How can Ph.D. students avoid quitting their PhD?

First, postpone quitting for 10 minutes...

So do you think you are the only one who wants to quit? Do you think your problems are unique to you?

Regardless if you are a English native speaker or not, your problem is not your talent or IQ. Your problem is your mental stamina. A PhD is not a race, it’s an ultra-marathon.
Globally, 50% of PhD students quit, but 50% succeed. Almost 100% wanted to quit at some stage of their PhD program, but 50% didn’t.

So trash the quitting idea... at least for now. Why? Because if you quit, for the rest of your life you will regret it. It will bug you every day and eat into your soul like a cancer.

Have I got your attention now? Good!

Ask yourself these 10 questions:

1. Am I really passionate about my field of expertise, and why? Because for the next 3-5 years you will be asking yourself, “Why on earth did I torture myself like this?”

2. How strong and trusting is my relationship with my supervisor? You have relationship issues? Swop supervisors. It’s your right, but make sure the problem is not you.

3. Do you prefer talking to writing? You do? Then you have a problem as your PhD is 95% writing and perspiration, and 5% inspiration. Remember this, whenever you say something, it disappears into the thin air and is lost forever, but anything you write will be captured somewhere in time for eternity. So get into the routine of writing.

4. Are you super sensitive to rejection? If you really want your doctorate, then grow a thick skin. Get used to it criticism, it’s a natural default of the PhD journey.

5. Did you know that your PhD is a journey into the unknown? You are going beyond known knowledge so there are risks of failure. Accept the risks and develop an satiable curiosity about the unknown. Then your PhD will no longer be a journey but an adventure.

6. Is your natural instinct to walk away from problems? You will be happier, be more healthy, and live longer if you embrace challenges as golden opportunities.

7. Why did you try so hard to get into the PhD program? What drove you? Do you remember those early moments of excitement? Go back to the drawing board and get excited all over again.

8. Can you imagine opening a bank account with Dr. at the beginning of your name?

9. Can you imagine going into the job market armed with a doctorate? One of my students (previously a cardiac surgeon), post-PhD was appointed as a hospital administrator at three times his previous salary.

10. Do you still want to quit? It’s your PhD so take ownership, take control, and complete your PhD-marathon. Develop some psychological stamina and you’ll be okay.

So, do you want to talk to somebody, or do you need a helping hand?

Rod Pallister

At times it's better you quit... If money is the goal

Kewtt:
At times it's better you quit... If money is the goal

LoL. I quited anyways