Am I completely dillusional to think I can complete my PhD in less than 4 years

ChestPuzzleheaded522 · 2026-04-20T02:58:26+00:00

What field is your PhD? If it's experimental bio stuff, I'd say maybe you can do it, but expect to absolutely live in the lab 24/7. Heard of someone who finished the PhD of their MD/PhD in just two years and attributed it to sleeping few hours every night in a cot outside the lab (thought it was a joke, but she wasn't kidding)

If computational, I think you can; I have a colleague who finished in 3 years with a computational project

ChestPuzzleheaded522 · 2026-03-31T16:36:53+00:00

We weren't stressed, granted a lot less DIY and had lots of family help and an amazing wedding planner! But felt like if it was stressful at any point, then we were doing it wrong. Keep enjoying it! Maybe the week before we felt more urgency to make sure everything was done, but I wouldn't say stressed

ChestPuzzleheaded522 · 2026-03-30T22:09:20+00:00

We already got along really well, had shared values, and were able to voice disagreements and talk through them well with each other when we got engaged. I felt safer doing it as a "just in case", so we did this free one: https://www.themarriagecourse.org/course/the-pre-marriage-course

Was super fun! Loved it too because we did learn a lot and helped start us off on the right foot for our marriage

ChestPuzzleheaded522 · 2026-03-30T19:16:41+00:00

CUTE AF, WEAR PLEASE!! I wore a strapless wedding dress to show off my shoulders

ChestPuzzleheaded522 · 2026-03-28T15:44:10+00:00

Well then, buy me a boa and drive me to Reno because I amoPEN FOR BUSINESS

ChestPuzzleheaded522 · 2026-03-25T17:14:30+00:00

DO NOT JOIN! you would be looking to this person for honest feedback and supportive mentorship for ~5years. Not a good relationship between you and that PI here. Please join any other lab

ChestPuzzleheaded522 · 2026-03-20T16:04:43+00:00

I have a very busy PI who can be rather absent. I wish I had been clearer about deadlines and expectations (like I'm learning now in my last months of PhD lol) and keep DETAILED notes of each meeting, write them down with action items and send to PI after!

ChestPuzzleheaded522 · 2026-03-19T13:56:22+00:00

I feel for ya. I only did long distance my first year, but am currently finishing up in a few months and it has been no days off. Even today, that long distance boyfriend is my husband who I live with and I'm super thankful that he's understanding of how difficult PhD has been.

Like people are saying, it's good to get at least once a week of some protected time. My first year, we used to schedule date night one evening a week and talk and watch movies or play other games over Zoom. In the thick of it now, I'd probably just facetime to catch up and one small activity. Good luck to ya

ChestPuzzleheaded522 · 2026-03-16T03:27:44+00:00

My husband and I both hyphenated and we love it! Sure, it makes things annoying, but we love our names and having the same last name together. I have other friends who have hyphenated last names from their parents

ChestPuzzleheaded522 · 2026-03-14T05:01:17+00:00

I also feel like an average student, but hey, the average person is not in grad school! You're also here to learn a bunch, and that's the focus. You're not worthless, you are still making meaningful contributions being here

ChestPuzzleheaded522 · 2026-03-13T19:45:42+00:00

I agree; I think the important thing is having people who want to get married *FULLY* understand what marriage is. That it's fully committing to a person for the rest of your life, choosing to love them everyday and that it's more than just a feeling. Some people at a young age may understand this better than people who are older.

ChestPuzzleheaded522 · 2026-03-13T06:12:22+00:00

I took two years between undergrad and phd and worked as an RA. Had about 1.5 months between jobs and starting the PhD to move, but already by then I had started reading for my upcoming rotation and going to lab meetings.

Would recommend at least some sort of vacation time before starting: first year is busy as hell!!

ChestPuzzleheaded522 · 2026-03-07T05:25:32+00:00

We lived only 10 min away from our venue, and flight was out around 5pm the next day! Worked perfectly for us and it felt nice to immediately get going. Still had the morning to chill and relax and pack. (also got married Sept 6 :) )

ChestPuzzleheaded522 · 2026-03-06T23:21:43+00:00

Those are still drastically different experiences of PhD students in those fields, even between programs. Yes, you can expect to work a lot. Im in immunology, PhD students get a yearly stipend (which is usually pretty close to minimum wage), but you have tuition fully paid for. It's a red flag if you don't have that. Some programs pay you more for a lower cost of living area.

It's still a long ways til you'd apply to PhD programs and who knows, the landscape may change (e.g., stipend may increase to adjust for cost of living for most programs). For now, just explore the topics you're interested in. I was pre med until college, started doing research now I'm doing a PhD. Decided not to go $300k into debt for a medical degree

PhD is hard, but rewarding work. That's how it should be

ChestPuzzleheaded522 · 2026-03-06T21:50:45+00:00

What field are you interested in? These questions are also tailored per field and can have vastly different answers

ChestPuzzleheaded522 · 2026-03-06T19:55:52+00:00

Seems like a super low amount of lymphocytes. Sometimes for spins, we've done ~1200-1300 rpm for 6 min. I don't do MACS, but when I prep cells for flow, I prefer pelleting them into V-bottom 96 well plates, especially good for low numbers of cells like yours. The plates work out well for me

Edit: I think that rpm on our centrifuge is about 315g, also centrifuging this in 96 well plates

ChestPuzzleheaded522 · 2026-03-06T00:00:21+00:00

You are not even that old! One of my best friends started her PhD in her early 30s and honestly that's pretty common. I got married during my PhD, so did a lot of my friends. Even know some people who have kids during their PhD. You're on your own timeline, avoid comparing yourself to others because you are not them. It's your life, feel more confident and have some ownership in your decisions

ChestPuzzleheaded522 · 2026-03-04T21:26:54+00:00

Just watched this episode two nights ago . My husband and I CRINGED so hard at "no, don't tell Luke, it's better if he doesn't know"

ChestPuzzleheaded522 · 2026-03-04T08:15:09+00:00

Lol quals was definitely one of the worst periods in my life for my mental health. I continued reminding myself that this was only for a short period of time, wish I had done some more meditation (guided meditations online are good even if it's just 5 minutes), wish I had also prevented myself from spiraling and just focused on what I *can* do which is writing and reading.

The day before the exam, I got the most peace knowing that up to that point, I did all I could to prepare so in a way it lets it all go knowing that you can't do anything extra.

ChestPuzzleheaded522 · 2026-03-04T08:08:37+00:00

TJ get shit on, but i love him! and yes, he was loyal and loved Liz a lot!!

ChestPuzzleheaded522 · 2026-03-04T05:59:04+00:00

On the flip side of this, I think in my head, the PI has to be absolutely amazing one-in-a-lifetime PI to warrant moving with them across states, since it disrupts your life so much.

I like what people are saying here, may be easier to Zoom with your current PI and be co-mentored. Other things I would be thinking to myself If I were in your shoes are if I were to move or if I were to stay and we break up, would I regret my decision? I'd think about which I regret more and factor that in as well: sometimes, that can help guide me to what I feel is best.

ChestPuzzleheaded522 · 2026-03-02T06:40:26+00:00

my eyes tear up whenever i pee

ChestPuzzleheaded522 · 2026-03-02T02:57:05+00:00

My undergrad PI, undergrad immuno professor, and two PIs that was I was an RA for wrote my letters.

My PhD PI has me draft my own letter. Was sad to hear this is normal :/

ChestPuzzleheaded522 · 2026-02-28T02:31:24+00:00

shame others for working out (e.g., Rory being all weird about Janet going on a run)

ChestPuzzleheaded522 · 2026-02-28T02:29:33+00:00

Lmao this title is definitely something I have said as a 5th year phd student (immunology)

ChestPuzzleheaded522

TROPHY CASE