🎓 The 5 Biggest Lies About Doing a PhD (No One Tells You!)

If you're about to start your PhD or already halfway through you've probably heard some grand myths about what it's all about. I’ve been through the system, and I want to unpack some hard truths no one tells you until it's too late. So here are the five biggest lies about doing a PhD based on experience, not theory.

1. “You Can Research Whatever You Want” – Not Really.

This is the biggest myth out there. Yes, it feels like freedom when you're entering a PhD program, but in reality, you're stepping into a structured system. You need to fit into a supervisor's research interests and the funding available. That means your dream topic might need to bend to someone else’s interests.

It’s not about pursuing a wild idea just because it excites you, it’s about aligning your passion with a supervisor’s priorities and with the funding agency’s goals. So, forget researching unless someone’s willing to pay for it (though, honestly, that would be adorable).

🎯 Real talk: You don’t get to do whatever you want; you get to do what’s strategically possible within the system.

2. “A Non-Academic Job is an Alternative Career” – Nope.

The idea that only those who “make it” in academia succeed is harmful and outdated. Let’s be honest: the majority of PhD graduates won’t stay in academia. Why? There just aren’t enough jobs.

Yet, stepping outside academia is sometimes framed like a failure. I’ve seen brilliant peers feel guilty for leaving university roles. But the reality? Most PhD grads thrive in industry, government, startups, consulting, and many other areas.

Academia is not the default. If anything, it’s the alternative path now. So stop thinking there’s one golden route. Whether you stay in or move out, your PhD still holds value.

3. “A PhD is Always Better Than a ”Master's”—Think Again.

This one is controversial, but it needs saying. A PhD isn’t automatically better, it’s just different. A Master’s degree is like adding a powerful new skill to your toolbox. A PhD, on the other hand, is like deciding to build an entire house from scratch. One requires precision; the other demands years of endurance.

Sometimes, a Master’s gets you the same job offers with half the stress, time, and uncertainty. And financially? The income bump from a PhD over a Master’s is marginal in many industries. In short: don't do a PhD just because it sounds more impressive. Know why you're doing it.

4. “You're Just a Student”—Seriously”?

This label bothered me a lot. You’ve already done your undergrad and probably your Master’s. By the time you start a PhD, you’ve gone through years of academic rigor. Calling yourself a “student” often feels like a demotion.

Sure, you’re still learning but you’re also producing original knowledge, mentoring juniors, and often teaching classes. You’re more of a junior researcher or academic apprentice than a student. It’s time the system respected that.

5. “You Have to Be Super Smart to Finish a PhD” – False.

You do need some smarts, yes. But the real key to finishing a PhD? Consistency, resilience, and adaptability.

PhD work isn’t about passing exams, it’s about navigating uncertainty, solving real-world research problems, managing expectations, and showing up every single day. In fact, I’d say:

• 10% is intelligence
• 80% is persistence
• 10% is luck

The truth is, you don’t need to be a genius. You just need to be focused and determined. That's what separates finishers from quitters.

Final Thoughts

A PhD can be deeply rewarding but only if you go in with your eyes open. Know the myths. Question the narratives. Have a plan A, B, and even C for life beyond your thesis. Most importantly, don’t tie your worth to a job title or academic label.

You’re not “just” a student.
You’re not a failure for leaving academia.
And no, a PhD isn’t always the best path.

Make your own path. And make it count.

💬 Let’s Talk

What do you think? Which of these “PhD lies” have you come across? What would you add to this list?