How much work does it take to earn a PhD, and what have you given up?

From months of research, the best estimate I've come up with is 12-20 hours per week. This is for both the coursework and dissertation phases. 12-20 hours per week for 48 weeks for 4-5 years comes out to 2,304-4,800 hours total.

For some, studying, researching, and writing is a hobby. For others, it's not, and getting a PhD requires sacrifice in terms of sleep, family time, social activities, exercise, job advancement, and hobbies. So, what have you given up in pursuit of your PhD?

 

At 16 hours per week, here is a breakdown of how that time can be allocated:

Weekend Allocation
Sat: 10
Sun: 6

Workweek Allocation
Mon: 3
Tue: 3
Wed: 4
Thu: 3
Fri: 3

Balanced Allocation
Mon: 1.5
Tue: 1.5
Wed: 1.5
Thu: 1.5
Fri: 1
Sat: 6
Sun: 3

 

As you can see, PhD studies are no joke. It is very easy to start a PhD program, but it is very difficult to finish one. The drop-out rate is 50-75%, and most of that attrition occurs during the dissertation phase after all the coursework has been completed.

 

Dave Lady kept track of the number of hours spent to complete his and it was something like 2800-3000 hours. I have no idea how many hours I put in because this has been a journey spread over 6 years. As far as what I gave up - just my time I really don't feel like I gave anything up, I look at it like what I have gained - great knowledge and a sense of accomplishment (when it is over).

 

I agree, it's not a sacrifice for me so far. I'm putting in 20 - 30 hours a week and it has become a sort of hobby. I enjoy reading and writing. I'm sure it will be more difficult through the dis phase, but so far so good here.

 

Same here, 20ish hours a week but I, too, enjoy it. Also, I get a lot of the reading done during lunch breaks.

 

At my local university, the University of Queensland, according to a seminar I attended, it is expected that a full time Ph. D student will put in 40 hours per week. In other words, the same as the standard hours for a full time job. I don't recall that they broke that down in any way. Ph. Ds here are research only,

 

I know people that devote 60 hours per week during 5 years to earn while others earn it in two years. It is the luck and ability of each individual. Also, it depends a lot on the University. Some Universities expect at least 4 to 5 years of full time study while others expect the same in a part time basis.

 

Some people are slower workers than others. They may produce just as good or even better products than others, it just takes them longer.