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The “point” of gradual school should be taking long walks with friends from completely different departments, talking about abstract ideas that aren’t related t

The “point” of gradual school should be taking long walks with friends from completely different departments, talking about abstract ideas that aren’t related to your work at all. Maybe later in the shower you realize some subtle connection to your work that gives you an idea for an innovation, but maybe not. The point of graduate school is play. The switch from “play” to “product” is difficult but necessary. Both phases are important to the budding PhD. You need to demonstrate the ability to think creatively AND the ability to process that creativity into a deliverable. That’s the value of a PhD. If you’re interested in a focused grind to a specified finish line, skip graduate school.

DrAwdeOccarim 6y ago
I agree with you and I'm surprised I haven't seen anyone else make this point. Graduate school, and to a lesser extent post doc, is when you're supposed to dilly dally. Of course at the time it doesn't quite feel like that, but you are paid a meagre wage for a reason--to survive, but to not be comfortable. No extra money to go party, travel, etc. The devotion to the craft is supposed to be an almost pious experience. Even though it's simple, it is an incredible luxury most have never and will never get to experience (only a small percentage of the world obtains or even attends grad school for a PhD). With an eye on "getting out", you miss out on part of the beauty. I had many contemporaries through my studies like that. They were always stressed out and pushing to get home at 5pm, unlike us slackers who hung around and discussed tangential things but always with an eye toward connecting the dots. The ones who really excelled post grad school were the ones with vision and drive, not just drive alone, and the former always hung around shooting the shit because they appreciated the value derived from informal, idle chat.
mensetmanusman 6y ago
One of my colleagues was in grind mode and switched to a 6 day life week by living 28 hour days so that he could be on certain machines all night when normal humans were sleeping. Yeah he burned out quickly and left with a masters.

DrAwdeOccarim 6y ago

I agree with you and I'm surprised I haven't seen anyone else make this point. Graduate school, and to a lesser extent post doc, is when you're supposed to dilly dally. Of course at the time it doesn't quite feel like that, but you are paid a meagre wage for a reason--to survive, but to not be comfortable. No extra money to go party, travel, etc. The devotion to the craft is supposed to be an almost pious experience. Even though it's simple, it is an incredible luxury most have never and will never get to experience (only a small percentage of the world obtains or even attends grad school for a PhD). With an eye on "getting out", you miss out on part of the beauty. I had many contemporaries through my studies like that. They were always stressed out and pushing to get home at 5pm, unlike us slackers who hung around and discussed tangential things but always with an eye toward connecting the dots. The ones who really excelled post grad school were the ones with vision and drive, not just drive alone, and the former always hung around shooting the shit because they appreciated the value derived from informal, idle chat.

mensetmanusman 6y ago

One of my colleagues was in grind mode and switched to a 6 day life week by living 28 hour days so that he could be on certain machines all night when normal humans were sleeping. Yeah he burned out quickly and left with a masters.