What is the dark side of PhD?



Here are some dark sides of PhDs.

Impostor syndrome. You feel that you are not good enough. You always question yourself.
Tunnel vision. PhDs are trained to become expert in their fields. With such intense focus, PhDs may end up being experts but not know much about other things. For me, I used to have lot more interests before the PhD but after PhD, well, I just really like my research.

Mental illness. There is depression and other kinds of mental illness. Lot of PhDs are super stressed! It is not good for them or their loved ones.

Health issues. Many PhDs sacrifice their health. Many just work with not much exercise, rest, or good diet. That leads to pretty bad health outcomes.


Overly critical. As a PhD, we are taught to analyze and break things down. That is good for research but not so good for real life. I have seen friends argue over simple things just because they could not take a joke but instead had to systematically break it down. In spousal relationships, I have heard a PhD student tell his wife why he is absolutely right by breaking down the argument and doing something like a full presentation. That did not go well for him.
Bias! Most schools teach their PhD students in certain ways. This creates lot of bias. For instance, market efficiency people will literally think that market irrationality people are not smart and even crazy. Because of training, PhD students may have certain strong biases.

Opportunity cost. Many people forego lot of income and fun because of PhD. I know people that could have been VP if they did not do a PhD. They literally give up a lot of money and fun.
Despite all these negative issues, I still enjoyed my PhD. I learned a lot. I learned how little I know. I became more humble. I also learned how to question things and do my best to answer interesting question.


Along the way, I made good friends and I got good life lessons from professors and staff.


So although the PhD was quite intense for me, it was worth it for me.


Source: https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-dark-side-of-PhD-1




Perfect Money/Payeer/Epay/Neteller/Skrill: Itu Global

OK

Higher universities have advantages and disadvantages.

AjalaJ:
What is the dark side of PhD?



Here are some dark sides of PhDs.

Impostor syndrome. You feel that you are not good enough. You always question yourself.
Tunnel vision. PhDs are trained to become expert in their fields. With such intense focus, PhDs may end up being experts but not know much about other things. For me, I used to have lot more interests before the PhD but after PhD, well, I just really like my research.

Mental illness. There is depression and other kinds of mental illness. Lot of PhDs are super stressed! It is not good for them or their loved ones.

Health issues. Many PhDs sacrifice their health. Many just work with not much exercise, rest, or good diet. That leads to pretty bad health outcomes.


Overly critical. As a PhD, we are taught to analyze and break things down. That is good for research but not so good for real life. I have seen friends argue over simple things just because they could not take a joke but instead had to systematically break it down. In spousal relationships, I have heard a PhD student tell his wife why he is absolutely right by breaking down the argument and doing something like a full presentation. That did not go well for him.
Bias! Most schools teach their PhD students in certain ways. This creates lot of bias. For instance, market efficiency people will literally think that market irrationality people are not smart and even crazy. Because of training, PhD students may have certain strong biases.

Opportunity cost. Many people forego lot of income and fun because of PhD. I know people that could have been VP if they did not do a PhD. They literally give up a lot of money and fun.
Despite all these negative issues, I still enjoyed my PhD. I learned a lot. I learned how little I know. I became more humble. I also learned how to question things and do my best to answer interesting question.


Along the way, I made good friends and I got good life lessons from professors and staff.


So although the PhD was quite intense for me, it was worth it for me.


Source: https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-dark-side-of-PhD-1




Perfect Money/Payeer/Epay/Neteller/Skrill: Itu Global

I'm going to get there in a few more years

Just want to appreciate this post. Am a physicist, I'd say learning is a way of life and no longer a task. I greet you Sir. PhD loading!!!

We have so many PhD holders in Nigeria yet we are still backward..so where is the value added?

Cutehector:
We have so many PhD holders in Nigeria yet we are still backward..so where is the value added?

I don't understand. is it that you're thinking a PhD degree is the only factor responsible for the progress of a country or what ?

Cutehector:
We have so many PhD holders in Nigeria yet we are still backward..so where is the value added?

in my humble opinion.... i don't see any

Overall it's a good problem to have

PhDs should add something valuable to where hthere is none...in Nigeria irrespective of all the PhD we churn out yearly, what is the usefulness!

PhDs should add something valuable to where there is none...in Nigeria irrespective of all the PhD we churn out yearly, what is the usefulness!

In fact, you are right and I completely agree with you. Being a doctor of sciences is really quite difficult and I myself have experienced all these difficulties. I am 62 years old and I studied almost all my life, became better and developed. Honestly, I do not regret anything, but due to a passive and sedentary lifestyle, I had serious health problems. Unfortunately, I began to see worse and my knees barely move. The most unpleasant thing is that my daughter graduated from university at the highest mark and also plans to become a doctor of sciences. She has already begun to study phd interview questions to get a degree. On the one hand, I want her to become smarter in her field of knowledge, but on the other I do not want her to spoil her health...
What is the best way to act in this situation ??