Current PhD Students: Lifestyle Questions

[dusklife]

To those of you who have just began or are currently in the coursework phase of a PhD program:

How is life? Is the workload more than you've ever experienced in any past academic program? Despite the workload, is it enjoyable or more of a "can't wait to get this part over with" phase? Do you have any free time (on weekends at least)?

Everyone says programs are very very demanding, and I definitely believe it, but I just thought it would be interesting to get the perspective of those of you who are currently enrolled.

[possible_phd]

You might find this thread from last season informative:

http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-busin...r-stories.html (First Year War Stories?)

And as a point of reference, it's 10pm on a Sunday, and I'm in my office working. Of course, this is by choice. Had I been more willing to wake up earlier this past last week, I could have been done already. But for me? I prefer to sleep in and stay up late. So far, so good!

[clovus]

So, the work and lifestyle were more or less inline with your expectations?

[PhDCPA]

I've found the workload (PhD in accounting) to be tough but not overwhelming. Unlike possiblephd, I'm an early riser. I'm generally at school by 8 am on days when I have class. I work straight from 8 am until about 6 pm, then go home and relax. I might do an hour of reading before bed, too. On weekends I generally work from 7 am to noonish (except last weekend I studied for midterms from 7 am till 7 pm all weekend), then take the rest of the day off. I spend about 75% of my time on accounting reading, the other 25% on micro and stats studying and problem sets.

Some days I like it, some days I can't wait for it to be over. All in all it's about what I expected. So far it isn't more work than my master's program was, but I worked 20 hours per week and took 7 classes at a time during my master's as opposed to 3 right now!

[possible_phd]

It's in line with my expectations. It's a lot of work, but it's not ridiculous... yet.

[kaatrin]

I am in a Finance program and I must say that the amount of homework assignments I am getting for all my courses every week is so large, that I hardly have time for anything else. I was expecting to have more time for reading papers and developing my interests, none of this is happening. I have four classes and have to attend seminars every week as well. I do not go out anymmore since I study all weekends too. I think I did not expect that but I enjoy being in the program at the same time.