“Do I really want to do a PhD?!”
Is a PhD worth it?
5 things to consider before starting a PhD journey
Should you do a PhD?
Should you do it now or wait a few years? Until you have more time, more money, more support from family and friends, more of an idea about what you want to do it on?
What factors do you need to consider to ensure that decision is an informed one?
That’s what we’re looking at in this blogpost.
A PhD is often seen as the pinnacle of academic achievement, once you’ve done one, that’s it, you’ve completed academia. It’s a chance to dive deep into a subject you’re passionate about, contribute new knowledge to your field, and, let’s be honest, secure that coveted “Dr.” title.
But here’s the truth: deciding to pursue a PhD isn’t a choice to be taken lightly. if you’ve found yourself asking, “Well, should I do a PhD, all things considered?” - you’re not alone.
It’s a question I come across a lot and I’ve been supporting graduate students for the last 20 years.
In that time, I’ve seen a lot of people start PhDs, a lot of people finish PhDs and a lot of people quit PhDs. Yeah, that sucks! You need to make the PhD decision with your eyes open and your heart open, you’ve got to be willing to have some difficult conversations with yourself about things like money, motivation, ego, pressure from others etc. So, let’s dive in.
The Dream vs. The Reality
For many people, the dream of doing a PhD is tied to an image of intellectual discovery, stimulating discussions, and the thrill of solving complex problems. You picture yourself as an expert in your field, contributing original ideas that could change the world, while sipping coffee in cosy libraries and meeting with inspiring mentors in lovely plush offices.
But here’s the flip side: the reality of a PhD often looks quite different.
There are long hours of solitary work, countless rewrites, and the nagging sense that you’re never doing enough. Sometimes, it’s easy to feel like everyone else is progressing faster, like you’re the tortoise in a world full of hares. And let’s not forget imposter syndrome - the persistent feeling that you don’t belong in academia, that you’re not smart enough, and that at any moment someone will realise you’re a fraud.
The truth is, both the dream and the reality coexist. The highs can be incredible - the aha moments, getting published, or giving a great conference presentation. But the lows can feel like burnout, procrastination, perfectionism, isolation, and a constant battle against self-doubt.
So, let’s break it all down and explore some of the deciding factors around whether a PhD is on your path or not.
(1) What motivates you?
The first thing you need to consider when deciding whether to do a PhD is your motivation. Why do you want to pursue it in the first place? Is it because you’re genuinely passionate about research and making an original contribution to your field?
Or is it because you feel pressured - by family, by society, or even by yourself - to achieve the highest academic title? Academic certificates aren’t like Pokemon, you don’t have to collect them all! Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.
It’s important to remember that passion alone may not sustain you through the many years it takes to complete a PhD. There will be times when passion simply isn’t enough to get you through the late nights, the constant revisions, and the pressure to publish.
If you’re motivated by external factors - like impressing others, or the allure of a prestigious title - you might find yourself burned out when the reality of the work hits. On the other hand, if you’re motivated by a deep, genuine interest in the subject and a drive to contribute to the field and make a difference, those hard moments will feel very different feel more like stepping stones than roadblocks.
Ask yourself: would you still want to do this research if no one else knew you were doing it?
Just going leave that right there.
(2) The time commitment
Let’s talk about the time. A PhD isn’t something you knock out in a year or two - it’s a long-term commitment that often takes between three to seven years, depending on your country, field of study, and research complexity. So you need to ask: are you ready to dedicate a significant portion of your life to this?
During that time, life doesn’t stop. You may need to juggle other responsibilities - working part-time or even full-time, managing relationships, looking after other people or pets, keeping your sports, interests and hobbies going, or dealing with unexpected life events. It’s important to weigh whether you can integrate a PhD with your life and your other priorities.
When exactly are you going to have PhD time? Do you know how you’re using your time at the moment.
If you were on a PhD programme right now, when this week would you be working on it?
Don’t just think about whether you have the time to do a PhD, but whether you have the energy - the mental bandwidth. It’s easy to underestimate how draining the constant need to meet deadlines, produce research, and justify your work can be. Sometimes, the exhaustion goes beyond physical tiredness - there’s an emotional toll, too.
(3) The financial aspect
Finances are another crucial factor to consider.
While some PhD programmes offer stipends or scholarships, they rarely compare to the salaries of full-time jobs.
If you’re funding your own studies, the financial burden can be significant, leading to loans or depletion of savings.
So, you’ll need to get on top of your finances if you aren’t already, if you have any money gremlins, you need to tackle them – lets be honest, all of us could make some adjustments and improvements to the way we manage our cash flow, and you really need to make sure you sort this out before you start a PhD. Any little money leaks you’ve got now need to be plugged up because a PhD is intense enough as it is, without stressing out about money too.
Even if you’re fully funded, you have to consider the opportunity cost. The years spent doing a PhD could be years spent climbing the career ladder or building financial security in another way, like starting your own business or consultancy. So, to put it simply: is a PhD a good use of your time?
That being said, a PhD can open doors to academic or research positions that you wouldn’t otherwise have access to. But this varies depending on the field - academia is highly competitive, and securing a full time position after your PhD isn’t guaranteed. So it’s worth thinking about your long-term financial goals and how a PhD fits into that picture.
(4) The job market
Next, consider your career aspirations and the job market. Does having a PhD significantly improve your career prospects in your chosen field? For some careers - especially in academia or certain research-heavy industries - a PhD is almost essential. In others, it may not be as highly valued as professional experience or specialised training.
Take the time to research the career paths of people in your field. Are they working in roles that require a PhD? Or are there alternative ways to achieve your goals that don’t involve spending years in research?
It’s also worth noting that the job market for PhD graduates can be competitive, especially if you’re hoping to stay in academia. The number of PhD holders far outweighs the number of permanent academic positions, so if that’s your goal, you’ll need to be prepared for stiff competition and possibly the need to relocate or take short-term contracts for a while to build up your resume, or cv.
(5) Your mental health and wellbeing
It’s no secret that mental health challenges are common during a PhD. The combination of academic pressure, isolation, and uncertainty about the future can take a toll.
Before committing to a PhD, think about your own mental health and coping mechanisms. Do you have a strong support system? Are you able to set boundaries and practice self-care? Pursuing a PhD can be incredibly rewarding, but it’s also demanding. It’s important to ensure that you’re taking care of yourself along the way.
This doesn’t mean you should avoid a PhD if you have mental health concerns, but it does mean you should go into it with your eyes open, prepared to seek help, find out what help is available to you, and make adjustments when needed.
A crucial part of this is being part of a community who understand what you’re doing. If you’re the first person in your family to go to university or do a PhD (that was me!) – your family and friendship network - whilst they might be encouraging - they don’t really get it. They won’t understand what you’re going through when you’re losing sleep over your literature review or you’re in the weeds of your analysis. So, find a group of PhD buddies – Facebook groups, online communities. Start taking a look at these things now. You’ll feel much less alone, trust me.
Conclusion
So, should you do a PhD? Well, only you can answer that question. It’s not a decision to be taken lightly, and it’s certainly not for everyone. But for those who are truly passionate about their field, who are total geeks when it comes to research, and who are prepared for the challenges - both intellectual and personal - a PhD can be one of the most fulfilling and rewarding experiences of your life.
