The misconceptions of PhD students

In the two years I have been studying for my doctorate, I have came across numerous misconceptions. It could just be a UK thing for all I know. But recently It has been thoroughly irritating me.

So here they are:

1. I will be a doctor at the end of the process (correct) - therefore i can be asked in passing about medical issues. This is  HUGE bugbear of mine. All doctors are not created equal. I will not be a medical doctor as I have not done a medical degree. I will be a doctor of science (rather generic no?). It seems that beyond academia people do not understand the difference. I am tired of explaining the difference and it is putting me off using my hard earned title (assuming I pass my viva)
2. I get 16+ weeks holiday a year - basically people think everyone at university, gets stupid long holidays. NOT true (though lord above, I wish it was). A PhD is a job. You get 25 days holiday a year. No more, no less. 
3. I have exams all the time - whilst this is true for some universities, it is not the case for me, I have one massive oral exam at the end. Please don't ask me about this, it is a source of much stress. 
4. I only do a few hours a day - again, this might be true for a few students. But most of use treat this like a job, a 40hr + a week job. Yes sure, I may leave work at 4pm. But I am at work for 7am. Some days i do stupid hours, for example, last Friday i did an 11 hour day. And I often work  extra hours at the weekend. 
5. Your supervisors know what you are doing - definitely not true, sometimes you get one that is completely clueless, so clueless it leaves you bemused as to why he is your supervisor. They often have no idea what it takes, experimentally, to get the work done. 
6. You can have no life - sadly this is a fight, most students will loose. I fight very hard for gym time (it keeps me sane) and a bit of judo time (well some social interactions is required) but general outings with friends do go by the by a bit. It is sad and takes a person far better than myself, with more energy to be perfectly social.
7. Experiments will always work the second time  - PAH! This is science. Sometimes it doesn't work, because for reasons beyond explanation, it bloody well doesn't want to
8. You supervisor is 'shit' on you occasssionally - it happens.  Sadly you just have to deal. Not really any different to having a boss. 
9. You are paid well - Utter rubbish. Whilst those of us on Stipends do get this tax free, it is well below the national average. In 2014 the National average wage was £26,500. Most PhD students get paid around £13-14, 000. Yeah. That's right. Peanuts. Most of us live hand to mouth, savings are a thing of dreams. And no, before you ask, it doesn't increase in line with a rise in minimum wage. For the whole of your PhD you will see ZERO change in your income. Oh and as soon as you submit, your stipend stops. So have that job ready, but remember, re-writes and corrections will then been done, unpaid, in your own time. 

So their we have it. 9 Points. All of which I have had to answer/deal with this week. Despite this. I do like my PhD and as hard, difficult, depressing as it can be. I will be grateful on the day i wear my cap and gown, that i have done this.

Coming of age, in PhD terms.

In the life of a PhD student, it is your duty to go to conferences, get your work and name out there, network and make new contacts. This is something I have steadfastly been avoiding for 2 years. Not being blessed with an abundance of confidence, or results (which as least provides an under-confident me something to meekly talk about) the thought of attending a conference, albeit a small one, was a terrifying, anxiety inducing idea. 

Frankly, when my supervisors suggested going, a blaring horn went off in my brain:

AVOID AVOID!!! 

*tries desperately to think of an excellent reason not to go* 

 

FAILED!

Whether I liked it or not, I was to go to Cambridge University and attend the DMDG conference and present a poster. Well I reasoned that a poster isn't too bad, in my opinion it is infinitely better than having to stand in front of a full audience and present for 25 minutes and then navigate a mine field of questions from experts. Other advantages, i had a free place. Then they tell me a I have to give a 5 minute poster blitz presentation to drum up interest. My worst nightmare has came true.

So I spent Wednesday driving to the University of Cambridge, UK, to attend my first conference. Surprisingly finding the venue wasn't too bad, in fact you've driven on to the campus before you even realise it. I booked in to the college, it was a relatively new college in the history of the university, it is a brick monstrosity. Put that aside, the food was good. 

Then we begin. The mind boggling subject of mass spec, sampling and PK presentations begin. I spend three hours listening (and yes being confused) on a variety of topics. Then it is my turn. My five minutes of hell. I reached the podium, immensely relieved that I didn't trip up the steps onto the stage. I begin. My legs shaking so much I could put a pro tap dancer to shame. A blessed relief it is that people can't see my legs and hear my shoes on the wooden stage. I spoke, I wasn't too fast and my voice was calm, 5 minutes later and I'm done. PHEW!

Well I must of got something right, for the 2.5 hours of poster presentation time I had a steady stream of visitors, those wanting to know why I'm doing this subject and what I'm enjoying. Simple answers, someone is paying me and they are paying me more than my last job. Okay, that wasn't my actual response though it was certainly tempting to say so after hearing the same question a dozen times. But on the whole the feedback on my brief presentation and the poster was positive, some people even went so far as to comment they look forward to my publications (they will be looking for a while, i have nothing in my immediate pipeline - but it WILL happen). I can safely say I went to bed exhausted that night, but feeling positive about what I had done that day and achieved. 

The remainder of the conference was filled with interesting talks, good food and better drinks. I met some interesting characters with fantastic sense of humours and some incredibly knowledgeable individuals. 

Yes, the occasion felt very much like I'd come of age. I am definitely a PhD student. 

For those whom are interested, here is my poster. All constructive feedback is welcome. :)