The Untold Truth of PhD Life—How I Survived and What I Wish I Knew Sooner

I feel like a fake academic

Photo by Henry Be on Unsplash

I’ve been writing online before embarking on a PhD program, and I thought, “If I do a PhD, I won’t have the time to write anymore”.

I was right.

Today, I’m in my third year as a PhD student, and my biggest advice for people is not to underestimate PhD programs. If you want one, know you must sacrifice 3 to 5 years of your life. No joke.

Building a business? You’ll need to pause it and resume it after at least 3 years.

Thinking about doing a PhD? ask yourself, do you have enough time for a non-paid full-time job wherein you have to write voluminously, read extensively, and research like a scientist studying lab rats?

I’m not saying that PhDs are bad; I’m just saying they’re not for everyone, and they’re especially not for people who have full schedules.

In this article, I’ll walk you through the realities of pursuing a PhD, including the highs, the lows, and everything in between. From the challenges I’ve personally faced to the qualities that I believe make someone well-suited for this academic path, I’ll share my insights to help you decide if a PhD is the right move for you. Whether you’re considering starting one or…