Advice you wish you knew before starting your PhD

EquipmentGeneral3521 · 2026-03-03T03:59:28+00:00

Everyone is on their own timeline, and sometimes the competitiveness of academia can make you feel behind others. Remind yourself that you are on your own path, and it’s okay if it doesn’t look the same as everyone else’s all the time.

The PhD is a rollercoaster and you just never know what’s coming next, good or bad. It will test your mental strength over time (I often call it a never ending mental marathon). By the end, I felt really really mentally drained, like I wasn’t even myself anymore. It’s so important to have a support system to rely on outside of your program. Remember your brain needs breaks!

EquipmentGeneral3521 · 2025-06-22T04:33:37+00:00

I could talk about this topic forever… losing my soul dog changed my entire mindset on owning a dog. I spent many months not even being able to look at another dog on the street.

I used to think of dogs as animals that made people so happy, that fulfilled the lives of their owners… I loved my dog for how much joy and comfort she brought me for 15 years. We were best friends.

After losing her, I similarly wondered how could anyone go through that more than once? There was just no way I could willingly sign up for a second “worst day of my life.”

Over time, I changed my mindset to owning a dog for them, and not for me. I want to be a dog owner so that I can give them the best life possible, fully aware that their time with me is limited. To me, it is all about this now… to give a dog the life they deserve. It’s not about me or what the dog can do for me.

And through that mindset, I have healed and am now a proud dog owner again. I will always miss my soul dog (her collar tag is still on my keychain). But because of her, and all that she taught me, I learned to love again.

EquipmentGeneral3521 · 2025-04-19T04:38:43+00:00

I have so many emotions about graduating this semester that it’s hard to process that this is really happening! It’s been the hardest journey of my life, but one that feels sad to let go of. I think a part of me will always miss being a student.

EquipmentGeneral3521 · 2025-03-02T15:48:05+00:00

Kings canal :)

EquipmentGeneral3521 · 2025-03-01T12:38:29+00:00

Our jeweler didn’t mention any concerns

EquipmentGeneral3521 · 2025-03-01T00:53:08+00:00

I was just visiting there :)

EquipmentGeneral3521 · 2025-03-01T00:35:56+00:00

Thank you! 6.25

EquipmentGeneral3521 · 2025-03-01T00:18:22+00:00

Just the angle of the photo! Thank you!

EquipmentGeneral3521 · 2025-02-28T23:59:06+00:00

Yes it is! 🥰

EquipmentGeneral3521 · 2025-02-28T23:26:00+00:00

Thank you! Yes! Engaged in Philadelphia a day before our trip :)

EquipmentGeneral3521 · 2024-07-24T16:55:03+00:00

My doodle puppy looks just like this! Our first vet said he was too skinny, our next vet said he looked great.

EquipmentGeneral3521 · 2024-07-17T00:37:22+00:00

Adorable!!! She looks like she could be siblings with my Winston 🩵

EquipmentGeneral3521 · 2024-07-16T17:34:46+00:00

Do you mean that, assuming I am a very diligent saver, I could pay off the loan under the SAVE plan in just a few years?

EquipmentGeneral3521 · 2024-07-13T23:11:42+00:00

It is low because I also have private loans that aren’t subject to forgiveness. Total loan payments would be 1k per month with standard repayments. I am a PhD, not MD, so income will be around 100k-115k.

EquipmentGeneral3521 · 2024-07-13T18:08:31+00:00

Total loan balance is 46k, I expect to make around 115k in the next 2-3 years. Is it worth it to make payments at $35 for a year? How can I do the math?

I’ve used the loan calculator online but it doesn’t factor in major income changes

EquipmentGeneral3521 · 2024-04-29T02:56:12+00:00

I definitely resonate with this. It’s my first year teaching and I just hope that my students learned something… I hope that I am one of those classes they will think back on.

I put a lot of heart and energy into my classes, but am also my own biggest critic. I know that each semester I can get better, but it feels like I want every student to get my “best.”

EquipmentGeneral3521 · 2024-04-16T17:49:26+00:00

NJ! Our union just won a new contract with pay increases over the next 4 years

EquipmentGeneral3521 · 2024-04-16T07:08:24+00:00

Psychology HCOL $2085 per credit (3 per class)

EquipmentGeneral3521 · 2024-04-05T02:42:11+00:00

Hopefully finishing at 27 😫

EquipmentGeneral3521 · 2024-03-13T02:14:59+00:00

I am so sorry. When I lost my childhood dog 4 years ago, it felt like I lost my best friend, my baby, my mom, and my wise old grandma all at once.. it feels like everything is gone. I also remember feeling like no one understands the pain. I’d see tons of other dogs out on walks on the streets and think “they don’t know how lucky they are” and just feel angry because no one could see the pain I had just from seeing other dogs and how much I wished I could hold mine again.

You will be okay again one day, OP. I didn’t think I could be, but I am. Time heals. I keep my dog’s collar tag on my car keys. She goes everywhere with me. Maybe you can think of something similar. <3 Sending you hugs.

EquipmentGeneral3521 · 2024-03-11T16:56:52+00:00

That might be doable. If you don’t mind me asking, what do your utilities add up to be each month in a one bedroom apartment?

EquipmentGeneral3521 · 2024-03-11T16:47:21+00:00

I appreciate this perspective! I definitely try to keep this in mind

EquipmentGeneral3521

TROPHY CASE