The Road to a PhD: What I Wish I Knew Before Starting

Honest Insights and Advice for Prospective PhD Students

By Dr. Ayman Reffai

As you might know, a PhD (doctorate) is the highest academic degree you can reach. It’s an incredible goal to pursue, filled with growth, challenge, discovery, and at times, solitude. As someone who has walked this path, and looking back at my Fulbright journey from Morocco to Stanford University in the US, conducting Biomedical research at the intersection of Molecular Biology, Cancer Research, Proteomics, and Bioinformatics— I want to share insights that I wish I had known before starting this incredible journey—the kinds of truths that don’t typically make it into university brochures or program descriptions.

Embarking on a PhD journey is like setting off on an epic adventure. It is academically rewarding and potentially life-changing, yet it is one of the most challenging things you can do. A PhD is not just a degree. It’s a transformative experience that changes you mentally and professionally and an opportunity to make a real scientific impact.

While no two PhD journeys are exactly alike, this article could be your guide whether you’re just considering a PhD or already knee-deep in research.

Understanding the Reality of PhD life

1. A PhD is a Marathon, Not a Sprint

You’ve heard this before. A PhD is not for sprinters—it’s a slow process and a long commitment that stretches over several years. During PhD, progress is often slow and nonlinear. Some days will feel like breakthroughs, but others will feel like you’re stuck in the same loop (very normal). This is where you’ll need to work on your consistency and long-term gratification. It requires sustained effort and resilience. My tip is to set small milestones within the long-term goals and celebrate small wins so you don’t burn out.

2. It’s About Creating Knowledge, Not Just Consuming It: A mindset shift

Unlike undergraduate or even master’s studies, where you mainly consume existing knowledge, a PhD requires you to create new knowledge. This shift of mindset can be disorienting, and I see many PhD students struggling because of it. During your PhD, you’re no longer working toward clear-cut assignments with definitive answers, studying for exam purposes, or waiting for your professor advisor to micromanage you—you’re becoming independent, making initiatives, and learning to create instead of consume. This means you’ll often be working without a roadmap, sometimes with uncertainty. Developing comfort with ambiguity and learning to trust your research instincts becomes essential. Remember, success is an uncomfortable road.

3. Your PhD Is Your Project – Own It

As mentioned earlier, you’re becoming independent. This means your supervisor is a guide, but you are the driver. It’s easy to fall into the habit of following instructions and waiting for direction. However, the most successful PhD students take initiative, shape their own research path, and carve out a unique niche. my advice: Let go of the old mindset, embrace a fresh start, and aim to make a real impact on science and whatever field you pursue. For me, it has always been about deepening our understanding of diseases like cancer and improving human health.

4. Your Network Will Be as Valuable as Your Data

You’ve probably heard the phrase “publish or perish”—but I’d argue that “network or perish” should be just as important, if not more so. Conferences, workshops, and summer schools played a pivotal role in shaping my journey and unlocking opportunities I hadn’t anticipated. Prestigious programs like Fulbright didn’t just happen. They came because I actively searched, connected, reached out, asked questions, and shared my passion. I wouldn’t have had the chance to conduct state-of-the-art research at Stanford University without the power of networking. Thankfully, both my PhD advisors knew the importance of networking and always encouraged me to do so.

Choosing the right topic, program, and advisor

1. Choose Your Advisor Wisely – This Can Make or Break You

Your PhD advisor is more than a supervisor—they’re a mentor, a guide, and sometimes even a father figure. Before committing to any program, do your homework on your future advisor. Why is this important? Simply because your choice of advisor can make or break your PhD experience.

You should know whether you prefer a mentor who micromanages and tells you step by step what to do (not recommended), or someone who supports your independence, allowing you to take initiative and make your own decisions with occasional guidance (highly recommended).

Let’s be honest: if you want to grow as an independent researcher, you’ll need to shift your mindset—especially if you still expect a PhD to resemble a master’s or undergraduate experience. I’ve seen many PhD students grow frustrated when they end up with a very busy advisor who meets with them only a few times per quarter, or with someone who dictates every step, leaving no room for creativity.

You should talk to current or former students but don’t base your decision solely on someone else’s personal experience. Instead, look for alignment in research interests, shared values, and—above all—a healthy lab culture. Additionally, you should assess whether they have sufficient funding and resources for your research.

2. Choose Your Topic Wisely—but Stay Flexible

Let’s be clear: you don’t need a perfect project at the beginning. In fact, most PhD topics evolve over time—and that’s exactly how you learn and grow. What matters most is choosing a broad area you’re genuinely passionate about and developing a research question that truly interests you. Remember, a PhD is not about having all the answers on day one—it’s about learning how to ask meaningful questions and building the tools to answer them.

For me, I knew I wanted to characterize the molecular landscape of nasopharyngeal cancer and improve its early diagnosis and therapeutic pathways. However, the exact method was evolved and improved several times throughout my PhD.

Don’t just chase trendy topics. Chase meaningful problems that you can impact, and the rest will just follow. Remember, a PhD is about creating, not just consuming. Have a clear why and let it guide you.

Set your Expectation

1. Protect Your Mental and Physical Health Like a Priority Task

A PhD can be emotionally draining. Long hours, rejection, self-doubt, and imposter syndrome. I’ve been there. The mental health challenges of PhDs are increasingly recognized but still often underestimated. This is where productivity is most important. Sustainable productivity requires maintaining your well-being by managing your time well, setting boundaries, and sticking to good habits and routines. Pro tip: Prioritize health and fitness by working out regularly, scheduling breaks, having good nutrition, and sleeping properly. Check out my blog articles on how to achieve your full potential using all of the above.

2. Develop a Support System – Inside and Outside the Lab

A PhD can be intellectually rewarding, but it can also be isolating and emotionally taxing at times. Long hours, setbacks, and the pressure to produce results can take a toll on your mental health if you’re going through it alone. That’s why building a strong support system—both within your academic environment and beyond—is essential.

Inside the lab, cultivate healthy relationships with your lab mates and fellow PhD students. They understand what you’re going through better than anyone else and can offer advice, share frustrations, or simply be there when you need to vent. Seek out mentors who are willing to support you not just academically, but also personally—those who can guide you, encourage you, and help you keep perspective.

Equally important is maintaining a life outside of academia. Stay connected to friends and family who remind you of who you are beyond your research. Join student groups, attend social events, or take part in activities that bring you joy and balance. You’ll need people who can pull you out of the academic bubble when things get overwhelming.

Don’t underestimate the power of community. It’s not just about survival—it’s about thriving through shared experience, mutual encouragement, and human connection. A strong support system won’t solve every problem, but it will remind you that you don’t have to face them alone.

3. Writing Is Not an Afterthought—It’s Half the PhD

Learning to write clearly, persuasively, and consistently will save you time and stress in the long run. Start writing early—and write often. Whether it’s lab notes, research papers, or blog posts, writing is your voice in academia, and it will take up more than half of your time. So, invest in making it good.

Equally important is developing your overall communication skills. Whether you’re presenting at a conference, discussing your project in a meeting, or explaining your research to non-scientists, your ability to convey complex ideas with clarity and confidence is a superpower. In research, clarity isn’t just helpful—it’s impactful. Storytelling and precision can elevate your work and expand its reach far beyond the lab.

4. Publish Smart, Not Just Fast

As long as you are in academia, there will always be pressure to publish. However, publishing poor-quality or unfocused papers just to publish can really dilute your scientific impact. Unfortunately, this is something very common in academia. Focus on quality over quantity. As a researcher, your goal should be to contribute meaningfully to your field. That means taking the time to design thoughtful experiments, draw clear conclusions, and write papers that genuinely advance knowledge.

5. Building Skills Beyond Research

While your primary focus will be on your research, deliberately developing transferable skills will serve you well regardless of your post-PhD career path. These include project management, teaching and mentoring, communication across disciplines, leadership, and team collaboration.

Final thoughts

A PhD is not for everyone, and that’s perfectly fine. The decision to pursue doctoral education should align with your personal goals, career aspirations, and working preferences.

If you do decide to pursue a PhD, approach it with intentionality, resilience, and a growth mindset. The challenges are real, but so are the opportunities for intellectual development, meaningful contribution, and personal transformation. With clear expectations and thoughtful planning, you can navigate the doctoral journey successfully and emerge with not just a degree, but the foundation for a fulfilling career and intellectual life.

I hope that these insights give you a starting point for your reflection and planning as you consider this significant academic undertaking.

In case you need further guidance and support, feel free to reach out for coaching/mentoring opportunities.