How to Survive Your PhD

by Jason Karp

How to Survive Your PhD is your insider's guide to avoiding mistakes, choosing the right program, working with professors, and just how a person actually writes a 200-page paper When you're getting your PhD, you never know what surprises to expect. But now, you can be prepared! How to Survive Your PhD is your step-by-step guide to the right way to tackle every part of the doctoral process. Getting your PhD is not an easy process, and the decisions you make before and during your doctoral work can mean the different between having a PhD in four years or eight, Jason Karp has been there – and made the mistakes – and he shows you just what to avoid, what you should be doing, and how to make the best use of your time and resources. Plus insider tips

Genres: Nonfiction, Academia, Grad School, Academic, Writing

209 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2009

Reviews

[Gabriele Beccacece · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have the sensation the book is written more for the author than for others. Whike there are a couple of useful insights, I believe there are much better books on the topic. Another note is that it's quite specific for the system in the USA, apparently very different from the one in europe. Many advice cannot be generalized.

[Majid · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book of advice for beginners and pursuers of PhD... If you are a PhD student, you will feel like Dr. Jason Karp is either the guy next door or he has written your mirror reflection .... To Sum up The book is an INTERESTING read

[Miss Chocolate · Rating 2 out of 5]

S obzirom da sam u procesu pisanja doktorata, red je bilo pročitati i ovakvu jednu knjigu. 'Riješila' sam ju u dva dana, ali s njom ili bez nje, mislim da bi mi bilo isto. Tako da, možete ju pročitati, ali možda bi bilo bolje čitati za doktorat 🙈

[Valerie]

This was a lucky find at my local library - as my Ph.D. program looms in the fall, it was nice to find a book that actually addresses what I imagine are some very common fears...

However, the author's background, and interest, are definitively rooted in scientific Ph.D.'s. He tries to be inclusive, but ultimately is recounting his own experience - which sounded absolutely hellacious, by the way. In a weird way, it's comforting to hear that despite someone's worst case scenario, they slogged on till they got that degree!!

[Camilla Payne]

One of my favorite themes throughout is that being smart is only a fraction of what it takes to earn a PhD. Rather, understanding the process, finding the right advisor, working hard, and persistance are key. This book is also helpful for anyone wanting to better understand the research process. Funny and engaging, too. I will be rereading this guide and using it if I end up pursuing a doctorates.

[Namgi Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

I personally loved the advices in this book o was lost as a 1st year PhD this gave me a clear idea about where to start in simple and easy way for once

[Mikasa · Rating 5 out of 5]

it is all about start writing
build good habits
plan your work

[Shafidah Shafian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear, straight forward explanation.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

I borrowed this book and would not recommend buying it. There's a lot of useful information on how to not make the mistakes the author did but most of it is common sense and understanding basic social skills. I think Karp wrote this as an opportunity to get paid for writing he already did; he samples what seems to be his research material and letters to professors and relies heavily on his own experiences. I would recommend taking this out from the library if you are considering a PhD in the sciences, but only if you can't a better book that covers these topics.

[Connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good general read for those interested in pursing a PhD. I felt it was fairly general and light on specifics. It really is more of his story getting his PhD with tidbits of advice highlighted from his experiences. Try your local library or get it used.

[BegumIrdawati · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am still wighing the decision on whether to pursue my PhD and I am killing time (and myself in the process) by reading and reading and reading countless PhD-should-I-should-I-not related books. Bohoohooohooo! *analysis paralysis*

[Kate Foley · Rating 2 out of 5]

My second time reading, first was when I initially started my EdD. Book was helpful during the first read, but now, reading it in my final semester, I find it similar to other reviewer's thoughts that the book was mostly written for the author, not the reader.

[Natalia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, everyone will have enough skills to write something like this after at least 5 years spent doing his PhD. Good to read before the Grad School admission and no point at all to have it after.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm only half through, and am finding myself browsing the rest, in hopes for a gem. This is However, a 30 minute conversation. It's ok though and perhaps gives grad students some comfort.