A Ph.D. is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities to a candidate who has performed extensive research in a field of study. The program typically takes between four to six years. In addition to original research, completion of the program has many other requirements, including:
- A thorough literature review
- Coursework
- Writing a thesis
- Defending your thesis
Earning a Ph.D. is difficult. However, it is also a significant achievement that yields great benefits that will help you in any career path that you choose.
The Benefits of a Ph.D. Program
Most individuals with a Ph.D. have careers in academia or the sciences. However, sometimes an individual chooses to take a different career path. Regardless of the path you choose, a Ph.D. program offers many benefits that can help you in different areas of your life.
Transferable Skills
Most careers require an employee to have good written and oral communication skills. A Ph.D. program offers you an opportunity to develop as a writer and researcher. In addition, conferences, teaching, and collaborating with others will enhance your public speaking and teamwork skills.
Personal and Professional Development
You will grow as a person while completing the program. Important personal qualities like independence, maturity, and perseverance will be developed through a dedication to fulfilling the requirements of the degree.
Also, time management, organization, and problem-solving skills are all vital to completing a Ph.D. program. These are important skills that you will need in any career.
Networking Opportunities
A Ph.D. program is an invitation to academic and professional networks. Conferences and academic events are a good place for establishing network of contacts. These networks are invaluable for your professional and social life after you earn the Ph.D.
The benefits of a Ph.D. program are plentiful. Part of gaining these benefits is dealing with the challenges that you will encounter.
Facing the Challenges of a Ph.D. Program
There are many challenges you will face in a Ph.D. program. Schools understand this and many offer students a guide to dealing with stress.
Sometimes the stress is too much as seen in this report by The Guardian on mental health. Therefore, we want to share some of the most common challenges that students face and how to deal with them.
The Workload
If you are overwhelmed, slow down. Take a step back from your work and reorganize your schedule.Organization is key. Make a clear schedule with your project deadlines. Then, prioritize this list so you do not feel overwhelmed with numerous assignments at one time.
Staying Motivated
This is a long journey. Staying motivated can be difficult.Remind yourself of why you are in the program. Think about your long-term goals. This will reassure you that you are on the right path and that there is an end goal in sight.
Feelings of Isolation
You will spend a lot of time on your own. So, it is important to be social and spend time with your fellow students at social events like dinners and movie nights.
Also, there are forums and sites where people share their experiences dealing with the challenges of a Ph.D. program. This will help when you are not able to be with friends.
Take Care of Yourself
Of course, the work you do is the focus of a Ph.D. program. But, you cannot forget about something as important: Yourself. Stress is both mental and physical. So, you need to give yourself ample time to take care of your mind and body. You need to take some time to focus on yourself. This could be with a hobby, joining a non-academic club, or exercising.
What are the major challenges you face in your Ph.D. program? What are your experiences dealing with stress? Please share with us in the comments.
