4 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Pursuing A PhD

When it comes to self-improvement and changing directions in life, education is a common goal for many individuals. Depending on what level of education you have already obtained, graduate school can be a great option for those who have at least a bachelor's degree.

Although there are numerous master's programs, earning a doctoral degree becomes the ultimate goal for some students who have a desire to take their intellectual abilities to the next level. Having a PhD can result in many positive opportunities in life, however, it requires significant work. For this reason, careful reflection is often necessary. Consider these four questions for a brainstorming starting place.

1. Why Are You Pursuing a PhD?

Before you even submit a university application, it is critical to first ask yourself why you want to pursue a PhD. Although having an advanced degree may have benefits, there are also many sacrifices and life realities to consider. For example, what are you hoping will become of the next several years that it will take to obtain the advanced degree? What will make the effort worth it?

2. Have You Compared Undergraduate Study and Graduate Study?

If you have recently come from a four-year university and you are eager to continue on to a doctoral degree, it is definitely worth asking yourself if you have compared undergraduate programs with advanced levels. If not, you should. While programs will differ depending on many factors, there is usually a night and day difference between the realities of undergraduate and graduate study.

3. What Alternative Life Plans Might Conflict With Completing a PhD?

For people who want to balance other life priorities and responsibilities with school, there are several easy and flexible PhD options available. With that said, however, it is still worth thinking about what kind of life plans might interfere with your intended track of study. For example, do you plan on getting married or starting a family? Will you need to care for elderly parents? Work plans also commonly conflict with academic ones. This is neither good nor bad, but something to think about.

4. How Are Your Writing Skills?

Without a doubt, you can expect an enormous amount of writing when you pursue a doctoral degree. If you already have a bachelor's or master's degree, the good news is that you have already done a significant amount of writing already. Think of that as a warm-up practice for your PhD thesis. For this reason, another solid PhD question to ask yourself is how well you score in this area. If you need a refresher, do not sweat it. There are numerous doctoral degree writing resources available for future students.

After considering this list, what do you think? Remember, there is nothing wrong with changing your mind several times before coming to a final decision. Before starting down any long-term academic journey, it is useful to personally reflect and ask yourself questions like these. With careful self-reflection and honesty, you will know if it is the right decision for you.