Check out my PhD Thesis Writing Masterclass: phd.academy/the-writing-course

Pretty awesome talk. Some main points that I think I liked a lot: # As a Ph.D. working harder & harder is not the key. # Slow down and let the fear of failure go. Success or failure in it is not the measure of your life. # (My addition :) But having the fear of failure affecting your research is the thing that you should worry about. # Give your self time to think # And fully engage with the work! # Break down difficult things into simple steps and then move slowly out of your comfort zone. # Improve gradually, move slightly beyond your limit # While writing focus on content. # Write confidently and think of your self as an equal academician. # Don't seek approval while writing but write confidently about your work and remember you are the sole expert sharing your knowledge in your area of interest. # Enjoy the journey I wrote the above points selfishly for myself so that I could appreciate this talk more. But I would be happy if these summary points helps anyone!

@labri_tsi

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

"When you need to work at close to your full mental capacity, the slightest distraction can drastically reduce your ability." The wonderful joy of delayed gratification...

Haven't even started my PhD yet and have had several meltdowns already to the point of wanting to quit before I even begin. Watched this with tea and chocolate biscuits and now I feel ten times better :D

@ShoroukA

7 жыл бұрын

Hope it's going great! 😃

@evasanca4012

4 жыл бұрын

How did your PhD go? :)

@ycz1931

4 жыл бұрын

im the same, just started 2 weeks ago, thought about quitting millions of times

@sajibdey5179

3 жыл бұрын

Shorouk A m Mo

@tonyezekiel2819

3 жыл бұрын

Hello Dr. Aquil Ali

I haven't officially started my PhD yet but I've started on the literature and planning. As far as procrastination goes, I keep procrastinating by watching videos like this on how to avoid procrastination

I can't stress enough how useful James's advice is to PhD students. Whenever I feel really down, I simply watch one of his videos or read his book and my PhD feels less daunting.

Its absolutely true: the main question that lead me through my phd was "what is not working and why?". If you don't find answers in the research of others, you have your subject.

Dr.Hayton, thank you so much for the brilliant talks you have been doing online to guide PhD students with your experience. I started following you in 2019. I just graduated 5 days ago...

@James_Hayton

2 жыл бұрын

congratulations!

7 Easy to dos for you here: 1.) Dont repeat failing experiments or take on more then 3 projects at once. 2.) Work for a good advisor who will support you. Avoid elitist assholes 3.) Make sure your lab/environment is good energy. 4.) Go after doable projects with experiments that have quick turnaround times. 5.) Minimize the outside work (TAing, seminars, other bullshit) and crack out your work. 6.) Dont create enemies. Get in and get out. 7.) Choose a major that gets you industry jobs (90% will go to industry)

This guy is a legend! I am about to defend my thesis in 4 days and after hours of trawling viva advice, decided to come back to James Hayton's videos. He always gives the best advice no matter what part of the phd you are at. I can't stress how helpful his advice is. He helps you to understand how a phd is different to types of study before it, and that stress should not be ignored. Complete legend!

Thank you for your humble honest and transparent approach, it is appreciated.

This is one of the greatest talks I have ever heard. Fantastic, thank you for sharing your perspective.

literally the best presentation I have ever witnessed in my life!

Watching this lecture at the start of my PhD is very inspiring and helpful indeed!!! Now I can just freely throw myself into the research I am about to do, and JUST GO FOR IT and not be too stressed out!!!!! thanks a lot James!!

James I am so grateful to you for this. I have spent almost TWO highly unproductive demotivated weeks now, and I really needed to hear "giving yourself the luxury of thinking is more important than chasing deadlines". Thanks!

This was a very important talk for me and your words have already begun to guide me! Thank you for taking the time and effort to make your knowledge and experience in favour of others!

wow what an amazing lecture.I am in first year of my Phd n I have been through all this what he said. I think this will help me in coming out of stress.

The most impactful hour I had on KZread. This lecture is also relevant to those doing DBA. Manage your time wisely, be easy on yourself and enjoy the journey! Thank you Dr Hayton.

Wonderful outlook! Embrace fear. Change your thought patterns and move on.

I wrote me MS thesis without the video in 2 months, but I will use it for my phd. I love this because I am already feeling relaxed and hope to sail through the phd and enjoy it.

this was the most helpful video I've come across on this topic

thank you dr hayton. im a first year phd physics student, going on 2nd. i must say im feeling a lot calmer now. ive learnt one big lesson; i should be easy on myself, and enjoy my phd.

beautiful lecture... just loved it...

Though I understand your central theme, I'm 63, and have worked in finance, corporate research, international corporate, SME, and self employed, as well as disabled. I have not passed through the same filter, though I wish I had. I am, instead, now a small fish in a small pool, filled with brilliant young people who have gained all their knowledge from papers. I have spent my life motivating myself, and other around me to achieve. Your lecture manages to teach even to that circumstance. Thank you.

Thanks so much James. I'm just coming out of the 'rock bottom' phase. Knowing it's 'normal' and hearing your thoughts about the reasons is very helpful.

Excellent Lecture, probably the best one hour that I have spent In youtube so far. This is going to have a huge impact on how I am going to approach my life, not just my Ph.D. The insight that you have is amazing, the body of knowledge that you bring to the table was like you have mastered the technique to answer the questions that are in my mind . Great work again.....

Amazing presentation, thank you Dr. Hayton for the demystification of the PhD process. Cheers!

I'm about to finish my first year of PhD and this video was quite a revelation. Thank you!

this is quite interesting and inspiring. one of my best moment on KZread, thanks james

@rodneycummings7319

4 жыл бұрын

I totally agree with you Stephen. I was going to work on some academic research tonight concerning Markov chains, but I really didn't feel motivated to do any studying tonight. However this video appeared on my KZread home page. Now I'm really motivated to start fresh and anew tomorrow after a good night of inspiration and recuperation.

Great advice, thanks for sharing.

Excellent lecutre. I completed my dissertation in one year. I am currently working on the revisions of chapters 4 and 5.

Nice talk. I'll be sure to check your book too. Many of the points really hit home, like that deceptively nice feeling of wanting to give up, being freed by it and start doing better quality work. I'm reaching the end of my second year and nobody gave so much good advice as this random doctor from the internet. A talk like this should be mandatory in any PhD program, as many students don't have a clue what a PhD consists of, and few supervisors actually pass this message successfully. Lastly, I think it's really interesting that you have presented solutions to basically all the problems a student can solve on their own, but on the topic of toxic departments or bad advisors, the only solution I see in the video and in the comments is "choose wisely who you work with". I recently found out, after recently trying to quit my own PhD, that many of my fellow students have been seeking therapy for a variety of reasons and some cite problems with their supervisors as a defining factor. Any Google search about the mental health of PhD students cite supervisors as a big factor for deteriorating mental health in students. It's really sad that these things happen and there seems to be no solution for it.

Great video and tips!

Thanks, James. What you said about slowing down when stressed out is definitely true. I spent the first three months of my studies running around like a headless chicken, and only when I was forced to stop due to illness did I start to get any sense of understanding of the literature and any idea of what I could contribute. Now I'm in the boat where I disagree with the direction of most of the established research, but life ain't perfect. :)

really insightful, thanks!

super awesome,I am done wid my masters and im applying for phD in food microbiology. d video has made me dream n dare more.Really cool stuff sir,nothing at all like typical,cleashe to do list while persuing a phD!!!! looking for more videos.Totally worth it

Thanks for sharing your wisdom and insights. I am fully engaged now after acknowledging my limitations. I will succeed in obtaining my doctorate degree.

Incredible lecture. Thank you

I love the idea behind the phrase "successful failure".

Thank you so much . Was very helpful :)

Dear James Hayton, Thank you very much for this wonderful presentation. I had a blessing to read about your advice on how you wrote you PhD thesis in 3 months which helped me a lot during my masters that I have been graduated last month. Now I am at the beginning of my PhD and this talk will help me to enjoy my PhD.

@vickyjosephatb9652

8 жыл бұрын

big upgrade

@MegaCadette55

8 жыл бұрын

are u Rwandan?congrats from an overly stressed out phD Rwandan student!

In my fourth year. Thank you for this 🙏🏻

Fantastic channel

thank you for the advice

Very Interesting; thank you.

I am going to apply this attitude towards PhD applications. When I apply, I feel like I have no business applying. It's good to know others probably feel the same. I might crank out a calm, confident motivation letter this weekend.

Dear James, thank you so much for your very honest sharing experience.......I am now 2 and half years into my PhD, and it feels like I am still in the beginning and not knowing anything about my subject, although, I have read so so much, I have written my literature review and my methodology chapter, and it was not good enough, so I also feel I am not good enough.....and are now so so stressed....`i am not the kind of person that give up easily, but I feel like giving up, yet I know my research is very valuable....it is confirmed by my COC panel.....but I had to change so many times, my supervisor changed, I work very isolated.....anyway....dont really know what to ask, maybe after listening to your video, I will get back into it....Thank you

@Unicorn-jj2og

7 жыл бұрын

If it is any consolation you are not alone.........

Well done!

Awesome!!!!!!!! Thank you

Just about to start a PhD next week, thanks for your advice.

@masegomoruakgomo9033

5 жыл бұрын

Ben Midgeley a year later. Any advice for a beginner?

Very Good

This is very helpful

Really good lecture. :-)

Excellent

Sound practical advice.

Quite useful!

@James Hayton "phd is not a stressful experience". I was suffering from anxiety despite all the good will in the world. I was burned out for 5 months, where I could not even consider entering the lab from stress but i had to go anyway, and I had to hide it from everybody out of fear of getting kicked out. AND My supervisor wanted to kick me out because he did not want to admit the subject he proposed was pure crap. he stopped financing me after 3 years, so I had to finance myself. I am almost finishing writing the thesis, and I am still not sure they will accept my work, although I have one good publication... So, no, it is a very stressful experience, I appreciate your work but all the positivity in the world did not help me, when you feel everybody around you hates you, toxic environment, all the colleagues doing crap work and publishing in crappy conferences and bragging about it but nobody could stand up to tell on the bad system. I'm really sorry but research is not fun, I had health problems due to the system; if i could do things all over agai n, I would never set foot in academia... Nobody comprehensive, nobody to talk to, everyone just wants to preserve his/her own place never admitting of doing bad research to the point about lying about results (happens a lot in chemistry and biology) , students kissing the ass of professors, unhelpful criticism, heard even of some students contemplating suicide... The system is very wrong in all so-called modern countries and it needs to change. Bright students come in hopeful to make a contribution and end up sick to their stomach and completely destroyed to the point of wanting to get the hell out of there. In hinsight, maybe I was the stupid one, nobody told me that to get through a phd, you needed to be a politician-like person, calculating and lying, and never telling the truth and avoid to tell the whole truth and one needs an advanced degree in hypocrisy to get through the whole experience. It was the worst time of my life and I would not even consider reliving one second of it. That being sad, I like your work, keep on going, in order to get these stories out in the world, people need to know what this hell of phd really is to make informed decisions. I did not know better otherwise, i would have never wasted 4 years of my life, my health and so much more.

@James_Hayton

8 жыл бұрын

I did not say "a PhD is not stressful". I said a lot more than that. The point I made was that if everyone assumes that a PhD is just a stressful thing and you have to just grit your teeth and get through it, this is a mistake. Overwhelming stress is a sign that something is wrong, and you should do something about it rather than accept it as just an inevitable or necessary part of the process. I absolutely did not intend to imply that it is never stressful, or that people don't sometimes experience awful circumstances. In my book, one of the very first points I make is that who you choose to work with is as important, if not more important, than what you do. In your case it sounds like you were very unlucky. "to get through a phd, you needed to be a politician-like person, calculating and lying, and never telling the truth and avoid to tell the whole truth and one needs an advanced degree in hypocrisy to get through the whole experience"- it's a tragedy that this is the impression you've been left with (and you certainly aren't the only one who feels this way), but there are many academic environments where this is not the case. Most people are honest and mean well

@ericsteph

8 жыл бұрын

Of course, I understood what was your intent, that is why I said I really appreciate your work of speaking about this, I just wanted to come out and speak about this. Keep on going...

@Unicorn-jj2og

7 жыл бұрын

Well, it is difficult to predict what your supervisors will become down the line after you sign up for the programme. Take my supervisor for instance . She was nice until we hit some challenges with my work, then she became distant as if preparing to disown me should things go wrong. I can go on recounting other issues that have come to light such as NEVER wanting to listen to my views despite asking for them in the first place, holding meetings relating to my work with various colleagues in my absence and then changing plans we earlier agreed on, misleading me on matters due to her ignorance, dismissing my concerns and not having the decency to admit wrong later when I am proved right............ I agree there is a great deal of lying, half truths, toading and ass kissing going on in the department which I cant do. The consolation is that I get a very good stipend and there are opportunities post phd in the department. I intend to grit my teeth through the phd and hopefully do another 2 year stint just to get some more publications under my belt before I run from them.

@Unicorn-jj2og

7 жыл бұрын

By the way I refuse to get stressed with it all. I enjoy my phd itself. Shame about my supervisors.

@James_Hayton

7 жыл бұрын

I stopped using that particular point, for exactly the kind of reasons you explain. I was trying to say that it shouldn't be hell, and extreme stress is a warning sign that something is very wrong, but the subtlety easily gets lost (which is my fault)

thanks for the video sir :)

I was a stressful a little bit, but after this lecture I became confident!!! So thanks Hayton

7:49 a phd is the entrance qualification to the world of professional academia 10:23 What makes work publishable? Have a basis in the existing knowledge in the field, they will judge it by the standards set by the field.

tnx JAmes

The advice at around 30:00 is something everyone should be taught.

I have the opposite problem. Told I’d amount to nothing at school. Tried college and got bored, got job, felt regret, went back to college (new course), same happened during second year at college > got bored and left! Joined the fire and rescue service 20 years later just starting MSc dissertation. Still don’t feel good enough and out of my depth. Subject matter isn’t my problem. GSCE’s to MSc missed a lot of required skills. I’ve caught up with those but the application (due to ALL of your points made in this video) is my problem. This is a great video and thank you. If you provide any further advice in any form I’d be very keen to see it. Deadline Jan 3rd, Subject: Grenfell & Fire Safety systems, prevention and UK regulations.

谢谢

your very smart,,,i like the way talk.....

interesting stuff

yoiu have saved our collective butts, thanks

would be nice to see his powerpoint

I am thrilled by the fact that there are Doctors of History and Philosophy who are far, far more intelligent than myself. My worst nightmare is to be more brilliant than everyone else.

@lisareed5669

5 жыл бұрын

I would not worry if I were you. ;)

I’m in high school and I’m already stressed about my thesis

and physics. Spent my undergrad and early grad school back in the days of lunar capture and post WWII quantum study, and "oh look, graphics monitor" writing code in FORTRAN for star trek games graphics as I taught undergrad classes, in physics. But failed to finish. Back in a different discipline to advance.

Thanks @James Hayton for the wonderful piece of PhD advice. I am about to start my PhD in a few months and to be honest I am really afraid of the mental stress that I am about to face. But then, I hope by watching your videos from time to time I will deal with stress in a better way. One question, as I said I am about to start my PhD in a few months and I am brushing up on my theoretical knowledge and reading some review papers of my research field at the time being. But is there any advice on what sort of other preparation I can do to make my PhD less stressful? Anyone is welcomed to help and advice :D

There is no question about it that PhD is a stupid thing to do. First of all as a PhD student, your career totally depends on your advisor and he can suddenly behave like a moron after 5 years. Think about it. You are going to spend 5/6/7/8... years and at anytime your advisor can say sorry to you. It is not about your smartness. It is about the decision of your advisor. So, DO NOT DO IT

@James_Hayton

8 жыл бұрын

It can go very wrong, but that doesn't mean nobody should do it. I would agree though that you have to be very careful about who you choose to work with.

@Nalijay

7 жыл бұрын

I agree with your sentiments, but you can always find a new supervisor if things aren't working out. Depends on how passionate/obsessed you are with getting a PhD.

@sashanealand8315

7 жыл бұрын

suddenly?

@Sposchy

7 жыл бұрын

Same problem exists in industry. No matter where you are, you're always at the mercy of your manager.

Come to Heriot Watt Univ

SR,I'm very disappointed that I got a break in my PhD journey due to some personal issues...bt nw I restarted,so I have a very limited time period remaining.

Where is the Power Point Presentation Dr. Hayton is showing???

I'm about to start my PhD and this is awesome XD

@mwarnock55

10 жыл бұрын

I'm knee deep in my PhD journey, and yes this is awesome XD. Congrats on making the commitment. If you need help ask me anything I will try to help. I'm all done with my course work minus the final two courses I am in now. I should be starting my dissertation in the spring. Its been a fabulous, strange, chaotic, joyous, most nerve racking thing I have ever experienced lol.

@CurryandDumpling

10 жыл бұрын

Michael Warnock Thanks! :) Haha, I'm pretty sure it's going to be a stressful journey but I'm still excited :P

@noor271

10 жыл бұрын

AsianChemNerd you'll be excited in your 1st year study especially when you are doing your phd in abroad..but after that......erkkkkkkkkkkkk :D

@CurryandDumpling

10 жыл бұрын

noor271 Haha yeah I'm hoping I will be able to keep this enthusiasm throughout the 3 years but we'll see! XD

@noor271

10 жыл бұрын

AsianChemNerd good luck then! but do remember..phd is just like a roller-coaster...there are always ups and downs :p

damn, im a masters student and this is applicable

In my masters program at an international university in China, an felt like quitting. I was literally going to go to the international students office and just tell them i want to leave. There are multiple reasons, but hving no feedback is a major one and the language barrier is the next. i found myself listening to you and wanting to read a paper. I am going to fight, and try to stay in the program. i feel like i am going to quit, but i will try in my research anyways and see what happens.

@cardiyansane1414

2 жыл бұрын

hope you stuck it out solder !

@teyatoy

2 жыл бұрын

@@cardiyansane1414 I did. Graduated at the start of 2020. Thank goodness. It was a journey.

Yet to obtain my associates in business science

Where can we find a the slides for this talk? I tried searching your blog without success. Thanks.

@igrewold

8 жыл бұрын

contact him thru email/twitter asking for it. twitter.com/jameshaytonphd

What if everyone tells you "it's just a phase!, " or "it's normal to go through this", when actually you have not really liked the topic to begin with and you are in fact struggeling more or less intensely for months? I, for example, applied to a phd ad and I really thought that I could make it work, but early on relized that I in fact really just didn't like the topic, and that now, after 8 months, still think I can't make it work and even if I could, I'd still not enjoy working on it....The scary thing is not just quitting itself but more the fact that I don't have a Plan B like a new job or other topic lined up. Any advice?

@Harry-uq9qd

7 жыл бұрын

I ran into that situation, thought i would like it a lot but ended up disliking all the different kinds of research available in my program. I dropped out, did other stuff for a few years (non-research/academia), and went back to a different area (still in biology). Now, the research is more interesting (but it's not magical...), but there are completely new challenges. If you really hate it, try to change the area as much as possible, talk to your program heads...or find something else to do entirely.

Tarea 4

im proud of my completion

@dhakagod

9 жыл бұрын

+Iam Decodethad Congrats :)

@iamdecodethad9777

9 жыл бұрын

+Bandit King thx man

i have always thought phds are old genius...

Already gone insane I think!!!

0:34

what did she say at 3:12? I couldn't hear the joke clearly

@miroticfashion

5 жыл бұрын

had to repeat it a few times but she said delaying life decisions :)

PHD in political science worth it? compared to let's say law school or a M.A in Public Administration?

@MsAwesome6814

9 жыл бұрын

You're better off going to law school

I'm 13 and I love mechanical engineering, any tips? My dream is to get my PhD on ME

@MatthewBatsonizawesome

9 жыл бұрын

Go for it. Try your best in school, and never give up.

@improvestepbystep

9 жыл бұрын

Try to find what interest you most in ME and learn more about it

@KJKP

9 жыл бұрын

KingClashes Focus on the math and science. Read up on the different programs at the different colleges and universities.

@lyfxyz12

7 жыл бұрын

Focus on Math and physics.

@igrewold

7 жыл бұрын

You gotta do your Engineering before your PhD. Engineers do the opposite of Researchers&Theoreticians(PhDs). They bring reality into STEM by proving whatever Mr. X theory was non-sense but the truth is this & that according to their experiences. Then they make things kinda like Steve Jobs with Apple...etc. Ex. PhD says Java is the thing so everybody uses it. Jobs says it is total trash and iPhones wonderfully worked without it ever being used. Same goes for Flash. He said it is trash & never used it, but things worked out real good. So, he was right. Life ain't all about theories & degrees. It is how you make better things, new things...etc. Then you are too young, just live your life as a human so you can present better things, do not get fooled by degrees & people ideas. Good luck.

Can anyone tell me of a student who became insane whilst doing a PhD?

@spinebuster9490

5 жыл бұрын

why?

Do you have an online copy of the book?

@James_Hayton

8 жыл бұрын

+Meera Cat There is a kindle version available

@meeracat9843

8 жыл бұрын

+James Hayton PhD Nice. Where can I find it? Thanks!

@James_Hayton

8 жыл бұрын

+Meera Cat Depends where you are. For most people the easiest way is through amazon.com or any of the international amazon sites (just type james hayton phd into the amazon search bar and you'll find it)

I have just finished my PhD (feel free to visit my page for tips XD) and I wish i had some advice like this 3 years ago! :P

I am at the point of quitting my PhD

@richardthegingerbo909

Жыл бұрын

Did you quit? How are you doing now?

Phd in soooooooo

Too late… 🤪

So there are 65000 people who want to go through their phd

Rule 1: don't waffle

What is the average, min & max age of doing a PhD? I'm 42, can I do it? I feel like a naturally born researcher ;D

@James_Hayton

8 жыл бұрын

I don't know if you can do it- that's down to you (and equally importantly finding the right people to work with). Age isn't a barrier to doing a PhD and I've known people much older to do it.

@igrewold

8 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the advice & insight.

@Unicorn-jj2og

7 жыл бұрын

I know of a woman who did hers at 50 and finished.

@majidesu6191

7 жыл бұрын

My grandmother's friend entered PhD in her late 60s and graduated in her early 70s.

Is an IQ of 132 high enough to get a PhD in astrophysics?

@carnaedy

9 жыл бұрын

Cursed_Legend IQ is a meaningless number, you simply cannot squeeze all of the different ways human brain processes information into one measurement. In addition, if you obtained that number from an online test, beware that their results are intentionally skewed upwards so that you would feel good about yourself and encourage your friends to take it as well to generate more traffic to their website.

@drbonesshow1

8 жыл бұрын

+Cursed_Legend Concerning conventional I.Q. tests, the goal of the unconventional scientific mind is to attain a score of at least 100: In other words, proving to the rest of the world that you are at minimum of average conventional intelligence. The late quantum physicist Richard Feynman (who liked to boast that his low I. Q. score of 125 obtained during his high school days didn't prevent him from dabbling in physics) showed the 20th century physics community that conventional I. Q. tests are not the true measure of a physicist. Feynman proved that he was more than just a great physicist, he was a magician. My advice to you is to pursue your goal in physics to the best of your abilities whatever they may be without worrying about a score on an I. Q. test. BTW: I. Q. generally improves with age, so in say 20 or 30 years, take that I. Q. test again and see how you improved. Good luck.