Starting a PhD is an incredibly daunting task. With PhD being the culmination of all your academic work, it is unlikely that you will complete the substantial, complex research project without encountering at least a few problems. It is necessary to understand most common PhD pressures and struggles before you begin a doctorate, so that you’re better equipped to deal with them in your own journey.
Below are some of the biggest and most common struggles that PhD students encounter during their doctorate journey:
1. Isolation
A PhD requires a significant increase in independence from what students may have experienced during their undergraduate or master's degrees. As a doctoral student, you should be able to set and achieve your own goals.
While this sense of freedom can be very exciting at first, once you get into the daily routine of a PhD, you may begin to feel isolated, especially if your research does not require much collaboration with others.
To help you fight loneliness and isolation, it is suggested that you meet other research students in a similar situation as you by participating in extracurricular activities like academic conferences and teaching or even by being a part of the institute's PhD community if any.
2. Overwork
PhD training commonly involves teaching, tutoring, and grading. You shouldn't let it stop you from conducting your research, though. It's completely acceptable to decline new tasks if you feel your workload is too heavy or that your boss is expecting too much of you. Although some pressure associated with a PhD is normal, it shouldn't have a negative effect on your mental health or cause depression and anxiety.
When you are nearing the end of your PhD, a workload that seemed manageable during your first two years may no longer be so. If your supervisor is requesting that you take on additional non-PhD work, let them know that while you welcome the chance to expand your experience and learn new skills, you don't wish your research work to suffer because of it.
3. Difficulties with Supervisor
Issues that develop between PhD students and their supervisors can also be a common problem. Most supervisor-supervisee relationships are constructive, successful, and advantageous to both parties. There's a good chance that your PhD advisor will be an expert mentor who is a specialist in their field.
Over the course of three years, some students may feel that they have to submit to the wishes of their senior and experienced supervisor when disagreements arise—and it is only natural. When such challenges arise, having a supportive network of PhD students around you can certainly help you navigate and boost your spirits up.
4. Loss of Motivation
It's difficult for anyone to maintain motivation throughout their whole PhD project. It is very common to become frustrated, bored, or dissatisfied with one's project. To complete a PhD, you must be dedicated, enthusiastic, and optimistic. Unless you find ways to keep things interesting, varied, realistic, and rewarding, your motivation will fluctuate like it does with everything else. It is important to keep in mind that you are pursuing your PhD primarily for personal gain. So, instead of waiting for someone to tell you what to do, take the initiative.
Consider taking a break for yourself when things aren't going well, and your motivation is low. It can sometimes be really beneficial to take a few days or even a week off from your project in order to recharge and approach it with new eyes.
It is unlikely that you will find all of the tasks necessary for a doctorate to be equally simple and interesting because they range so widely. Setting realistic goals and dividing up tasks into manageable pieces will be much simpler for you.
5. Work/life balance
At times, it may seem as though PhD students must constantly study, work long hours, and attend work every weekend. But such a cycle is not healthy in the long run. In order to perform at your best, you should also make time for your hobbies, friends, and family. Even though this may seem like a really obvious point to make, many students still experience the negative effects of having an incredibly unbalanced schedule.
For long-term success, students should always keep in mind how important scheduling time for interests outside of their PhD is. A stimulating and enjoyable lifestyle includes a healthy social life, regular exercise, and cultural pursuits.
No matter how challenging earning a Ph.D. may seem, know that it will give you access to a vast array of real-world career opportunities. Graduates can be assured that they have gained extensive knowledge in their field of study. It is a rare accomplishment that you should proudly accept.
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