Question: what is a phD student and what is it like working as a phD student?

Emily Robinson answered on 15 Jun 2011:

Hi Chloelou98, well the silly answer is Me! But seriously a PhD is just a further degree at university. Where you actually do cutting edge science instead of being taught in lectures etc. A lot of scientific papers wouldn’t happen if PhD students didnt exist! PhDs are 3-4yrs in the UK and at the end of it you get to be called a doctor! I love working as a PhD student as I have a brilliant lab of people around me and I get to research the things I am interested in. It isn’t all plain sailing though, as sometimes things don’t work and it can get you down (esp if it has taken you months to get a result). But that is when it is so important to talk to other PhD students, maybe have a night relaxing not thinking about science and then come back to it with a fresh head so you can think clearly again and not get bogged down in what you wanted to happen. That is one of the hardest things about doing a PhD… not getting too emotional about things, it is hard not to though when you have spent years on a project. It feels like your little baby… but scientists are supposed to be objective and just look at the facts.

Do you think you could be a PhD student one day? What do you want to do in the future?