day in the life of a math phd student

• The Daily Life of a PhD Student

Written by Hannah Slack

The daily life of a PhD student can be quite a departure from what you’ve experienced as an undergraduate or Masters student. You’ll have much more independence and little to no ‘taught’ elements. Your average week will likely involve a similar amount of PhD study hours to a full-time job. This will include some teaching and administrative responsibilities.

This page will give you an idea of what to expect from your routine as a PhD student. We’ll also explain how your daily life will look as you progress through a doctoral degree.

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What does the daily life of a phd student look like.

It might seem like a cliché, but the reality is that isn’t really a typical day for a PhD student. Your daily routine will depend on several different factors, from your research area and the stage of your PhD to what you’ve agreed with your supervisor and your own learning style. We’ve covered the main aspects that will affect how you spend your PhD below.

Subject area

If you’re doing a PhD in the Arts and Humanities , you probably won’t be surprised to learn that you’ll spend a fair chunk of your time reading texts or in the library. This is where you’ll do the bulk of your research. However, depending on the nature of your topic you may visit special collections and archives to view rare books and papers elsewhere.

In the Social Sciences , you’re also likely to spend plenty of time reading. However, you might also find yourself conducting research via surveys or interviews, as well as handling large amounts of data.

STEM PhDs usually involve lots of time in the laboratory, performing experiments and testing out hypotheses. You’ll probably also help supervise undergraduate and Masters students while they conduct work in the laboratory, making sure they’re using the right techniques.

Learning style

Your learning style will also have an effect on your daily routine as a PhD student. The independence afforded by a PhD means that you’ll have plenty of freedom to choose your own ‘working’ hours – as well as where they take place.

Some people value the regularity of a 9-5 schedule, while others may find that they’re more productive early in the morning or later in the evening (or a mixture of all three!). Similarly, you may have the freedom to choose where you want to study. This could be at home, in the library, a local café or a shared workspace with other PhD students.

The stage of your PhD

How far you are into your PhD is another big factor in your daily routine. Your first year will largely involve you getting to grips with your research area. You’ll familiarise yourself with the literature and beginning to lay the groundwork for what will become your PhD thesis .

Second year will see you taking on extra responsibilities, such as teaching or laboratory supervision, as well as undertaking the bulk of your research.

Your third and fourth years will usually be dedicating to writing up your research and producing your thesis, culminating in your PhD viva . This is typically the busiest – and most important! – period of a PhD.

Supervisor meetings

Meetings with your PhD supervisor will take place on a regular basis and are an excellent opportunity to provide updates, ask for advice and get their opinion on drafts. The frequency of these meeting will largely be up to you and your supervisor to agree on, but you can expect them to form an important part of your routine as and when they happen.

How many hours of study is a PhD?

As a general rule, you should expect a full-time PhD to account for 35 hours of work a week – the equivalent of a full-time, 9-5 job. It’s likely that during especially busy periods – such as when you’re writing up – you may work considerably longer hours.

If you’re studying a part-time PhD , your workload will be halved, at around 17 and a half hours per week. Depending on your schedule, this might be across a full week or a few days.

Universities rarely impose a number or pattern of work hours on PhD students, so it’ll be up to you to manage your time effectively. Most of the time, attendance is to do with regular meetings, set departmental deadlines and timely submission of written work.

Whatever your mode of study, it’s important to strike a healthy work-life balance. Peer pressure, demanding supervisors and extreme expectations may make you feel like you have to put in lots of hours. But you should remember that over-exerting yourself won’t necessarily lead to gains in productivity.

This is why some universities prescribe a maximum number of academic-related work, as low as six hours a week (you’ll often see 12-16 hours max) and why off-campus work sometimes require special permission (fairly rare but it happens).

PhD student workloads and holidays

The coursework requirement is likely to be higher at the beginning of your PhD and, while not really measured in hours, this will dictate how often you are on campus. In the UK, you will have some requirements in terms of transferrable skills training (in teaching, professional development and academic skills, for example) and your university may have a minimum number of hours of such courses you must take.

As you progress in your PhD, your workload will become progressively heavier, culminating in the period where you write up your research.

PhD annual leave

Funded PhD students at UK universities are usually entitled to annual leave during their studies, as stipulated in the conditions for their studentship.

The exact amount differs from institution to institution (and according to how you’re funded), but generally speaking you can expect between 25 and 30 days of annual leave if you’re a full-time PhD student, in addition to public holidays.

Part-time funded students will receive half of this allocation. If you’re a self-funded PhD student, you won’t have annual leave per se. But you also won’t be beholden to the same conditions attached to a studentship.

You’ll need to give an appropriate amount of notice to your supervisor and / or colleagues, as well as using the university’s booking system for annual leave.

Do PhD students get summers off?

No, you’ll be expected to continue working on your research throughout the summer – there’s no dedicated summer holiday period in addition to the annual leave you’re entitled to as a PhD student.

PhD responsibilities

The ultimate responsibility for good academic conduct and for successful completion of the PhD lies with you.

However, it’s a slightly different situation if you’re studying a PhD in a country where students are usually treated as a member of research staff (common in the Netherlands , France , Sweden and Norway , to give a few examples).

In these cases, you’ll have an employment contract and will be subject to the same regulations as a member of staff. Similarly, if you are doing an ‘industrial’ PhD, or if your funder has specific rules, you should make sure that you find out whether there is a strict pattern of work you should adhere to.

Think a PhD is for you?

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What happens during a typical PhD, and when? We've summarised the main milestones of a doctoral research journey.

The PhD thesis is the most important part of a doctoral degree. This page will introduce you to what you need to know about the PhD dissertation.

Our guide tells you everything about the application process for studying a PhD in the USA.

Postgraduate students in the UK are not eligible for the same funding as undergraduates or the free-hours entitlement for workers. So, what childcare support are postgraduate students eligible for?

The UK education system is divided into levels. This guide is your one-stop overview into what these levels are and what they mean for postgraduate students.

Is your supervisor moving universities? Or have you discovered another doctoral programme that better suits your goals? In this guide we take a look at how you can transfer a PhD to another university.

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A Day in the Life Series - PhD Student (Applied Mathematics)

• Career guides

I’m responsible for…

As a PhD student, we have to research a particular area of mathematics with the intention of performing some novel research. As part of my PhD, it is required that I produce research papers, as well as yearly reports to monitor my progression. It is also expected that I present my work at seminars or conferences. Public engagement is something that is also encouraged throughout a PhD, such as running a stall at a science fair, or during lockdown I have been writing some scientific blog posts for our group website.

My typical day…

My typical day is far less interesting than it used to be, before the pandemic, as it mainly consists of sitting at a desk working on my computer.  The main tasks that keep me busy throughout the day are: reading academic papers, doing mathematics by hand, using Matlab, a mathematical computer software, to run simulations and having meetings over Zoom.  There is also usually a seminar to attend each day to give myself something different to think about.

The worst part of my job…

At the moment, like most jobs, the worst part is having to work from home. At the start of my PhD, I found that there was a very social atmosphere in the department, especially amongst the students. It’s been very hard to adapt to becoming isolated and working alone with no one around.

In terms of actual work, I would say the hardest part is having the patience to get something wrong over and over until eventually you get it right!

The best part of my job…

The opportunity to work at the forefront of a scientific field and collaborating with others with different scientific backgrounds exchanging ideas on a subject.

I love my job because…

I have always loved doing mathematics, so having the opportunity to study the subject full time as such an advanced level is a dream come true!

The feeling of making a breakthrough after many weeks/months of hard work is also very rewarding.

Advice to others… (What advice would you give to others who want a role like yours?)

To be a PhD student, you have to be willing to completely immerse yourself in a subject, so you must be sure it is going to be something that you enjoy (a lot!) to begin studying. Also, patience is key, the work you undertake is very difficult and it can take time to get your head around some ideas, so do not become disheartened if something does not come to you straight away.

I want to be remembered for…

Being a student who works hard, and is always there to offer a helping hand to anyone who might need it.

My Plan B… (If it wasn’t this job – what else would I be doing?)

I am not sure what job I would do outside of mathematical research as it is something that I enjoy very much and would like to do for a long time! I have always had a dream about opening my own little brewery though...

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What should be a daily routine for PhD Students? Our proven checklist

PhD is the topmost academic honor , we write this line every time in our articles, only to make you understand how serious it is. To achieve the doctoral award, one has to develop some routine habits and self-discipline throughout the tenure. 

This article is not the kind of all other articles on the internet which demonstrate some common things. Here is the standard daily routine process we advise our students to follow. This work, and will work for you. 

Stay tuned with this content, it will certainly change your PhD journey. 

The 7+8= 6 formula

Your daily planner, parkinson’s law , balance reading, writing and research , prepare goals for a day, check the goals for the day .

•  Learn a single new thing every day 

Do exercise

Check your computational work, and make a backup, an ideal daily routine for a phd student, wrapping up: , a daily routine for phd students: .

This one is our proven formula, trust me. Sleep for 7 hours, work for 8 hours, for all 6 days in a week. Rest is very important to reduce the burden and tension. Make sure you rest for at least 7 hours every day no matter how much workload you have. 

Work for 8 hours, including your research, lectures and other academic activities. Do check your daily work amount, without failure. No matter what you do (related to your PhD), you have to work for 8 hours every single day. 

This routine should be followed for six-day, and you can take a rest, party, read or walk around on Sunday. Follow the 7+8=6 formula and let me know your experience. 

As a PhD student, you must have your daily planner on your PC or laptop or on your desk. The daily planner will show you your work picture for the entire month. If you don’t have one, download it from here.  

Make a red circle when you fail to achieve a goal or daily progress. This will make you a better researcher. Plan, roughly your work for the month and try to achieve every single objective every day.  

Here is the secret formula using which you can increase productivity and do more work in less time. Parkinson’s law says that work expands to the time allowed for it. 

For example, if you give 5 hours to write an article, or paper or anything, you can write in 5 hours. You see your social media, and videos, and do other stuff and reach the goal. But if you give 2 hours for the same work, you can really achieve it in 2 hours. 

Trust me, this is scientifically proven. Make a small goal and try to complete it in a shorter time period, put your mobile and all other activities aside and only focus on that particular piece of work. 

Try it. You will love it. Remember it’s Parkinson’s law.   

Students work only under pressure or when required. But let me tell you that you can gradually decrease your workload by managing your work from day one. Plan how much time you will give to read, write and research. 

I know, at first, it looks unrealistic but it can be managed. Prepare a timetable, for example, 2 hours to search literature early before your college hours. Search sources, material or literature which possibly helps your that day’s research work. 

• 2 hours- literature review
• College hours (3 to 4)- research and lab work 
• 1 hour- enlist the results 
• 2- read literature to correlate or justify your findings. 

This should be your plan for a typical academic day. For example, let’s say today you would prepare some chemical solutions for your research.  So before 2 hours of your work, read what chemicals are used, and what are their roles, quantity and variation that other scientists use.

After preparing solutions, check them, note results and search what others have found. Correlate it, and find problems so that you can work seamlessly for actual experiments.    

This is something less recognized but so important. Wake up early, be prepared and enlist goals for the day. What would you do in the lab? Do remember Parkinson’s law and list more goals than the time allotted.  

This routine will certainly help you to manage work and decrease your workload. In the long run, I bet you, you will be way ahead of your colleagues. 

Now you have goals, planned how to execute them and worked. Go home and take a quick look at the goal book, and whether all goals are achieved, if you have achieved goals in time, before time or if some are left. 

Also, note if some crucial goals are achieved in time or not.  

  Learn a single new thing every day 

See, your ultimate goal is not only achieving a PhD degree, but afterward, you also have to go for a job or something else. Your degree is not the only thing required in the future. So try to learn at least a single new thing every day. 

For example, a single or two new phrases, an English word or a new language. Learn MS Office or Excel, Some tools, etc. 

Do yoga and meditation 

Now, this is an obvious routine not only for a PhD student but also for others. Do yoga and meditation, possibly early in the morning. Yoga will strengthen your soul and inner spirit while meditation helps you to keep calm and fight depression and stress. 

Again one obvious routine for everyone. If you like or not, do exercise, cardio, and physical activity and strengthen yourself. See, to achieve some serious things like a PhD, one must have been physical and mentally strong. 

Do hit the gym or exercise every single day at least for 5 days a week.  

Before going to sleep, take a quick look at all of your day’s activity, and if required, take a backup of some data or work. Don’t take backup lightly, data is everything. If you lose it, you will regret it. 

When to write? 

Writing is a serious business. You have to give so much time and can’t be managed in a daily routine. You have to read, understand, think and then write so it takes time. Plan to do research for 3 days and write for 3 days, on a weekly basis. 

Again, manage things by yourself, if you are at the early stage, you can give more time to research. If your work is almost done, you can give yourself more days to write.   

It’s not military training, first of all, keep in mind. This is just a time management plan. You don’t have to always follow this. Manage things by yourself. Remember, your ultimate goal is to achieve a PhD, managing your health, mental status, physical status and social commitments. 

However, self-discipline is tough but important. So try to follow this routine at least for 6 months, regularly, if you wish or if you do not wish. Once it is in process, it becomes routine. 

Our students always remain ahead of their friends and we train them to follow the routine. I hope this will help you. Be a part of our community, and subscribe to us. 

Dr. Tushar Chauhan is a Scientist, Blogger and Scientific-writer. He has completed PhD in Genetics. Dr. Chauhan is a PhD coach and tutor.

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Life as a PhD Student

• School of Mathematics
• Studying Here
• Postgraduate Research Studies
• How to apply for a PhD

The PhD programme at the University of Edinburgh involves a 36 month research course and a further 12 month writing up period. Over the last decade, the average time from entry to PhD thesis submission has been 3 years and 9 months.

PhD students are expected to take on leadership roles in their chosen career paths; as such, the ability to present material and succinctly convey ideas is an essential component of PhD training. Our PhD candidates receive intensive training during their first semester in best practises in conducting academic tutorials. Typical teaching duties are 60 hours in year one and 120 hours per year in subsequent years. Additional speaking training and practises are offered through University courses as well as research group meetings.

A range of graduate courses, organised through the Scottish Mathematical Sciences Training Centre , are attended by PhD students during the first 6 months of the programme. Further research-level courses are available afterward. At the end of the first year, each student's progress is assessed by means of a prepared talk and a brief written report. It should be appreciated that some students may have to change registration for an MSc by Research as a result of this assessment.

The first year of PhD studies is focused on the video-conferenced general mathematical taught courses provided by the Scottish Mathematical Sciences Training Centre in cooperation with 7 other Scottish Universities, and weekly meetings with the supervisor to establish background in the student's area of proposed research.

Depending on the research area of your PhD, alternative courses may be available from NATCOR (National Taught Course in Operational Research) or APTS (Academy for PhD Training in Statistics).

The remaining years are focused on the candidate’s development of independent research, culminating in published papers and a doctoral thesis. Throughout the programme, most doctoral candidates are active in the teaching of mathematics in the school, and attending research seminars to develop breadth of knowledge.

Facilities & Resources

• Year 1 - You will use shared office space in the Bayes Centre in central Edinburgh. 
• Year 2 onwards - you will have access to PhD office space in JCMB. 
• Computing facilities - a laptop will be offered to you with either Linux or Windows as standard.  There are also a large number of open access computers on campus.
• Common room - join our PhD community for lunch in the School Common room
• Firbush - each year our PhD students have the opportunity to go to the University's outdoor centre at Firbush
• Graduate Student seminars/colloquia
• Libraries - The Noreen and Kenneth Murray Library is on The King's Buildings campus

PhDLife Blog

Sharing PhD experiences across the University of Warwick and beyond

A Day in the Life of a PhD Student: Part 1

We all have our routines, and how your day looks often depends on the stage you’re in and type of work that needs to be done. This two-part series by Sophie Shorland will explore four accounts from four students at different stages, with different paths to the PhD…

Thankfully, there’s no one way to complete a PhD. Sometimes the challenges are intangible, like overcoming depression, or finding the right space to work. Sometimes they’re more self-evident, like balancing childcare commitments with work. In celebration of our different journeys, this series peeks into the lives of four very different PhD students.

Suzy, English Literature, 3 rd  Year, King’s College London. Part Time.

“I live in Hertfordshire and have two young children aged 5 and 2. I balance looking after them with working on my PhD part-time. Every day of the week has a different balance of work and childcare but this is what a typical day of work might look like.”

6.30am – Get up, try to get sorted and dressed before the children wake up, then get them both up, dressed and everyone fed. Wave my other half off to work then brush the childrens’ teeth, put on their obligatory suntan lotion and check that everyone has everything they need in all their different bags for the day ahead.

8.30am – Head out on the school run, dropping the big one at school before taking the little one to the childminder.

9.15-10am – Drive to the station and head on the train into London. If I’m lucky and get a seat I’ll do some work, otherwise I’ll try and listen to a vaguely relevant podcast.

10am – 1pm – Work in the British Library.

1pm -2pm – Lunch with fellow PhD people, and a chance for some adult conversation – hoorah.

2pm – 3.15pm – Work

3.15pm – 4pm – Journey back home again.  I’m more likely to get a seat at this point although I try to give myself something straightforward to read on the way home.

4.15pm – Collect the little one from the childminder and then the big one from his after-school club.

4.30pm – 6pm – Cook the kids’ dinner and then have some precious/exhausting playtime with them.

6pm – 7.30pm – The kids’ bedtime, involving bath-time battles and wrestling them into bed. Bedtime stories for both of them, a truly lovely thing and a reminder of why this juggling act is all worth it.

7.30pm-8.30pm – Sort out all the mess the kids have created, pack their bags and do packed lunches for the next day before checking the trains to see if my husband will be making it home anytime soon and cooking dinner.

8.30pm – Collapse on to the sofa and watch something mindless for a while.

10.30pm – Bedtime! Cross fingers neither child will wake us up in the night, read for a little bit and fall asleep.

Uther, Physics, 3 rd Year, University College London. Full Time.

Uther’s is perhaps the most ‘standard’ PhD journey of our four students, at least within the conventional narrative of what being a student is: no dependants, and no pressing commitments on top of the work of being a student. Just getting straight to the PhD every day.

8:00am – Wake up. Work in bed for an hour. This is the best time for powering through some mathematical work.

9:00am – Hop on the bus to my shared office in central London. Work there until about 12.

12pm-12:30pm – Lunch.

12:30pm-2pm – Work for another hour and a half on PhD-related things. I often move to a coffeeshop for this, as while I love the shared office space, I get easily distracted by chat. Contact collaborators on the paper we’re working on to check they’re happy with the second round of revisions.

2pm – Go and do life admin and buy things I need that are totally unrelated to the PhD.

3:30pm-4pm – On the bus to get home. Unwind on the bus, usually my best thinking time.

4pm-6pm – At home, lie down and think about broader things outside of PhD but to do with Physics. Evening is free time. On this particular day I had dinner with my partner and then read some Kant (a history of philosophy is my side-project).

For any readers wondering whether Uther’s 5-and-a-half-hour work day can actually get your PhD finished, he graduated in three years with corrections that took him one day, and published three papers in that time. Hopefully this is reassuring news in a culture of overwork rather than stress-inducing!

What does your day look like? Are there any particular challenges you face in your daily routine, or anything you think you’ve got sorted? Tweet us at @ ResearchEx , email us at  [email protected] , or leave a comment below.

Sophie is a PhD candidate working on Early Modern Literature at the University of Warwick. She’s interested in Shakespeare, celebrity culture and early modern women’s writing. You can find her on twitter @ sophie_shorland .

Image by Sean Thoman  on  Unsplash

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2 thoughts on “ a day in the life of a phd student: part 1 ”.

Hey your post ‘a day in the life of phd student’ is really very nice! keep it going. I can relate to it very well.

Hi, glad you enjoyed the post! -Jessica

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Department of Mathematics

Mathematics phd program.

The Ph.D. program in the Department of Mathematics provides students with in-depth knowledge and rigorous training in all the subject areas of mathematics. A core feature is the first-year program, which helps bring students to the forefront of modern mathematics. Students work closely with faculty and each other and participate fully in both research and student-run seminars.

Questions? Email [email protected]

• The firm deadline for applications for Autumn 2025, is December 5, 2024.
• The (general and advanced) GRE tests are no longer accepted. Please do not submit these scores.

The PhD student experience – What is it really like for PhDs?

Are you curious about what it’s really like to be a PhD student, navigating the world of academia and research?

In this article, we’ll dive deep into the lesser-known aspects of the PhD journey, from the profound impact of your supervisor to the competitive environment you’ll face.

Discover the truth about the importance of publishing papers and the realities of funding and job security in academia.

We’ll also give you a glimpse into the daily life of a PhD student, and explore the highs and lows of this challenging yet rewarding experience.

So, buckle up and join us as we uncover the secrets of the PhD student experience that no one else will tell you!

The little known-facts that you need to know about the PhD experience,

This is what no one else will tell you!

What does the daily life of a PhD student look like?

Embarking on a PhD journey can be a thrilling yet demanding experience, as a doctoral student is constantly immersed in:

• academic responsibilities,
• and professional development.

From the early morning, the life of a PhD student begins with checking emails, planning the day, and setting priorities.

A typical day usually involves conducting experiments or research in the laboratory, analyzing data, and reading scientific literature to stay up-to-date with their field.

PhD students often participate in regular meetings with their supervisors, who provide guidance and advice on their research projects.

These meetings are crucial for maintaining momentum and ensuring a productive working relationship.

A typical daily schedule for a PhD student might look like this:

7:00 AM – Wake up, morning routine, breakfast

7:45 AM – Check emails, plan the day, and set priorities

8:30 AM – Arrive at the laboratory, set up experiments or research tasks

9:30 AM – Attend a class or seminar (if applicable)

11:00 AM – Conduct experiments or research in the laboratory

12:30 PM – Lunch break, socialize with fellow graduate students

1:30 PM – Analyze data and read scientific literature relevant to the research project

3:00 PM – Meeting with supervisor to discuss research progress and receive guidance

4:30 PM – Continue working on experiments, data analysis, or literature review

6:00 PM – Dinner break

8:00 PM – Draft or edit thesis, work on conference presentations or publications

10:00 PM – Wind down and engage in a hobby or leisure activity for mental health and work-life balance

11:00 PM – Bedtime routine, sleep

In addition to their primary research, many PhD students assist and mentor undergraduate students, contributing to a diverse and dynamic academic community.

Balancing the demands of coursework, research projects, and administrative responsibilities can make for long working hours, which is why it’s important for doctoral students to maintain their mental health and work-life balance.

Attending conferences, participating in social events, and engaging in professional development opportunities are important aspects of the PhD experience.

Given the commitment and dedication required, full-time PhD students often rely on funded positions to support their education and living expenses.

Despite the inherent difficulties, the experience equips students with a range of new skills and expertise, setting them on a path to contribute significantly to academia and the world beyond.

How stressful is being a PhD student?

Being a PhD student can be quite stressful due to the unique challenges and demands of the program.

It varies from person to person and the supervisor will have a huge impact on how stressful a PhD will be for a student.

Here is a case study of the highs and lows of a PhD from a PhDs student’s perspective:

This PhD student experienced frustration with experiments not working or yielding results, leading to feelings of imposter syndrome and demotivation. A lack of progress was a significant source of stress during this time, as well as comparing oneself to peers who seemed to be achieving more success.

However, there were also numerous highlights throughout the PhD experience. Attending conferences and presenting research offered opportunities to gain feedback, collaborate with others, and even travel. Engaging in scientific discussions and exploring the significance of one’s work provided a sense of purpose and satisfaction.

Furthermore, working with cutting-edge equipment, such as advanced microscopes, allowed the student to appreciate the unique and privileged nature of their research.

The pressure to produce significant contributions to one’s field and the uncertainty of achieving results within a limited time frame can induce anxiety.

For instance, many students find themselves constantly juggling various responsibilities, such as conducting experiments, analysing data, attending meetings with their supervisor, and writing their thesis or papers.

Aside from academic pressure, managing work-life balance can be difficult as well. It’s not uncommon for PhD students to work long hours, often sacrificing personal time and relationships.

The lack of a structured schedule and the need for self-motivation can add to the stress and the competitive environment in academia and the constant pursuit of funding can further exacerbate stress levels.

PhD student workloads and holidays

The life of a PhD student is often characterized by heavy workloads and limited opportunities for holidays.

In a typical PhD program, students juggle numerous responsibilities, including research projects, coursework, and professional development activities, such as attending conferences and training.

This is particularly true for funded PhD students, who are expected to adhere to strict timelines set by their supervisors and the university’s academic calendar.

In the science field, the workload can be even more demanding due to the nature of research, which often involves conducting experiments that can take months or years to complete.

This commitment means that even during holidays, PhD students may feel the need to work in order to meet deadlines, leading to burnout and stress.

Later Stage PhD ( Doctorate Candidates )

When PhD students reach the later stages of their doctorate program, they become PhDs preparing to complete their research project and thesis.

This stage comes with an intense academic workload, with high demand for researcher-level skills and scientific knowledge.

A typical day for a PhD at this stage involves conducting research, analysing data, and editing their findings to complete their thesis.

In my experience it is WRITING, WRITING and more WRITING…with a touch of editing.

There are deadlines to meet, and students may face pressure, but the reward of completing a doctorate degree is worth it.

At this point, a PhD is expected to demonstrate their ability to conduct independent research and contribute to their field of study.

The latter stages of the doctorate program offer a rigorous and rewarding challenge for students who want to pursue a career in science, education, and research.

Wrapping up – PhD and Doctoral Student experience

The PhD student experience is a complex and multifaceted journey that offers a unique blend of challenges and triumphs.

As we have explored in this blog, the road to obtaining a PhD is filled with personal growth, professional development, and numerous hurdles to overcome.

But, for those who persevere, the rewards can be immense, leading to a sense of accomplishment, increased expertise, and the potential to make a significant impact in their chosen field.

In navigating this adventure, it is essential for PhD students to maintain a healthy work-life balance and develop strong support networks to help them manage stress and maintain motivation.

The journey may be demanding, but with the right mindset and guidance, the experience can be truly transformative.

Dr Andrew Stapleton has a Masters and PhD in Chemistry from the UK and Australia. He has many years of research experience and has worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Associate at a number of Universities. Although having secured funding for his own research, he left academia to help others with his YouTube channel all about the inner workings of academia and how to make it work for you.

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What is the life of a phd student really like, published by steve tippins on june 9, 2020 june 9, 2020.

Last Updated on: 2nd February 2024, 05:11 am

Life of a PhD student? Hell. That about sums it up.

Okay, that’s not a very satisfying answer. Nor is it completely true. Life as a PhD student doesn’t always feel like hell. It does sometimes, but it’s also an exhilarating and rewarding time to explore your area of interest and grow into a true scholar. So what does the life of a PhD student really look like?

The life of a PhD student is somewhat varied depending on the field you’re going into. Generally speaking, no matter what program you’re in, it has two phases: coursework and dissertation.

Coursework Phase

Doctoral-level are courses that are a lot harder than undergraduate or even Master’s courses , but they are similar in structure: there’s a syllabus, due dates, other students in the class, etc. There are definitive semesters, quarters, or terms. In between terms, there’s really not much work to do. 

Of course, there are different expectations for PhD students than for undergrads. They are held to a far more rigorous standard in the work that they do. Class sizes are much smaller, and students are expected to participate in nuanced discussions. There is no sliding by unnoticed in a PhD program.

All that said, the coursework phase of the life of a PhD student is not altogether different than their previous educational experience, besides being more rigorous. It’s like school on steroids. 

Depending on the school, there may be a transition from classwork: comprehensive exams. This is basically, “study everything you’ve learned so that you can be ready for any question.” 

Dissertation Phase

The dissertation phase is a world in which there’s no syllabus, no classmates, and no real structure. You have your Chairperson and Committee to keep happy, but they’re not pushing you forward or expecting you to turn things in by a certain date. They’re just waiting for you to do what you have to do. 

Once you get to the dissertation stage, the concept of semesters and quarters goes away, and you’re working on your topic all the time.

Over 50% of doctoral candidates don’t finish their dissertations.

Many students find that not having due dates can make it difficult to work efficiently and make real progress on their dissertation . I speak more about how to effectively navigate this later on in this article.

I f you go into a program that has a large number of doctoral students, you’ll still be alone when you get to the dissertation stage, but you’ll have other people a similar stage. If you’re in a smaller program (for example, I was the only person in my PhD program), you may be all alone during the dissertation phase.

You’ll have to be able to move from the structured format of classes to the dissertation stage, where there’s very little structure and it can be lonely.

How Many Hours do PhD Students Work?

How many hours do PhD students work? Many PhD students have about 40 hours a week of reading and classwork, plus around 20 hours a week of assistantship or lab time. And that’s minimum. You may also be teaching while you’re doing your dissertation. I had two classes a semester, which ended up being 6 hours a week of class time, plus preparation and grading.   It’s easy to have a 60-80 hour week. In the life of a PhD student, the concept of “weekends” does not exist.

When you get to your dissertation, it’s easy to say “Oh, thank god I don’t have to do that anymore” and just stop. But don’t. You’ll need to put in the same hours on your dissertation if you want to finish within a reasonable timeframe (unless you’re deliberately making a choice to finish over a longer period of time).

Life of a PhD Student

Here, I’ll describe some of the common themes of the life of a PhD student, regardless of discipline. If you’re not yet enrolled in a PhD program, I highly recommend reading this to get an idea of the realities of what doctoral-level work looks like. If you’re already living the life of a PhD student, you will find some indispensable hints and advice for getting through with your mental health intact.

Being a Doctoral Student Is Not Like Being an Undergrad

Life as a PhD student is not the same as life as an undergrad. You’re there for the academic experience, not for anything else. Don’t expect to be able to join clubs and have time to socialize or go to football games. You may even find yourself feeling jealous of undergrads. 

But you’re there for a completely different purpose. You are the reason that the library is open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. You are training to join the ranks of the world’s elite minds. 

You Can’t “Just Get By”

On the same note, the academic standards to which you’ll have to hold yourself change. As an undergraduate, you can get by easily with “what do I need to know,” and as a PhD student you ask, “what more can I learn?”

If you have the mentality of asking “what do I need to get by?” you shouldn’t be in a doctoral program. Because if you’re in a doctoral program, you’re going to end up as an expert. If your specific topic comes up in important policy decisions, you may be asked to be on an advisory panel. At some point, you will probably be asked to be an expert somewhere, and the advice you give will influence people’s lives. Society depends on you doing a good job in order to function well.

Doctoral programs are rigorous for a reason: only those who have a true passion and care for their subject area are afforded the power that a doctorate gives.

Writing a Dissertation Takes Over Your Life

Writing a dissertation is an immersive experience. It’s so much a part of the life of a PhD student that it’s hard to differentiate between when you’re working and not working. 

You also have to do things besides actually writing, and these things sometimes take a frustratingly long time. For example, making calls to institutions you are gathering data from, figuring out how to access or use software programs, or transcribing interviews. 

It doesn’t feel like you’re making progress on your dissertation because you haven’t written anything, so it can be easy to get discouraged. It’s important to account for the time spent doing this kind of thing so that you don’t feel like you’re failing when you have to spend entire days on it rather than writing.

I had a friend who spent an entire weekend trying to de-bug a program, and the problem ended up being a zero that had been replaced by an O. That kind of stuff happens all the time, and it’s often when students quit. Account for this ahead of time so that it’s just part of the deal.

It is hard to communicate to friends and family members about what you’re going through in this process. They may expect you to be the same person you were before you entered the program and have the same flexibility. This can put a lot of pressure on friendships and relationships.  

You see all these other people who seem like they’re doing amazing things. Going on vacation, having children, advancing their careers. It may feel like you’re missing out. The life of a PhD student is also extremely isolating. Your family may not understand what you’re going through. It’s important to take care of your mental and emotional health so that this doesn’t lead you to drop out.

No Time for Anything

Those people who go into a doctoral program and continue a job and have families have to understand that they’re going to have very little time for anything other than those three things during the program. There is often not even enough time for all three of those. Understand that your faculty will have expectations of you and rarely considers outside commitments or desires when evaluating whether you’ve met those expectations.

Much of the life of a PhD student is actually deferring life–or at least all of the facets of life outside of academia. It means following everybody else’s requirements until you graduate. 

Revisions, Revisions, Revisions

Being a PhD student means constant revising. That’s one of the reasons that people quit, because they don’t realize how much revising will be necessary. When students get a draft of their proposal back for revisions a fifth time, many consider that a failure, but that’s simply the nature of writing a dissertation.

People get angry because they think they’re failing or they think that professors are being hard on them. But having to do multiple revisions is the norm. You’re learning a new language (academic writing), and you’re conducting an extremely rigorous project.

In classes, professors may let things slide. But any professor worth their salt won’t let things slide in your dissertation. It’s a good place for a perfectionist.

Here are some common reasons why students struggle with the type of academic writing required in a dissertation:

• You feel like you’re repeating yourself a lot
• You have to make your argument very clear and slow
• You can’t assume any knowledge
• You have to be extraordinarily specific
• You have to be extremely consistent

A Warning for Doctoral Students

There are stories of faculty members who take advantage of doctoral students to pick up laundry, babysit children, or worse. However power can be abused, some people in positions of power will try to do it. While hopefully there has been enough conversation about this that it is declining, it is something to be aware of. Listen to other people and be careful. 

The academic system is set up for an uneven balance of power–even before you account for our societal power dynamics of gender and race.

While there is a worthy tradition of “paying your dues” in academia, this means paying your dues to the profession–through teaching, learning, and research–not paying dues to members of the profession.

All this said, there are times when it isn’t inappropriate for faculty members may ask you to do things outside of the realm of academia (you can feel free to accept or decline as you wish). When I was in my graduate program a faculty member asked if I could help him move one weekend. I helped him for an hour and a half, and he gave me $100. 

He was trying to be nice to me, and he certainly didn’t take advantage of the power dynamic. However, I was working as an assistant on a research project and getting paid $12/hr, and I jokingly chided him for paying me more for my brawn than my brains.

Final Thoughts

The life of a PhD student is not easy, but it is rewarding. Time and time again, I’ve seen the difference between students who complete their doctoral programs and those who don’t is whether they’re able to get enough support.

That’s why I started offering Dissertation Coaching Services . I help PhD students get through the dissertation phase of their doctoral programs, successfully defend them, and graduate with their degrees.

If you are interested in receiving support from a Dissertation Chair through weekly coaching sessions, feedback on your work, and accountability tools, book a free 30-minute consultation . As of this writing, I am nearing capacity, so please do so soon if you would like to participate.

Steve Tippins

Steve Tippins, PhD, has thrived in academia for over thirty years. He continues to love teaching in addition to coaching recent PhD graduates as well as students writing their dissertations. Learn more about his dissertation coaching and career coaching services. Book a Free Consultation with Steve Tippins

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Exploring Memorable Messages and Resilience in Graduate Mentoring Relationships

Mentorship between faculty members and graduate students is critical for students’ success, especially when it includes career and psychosocial support (Byars-Winston & Lund Dahlberg, 2019; Crisp & Cruz, 2009; Paglis et al., 2006). When mentors offer both types of support, mentees benefit in professional and personal ways (Gardiner et al., 2007; Johnson, 2007). Mentoring occurs through the communication messages that mentors transmit to mentees, but research on mentoring has failed to explore faculty mentor messages (Buell, 2004).

This study aimed to analyze mentor messages from the perspective of Latino graduate alumni from Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine (STEMM) programs, a continuously growing group in graduate programs (Solinas-Saunders et al., 2023). To study these messages, this study utilized the theory of memorable messages (ToMM) (Cooke-Jackson & Rubinsky, 2022; Knapp et al., 1981). This study aimed to not only identify what memorable messages mentors communicate to students but also the potential impacts of these messages. This study was also concerned with identifying whether mentor memorable messages also support students’ development of resilience. According to the communication theory of resilience (CTR), resilience may be supported through five communication processes (Buzzanell, 2010).

Thematic analysis of 40 semi-structured interviews with Latino alumni with degrees from various STEMM disciplines revealed four types of memorable messages, positive and negative, from primary faculty mentors. These messages ranged from short verbal messages to longer conversations and included non-verbal communication such as memorable behaviors. Participants recalled messages of invalidation and validation of their academic, interpersonal, and cultural identities. Messages of career and life advice were also recalled. Lastly, messages of mentor red flags were remembered and focused on three specific red flags: manipulative behaviors based on power, emotional manipulation, and unprofessional behaviors.

This study showed that negative messages were more easily recalled, nearly word for word, than positive messages, and the impact of these messages had a deep lasting effect on students’ sense of self-worth. Positive messages, however few, had the ability to counter negative messages even in mentoring relationships that were nearly completely negative. Regarding resilience, all five communication processes of resilience from CTR were exemplified in the data. The data showed that there were very few examples of negative messages that spurred resilience and that many participants learned from memorable messages to develop emotional resilience, particularly those in mostly negative mentoring relationships.

These findings expand existing mentoring literature by illustrating how faculty mentor messages can either facilitate or impede graduate students’ development in STEMM. They also support ToMM’s suggestion that memorable messages can be nonverbal and include behaviors. This data also extends how certain memorable messages may serve as a catalyst for developing emotional resilience. Finally, recommendations are offered for faculty for more intentional communication with graduate students that may result in supportive memorable messages.

Degree Type

• Doctor of Philosophy
• Communication

Campus location

• West Lafayette

Advisor/Supervisor/Committee Chair

Additional committee member 2, additional committee member 3, additional committee member 4, usage metrics.

• Communication studies

School of Science

Mathematical sciences, ph.d in mathematics.

Exploring New Theories at the Forefront of Mathematics and its Applications

Doctoral studies form our core graduate program.  The faculty in the department excel in numerous areas of applied mathematics and are well versed in many related disciplinary fields, thus they are highly qualified to train graduate students and mentor them in producing high-quality research and dissertations at the intersection of mathematics and the sciences or engineering.  Our Ph.D. training opens doors to research careers in academia, government laboratories, and industry and our department has a strong record of placing Ph.D. students in prestigious postdoctoral positions at top-tier universities and labs, and in industrial positions.

Students working for the doctorate must demonstrate high achievement both in scholarship and in independent research. All programs must follow the general rules of the Office of Graduate Education .

Program of Study

The Ph.D. degree results from following a program of study in mathematics or in applied mathematics.

Requirements

Students working for the doctorate must demonstrate high achievement both in scholarship and in independent research. All programs must follow the general rules of the Office or Graduate Education .

The student’s program of study must include:

• At least six, 4-credit (nonthesis) graduate mathematics courses (i.e., those with numbers MATH 6XXX or MATP 6XXX).
• At least one 3- or 4-credit course at the graduate (6000) level outside the department (i.e., not coded MATH or MATP and not cross-listed with any department course), selected in consultation with the math adviser.
• All doctoral students must pass a written preliminary exam as well as an oral qualifying examination and complete an oral candidacy presentation.

In addition, the course MATH 6591 Research in Mathematics is strongly suggested. Any deviations from these requirements must have the approval of the Department’s Graduate Committee.

The program catalog can be found here .

Resources frequently used by graduate students in Mathematics can be found here .

Program Outcome

Students who successfully complete this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate mastery of graduate-level courses covering a range of topics, including mathematical analysis, mathematical methods and modeling, computational mathematics, and operations research.
• Demonstrate mastery of graduate-level courses in at least one area outside of mathematics.
• Conduct high-quality original research on a topic in mathematics or applied mathematics with results suitable for journal publications and technical presentations.
• Read and interpret research level articles in mathematics and develop new mathematical concepts.
• Develop mathematical formulation and solution of scientific problems from a range of disciplines.
• Communicate sophisticated mathematical ideas and concepts concisely and effectively in both oral and written form.

Financial Aid

There are several potential ways that a Math Sciences graduate student can get financial support while enrolled at RPI. The most common methods are:

Fellowships

There are many opportunities for students to obtain fellowships to support their graduate studies.  These fellowships can come from inside or outside the department or the Institute.  For example, recent fellowships have been available from the Department of Education, and there are competitive fellowships available from the National Science Foundation. The specifics of fellowships vary from year to year, and the  Graduate Student Coordinator has information on available fellowships and application procedures.  Your academic advisor in the department is another good source of information about fellowships. You should be sure to consider that the Math Sciences Department has guidelines for continuation of support for doctoral students. Graduate students who receive full support from the Department should plan to complete their doctoral programs within four or five years. Students can expect that their support will continue through this period, provided that they continue to make satisfactory progress toward their degree and they continue to perform well in their teaching assignments. "Satisfactory progress" means completing courses, required examinations (preliminary, qualifying, and candidacy), selecting a research area, and making progress toward completing a thesis. If a student requires support beyond the fifth year, each situation will be considered individually.

Teaching Assistantship

Teaching Assistant (TA) assignments vary significantly throughout Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. In the Department of Mathematical Sciences, TA-ships are typically one-year appointments that cannot be extended for more than two years. They tend to be of two types. TA-ships can take the form of independent classroom teaching (often called recitations), which may include small lectures, problem solving, computer labs, grading, office hours, etc. The TA works with a TA Supervisor, who is the faculty member teaching the course. The vast majority of TA-ships are of this form. A few teaching assistantships take the form of grading and office hours only. All TA’s are required to participate in RPI’s TA Training Program as well as the Department’s TA Orientation prior to their first semester of teaching. In addition, all TA’s must attend the TA Seminar before or during their first semester of teaching at RPI. A graduate student, the Math Sciences Department Master TA, typically teaches this one-credit course (graded as Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory). The topics of this course vary according to the needs of the participants. In the past they have included: Maple, Grading, Laptops, Composing Quizzes, Campus Resources, Academic Honesty, Proctoring Exams, Extra Help, Office Hours, Latex, Making a Syllabus, etc.  In addition, each TA has their class visited and feedback is provided.

Research Assistantship

Many faculty in the Math Sciences Department have research funding that can be used to support graduate students who are interested in doing research in their field. The Research Assistantships (RA’s) do not typically have any teaching component. This allows a graduate student to have more time to work on Master’s or Ph. D. research. This is a topic you may want to talk to your advisor about.

Academic Opportunities

Graduate Academic Awards

Academic awards for graduate students who demonstrated outstanding ability in his or her academic work.

SIAM Student Chapter at RPI

SIAM exists to ensure the strongest interactions between mathematics and other scientific and technological communities through membership activities, publication of journals and books, and conferences.

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A day in the life of a PhD student

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is a momentous challenge that is exhilarating, stressful, and highly rewarding. To start this article, I will offer just a brief background of what a PhD is, my own research area, and what a ‘day in the life’ of a PhD student (i.e. me) looks like!

A PhD in Australia typically runs between 3 and 6 years, though there is increasing pressure from universities to ensure PhD students finish at the three-year mark, or only a little later. The days of PhD students lasting for six to seven years are long gone, as funding pressure means that universities need to get PhD students graduated and producing papers for the university. Typically, a PhD has three major milestones that you must pass in order to keep progressing in the degree:

• A confirmation
• A mid-term review
• A final review

These occur, respectively, in years one, two, and three. PhD candidates will typically get two attempts to get past these milestones, which consist of a paper/chapter submission to a university-appointed panel and a presentation, and if they fail on the second attempt, they usually will have their PhD terminated. Most PhDs can be taken without scholarship (i.e. without payment), though they are usually at no direct cost to the student (speaking of domestic students here). Sometimes scholarships will be available, and they usually range from $18,000 to $27,000 a year (non-taxed).

I am currently doing a PhD in political economy and feminist studies, where my project investigates the impact of International Monetary Fund and World Bank-led economic programs on women’s political and economic participation in conflict/post-conflict, with my case study being Ukraine. I actually had no prior experience in political economy or feminist studies, and I was lucky enough to be offered the opportunity through a previous research supervisor who was indirectly related to my current PhD project. My honours thesis (it is generally a pre-requisite that you have a first-class honours or a Master’s thesis) was actually in neuroscience, and most of my research experience prior to my PhD had been in medical/surgical research and legal research. However, the experience of my PhD, which included a huge and very stressful initial learning curve, has been absolutely fantastic so far, and has been one of the most personally transformative and empowering undertakings that I have ever entered into!

My ‘regular’ day is hard to pin down… as every day and week is incredibly varied! However, I will try to paint a bit of a picture for you.

• I typically try to get to university between 8-9AM in the morning, where I will proceed to set up my study space in my office (we share offices with other PhD students, which just means I have my own desk), and then study between 30 minutes and one hour of Arabic (extra-curricular language studies!).
• After that, I will use the rest of the morning to complete my PhD readings, which could be highly variable. For example, right at this moment I am interested in the impact of gas reforms on women in Ukraine, as I am attempting to write a chapter about the subject, and thus my readings are generally geared around the technical aspects of pipelines in Eastern Europe, the reform process since the fall of the Soviet Union in Ukraine as it relates to gas, and what it has meant for the population.
• After pouring over this literature for the morning, I will take a break for lunch where I might also watch a lecture of interest in political philosophy or the like.
• Then, I will go for a walk to the library on campus, where I will return some books and get some more (I love the library, and this is one of my favourite parts of the day!). I will then go back to my office, where I will then try to set aside an hour or two to write a bit of my chapter.
• Then, in the afternoon, my research team might be hosting an academic or another visiting person who will deliver a seminar, which I will attend; or alternatively, my supervisors might want to see me for a meeting to check in on my progress!
• Finally, I might also attend a lecture delivered by one of my research supervisors in the afternoon. At the end of the day, I will generally try to read a bit more around my particular area of interest to close out the day, before I leave at around 5 or 6PM.

To me, completing a PhD has been by far the most rewarding thing that I have done in my life (I am a medical doctor and law graduate too!). I have been very lucky in having the opportunity to undertake a PhD, and I have gone through a significant amount of personal development and learning and have had my entire world view shaped by my readings and research throughout my studies. My day may seem somewhat mundane to the outside viewer, but having the opportunity to read great literature, (try to!) write something that might make an impact in the world, and be tutored by world experts in their field, is something I would recommend you all seize with both your hands if you are lucky enough to get the chance!

Elliot DE is a current PhD Candidate, Medical Doctor & Law Graduate. He is also a Humanities Tutor at GradReady Preparation Courses .

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Division of Student Life

No such thing as a silly question: answers to questions you might be afraid to ask.

Whether you just arrived at Iowa or have found a familiar rhythm on campus, you probably have questions. And like many students, you might be too shy to ask or you might not know where to go for an answer.

We’re here to help.

Here is a list of questions — and answers — on topics you might want or need to know.

• What should I do if I feel anxious or if I’m struggling mentally? How do I find help?
• What do I do if I feel sick?
• I started Iowa with one major, but I’m having doubts if this is the right one for me. What should I do if I’m considering switching majors or colleges?
• What should I do if I’m feeling overwhelmed with my courses or I’m failing a class?
• Campus seems so big and I’m afraid of getting lost. How do I find my way around?
• I used to play sports in high school, but that’s changed since I started college. How can I stay active?
• I’m away from all or most of the friends I grew up with. How can I make new friends and find a new community at Iowa?
• Being away from home for the first time is harder than I thought it would be. What can make this easier?
• This is my first time having to budget and be responsible for my own finances. What are some money tips relevant for me?
• How do I balance academics, social life, and my other commitments?

1. What should I do if I feel anxious or if I’m struggling mentally? How do I find help?

First, know you are not alone, and there’s nothing embarrassing or shameful about reaching out for help. We know it can be intimidating, but finding the right resources is the first step to feeling better.

The UI has various mental health services that you can access no matter what you are going through, including anxiety, depression, substance use, eating disorders, trauma, grief, identity development, and relationship concerns.

If formal counseling isn’t for you, several student support groups offer space where you and others with shared experiences can talk. You can drop in to any of these groups at any time.

The UI also offers several free workshops that focus on managing stress and anxiety. Check out the workshop options at Student Wellness and University Counseling Services, which cover topics such as mindfulness, sleep, motivations and procrastination, anxiety, and distress coping skills. These workshops help you build effective skills so you can better manage stress and anxiety.

If you think counseling services would be helpful:

• Contact University Counseling Service at 319-335-7294 or email [email protected] . UCS has locations on the west side of campus (3223 Westlawn) and the east side (Suite 1950 in University Capitol Centre). Individual and group therapy are offered.  
• If you are unsure what services may be best for you, UCS staff can guide you in the right direction through an initial consultation . Please know you will be asked to fill out paperwork if you visit UCS for the first time or if it has been more than three months since you were last seen. More information on what paperwork may be needed will be provided during appointment scheduling.  
• In addition, you can receive 24-hour support through the UI Support and Crisis Line by calling or texting 844-461-5420 or chatting on this page online . You can use the line anonymously if you wish to do so.  
• You can also schedule a same-day, one-time appointment with a counselor if you would like to talk about an immediate issue or develop a plan to work on your well-being without ongoing therapy.

2. What do I do if I feel sick?

We understand that you don’t want to miss anything or fall behind in classes, but we recommend that you do not try to go to class if you are sick. Contact your professor to let them know you are sick, see if there is any makeup work you might need to do, and ask a classmate to provide notes for you.

If you think you may have an illness more severe than a common cold or you just want peace of mind, a visit to Student Health could help get you back on the mend sooner. Student Health is located at 4189 Westlawn and is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. You can call 319-335-8394 to make an appointment or schedule one online.

There is no cost to visit Student Health; a student health fee is included in the fees you pay each semester. You might be charged for other things related to your visit, such as lab work, medications, or medical supplies. Those charges will be submitted to your insurance, and, if you are a first-time patient or change health insurance, you can fill out this form so Student Health has that information. Charges not covered by insurance can be paid with cash or with your U-Bill. 

If you are unsure if a visit to Student Health is best, you can contact the Student Health Nurseline at 319-335-9704. The Nurseline can help you decide if you need to make an appointment, how to take self-care measures, answer medication questions, and more.

3. I started Iowa with one major, but I’m having doubts if this is the right one for me. What should I do if I’m considering switching majors or colleges?

Don’t worry! Many students switch their majors. The idea of what you thought you wanted to do might look much different now that you have started college, or you may not love your area of study as much as you thought you would.

First, your academic advisor is a great resource. Set up a meeting with them to talk about what you’re not loving about current classes in your major, what classes you do enjoy, and your interests. Your advisor can also help you figure out the length of time it would take to complete your degree if you decide to switch.

If you’re a first-year student, it’s likely your advisor is in the Academic Advising Center . But if your advisor is located within a college and you are thinking about a switch in majors that would also require a switch in colleges, your current advisor is still the best person to lead you in the right direction. You could also contact the Academic Advising Center to speak with an advisor about exploring other majors.

If you want to start thinking about a new area of study, looking at the general catalog can give you more information. You can also access sample plans on MyUI that will outline what an eight-semester plan for a new major may look like.

The Pomerantz Career Center also has resources for exploring majors and career options, including career assessment s. Iowa has more than 200 majors to choose from, so be assured you will find something that both excites you and helps you reach your career goals.

4. What should I do if I’m feeling overwhelmed with my courses or I’m failing a class?

First, don’t panic. Many students feel overwhelmed with their class load from time to time.

Speaking to your professor or teaching assistant is the first step. Your instructors will be able to give you a good picture of where you stand in a class and what you can do to get your desired grade. Professors and TAs hold office hours, and having one-on-one conversations with them can help you make a study plan or get a better grasp on the course material.

Your academic advisor is also a good resource, especially if you would like to change your schedule. They can go over the pros and cons of dropping a class.

If you are considering dropping a class, here is what that process will look like:

• Keep in mind that you need 12 credits a semester to keep your full-time student status. Dropping below 12 credits could affect financial aid and scholarships. If you are concerned that dropping a class would affect your financial aid, contact the Office of Student Financial Aid.
• You can drop a class on MyUI before the sixth day of the fall or spring semester, but it’s a good idea to speak with your academic advisor first.
• After the drop deadline has passed for a semester, you can still request to drop a course, but you will need your academic advisor’s approval.

If you don’t want to drop a class but your grade is slipping, take advantage of tutoring resources . You can find academic help for specific courses, helpful tips in videos and worksheets, a private tutor or workshop, or a free supplemental instruction session.

5. Campus seems so big and I’m afraid of getting lost. How do I find my way around?

Navigating campus can be overwhelming when you first arrive and everything is new. There are plenty of campus maps to choose from, and it’s a good idea to walk to any buildings you’re unfamiliar with to find where your class will be held.

The UI campus is very walkable and bikeable, and those are main modes of transportation you will see students using. Students can also use Cambus for free around campus; here is a map of where bus routes will take you.

The main routes are the red and blue routes, which travel the entire campus. A helpful way to remember the direction red and blue routes go is “Blue to Burge, Red to Rienow.” The red route goes in a clockwise direction, and the blue route goes counterclockwise. Cambus also operates an Interdorm route, which goes to the residence halls and the Pentacrest.

The Transit app will show you real-time bus arrivals, departures, locations, and the closest bus stops. By subscribing to alerts on the app, you will be notified of service changes or severe weather impacts.

While we understand why you might like your vehicle on campus, you don’t need to bring one to get around and we encourage you to use other transportation. If you do bring a car, you will have to pay for a permit. More details on how to do so are here . 

6. I used to play sports in high school, but that’s changed since I started college. How can I stay active?

Without sports and high school gym classes, it can be an adjustment to incorporate staying active into your college routine. Luckily, Iowa has many opportunities for you to get exercise (not to mention you’ll get your steps in walking around campus to your classes).

• Campus Recreation and Wellness Center: This is perhaps the most well-known recreation facility, located on the east side of campus. Not only does it include all the gym equipment and weights you might want, but it also has an indoor climbing wall, swimming pools, a jogging track, and basketball and volleyball courts. It also has the Wellness Suite, where staff provide fitness assessments, nutrition counseling, and more.
• Field House: Located on the west side of campus, this space houses basketball, volleyball, and badminton courts; a cycling studio; an indoor track; and a weightlifting room. It also has a swimming pool.
• Fitness East: Fitness East is in Halsey Hall, and it can be accessed through the walkway between Halsey Hall and the IMU Parking Ramp. While this space is smaller than other facilities, it has all the gym equipment you need for your workout.
• Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex: Located on Prairie Meadow Drive on the far west edge of campus, this space has indoor and outdoor tennis courts, pickleball courts, cardio equipment, and weights.

All enrolled UI students can access any recreational services facility, but you must present your student ID to get in. The cost to use the facilities is included in your student fees.

If you need something more structured, Iowa has many intramural sports teams you can join if you miss doing activities with a team or competing.

7. I’m away from all or most of the friends I grew up with. How can I make new friends and find a new community at Iowa?

Making new friends is hard, no matter what age you are. If you’re a recent high school graduate, you may have grown up with the same people and friends for most of your life. While trying to make new friends can be intimidating, the new people you meet in college can be some of the most meaningful relationships of your life. Just remember: You are not the only one trying to make new friends.

If you’re living in the residence halls, start by introducing yourself to people on your floor. You can also leave the door of your room open as a sign you’re welcome to visitors. 

Attending campus events that pique your interest can help you connect with other like-minded people. In addition, joining a student organization — even if you stick with it for only a semester — can help you meet new people. If you don’t know where to start with finding the right student org for you, schedule a meeting with a Leadership and Engagement advisor to talk about your interests and get connected.

You can also meet new people by getting  a job or volunteering on campus.  

Again, know that many other people are also looking for new friendships. Asking someone to grab a cup of coffee after class or to meet you for a weekend lunch session will likely make their day as much as it will yours.

8. Being away from home for the first time is harder than I thought it would be. What can make this easier?

No matter how far you may have traveled to become an Iowa student, it’s normal to feel bouts of homesickness, especially if it’s your first semester on campus. Here are some tips:

While it may seem counterintuitive, try to limit your trips back home because they could prolong your feelings of homesickness. Staying on campus for longer stretches of time can help it become more familiar to you and will help Iowa feel more like a new home.

Iowa also has so many ways to get involved. Be it a club, intramural sports, or a job, getting involved on campus can make you feel like you belong here (and you’ll make new friends).

Having new, yet familiar experiences can also help you feel more at ease. For example, if you enjoyed spending Sunday mornings at your hometown’s local coffee shop, find a new place to get your caffeine fix. If you liked spending your mornings at the gym, head to one of our great recreational facilities.

Time is the best way to work through this new transition, and know that you can talk to anyone on campus about how you’re feeling. Also, remember all your loved ones are just a call or text away.

9. This is my first time having to budget and be responsible for my own finances. What are some money tips relevant for me?

Budgeting can be hard, even for people who have been doing it for years. This may be the first time you’ve really had to think about all your monthly expenses. Making a plan to manage your money will be less stressful in the long run because it will help you create some savings and will make unexpected expenses less scary — while also building good habits for the future.

Many tools are available to help you create a budget, from just writing down a plan in a notebook to using an app. No matter what method you use, all budgets are made roughly the same way.

First, figure out what time span you want to create a budget for. Weekly or monthly budgets are common, but you could also create one for an entire semester. Next, determine your income for that time frame. Then, add up your fixed expenses (U-Bill, car payments, cellphone, etc.) and variable expenses (groceries, gas, entertainment, etc.). Once you subtract expenses from your income, you can determine if there are any areas where you’d like to save or how much money you have left over to save.

If you’re not sure what your expenses are for a certain time span, make a note of the money you spend during that time frame and see if your habits are on par with your goals.

Also, make sure you’re being responsible with any credit cards you may have. Even though you don’t have to worry about charges put on the card immediately, you don’t want any surprises when the bill arrives. Building credit is a good practice to start, but making note of charges to credit cards is equally important.

Lots of financial wellness resources can be found here . If you’re struggling with budgets or have other financial questions, meet with a financial aid advisor by scheduling an appointment on MyUI or email [email protected] . 

10. How do I balance academics, social life, and my other commitments?

Once you step onto campus, it’s probably tempting to jump headfirst into everything that piques your interest, but piling too much on your plate can lead you to feel stressed out or overwhelmed. Academics, jobs, student organizations, having fun with friends — it’s important to have all these things in your life, and finding the right balance for yourself is key.

Establishing a routine (that still leaves time for fun and spontaneous ice cream runs!) is a great way to feel balanced. After you get used to your class and homework schedule, figure out what you want to prioritize and determine if you’re using your time effectively. If you feel you’re lacking in one area, make it a bigger priority the next week.

If you’re struggling academically, you can connect with Academic Support and Retention for more resources to help you succeed. Also, Student Care and Assistance can help provide a personalized assessment of how you spend your time and ways you can adjust your schedule to match your priorities.

The Student Life Development Fund: provides support for the Vice President for Student Life to support all departments and units across the division. This fund is utilized to support many priorities and initiatives across the division.

Department of Mathematics

Gain expertise in computational methods, mathematical modeling, and data science. Develop practical problem-solving skills that apply across industries. Enhance your quantitative abilities with our 16-credit Mathematics Minor, ideal for engineering and non-technical majors alike. The Mathematics Resource Center, staffed by dedicated faculty, supports your academic success. 

New York Tech Department of Mathematics offers a Bachelor of Science in Applied and Computational Mathematics with concentrations in Mathematical Modeling and Scientific Computation. The major offers a unique and modern selection of courses, integrating computational methods, mathematical models, and data science with a strong focus on developing practical, in-demand problem-solving skills.  

Become a standout candidate for top graduate programs in bioengineering, computer science, and data science. Graduates entering the job market will possess cutting-edge expertise, paving the way for successful careers. 

Our 16-credit Mathematics Minor is particularly recommended for mechanical, electrical, computer science, and biomedical engineering majors.  

Our courses will equip you with a basic understanding of algebra, trigonometry, and elements of calculus for application in your professional field of study. The Mathematics Resource Center, staffed entirely by mathematics faculty, is dedicated to your success in all required courses. 

Degrees & Minors 

Our dynamic degrees and minors in the Department of Mathematics at New York Tech offer cutting-edge skills in computational methods, mathematical modeling, and data science, preparing you for success in graduate studies and diverse careers. 

• Applied & Computational Mathematics, B.S.
• Mathematics Minor
• Accelerated B.S. to M.A.T. Dual Degrees  

Student Resources & Opportunities

New York Tech is dedicated to your success in mathematics by providing student support resources and educational opportunities including Math Day, Math Boot Camp, and the Math Resource Center for personalized support.

Math Resource Center

At both New York campuses, the Mathematics Resource Center (MRC) will help you to enhance your math skills. The MRC offers tutoring exclusively by mathematics faculty for all courses, ensuring expert guidance and support for your math learning journey.

Math Boot Camp

Engage in a four-day intensive camp focused on mastering essential algebra and precalculus skills to excel in New York Tech’s calculus courses. This camp boosts your math placement and provides a solid foundation in precalculus and algebra, ensuring your success.

Annual Math Day  

Immerse yourself in the world of mathematics and discover its endless possibilities. Get insights from expert faculty on the many applications of math knowledge, view student poster presentations and talks on cutting-edge topics, and enjoy interactive math games.

Faculty Voices

I strongly believe in New York Tech’s mission of building strong math and science programs, giving students the technical skills required to succeed in today’s modern economy. Andrew Hofstrand, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Mathematics  Read More About Andrew

Our faculty excel as teachers, researchers, and practitioners who mentor students for professional success. Review their bios and read about their areas of research.

College News 

An Alumnus Takes Down Barriers to Eye Care

Optometrist Dean Hart, OD (B.S. ’82), dedicates his time to service and humanitarianism, donating his resources to provide eye care for those in need.

Finding His Place

Alex Menachery once hated the idea of studying medicine. Now, he is pursuing a B.S./D.O. in life sciences/osteopathic medicine and serving as president of the Long Island Student Government Association.

Alumni Profile: Linda Stasi

Linda Stasi (B.F.A. ’70), got her first taste of the hustle and bustle of the newsroom writing for the Campus Slate. She ultimately landed jobs at major media outlets and has since transitioned to novelist.

Highlighting Faculty Tenures, Promotions for 2024-2025

As New York Tech prepares for the 2024-2025 academic year, several faculty are recognized for outstanding teaching, scholarship, and service.

Faculty Profile: Robert Alexander

In his research, Assistant Professor of Psychology and Counseling Robert Alexander, Ph.D., focuses on eye movements and the role they play not just in vision but also perception and cognition.

Congratulations to the Class of 2024!

On May 19, New York Institute of Technology celebrated its 63rd commencement.

Keep Exploring

Discover your potential with New York Tech’s Department of Mathematics. Our programs and expert faculty equip you with in-demand problem-solving skills, preparing you for successful careers and advanced studies. 

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Discussion forum for current, past, and future students of any discipline completing post-graduate studies - taught or research.

Math grad students, what is your day-to-day life like?

I'll be starting a PhD program in math this fall and was hoping to get some additional perspectives on the day-to-day life of a math grad student.

I get the impression from speaking to grad students I know in the sciences that their day-to-day life is a lot different than that of a math grad student. They have rotations, lab work, etc. whereas math student do not.

So, math grad students, what fills your time? How often are you talking with your advisor? Doing coursework? Going to seminars/colloquia? Thinking about your research? etc. etc.

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Trump rally shooter Thomas Crooks: Neighbors, classmates, employer speak

A 20-year-old man from Pennsylvania fired multiple shots at former President Donald Trump at a rally on Saturday evening.

A bullet grazed the presumptive Republican presidential nominee's upper right ear , leaving him bloodied but not seriously injured. One rally attendee was killed in the gunfire and two others were "critically injured," authorities later said.

Here's what we know:

Who is the shooter at the rally?

The FBI identified Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as the person behind the assassination attempt. Agency officials released little additional information, saying its investigation remains active and ongoing. They did not indicate what Crooks' motive might have been.

Crooks worked at a nearby nursing home. An administrator there told USA TODAY that the company was shocked to learn of the shooting and that Crooks had passed a background check for his job.

What did Thomas Crooks do at the crime scene?

During the shooting Saturday, Trump's right ear was injured, seconds before he was whisked off stage by Secret Service personnel.  One man attending the rally was killed  and two others were injured; Crooks was then killed by Secret Service agents , authorities said.

FBI special agent Kevin Rojek said on a call with media Sunday afternoon that authorities found "a suspicious device" when they searched the shooter's vehicle. Bomb technicians inspected the device and rendered it safe. 

"I'm not in a position to provide any expertise on the specific components of any potential bombs or suspicious packages," Rojek added. 

Rojek said law enforcement is sending the rifle and Crooks' cell phone, along with other evidence, to the FBI lab in Quantico, Virginia "for processing and exploitation."

"We're in the process of searching his phone," Rojek said.

Maps and graphics: What happened in the Trump assassination attempt

What is Crooks' background?

Crooks is registered to vote as a Republican in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, according to county voter records. His voter registration status has been active since 2021.

Federal Election Commission records show that in January 2021, Crooks made a $15 donation to the Progressive Turnout Project, a group working to increase voter turnout for Democrats.

Born Sept. 20, 2003, Crooks does not have a criminal record in Pennsylvania, nor has he been sued there, according to state court records. There is no record of him in federal court databases, either.

Where did Thomas Crooks work?

Crooks worked as a dietary aid, a job that generally involves food preparation, at Bethel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation, less than a mile from his home. In a statement provided to USA TODAY on Sunday, Marcie Grimm, the facility's administrator, said she was "shocked and saddened to learn of his involvement."

"Thomas Matthew Crooks performed his job without concern and his background check was clean," Grimm said. "We are fully cooperating with law enforcement officials at this time. Due to the ongoing investigation, we cannot comment further on any specifics. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Former President Trump and the victims impacted by this terrible tragedy. We condemn all acts of violence."

The facility is owned by Kennett Square, Pennsylvania-based Genesis Healthcare. A job posting from the company for a dietary aid in the Pittsburgh area puts the pay at $16 an hour.

Thomas Crooks from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania

Crooks' home address is listed in Bethel Park, a suburb in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, voter records show. That three-bedroom brick house has been owned since 1998 by Matthew and Mary Crooks, who appear to be his parents. Telephone calls to the couple were not returned overnight.

Near the Crooks home, Dean Sierka, 52, said he had known Crooks and his parents for years, as neighbors separated by only a few houses. Sierka’s daughter attended school with Crooks from elementary school through Bethel Park High School, and said she remembers him as quiet and shy.

Dean and his daughter said they would see Crooks at least once a week, often when Crooks was walking to work.

“You wouldn’t have expected this,” Dean Sierka said. “The parents and the family are all really nice people.”

At Bethel Park High School

Thomas Crooks graduated two years ago from Bethel Park High School, the Bethel Park School District confirmed. He was included in a 2022 local news article about recipients of a National Math & Science Initiative Star Award at the public high school, which enrolls about 1,300 students.

Jason Kohler attended Bethel Park High School with Crooks and said he remembers the 20-year-old sat alone at lunch and was “bullied almost every day.” Kids picked on Crooks for wearing camouflage to class and his quiet demeanor, Kohler, 21, said.

Since hearing Crooks has been named as the shooter, Kohler has been speaking with classmates who knew him, most of whom are stunned by the news.“It’s really hard to comprehend,” he said.

Sean Eckert said he went to school with Crooks from 5th through 12th grade. He said Crooks always went by “Tom.“

They shared classes together in elementary and middle school. Eckert said Crooks, though "fairly smart," was quiet and rarely spoke up.

Eckert said Crooks did not seem to have many friends. He didn't recall Crooks being playing any sports, being involved in any clubs or student groups or going to popular campus events. He often wore hunting clothes, so Eckert assumed he hunted.

No one in Eckert's group text from high school seemed to know Crooks very well, he said. They were shocked that someone from their town had done this. They were even more surprised that it was Tom Crooks.

Nursing aide turned sniper: Thomas Crooks' mysterious plot to kill Trump

The gaming-oriented online site Discord said Sunday that it had found an account that appeared to be linked to the shooting suspect. The site removed the account, which “was rarely utilized, has not been used in months, and we have found no evidence that it was used to plan this incident, promote violence, or discuss his political views,“ according to a statement from a Discord spokesperson, adding that the company will coordinate closely with law enforcement.

Crooks was a member of the Clairton Sportsmen’s Club, a shooting club about 8 miles from his home. It is a sprawling complex of 180 acres with rifle, pistol and archery ranges, an area for dog training and a clubhouse, according to the club website.An attorney for the club, Robert Bootay III, confirmed Crooks' membership in an email to USA TODAY, but would not offer additional details.

Where is Bethel Park, Pennsylvania?

Bethel Park is a suburb of Pittsburgh and home to more than 32,000 people – about one thousand fewer than four years ago, according to the latest Census estimates. 

The majority-white, mostly college-educated community has a median household income of $102,177. 

Described as a charming retreat from the hustle and bustle of the big city to its north, Bethel Park boasts tree-line streets, friendly neighborhoods and a low crime rate.

Bethel Park is about 42 miles south of Butler, where the Trump rally was held. The leafy suburban street was alive with law enforcement overnight amid a multi-agency response to the shooting. A member of the Allegheny County bomb squad told reporters his team was headed into the house around midnight, but did not say why.

For hours afterward, the scene remained quiet, with deer passing under the police tape and an occasional neighbor stepping out of their house to see what was happening.

John Wolf, a local construction superintendent who lives down the road, said he’d talked with several worried neighbors.

“People are scared,” Wolf said.

How did Crooks shoot at Trump?

Crooks had been positioned on a rooftop more than 100 yards from the rally site, Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said. Law enforcement recovered an AR-style rifle from the scene.

Joseph Price, special agent in charge of the ATF in Pittsburgh, said the weapon used by the shooter was a rifle.“It was nothing special,” he said in an interview in the parking lot of the Butler Township Municipal Building.

Law enforcement is following up on a “number of suspicious occurrences,” said Lt. Col. George Bivens of the Pennsylvania State Police, including accounts from witnesses who said they tried to flag police about the activity of a person outside the rally moments before the shooting.

The FBI said in a news release that the situation “remains an active and ongoing investigation, and anyone with information that may assist with the investigation is encouraged to submit photos or videos online at  FBI.gov/butler  or call 1-800-CALL-FBI.”

Contributing: Stephanie Warsmith, Tim Evans, Aysha Bagchi, Jessica Guynn, Bryce Buyakie

• MyU : For Students, Faculty, and Staff

CSE at the 2024 Minnesota State Fair

Exhibits will showcase the relevance of science, engineering, and mathematics

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (08/15/2024) — A variety of College of Science and Engineering exhibits will showcase the relevance of science, engineering, and mathematics to people’s everyday lives at the 2024 Minnesota State Fair. The University of Minnesota Building on Dan Patch Avenue and Underwood Street will feature students and faculty in a wide range of fields. College of Science and Engineering faculty and students will also be featured during STEM Day at the Fair in Dan Patch Park and in the U of M's Driven to Discover research building .

Thursday, Aug. 22

• STEM Day at the Fair 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Dan Patch Park—next to the Grandstand Visit Dan Patch Park to get an up-close look at intriguing, interactive adventures through dozens of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education providers and business supporters brought to the Fair by SciMathMN, Minnesota’s STEM education advocacy organization. Several University of Minnesota science and engineering faculty, staff, and students are involved in STEM Day at the Fair, including Alpha Chi Sigma chemistry group, the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), and the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). The University of Minnesota Physics Force will also perform on the stage at 10:15 a.m. and 2:15 p.m.  
• Minnesota Geological Survey/Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences 9 a.m-9 p.m. U of M Crossroads Exhibit Building—Dan Patch Avenue and Underwood Street Minnesota Geological Survey will provide information to the public about Minnesota's geology. They will be displaying some of their maps/publications and will have hands-on samples and specimens (rocks/fossils) from across Minnesota.  
• Department of Mechanical Engineering 9 a.m.-9 p.m. U of M Crossroads Exhibit Building—Dan Patch Avenue and Underwood Street " Use the Force," presented by eLev Lab and the Department of Mechanical Engineering, is an interactive experimentation station for attendees to explore magnetic forces. Visitors will be guided through a set of open-ended activities to create and use both electromagnets and permanent magnets to make paper clips jump, shoot a marble, and spin a motor. This exhibit was developed with U.S. National Science Foundation funding in partnership with University of Wisconsin Extension and 4-H, and has been used to engage K-12 youth at more than 30 events in the last three years.  
• Physics Force Stage Performance 10:15 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. Stage Performances Dan Patch Park Stage—Dan Patch and Carnes Avenues Physics Force is a University of Minnesota outreach program committed to generating scientific interest in K-12 students. They go above and beyond to educate and entertain; doing things on a grand scale to bring excitement and wonder to the thousands of students who attend their shows every year.  
• "Within Arms Reach" 2:30-9 p.m. Research by Stephen Guy, Associate Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering; Rachel Hawe, Assistant Professor, College of Education and Human Development, Department of Kinesiology  Driven to Discover Research Building—Cooper and Cosgrove Streets How do we coordinate our movements? Play a video game by moving your arms in different ways so to measure how you reach. This information will help researchers understand what might be different in individuals with neurologic conditions such as cerebral palsy and stroke.

Saturday, Aug. 24

• Department of Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics—Minnesota Space Grant Stratospheric Ballooning Team 9 a.m.-9 p.m. U of M Crossroads Exhibit Building—Dan Patch Avenue and Underwood Street The NASA Minnesota Space Grant Stratospheric Ballooning Team will show video footage and exhibit hardware from stratospheric balloon missions flown into the path of totality during two recent solar eclipses.  

Department of Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics—Minnesota Space Grant Stratospheric Ballooning Team 2-2:45 p.m. Stage Performance U of M Crossroads Exhibit Building—Dan Patch Avenue and Underwood Street

Aerospace engineering students from the MN Space Grant Stratospheric Ballooning Team will show video and talk about their recent stratospheric balloon missions flown into the path of totality during two recent solar eclipses.

Sunday, Aug. 25

• University of Minnesota Robotics 9 a.m.-9 p.m. U of M Crossroads Exhibit Building—Dan Patch Avenue and Underwood Street UMN Robotics is the undergraduate robotics student group at the University of Minnesota. See some of the team's robots, as well as various 3D-printed parts and other demos showcasing how our robots are made and how they function.  
• Department of Chemistry: Chemists in the Classroom 9 a.m.-9 p.m. U of M Crossroads Exhibit Building—Dan Patch Avenue and Underwood Street Chemistry is all around us! Join the University of Minnesota Department of Chemistry to learn how chemists shape the world.

Monday, Aug. 26

• "Real Families Meet Virtual Reality"  9 a.m.-2 p.m. Research by Lana Yarosh, Associate Professor, Computer Science and Engineering Driven to Discover Research Building—Cooper and Cosgrove Streets What do families need to know about virtual reality to decide if it is right for them? Children between the ages of 8-17 and their grown-ups are asked to share their curiosities and questions about VR so that scientists can focus on answering the right questions.

Tuesday, Aug. 27

• "Real Families Meet Virtual Reality"  9 a.m.-2 p.m. Research by Lana Yarosh, Associate Professor, Computer Science and Engineering Driven to Discover Building—Cooper and Cosgrove Streets What do families need to know about virtual reality to decide if it is right for them? Children between the ages of 8-17 and their grown-ups are asked to share their curiosities and questions about VR so that scientists can focus on answering the right questions.

Wednesday, Aug. 28

• "Real Families Meet Virtual Reality"  2:30-9 p.m. Research by Lana Yarosh, Associate Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering Driven to Discover Building—Cooper and Cosgrove Streets What do families need to know about virtual reality to decide if it is right for them? Children between the ages of 8-17 and their grown-ups are asked to share their curiosities and questions about VR so that scientists can focus on answering the right questions.

Thursday, Aug. 29

"Understanding Public Perceptions of Novel Biotechnologies" 2:30-9 p.m. Research by Alptekin Aksan, Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering; and Claudia Schmidt-Dannert, Professor, College of Biological Sciences, Biochemistry Molecular Biology and Biophysics Driven to Discover Building-Cooper and Cosgrove Streets Have you ever heard of bio-mining? Learn and share your thoughts about a new technology with potential implications for Minnesota.

Friday, Aug. 30

• Mathematics Center for Educational Programs (MathCEP) 9 a.m.-9 p.m. U of M Crossroads Exhibit Building—Dan Patch Avenue and Underwood Street MathCEP is dedicated to educational outreach, with a mission to develop educational materials and programs for mathematics students and instructors at all levels. They will provide hands-on activities to fairgoers.

Saturday, Aug. 31

• University of Minnesota Robotics 9 a.m.-9 p.m. U of M Crossroads Exhibit Building—Dan Patch Avenue and Underwood Street UMN Robotics is the undergraduate robotics student group at the University of Minnesota. See some of the team's robots, as well as various 3D-printed parts and other demos showcasing how our robots are made and how they function.

Monday, Sept. 2

Minnesota Institute for Astrophysics 9 a.m.-9 p.m. U of M Crossroads Exhibit Building—Dan Patch Avenue and Underwood Street Minnesota Institute for Astrophysics (MIfA) will present several astronomy-related activities such as demos on gravitational lensing and spectra. See and touch real meteorites and learn the background of recent astronomical photos from James Webb Space Telescope among others. MIfA graduate students will be around all day to answer questions and engage with the public.

CSE State Fair contact

Ellen Puffe College of Science and Engineering [email protected] 612-301-1157

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We have lots more on the site to show you. You've only seen one page. Check out this post which is one of the most popular of all time.

A Day in the Life of a Successful PhD Student (You Need To Know)

If you are thinking about starting a PhD, you may be wondering what a PhD student do es all day . This isn’t really a career move that many people talk about. Most people when they finish undergraduate move on to a career in their field and many programs at colleges and universities are geared towards preparing students for that life step. Often grad school is talked about in an “abstract” way and students are given the sense that they are more or less continuing on as a student and guided through the process by the university. This is partially true for a Masters degree, but far less true for a PhD. PhD programs, as has been discussed elsewhere in this blog, are much more free form after the coursework and comps phase and the direction depend s greatly on the scope and direction of your research project. This means the daily routine of a PhD student can vary widely depending on their project and also on what stage they are in during their PhD. Do you want to take a quiz to find out if a PhD is for you? (It was crowd-sourced from our community of PhDs.

This post is going to explore the more or less typical da ily (or recurring) activities in the life of PhD students in the beginning of the PhD post comps and in the later stage s of a PhD edging towards thesis submission . There is no set daily routine for most PhD students and their days often vary, but their days usually focus around the same set of activities. The dai ly routine of a PhD student changes over the course of their PhD , as the demands and expectations change . Daily routines are also different depending on if a PhD student is full or part time. The daily life discussed here is more applicable to a full time PhD student. The topics and activities discussed below may not occur everyday, but they are the typical activities of PhD students. To understand the daily life of a PhD it is best to view it as almost an apprenticeship in academia. Much of the daily work and expectations of a PhD student is similar to th ose of a professor, but often on a smaller scale.

Professors generally split their time between research (40%-100%) , teaching (20%-80%) , and administrative duties (20%-80%) . PhD students do the same only with a different split, much more of their time is allocated to research, but they often have teaching and administrative duties as well. The focus of their daily routine can also change depending on the needs of the given day and program. For example, PhD students will spend more time on teaching related tasks, if they are a Teaching Assistant, during midterms and finals, but in the summer, they may spend most of their time on research.

Are you a current PhD student, professor, or knowledgeable potential PhD student? We can really use your help! Can you add your institution to this crowd-sourced PhD Program index? It will greatly help future PhD students.

Based on the polls on the R3ciprocity YouTube channel, the modal breakdown of a PhD’s day is the following:

• 3-4 hours writing.
• 0-2 hours reading.
• 0-2 hours analyzing data.

I used to think that PhD Programs were inexpensive, until I learnt about the true costs of PhD Programs. Check out this post on the average PhD Program cost.

Full-disclosure: This post was written by an anonymous PhD student so they can speak freely, but based on this video:

https://youtu.be/bHfahwjtsOE Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: What Does A PhD Student Do All Day (In Business Admin)? (https://youtu.be/bHfahwjtsOE)

Beginning Stages of a PhD Post Comps

So, you passed your coursework and comps with flying colors, and you are ready to finally dig into your project. On a typical day getting into this project is now your focus , so what does that entail?

If you want to learn more about comprehensive exams, here is a good video:

https://youtu.be/phC1puj52eA Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: 5 Simple Tips For Doing Well On Your Grad School Comprehensive Exams ( What To Expect During Comps ) (https://youtu.be/phC1puj52eA)

Reading – S o Much R eading

It is important to understand the current state of your field before getting heavily into your own research . Y our overall goal as a PhD student is to make a unique contribution to your field through your research . In order to do that you need to know where everything stands in your field. The typical early stage PhD student spends a lot of time reading academic articles and  books. They are synthesizing the current state of their field and determining what the gaps are and how their own research can fill them. During the early days of my PhD, I spent entire days reading, highlighting, and taking notes in order to gain a full picture of the current research field . Much of my first year post comps was allocated to making sure I was up on all the latest research and not duplicating anyone else’s project.

Here is a great blog post about what PhD classes are like and the size of the classes.

Also, you might find this blog post on how PhD students are evaluated very useful.

Data Collection

The typical early stage PhD spends time collecting data. Depending on the field your data collection c an vary widely. Data collection might mean conducting interviews, experimenting in a lab, mining large open source datasets, or digging into an archive for documents. Whatever your data is, this is the time it is usually collected, and you start examining it for preliminary results, patterns, unexpected outcomes, etc. Data makes up the base of your project whatever it is, so the early stages is when data is collected and organized .

You absolutely have to check out this blog post of all of the best software that you need as a PhD. The answers were crowd-sourced from 100s of PhDs – you will love it!

During the early stages of a PhD writing takes a back seat to reading and data collection. It is still an important component of a PhD’s day, and it is useful to develop regular writing habits early, but more of the day will be dedicated to other activities. Writing at this stage in the PhD usually consists of very focused assignments, plans, and synthesizing your reading and research. For instance my first piece of written work after comps was a formal project proposal in which I stated my preliminary thesis, wrote a historiography of my proposed subject, displayed some of the gaps in the current research my project could fill, and of course an extensive bibliography of works I would utilize in my coming research. Other types of writing in this stage are research plans, formulating hypothesis, literature reviews, and the occasional conference paper. At this stage writing is more about focusing your reading and setting the direction of your research rather than producing “write-ups” with your findings. At this stage, you will really need some feedback on your writing (this is when a community-based writing software like R3ciprocity comes in handy).

Teaching Assistant or Research Assistant Duties

Many PhD students take on Teaching Assistantships (TA) or Research Assistantships (RA) at their universities. TA s assist a professor at their university teaching a specific course. They may guest lecture occasionally, but they often do not teach the classes themselves. TA duties can include facilitating student seminars, gu e st lecturing, holding office hours to help students with the class, and grading exams and essays. Grading is usually the main duty of a TA so PhD students with TA duties will find themselves busiest with these tasks around midterms and finals.

R As assist a professor with their often already established and ongoing research project. RA duties are directed by the professor for whom you are working and can include helping with many stages of the research project such as collecting data, transcribing information, and proofreading written works. RAships can vary in length and intensity depending on the needs of the professor and the project.

Read this blog post to learn the real length of time to get a PhD.

Here is some more detailed information about RAs in this video:

https://youtu.be/3FVq9PsBpbY Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Research Assistants: Duties And Responsibilities At A Top University – Just FUNDING Your Studies? (https://youtu.be/3FVq9PsBpbY)

University Service or University Involvement

University S ervice is often a requirement for professors, but more of an option for PhD students . H owever, many PhD students choose to get involved in the university in some way as the university is their workplace and their community. There are a variety of ways that PhD students can get involved at their university such as becoming a board member of thei r graduate student association or participating in peer help groups on campus. PhD students often either volunteer or are nominated by their department to represent graduate students and their needs to larger department or university committees. For example, I was briefly the graduate student representative at department meetings. I was responsible for bringing the concerns or issues of graduate students to the department. University S ervice for PhD students is often geared towards advocating for the needs of graduate students and providing a sense of community for them at the university. This is again not a mandatory requirement, but if you are interested in a career in academia it is a good idea to become acquainted with the needs of University Service.

What is the average PhD Program acceptance rate? It is soo difficult to find out information on this, but check out our results from this poll. The results are so curious!

Special Events

Many PhDs also attend special events periodically such as on campus speakers series . These types of events are sometimes required by universities or departments . Other special events include conferences and workshops . At this early stage PhD students may have something to present at conferences, but there are also a variety of conferences that PhD attend for networking reasons. Most fields have large yearly international conferences and early stage PhD students will sometimes attend those to get a sense of the field, the quality of research, and to network with others. There are also many skill building workshops that PhDs can attend both at conferences and independently as their own events. For example, there are several skill building workshops in the field of Digital Humanities every summer that PhDs can often get scholarships to attend and learn new skills such as programming or digital story telling. These types of events enhance a PhD student’s skill set and allow them to further their research.

Later Stage PhD ( Doctorate Candidates ) 

At some point during the PhD, the balance shifts from learning and synthesis to writing and creating your own research.  You become the captain of your ship. When this happens the typical daily routine of a PhD student also shifts and the priorities and the demands on their time change.

At this point, you will feel like your are floundering, which is why I am trying to build the online writing accountability software. You need to check out this post to learn how you can join!

Writing is probably one of the biggest changes from early to late stage PhD. Now you have read enough and gathered all your data and have started to write your dissertation. Writing is now a much bigger chunk of your day and depending on the nearness of your deadline, it could be your whole day. When writing your dissertation your writing objective s shift . Y ou are no longer concerned with synthesizing information that has come before you, but rather you are now focused on analysis and articulating the results of your own research (with reference to other research still of course). Much of your time is centered on producing your research to disseminate to your field. This also means that in addition to writing your dissertation, you may also be writing articles and conferences papers to share your brilliant ideas and original research . You might like this blog post about how to prevent depression when writing your dissertation – it provides great details into the writing process.

I did a poll on the R3ciprocity YouTube community in August, 2021 on how much time researchers spend writing N=109). I was not surprised with these results. The modal time spent writing was 3-4 hours a day. 

Despite the shift to much more writing focused than reading focused days, there is still always some reading to do. New research comes out all the time, and it is best to stay on top of that to keep your own research competitive. Furthermore, your dissertation may take a turn you did not originally expect and so you need to read up on a topic in order to understand your results. For instance, my own research on late medieval Europe took a turn and I had to spend a few days reading up on what constituted treason in late medieval Europe in order to understand the ramifications of a political murder. So, there is always going to be reading to do, but this will become a much smaller part of your everyday.

Want to know the questions you should never ask during your PhD? Check out this pretty helpful blog post.

Later in the PhD process, data collection also becomes a much smaller portion of your time. Most of the heavy data collection is done in the early stages and while you will often revisit your data, likely large collections of it are not going to be repeated at this stage. However, you may have to collect some smaller sets of data, particularly again if your research has taken an unexpected turn. For instance, I had to revisit the archives to find a separate set of historical documents when my research took an unexpected turn. Unexpected turns happen in research projects so if you are in the late stages of your PhD and something does come up that you need to gather a little bit of data on that is not unusual.

Want to learn how to analyze data from a survey? Check out this comprehensive post.

I did a poll on the R3ciprocity YouTube community in August, 2021 on how much time researchers spend analyzing data. Here are the results. Out of 89 PhDs, the modal number of hours that PhDs spend time analyzing data is 0-2 hours per day. Surprisingly, some PhDs spend more than 9 hours a day analyzing data. This variance is likely due to the stage at which their research project is in.

TA/RA/Adjunct duties

Many PhD students continue to have TA and RA duties throughout their PhDs. However, later stage PhD students sometimes also take on Adjunct Professor roles at their own or nearby universities. This means they will teach a class or two by themselves. They will do everything that needs to be done for that class from syllabus preparation to lecture writing to marking the assignments. This additional responsibility can prove challenging because teaching takes up a lot of time particularly when teaching a class you have not taught before. Designing and implementing a class is a lot of work and it continues to be a lot of work as the semester progresses. I have had particularly difficult lectures take all day to write. A lot of PhD students underestimate how much time preparing and teaching a class takes since their TA duties did not consume a huge amount of time. If you go the adjunct route be prepared for it to put a huge time demand on your day.

If you are looking for great gifts to give PhD students, you have to read this post!

The R3ciprocity Project started out as a side-project, where David Maslach created an App to help others get feedback on their work (r3ciprocity.com – it is seriously inexpensive and easy to use. You have to try it!) , but it is beginning to grow into a real movement. Check out the YouTube channel , or some of these posts if you want to understand more:

Professional Service

In addition to University Service, some PhD students in their later stage also begin to take on what is known as Professional Service. Like University Service, Professional Service is an activity that in some way serves the greater academic community, usually in some way related to your field. This again can be a variety of things. For instance, many PhD students become involved in their professional organizations as graduate representatives. PhD students also can become involved in the editorial committees of academic journals. They may serve on committees for the advancement of their field or organize conferences. Again, like University Service, these positions are often not huge parts of their everyday routine, but they are again some of the expectations they must meet.

In the later stages of a PhD, it is more common for PhD students to present at conferences. They now have results and a thesis to advance so they apply to and present to their wider community at conferences. Conferences are also great places to stay up on current research and to network. PhD students may also find themselves presenting their research at their university showcases or in public lectures. Late stage PhD students still attend public lectures and workshops, but the emphasis begins to shift to presenting their own research instead of listening to someone else’s research .

These are the activities that make up the typical day of your average PhD student. The responsibilities do ebb and flow with the needs of the day. If you decide to start a PhD be prepared to spend a lot of time reading, writing, thinking, and working with your larger university community. You will need to get good at time management and scheduling in order to get it all done, but it is possible and a very rewarding experience.

This is all part of the r3ciprocity project, where the goal is simple: We are real people helping other people in academia. Academia is hard. We need to share our stories. Be real. Be nice. Help others. Science benefits.

The r3ciprocity project started out as a side-project, where David Maslach created an App to help others get feedback on their work, but it is beginning to grow into a real movement. Check out the YouTube Channel , or some of these posts if you want to understand more:

• Read more about PhD problems and solutions.
• How to deal with self-doubts as a PhD.
• The best tips on the internet on meeting with your (potential) graduate advisor.
• Did you benefit from this post? Do you know of anyone at all that could use feedback on their writing or editing of their documents? I would be so grateful if you read this post on how to get feedback on your writing using R3ciprocity.com or let others know about the R3ciprocity Project. THANK YOU in advance! You are the bees knees.

R3ciprocity_Team

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