I've struggled so hard to get into my program. But the level of humiliation I am constantly forced to endure is just too much. Is not about my research, which I love. It's about having someone trying to break me as a person and turning me into something I am not.

Thank you for sharing your story and insight. I got a lot of push to pursue a PHD after completing my master's degree, and I was considering it, but after I truly reflected and gained clarity for myself I realize it was not something I wanted to do. Also, we have so many things in common, glad we came across each eachother!

Most PhD programs seem to be toxic and its definitely not financially rewarding. When its time to leave, its time to leave. If the PhD is dragging you away from your goals then its definitely time to leave.

I promise you girl, you didn't miss out on anything. "Social life" is not that great at all.

I can relate. Especially to the part of being poor for so long and just wanting financial freedom etc. Thats why I started youtube and decided to look for a job I was good at and makes me a lot of money even though its not my dream job. But it allows me to keep on my other projects. Rn im finishing my master in philosophy, it took so long bc of health problems and bc I stopped it to study acting. Have been considering a phd cause I love research and writing the thesis and papers was simply great for me. But Im a bit scared of the academic world and the fact that a phd doesn't pay, or pays not much. I believe it might be best for me to work in my novel, yt etc even though its hard to succeed. I also love teaching and I considered doing it in high school but it would take a lot of time still, more exams and not much money in the end. Im struggling to find my path but tbh Im happy of what I did so far. Every decision always feels like jumping from a cliff to me. Lovely video btw, I liked the way you explained your experience and loved the palette colour as well.

Great to hear your story.. It takes a lot to be so honest about yourself.

Thank you so much. I wished there were more videos like this. I felt alone in not wanting to go further.

As a latino who did physics and has the option to do a PhD, I also realized that I just chose what I thought would be interesting and that I'm not as driven to it as others.

I’m just trying to transfer schools but I really appreciate hearing your reassurance and perspective ❤😊

I remeber some time ago in the last days of my Master Degree, my advisor, you know, she tried to convince me to go on and continue for a PhD. When we sat and discuss it, it became clear that she obviously wanted me to do some specific research that was in her (and her team) best interest. There were some gaps in her research team and I was the person to fill one of those gaps. But my idea of a PhD is to do research in a topic that you are truly and genuinely interested in. On the contrary, the idea of going for PhD in something I was not truly genuinely interested in seemed to me very strange. It is like marrying someone you don't love just for the sake of marriage. Her offer was kind but it felt like getting a job. "Im hiring you to do this and that because that's what I need" Part of the funding would come from some sponsors and some other part I should get (I was in a position to get it, actually). But I did not like the idea of doing some research that I was not interested. PhD is about 6 years of nonstop working hard so you'd better like what you do.

Hi Eli. I am spanish so actually I could write in spanish but I will do it in english so more people can understand and maybe relate as well. Your video has been extremely helpful for me and it came at the exact time I needed it. I have dreamt all my life in becoming a teacher. I didn't have any specific level of education in mind. I just knew I was born to help others learn and grow and that's what I wanted to do. My parents recommended me some time ago before going to uni, that instead of doing a Bachelor in education maybe it would be better to do a bachelor in science as I was super passionate about science (i did Biochemistry) and then teach at univetsity. I followed all that path and some months ago I found a PhD position in another country from Europe. I moved and started my life from scratch. However I landed in a super toxic lab. Nobody graduated from there, everyone ended up terribly sick...so after some months, my supervisor suggested that maybe this was not for me. I knew it was and I knew I could do great things. Not there obviously but somewhere else. So I quitted. It was the hardest decision of my life, but now I feel the same as you. I was passionate about teaching, not about research, I didn't like that type of research and I could not see myself compeeting and hiding things as my PI did. So now I am still in the country, and I need to go back to my country, but I am in this super important step.of the process of introspection, so seeing people that went through the same is helping me a lot. Thank ypu so much for this. I love your content. New sub. Hope you grow a lot. You definitely deserve it :D

Great said, Vida! The relationship between science and academia is like the relationship between faith and cult. So, no regrets. I’m sure you thrive now.

This was quite inspirational!

Gracias por compartir tu experiencia , estoy a punto de decidir si continúo con mi PhD o lo dejo . 😢

I quit PhD in linguistics last week from Iran

Here I am watching PhD dropouts when applying to PhD programs

After 3rd year....i quit😢

Waste of time as most add mo financial benefit