-
Asked by sadekola to Jack, Jon, Tom, Yalda on 18 Mar 2013.
-
Tom Branson answered on 18 Mar 2013:
Doing a PhD is stressful, hard work but immensely fun! The work differs day to day with massive highs when the reactions work really well, and sad times when the proteins don’t behave themselves. There is a lot of self-motivation and commitment needed to complete a successful PhD. It also helps having a great team around you as we do a lot of work together.
It is not the same as being a normal student, I’ve been at Uni for 8 years and can still call myself a student. I get a student card for discounts, but I have to work just as hard (if not harder) than any normal job. Normal hours 9-5, but it is flexible so if I want a lie in thats no problem as long as I work an hour later, I sometimes work at the weekends and then take an extra day off in the week.
If you really enjoy a science subject then doing a PhD is a great opportunity to learn more about a specific part of science in a lot of detail. By the end you will also be the world expert on your area of science as you have been doing things that nobody else has ever done before. And you also get the title of Dr before your name, which is nice!
-
-
Yalda Javadi answered on 18 Mar 2013:
Like being on a rollercoaster!
Full of excitement, highs, lows, worries… and highs again! And ultimetly a great experience!
I’ve divided it up to give you a better idea….
Year one – you’re a newbie, you read a lot about your subject area, learn new techniques and get used to being a researcher… and start getting results.
Year two – you really own your project and move forward with it. Maybe going to a conference and presenting some of your results.
Year three – You’re an expert! You can see the end and hopefully will have some cool results…and may begin writing some of your results to be published in a scientific journal! 😀
Year 3.5 to 4 – I’m not gonna lie… this part is tough! You write the thesis…. 200 pages (ish) of all you’ve done! Then once you’ve written it… and sent it off to some examiners, you’re ready for your viva (an oral exam). You walk in… talk about your research… and if it all goes well leave the room a Dr!
Hope that helps answer your question!
-
Jon Marles-Wright answered on 18 Mar 2013:
Like Tom and Yalda say it’s very hard work. The biggest shock for me is that I was completely in control of how I did my science, it was my project to work on and I got very little help on a daily basis from my supervisor. I’d say that the biggest thing about a PhD is that every one is different, every PhD boss is an individual and they have their own way of working.
Some bosses are always there and pushing you to do experiments, sometimes they are even friendly. Other bosses can come across as harsh, but they just want you to do the best science you can. Some bosses are never there and you have to get help from other people in the lab.
It’s a steep learning experience, but hugely rewarding. If you ask most people with a PhD whether they would do it again, I bet most of them would say no (Tom, Yalda, Jack, Claire?). I wouldn’t want to do mine again. Saying that it is hugely satisfying to know I have done it and no one can take that away from me.
-
anon answered on 18 Mar 2013:
I wish I had asked that before I did my PhD!
The time split was probably 30% collecting data (in my case designing experiments, catching, looking after & measuring fish), 15% analysing data & hoping it was interesting, 15% finding out everything I could about a subject (I spent a lot of time in the library), 20% writing up results and explaining why they’re important and how they compare with everyone elses’. Then there’s the remaining 20% of which I spent quite a bit of time having fun with friends (more playing on the internet than I should have, probably) and did some teaching too.
It’s really good fun – especially as you have the kind of flexibility you’ll never have at school, uni or in a job – but it is hard work. The important thing to know is that it’s not necessarily being really clever that will get you a PhD, it’s being determined, inquisitive and organised. If you love a subject though, it’s a great way to spend three years. And you get to call yourself “Doctor” at the end of it!
-
Jack Heal answered on 19 Mar 2013:
On the whole I really enjoy it, but it does depend which day you catch me on! When things go wrong it’s frustrating. That’s true of any job, but being a PhD student does mean you’re out on your own a lot and so there aren’t many around who can help you. This makes the down times a bit worse – but it can also make the good things better. When it goes right it’s all because of you!
I like the fact that you get to be really independent in your research – I can decide what work I’m going to do when, and what questions I’m going to try and answer on a given day. When I achieve something it’s pretty much all my own work, and that’s really satisfying.I also enjoy learning new things and PhDs are great for this. If something takes your fancy, then you can start reading about it. There’s also a lot of chances to chat with other scientists and spread ideas and learning that way.
The other perks include flexible hours, getting to travel to conferences (I went to Germany just last week!), student discounts and having a good social life – there are lots of others of the same age with similar interests around, which is something you don’t get in many jobs.
It’s hard work, especially now I’m nearing the end of my PhD. But it’s really rewarding, and you get to dedicate a lot of time to something you’re interested in and passionate about.
Comments