Timestamps: 2:11 Do I regret leaving my PhD? 3:02 Highlights from 2019 3:53 Vsauce3 story 6:28 Veggietales 6:54 Lowlights 9:52 How do I get paid? 11:14 A day in my life 12:57 What do I miss about my PhD? 14:17 Am I thinking about going back? 14:42 Do I think other PhD students should quit? 16:41 Patron Cat of the Day

I quit my PhD when I was in my late 20’s. I regretted it the older I got. I am now 51 and have just been accepted into a program. I am in a better headed space to finish it. Never too late.

A student quit her PhD. This is what happened to her kidneys.

"I have a bit of anxiety right now" said Tibees in the most genuine reassuring voice ever...

She has a weirdly soothing voice. I feel relaxed just listening to her.

I like that Tibees does KZfaq for her enjoyment and for the enjoyment of others, not just for money. I find it really kind of her to not do mid-roll ads. Thanks for the great content!

Toby, you are an absolute inspiration. It was an honour to be in Mathvengers with you!

I also quit my PhD one and a half years ago. I don't regret it, but I regret having started it in the first place. The most important advice I can give: Don't start with a research topic that does only semi-interest you (e.g. because you want to be a professor later or for some other reason). Only start with a research topic that REALLY does interest you 100 + x %. If you don't find one - leave it.

Good for you, Tibbees, but above all stay safe - I feel for everyone in Australia right now, it must be scary. Keep the basil close.

I started a PhD three months ago and, although I like it so far, I still fear to be unable to complete it, or lose my passion for my subject. You are truly a source of inspiration for a 'beginner' in the scientific world like me, and your way of talk of science contributes to my passion so, thank you :)

You're one of the nicest and most pleasant people I've never met.

I have a PhD in Mathematics. I did my PhD at the Max Planck Institut for Mathematics in the Science (Leipzig) and spend 5 additional years as a researcher at the institut. It was the best time of my life. I traveled a lot and get paid for my true passion (applied mathematics). It was my dream and to give it up was never an option. But I can understand you. We were 10 new students, only 2 finished PhD. So it is normal.

I can’t imagine why anyone would anything unpleasant to you. I have found your videos unique, interesting and enjoyable! Keep up the good work!

I'm just now starting my second semester as a physics undergrad and I just want to say people like you, Andrew Dotson, 3blue1brown, and so many other people really inspire me and motivate me to pursue physics and math. I'm actually thinking about starting my own channel and making my own videos because of how much I love the little community that all these science and math channels have. Keep up the great work!

Imagine what someone's life must be like that would make nasty comments to this lady. Some are probably just trying to get a reaction for some twisted thrill. The rest must be some real sorry souls.

This is so motivating! Those last lines mean a lot. I wanna thank you for this, I am also stuck in one such situation where am not understanding what am doing in life is right or do I need to leave it. Thinking whether "is this getting the best out of me or not ?" is one great way to decide. Thank you so much! cheers!

You always look very calm,I hope to achieve the same.

Lovely to hear your views. Im 65 and have been through the same things you talk about ( no I dont have a Phd, I struggled to be a BSc Math extramurally ) having worked in IT and engineering all my life. I now am retiring and doing the things I really want to do, and feel I need to do, to fulfill my own needs. Its great to hear somebody as young as you expressing the same worries and expectations that frankly I believe everybody goes through but all too many never allow themselves to actually step out of their comfortable ( probably more predictable than comfortable ) path where they may find themselves. You trundle on completing your Phd ( figuratively ) and find a large chuck of your life has gone by and you are not feeling fulfilled and more like locked in. I enjoy your videos and your honesty, its great you didn't just move all your time into videos, just shows there is more to life than study and making a living. PS dont be too free with your honesty there are thousands of useless scumbags out there just waiting to abuse you and make to feel bad just to try and make themselves feel better, F.. them! :)

You have a so calming voice ! Thank you for this year of good videos and good luck for 2020.

Your voice is putting me to sleep (it's currently 2am and i have been having trouble drifting off for hours) Thank you for being such a chill presence!!

I'm glad to see and hear you again. I think of you often with all of the wild fires in your country. I hope you and your family will be safe during this treacherous time. Looking forward to your next production. Please be safe and I hope the fires are under control soon.

i quit my PhD at IISc Bangalore ( India's Rank 1 institute).After 1 year, I am really happy that i quit. I can work on whatever i want to do. Not just grinding papers and depressing lab atmosphere.

I'm really happy you're okay from the fires. I hope you're able to say the same for all your friends and acquaintances as well. Always enjoying your content, so thank you!

Keep up the amazing videos!! They have helped me so much. I hope you have a MATHEMATICAL 2020!!

Praying for rain in Australia for you Miss Tibees. All the best and be safe. ❤️🌧️

You have the right tone and an excellent approach to making your Bob Ross style math videos. I love those, even though you're usually covering math that I have a pretty good handle on. 🙂

Tibees, thanks for sharing your journey and experiences! Much appreciated!

Your ability to share so much of you is what makes this such a special channel. Keep up the awesome work!

All I know and care about Tibees is that she makes it easy to review some math stuff, and to ponder. I didn't even know she was enrolled in a PhD program. That meant as much to me as her height/weight. Certificates are supposed to give us qualifications, supposed to make us experts, but they don't guarantee we we will be; sometimes, in fact, education - at least the organization and structure of it, keeps us from our heart's goals. I expect more ideas from this engaging woman!

Great video! The way you speak is so calming and genuine. Your channel is a breath of fresh air, I really appreciate your content :)

Thanks for the update video, Toby! What a great year you had. Here’s hoping for awesome things in 2020!

This is very wholesome and down to Earth, I love it. Makes me think about what I want to do.

I'm glad you are doing well! I really enjoy your content and personality :)

You're awesome, Tibees! Thank you for inspiring me :D

Thank you ever so much for sharing. I had seen your other video about you leaving a while back and just came upon this one after rewatching the other one. It just felt like you were speaking directly to me. Thank you for sharing and for your liberating words. I hope to shine as bright as you are now. A million Thank you’s! I can’t thank you enough Keep shining Tibees and I wish you the best on your journey moving forward

Thanks, @tibees for sharing your experience and giving some of your advice, it's really appreciating. ❤

Tibees I super super appreciate all the work you are doing much hearts and great art, loved the tree square roots vid

I love to following your vlogs this is one that I was waiting for

Some decisions prove to be life changing. This was one such decision. Thanks for sharing all this with us. Hope you have more such great times in your life. 🍀🌸

I passed out my high school recently but still i connect with you on many things. You're so awesome and genuine person. Really wish you good luck for the future! 😀❤

You are really amazing being able to speak about heavy and difficult topics in a very articulate and refined manner, whether it's education, physics, and mathematics, and a direction of life.

I love this channel it's great I usually come here when I feel lost with school.

Thanks for a great 2019 of high quality KZfaq content! For 2020 I wish for you to find time for your writing project that sounds super exciting. And I truly hope for a 2020 with less environmental disasters for Australia: what is happening right now is heartbreaking.

Thank you fir sharing. It's always a pleasure to listen to you.

You in January 2020: this is my first video of 2020 and I've had a bit of a crazy week already me from April 2020: you better buckle up for this one, fam

Hey Tibees! Really enjoy all your content I and I hope the fires don't inconvenience you too much! Good luck working on youtube

Hey Tibees, I like your channel because is quite different to the usual content of KZfaq, you bring knowledge and that is very important. Thanks for this videos Tibees and best of luck to you in this new year.

Pls keep up the good work Tibees👍👍. U indirectly have helped a LOT with my studies..Honestly , ur videos on science are very very informative....

Thank you for that awesome advice!! As to your quitting your PHD, I have felt I am in the wrong job, and this is me deciding I’m not using my strengths!! Thanks! 😉

I still have to listen to you for the edification of my ears and eyes! Plus, You make me smarter, regardless.

Thanks for the summary and update! See you lots in 2020!

You're a sweet person :) I like your videos, they're very calm. So much so that I often feel like I'm in a conversation listening to you telling a story or sharing knowledge!

The world needs more people like you

10:15 ...so are 'mid rolls' ads that appear in the middle of the video? I didn't realize the KZfaqr could choose when ads appear, I just thought they were automatically inserted. Makes sense I guess. 😎 Some channels seem to have irritating ads every 5 mins... I'll be more aware of that from now, it's the creator doing it!!

Keep creating vids and teaching us! I really enjoy your content, you bring science (and math) to new people in a cool way. Never stop!

I so appreciate you being so honest and candid about what changed when you stopped the phd program. Thanks a lot you are very inspiring and your videos make me want to learn even more and more

I regretted never completing my engineering degree. But as a docent at DMNS, I find I have the freedom to pursue internet studies of various science and nature recent findings. Astronomy is by far my favorite. But I have found my calling in being able to share that knowledge with others. I have seen a few wondrous results from my labors and I realize I am exactly where I was meant to be. Your work is inspirational and applicably informative. I would add, keep being true to yourself.

I also quit a maths PhD program, so I can totally relate. I spent 22 years teaching in both 4-yr and 2-yr colleges and the old school (haha) education model is dead. That's one big reason I retired a few years early, the old system just didn't work anymore. I think any intelligent person can find 99% of what they need online. If you are an active learner this is all you need. KZfaq, TwitchTV, Khan Academy, and other online platforms are the way to go. You made the right call and you are very good at this.

Take care of yourself and stay save. I love your videos and want to see and learn more from you in 2020.

Gelukkig nieuwjaar! I am looking forward to your math videos. They are very fun and intetesting. Thank you!

Her: There is some terrible stuff that I read in KZfaq comments. Me: π=3

Happy New Year Toby 🎉 Be Safe !!!

Toby, your comment about the Ph.D hours you liberated being less than the additional hours spent making videos resonated with me. I have taken some breaks from my career, with ideas that I would get some project or another finished in that time, and each time it just didn't happen. In my case I think this was due to two things: firstly, it turned out that I really could spend too much time on my passion and get bored or jaded with it (the symptom was procrastination), with the result that I just had to allow time to do some other things during my day; and secondly, with seemingly lots of time on my hands to work on my project, the pendulum swung too far to the "perfectionist" side of things ... which contrasted with my approach when I had limited time and would take a more practical view of "Yep, that's good enough for this bit - stop right now and move onto the next part".

You have no idea how much that helped me...thank u so much ..I felt a huge relief when u answered the first question with "NO" ..🌺🌸

I also quit my phd. 2 1/2 years ago. I am so happy like everything turned out for me 😊

Your voice is so soothing..Keep up the good work :)

As I've been following you for a while it's really fun to see your train thought numbers and physics, and with this video life so many things to figure out. Seeing how well you communicate is a gift. Love your passion. I think you'll find 15 minutes in the morning to do a short meditation and see what changes. Many world famous scientists through time have mentioned thats one of their secrets for answers and direction. Looking forward to many more videos.

Very glad to hear your update, and that you are doing well. Losing the structure of the academic world is a huge change, but now you do not have most of your focus forced in only one direction. Continued good luck to you!

I discovered your channel a couple days ago. I'm French so the english content is not highlighted. Anyway, I like very much your videos, I like physics and mathematics a lot too. And I'll get behind you on Patreon because I see authenticity and how good it makes you feel to do this. So good luck, I wish you all the best :)

I was a Ph. D. student in Chemistry, left that, and many years later took a Ph. D. in Computer Science. All I can say is that you can feel in your gut if staying in the Ph. D. program is the right or wrong thing to do (at least that is the way it was for me). The only regret is that in finally getting it was that it took too long.

You are my inspiration for art and math, the last advice is really what I need to hear, thank you!!!

Nice to hear that you took that step. You know what's best for you. I'm so drained up by my phd and it's such a drag (sorry for the negativity but it's how i feel lol). The only thing that keeps me in is the pursuit of the title. I completely understand anyone who quits.

Physics brought me here to your channel. But it's not what keeps me here. I found you very interesting. I love to hear you talk. I find myself listening to your voice, not necessarily what you are saying. I hope you don't mind. You are a very interesting person and I do hear what you say most of the time. Please don't let the bad people/comments get you down. You seem like a very sweet person. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Happy new year.

Don't feel bad. You did what you thought was best. I quite my PhD at MIT in 1984. For two reasons: 1. I chose an inappropriate thesis project, and 2. the Navy transferred me before I could figure that out and change topics. I did pass qualifiers.

Thinking of you! Thinking of ... and hoping for the best for you and and Australia. Thank you for your videos!! Keep them coming please,

Thank you for making such good videos that helped me a lot. You have a great amount of knowledge. Love your videos. And a happy new year

I also left my computer engineering masters degree for almost all the reasons you gave, and for a few more. The 16 hours days left me wondering what the educational system's true purpose was. Its been a half a year and to tell you the truth I could have never been happier. I picked up playing old 1990's video games with my wife, and began attending church again. My wife was more then relived. She was up with me some times to 4 AM helping me figure out HW questions. I gave everything for that masters degree for 2 years taking prerecs and grueling algorithms courses that left me and my straight A wife angry and bitter over it all. For almost 3 months I was plotting on getting onto the board of regents and changing the education system as best I could(yeah I know crazy). The funny thing is that I gave up my plastic injection molding business to help pay for the masters. I'm glad I did it though because I now know how to program embedded control systems into C and put together power supplies which i have been utilizing to design a few inventions of mine during my lunch hour. Anyways I guess what I'm saying is you not alone, and to not give up. My dream is to grow a business that sells an important reliable product, and have a family. If your dream is to get a PHD then do it! From what I tell its more about KZfaq and providing a fun product to you fans. I thought a masters would help me toward my dream but it wasn't so I moved on to a new plan. My wife just read this comment and sighed in agreement while leaving the room. We understand.

Hey Toby, I felt for you when you said you felt a bit lonely. You seem good at making friends and you seem very lovely. Maybe putting yourself out there a bit more would be a more fulfilling way to spend some of your free time? Anyway, you did really great this year! Wish you the best.

So glad that you are doing great. Wish you the very best of luck & fun!

Inspiring. It's normally hard to watch a 'to camera' chat in the raw like this. It's kind of hard to do as well. But you speak very well and the content was interesting. It was what it said it was too, so i liked that too. Thanks for your effort here, it's appreciated. I hope the fires lead to some solid ideas for future protection and that the damage can be quickly limited. Xx

You’re the sweetest person... my original ASMR bed time viewing ...before I even discovered ASMR actually existed!

Thank you for being so honest.

Happy New Year to you! I love your channel so much. I love your relaxing math tutorials. ❤

“i think it’s a good story” this really sums up what seems to be the key about you. it’s nice! though you look as tired as if you were still doing that phd! but let’s put it down to the shit going on here in australia. ❤️ take care, be a beautiful person and remember these lovely ups along with the downs... that’s life right?

Your smile is precious! Keep smiling and spreading Joy!!✌️

Toby, thanks for the advice and insights you shared. The first year is always stressing, even if it's all good - just that drastic change is enough to make everything feel like chaos. Many people would therefore never dare to quit. You'll get the hang of it. Ups, downs... all part of the journey. I would advice you to try meditation. There are many great teachers, but I strongly recommend Sam Harris. I think you've mentioned that you're interested in psychology, philosophy, and you seem to me to have a natural ability. Meditation is for everyone, nevertheless. Keep it up!

As I searched through all other related vids about Phd droppouts, I instinctively chose yours because it seemed the most objective, honest, and unbiased. Thanks for being so outspoken and straightforward.

I really appreciate what you said about evaluation wether or not your job/school/whatever is using your strengths or not. I've had an incredibly hard time deciding if I want to go to college or not, and this idea really helps me. I've got a much better idea of what to look for when I start now, in deciding if it's right for me. Thanks so much :)

I love watching these types of videos where people talk about their stories and experiences with schooling. I personally agree with doing something you’re good at while also enjoying it. I grew up my whole life thinking I wanted to be a doctor and I worked my ass off in high school to make sure I got into a good university. Unfortunately, during my senior year I got super depressed over a girl and when I ended up going to University (UCSD), I ended up feeling so lonely because I was completely on my own and had no friends coming with me. I’m now working on becoming a computer programmer and enjoy coding in my free time because I found out that being a doctor wasn’t something I wanted to do because I enjoyed it but because it provided the money for the type of lifestyle I want. I’ve come to realize now that I would rather live a simple life with someone I love than worrying about having a mansion and a Lamborghini. Anyways, this video spoke to me and I wish you the best.

Happy new year. Have a great decade everybody :)

Good luck in the new year and can't wait to see what creative content you produce this year!

Talking about your 'time not spent well' or even 'wasted' reminded me of myself... I feel that this is not time you didn't use wisely, but time that helped you avoid a burn-out situation in the future! Rest and 'doing nothing' are also an important part of life! Carry on, I love your content! Thanks for sharing with the world

Don't understand why anyone would say anything unpleasant to you, you're always so calm and cheerful in your videos while spreading good math and science to the masses. But there will always be gross people or people who just want to say gross things. Best of luck besting these things, especially with the dire situation going on in Australia. I'm currently an applied math major in Texas for some context on some of your viewers! Cheers!

I quit my biochem PhD before I even started. I thought, "Why am I going for a PhD? I don't even LIKE biochem!" I had a lot to learn about myself, and I did.

I really like this content and I am glad you have been able to branch out so much :)

Thank you for your videos. I am on the verge of deciding my future and they're giving me a lot to think about

Looking forward to some great physics content! May 2020 be your year

You are right about the wonderful facilities at universities, especially the library. I went to uni as a mature but failed after a year as the course was so difficult. Compared to public libraries uni ones are in a different league and I think the general public should be allowed to use them. It's Taxpayers money that pays for them after all. Although the library at my uni was over 5 floors it was always nearly empty. Undergrads generally are only interested in texts relating to their course. Many older people on the outside would have given their eye teeth to have access to that information (pre net anyway).

You are soft-spoken and quite eloquent! I enjoyed your content. Thanks for experience sharing on doing a PhD

Thank u for sharing your updates! Always impressed by your deep thought and details. Hope I can see u soon :)