Hi, I've been offered a PhD in a science field on the UK. I have funding and have signed up to start later this month. The issue is, I have decided I no longer want to do a PhD. I feel slightly trapped as my supervisor acquired funding for me. Additionally she is my supervisor for my masters project which I am handing in on Monday. What should I do? Is starting a PhD and quitting in the first few months a very bad decision? Thanks
What changed your mind?
Though if you feel strongly that you don't want to do a PhD, just be honest with the supervisor. It would be even worse if 6 months in you realise that you aren't enjoying it and quit. Don't be emotionally blackmailed into doing a PhD, it is probably one of the worst reasons to do a PhD.
I agree with rewt. If you are going to quit, quit now better than tomorrow. Your supervisor won't be that angry that you think.
Thanks for your responses. I will consider them closely. I changed my mind for a number of reasons:
I lack a passion for the project and planned to treat the PhD like a job
I have no desire to become an acedemic
I was strongly motivated to take a PhD to get rich, though I am now aware there are easier ways to do this
I want to move on and switch up cities, as I have been in one place since my undergrad and I am excitied for a change
I don't think I'm capable of completing the work required to get a PhD
Are these good reasons? I am open to suggestions please help me :)
I think getting a PhD for becoming rich is a good joke. There are other good reasons to do PhD beside academia. Of course your supervisor will support you because he needs labor! Honestly If you NEED to ask here, you possibly are not ready to do it firsthand. Do you like to learn? Do you have career goal? Talk to other PhD students there to get some first hand opinion.
Hi. I am sorry to say that your reasons to do a PhD were wrong and your reasons of quitting are also not good. Switching city does not sound for em as a good reason to quit a PhD. Furthermore, there is no easy way that guarantees someone to get rich otherwise all people would have done it. If you quit thinking this will lead to you becoming rich, this would be wrong.
PostgraduateForum Is a trading name of FindAUniversity Ltd
FindAUniversity Ltd, 77 Sidney St, Sheffield, S1 4RG, UK. Tel +44 (0) 114 268 4940 Fax: +44 (0) 114 268 5766
An active and supportive community.
Support and advice from your peers.
Your postgraduate questions answered.
Use your experience to help others.
Enter your email address below to get started with your forum account
Enter your username below to login to your account
An email has been sent to your email account along with instructions on how to reset your password. If you do not recieve your email, or have any futher problems accessing your account, then please contact our customer support.
or continue as guest
To ensure all features on our website work properly, your computer, tablet or mobile needs to accept cookies. Our cookies don’t store your personal information, but provide us with anonymous information about use of the website and help us recognise you so we can offer you services more relevant to you. For more information please read our privacy policy
Agree Agree