going out with my current girlfriend and hopefully future Mrs Peljam. So all was, and is good :D
I loved my PhD most at the end - I really liked writing-up and pulling all my stuff together and watching my thesis grow in to this great big body of work - I felt immensely proud of myself, cos I did not think I would ever reach that point. I guess having the end in sight is quite nice... but not because I didn't enjoy myself. I guess I found the beginning very tough - not knowing if I belonged because everyone else seemed so switched on and bright and motivated and clued up, and I really was not sure of my research question - but it grew and developed with time and I grew in confidence also...I remember thinking that this forum was full of problems etc - but I guess that is the point of this forum - it would be weird and annoying if someone just posted on here about how fantastic they are and how great everything is for them all the time!! (ahem....)
It's ok to take a snapshot survey, but PhDs tend to be a bit of an up-and-down experience, and things can change in the future for people who are very happy at the moment.
It's also natural during a PhD to hit really difficult sticking points, whether it be in the writing up (as happened to me) or whatever. And there's the notorious mid-PhD doldrums or blues, which seem to hit quite a high proportion of students. Again, it's par for the course.
And, as others have said, people are more likely to post about the dificulties, when they're seeking help, rather than people posting about the positives.
I was going to say this.
I'm glad that other people are enjoying their PhD and I was fairly confident that was the case.
I should also clear up that I'm not having a go at people who post with problems. Far from it, in fact
it's great that people on here are available to offer the support that people need to get through the PhD process.
So it's obvious that the board is going to have negative stories more than positive. I was just trying to provide a bit of balance, and point out that every job has its ups and downs. Perhaps every job should have a good forum for people hitting problems, like this one?!
In terms of what makes people enjoy their PhD I don't think there will be one massive thing that everyone enjoying has in common, especially because saying "I'm doing a PhD" is about as descriptive as saying "I work at a bank", you get loads of different people doing very different things on a day to day basis, from the cleaner to a bank manager to the MD of a bank and from a student always in the lab to one constantly doing interviews to one that doesn't leave their PC.
Maybe it's still a good question though, what do you enjoy about your PhD?
For me, I like the freedom to be able to get on with something interesting that stretches me academically, rather than the day to day humdrum that constitutes much of a day in a "real" job. I also like the fact that money isn't the bottom line for my work and the feeling that I'm contributing to a field I am in favour of and enjoy working in (renewable energy).
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Hi Screamingaddabs,
Great initiative. Keep it up.
On a different note, your survey choices miss "totally hate it" and "hate in the main but very occasionally find it great." And what is the difference between very occasionally and occasionally?
Not to be a menace, just thought about the availability of choices. Overall, I agree with everyone in this thread, PhD is a process which has its up and downs, not a one-shot event.
So in the end I think we are left with really broad categories: one generally hates it, one generally loves it, and one is indifferent.
Ciao(snowman)
