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Original poster

To want to do a PhD?

77 replies

hungryharridan · 12/08/2018 12:22

I'm nearly 50. I'm worried I am too old and nowhere near clever enough. I have a good first degree and a Masters but it was all a very long time ago. I now have four children and a little part time job and I am going mad with boredom and frustration. I want to research and learn and write all day long. Have I left it too late?

OP posts:
WoahBaby · 12/08/2018 14:38

From my experience, it's better to do a PhD that has funding because there's been a rigorous peer review in order to get funding. Self-funded phds tend to be pet projects that lose steam and focus. Plus if you're biological Sciences, you're gonna need some serious cash to cover bench fees, especially if you want to run human trials. If you're more literature based, then it's just fees that's the main costs I suppose. You also need to really, really want to do this because frankly I got to a stage with my PhD (as did my peers) where I felt desperate. It was awful. You need to have enough commitment and reason to complete it to get you out of bed and working, even on your darkest days.

flumpybear · 12/08/2018 14:38

DO IT!! We advertise all our in findaphd.com but also check out university webpages and jobs.ac.uk

It's not about being clever too it's about working through a journey methodology and researching something 'new' and being able to defend it - and believe me after three years of it you'll easily defend it!!

Good luck!! FWIW I worked part time whilst I did mine and I did mine in 3 years so
Don't think it needs to be a part time one if that's what you were thinking!

What kind of field are you considering ? Humanities, science, engineering etc?

Seniorcitizen1 · 12/08/2018 14:59

I have three degrees - a BA hons, an MA and PhD. The PhD was the easiest the MA the hardest. You will be clever enough but it is a slig rather than intellectually challenging.

Bimgy85 · 12/08/2018 15:04

Never too late. I know plenty of people I went to college with that only came back in their sixties

Original poster
hungryharridan · 12/08/2018 15:12

Sounds like there's a lot to think about. I don't want to waste thousands of pounds on a vanity project (well, I do really but can't afford to!)

I have studied social history and also business and enterprise so I would like to combine the two if possible. My current job requires a bit of research and writing and also administration so I still have some of the core skills I would need - I'm just not applying them to something I'm interested in.

I obviously need to do a lot more research before I take this any further. Thank you for all the replies.

OP posts:
flumpybear · 12/08/2018 16:32

Good luck Dr @hungryharridan
Wink

Apehouse · 12/08/2018 17:44

What Ethylred says is true. My experience was the same ... and I’m so glad I did it. Go for it, OP, and every success to you.

luckycat007 · 12/08/2018 18:24

@Ethylred PhD holder here. OP completely echo Ethelred- it's a long journey and you have to be robust - and please select your supervisor very carefully (also this is unlikely if you get funding).

Good luck Thanks

Original poster
hungryharridan · 12/08/2018 18:54

Thanks flumpy - feel a bit goosebumpy just thinking about being Dr Hungry BlushGrin

OP posts:
theOtherPamAyres · 12/08/2018 19:10

I expected to hear you say that there was a topic that you were passionate about exploring. I expected to hear that you felt you had an aptitude for research and wanted to fill a gap in a particular area.

There was none of that. That would worry me.

Instead, I get that you're bored. I get that you want to do something with your brain. You want to write.

Is doing a Phd you're only option?

NotDavidTennant · 12/08/2018 19:26

If you're going down the self-funding route, maybe think about doing an MPhil. It is less of a commitment than a PhD, but you can generally convert to a PhD later on if you want to and can afford it.

LaDaronne · 12/08/2018 19:48

I'd strongly recommend you try your hand at some MOOCs first to see if you've got the sticking power before sinking thousands of pounds into it.

Original poster
hungryharridan · 12/08/2018 21:08

I have done some online courses and I also did an AS Level recently to see whether I could cope with studying as well as work and family life. There are a few subjects I am hugely passionate about but I don't have a massive amount of any self-belief (hence why I'm asking for advice on MN, I suppose).

I think I have the research skills and stickability to do it but I will take on board all the advice offered and see what the other options are. Thank you.

OP posts:
HardAsSnails · 12/08/2018 21:10

Yes, the lack of passion is a bit odd. I'm doing mine as I spotted a gap in a topic I have a personal interest in (and had already read loads, have a blog, done talks). Plus, I can afford to fund it myself, which gives me more freedom and less pressure, though obviously I still have to meet university deadlines.

BikeRunSki · 13/08/2018 09:27

. You also need to really, really want to do this because frankly I got to a stage with my PhD (as did my peers) where I felt desperate. It was awful. You need to have enough commitment and reason to complete it to get you out of bed and working, even on your darkest days.

Oh yes. The Fear. The Desperation. Still fresh in my mind 20 years later. Massive commitment and drive needed to overcome these. My supervisor was brilliant at helping me through the bad tmes; others less so.

LaurieMarlow · 13/08/2018 09:38

OP, please consider what you're undertaking. My experience is typical: doing a PhD took absolutely everything I had, emotionally and intellectually, for 3 1/2 years. And I had no family or other distractions, and I knew what I wanted to do

This. Your age is no issue. Doing it for the love of learning is great, best basis of all.

However, it is a mammoth task and will take everything you have. I spent 4.5 years at mine and the last year and a half was utterly miserable. Consider the effect it will have on your friends and family, who'll go through it all with you.

I'd explore other options to occupy you academically.

SuzanneVaguer · 13/08/2018 10:16

hardasSnails your username is superb! Made me grin this morning Grin Good luck with your PhD.

Hungryharridan perhaps draught out some rough ideas of what you'd like to research, and spend the next 12 months looking at what is already out there, and a couple of initial forays into where your research might go, writing a couple of articles, maybe, to see how you get on?
The cost is not for the fainthearted, and there are lots of way to expand and engage your mind that are essentially free or v low cost, for library membership etc.
Do you live near an academic library?

BikeRunSki · 13/08/2018 13:53

DH and I attended his best friend’s PhD graduation party. His best mate’s dad asked him if he fancied doing a PhD. DH replied “I’ve watched and helped my dad, my wife and my best friend do theirs, and big respect to them. I’m sure i’m probably clever enough, i’m sure I probably could do it, but there’s so much other stuff I want to do. Like sleep. Enjoy my free time. Have free time!”. He set up hid own business a few years later, in his field, but the point he was trying to make is that undertaking a PhD is a lifestyle choice. You can’t just choose to think about it from 9am/5pm or on Tuesdays or in the evenings. It pervades your thoughts all the time.

CityFarmer · 14/08/2018 09:11

Doctoral loans?! Who knew!
That's amazing!

summerFruitPudding · 14/08/2018 09:17

I think you're being unreasnable. I don't think you're too old but that doesn't mean I think you should try for one.

You don't seem to know what you want to study. You don't earn much at the moment despite a Masters. It seems like an unfordable luxury.

My PhD was the hardest things I've ever done and this was without children or the worry of working part time.

I wouldn't do it again. It wasn't beneficial for my career. I've since done a couple more part time Masters and would suggest you think about doing the same; perhaps a professional qualification instead.

Original poster
hungryharridan · 14/08/2018 16:15

Thanks for all your advice and for taking the time to share your experiences (positive and negative!). I really appreciate it.

OP posts:
Original poster
hungryharridan · 14/08/2018 16:43

BTW I didn't want to be too specific about research topics on here but I didn't realise that would make me look quite so clueless Blush I'm honestly not expecting to do a PhD in 'vague multidisciplinary stuff' Grin

Also, I haven't always been in low-paying p/t work, I had a great career based on my Masters. It's probably why I am feeling so bored and restless now Sad

OP posts:
InDubiousBattle · 14/08/2018 17:06

Do you have a lot of support at home op?

My dp did a PhD, did very well and has gone on to be an academic. Looking back with heavily rose tinted glasses it was the absolute ideal thing for him to do...but bloody hell that last year was awful. I don't think your age should be a barrier but your finances and any other commitments your have might. I've met loads of people who have done a doctorate (and several who have started and abandoned one)and they all say the same thing, it's relentless and all consuming, I surprised to hear people have found it relatively easy and done it a day a week tbh. I would only consider it if the job I desperately wanted absolutely required it.

Original poster
hungryharridan · 15/08/2018 08:45

I do have some support at home but not enough to be able to work/study full time right now. Everything has to be fitted around the family. Things are particularly difficult at the moment and probably will be for another 6-9 months, then I should have a lot more time available (but I will still be the default parent IYSWIM).

OP posts:
Original poster
hungryharridan · 15/08/2018 11:24

Can I just ask what it is about the PhD that makes it such a slog? Is it the research time or the writing up? Or if you have to do teaching hours as well? And does that vary according to your subject area? Thank you.

OP posts:
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