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PHD: Why? How? How Much? Help!

17:00 / 12.08.08

I'm currently writing the final submission for my second MA (Creative Writing, my first was in Regional Development - widely differing subjects but then I did the second one for the fun of it). After almost ten years in part time higher ed carried out whilst working I am facing the horror of having to fill my spare time with something other than academic graft. However, I'm unsure what to do next...I have begun looking into the possibility of a PhD but I'm not sure if that's the route I wish to take. They're expensive, they appear to provide a very narrow focus of study and I have no wish to be an academic, I just don't want to stop learning.

I'm additionally looking at short courses or spending some time on a writers retreat for a while, although family and work commitments limit my scope to move about. I live very close to an excellent university at which I studied my first MA, and it's very tempting to head back to the comfort of where I know.

I'd be interested in hearing about the exeperiences of others as to why they've taken PhD's, how they've found them and as to whether their expectations were greatly different from the reality. Did it have a large impact on your family life? Whilst cost is a factor in my decsion, it isn't the deciding factor but I am curious as to whether people feel they got value for money for their tuition fees (something I feel I didn't get from my past two years).

There are quite a few degree courses I find interesting, but it seems rather pointless to do another degree when I have little desire to use it to change / advance my career which is currently at a place I'm very happy with. For some reason I thrive on learning within an academic framework. I'm absolutely dreadful at self study - I lack motivation and self discipline even when the topic is something I enjoy.

In short, I'm a little confused and would appreciate all honest opinions or experiences that other people have to offer.

22:12 / 12.08.08

I have no phd, but I can forcefully say in response to I just don't want to stop learning that learning is not exclusive to school. There are many other ways to continue shoveling things into your brain. Even if you're bad at self-motivating, there are many other avenues, some that you touched on.
I'm sure you know that.

07:03 / 13.08.08

I'm sure you are right and I'm quite content to spend many hours on end reading for pleasure, visiting local galleries and theatres and learning from them, whilst additionally constantly learning from my job which is quite full on.

However, short courses don't give me the same satisfaction as longer term learning. Part of what I've enjoyed the most about longer term courses is meeting like minded (and some not so like minded) people with whom I've been able to build relationships over a long period of time, which then gives additional support. Feedback from my fellow students in critiquing on my current course has been invaluable for improving my writing style.

Perhaps I need to lose the safety blanket of higher education and push myself harder. That doesn't mean that I'm not interested in other people's PhD experiences - I'd like to make as informed a choice as possible before committing to something long term.

07:29 / 13.08.08

My girlfriend is half way through her phd and she is not really enjoying it, in fact I would almost go so far as to say that she regrets taking it. Not for the course itself but because of the extended period of financial strain that has been the result. She didn't get a grant which meant that she has had to support herself by working in London one day a week (while studying in Oxford) as well as teaching undergrads. The inevitable result of this has been that her actual work has suffered as she obviously has less time to spend on it and the constant travelling (just to make things extra difficult her tutor is not based in Oxford) has tired her out.
On the other hand, from my point of view as someone who didn't do a phd I'm actually quite envious of her. The freedom she gets to organise her life compared to someone like me who works in an office - and which she takes completely for granted - is not to be sniffed at. The same goes for the encouragement and opportunities that she is given to study and to meet interesting people and go to conferences etc. I guess the grass is always greener or maybe it's swings and roundabouts, one of those platitudes anyway.

trouble at bill

12:39 / 13.08.08

i would hesitate to recommend one unless it's directly related to a career. Otherwise it's simply a dreadful amount of work, in a not terribly pleasant environment, for no or little money (or even for a financial cost if you're paying your own way) and no obvious career benefit (even possible career handicap).

Forget academia, just get on and write that novel. ;-)

11:46 / 16.08.08

Idol Rich & Bill Me later, thanks for the thoughts. As I sit here on my numb backside indeed trying to finish that first novel and consuming large amounts of tea and biscuits I'm thinking that perhaps I should bring this to a logical conclusion before moving onto something new and potentially very expensive in terms of time and money. A year's grace before committing to anything large seems to be the way forward. My other half is extremely relieved, which is quite telling as I do worry about the stress it would place on him.

Thanks again.

20:09 / 16.08.08

I'm absolutely dreadful at self study - I lack motivation and self discipline even when the topic is something I enjoy.

I'd be extremely wary about starting a PhD if motivation is a problem.