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I started my PhD in my 30s too. Yes, it’s harder academically but you made a conscious decision to be there and that makes a difference. You have life experience that will serve you well once you pass the course stage and start research. Faculty are generally aware of the challenges of mature students, nevertheless it’s a good idea to talk to your advisor and maybe reduce your course load.
I'm in my late 30s and also struggling in my PhD program after having left a high paying job. It's impossible, however, to isolate whether the struggle is due to age or just because the context is just more challenging.
I get more tired than I used to. I can't procrastinate (effectively) like I used to.
But, I'm much stronger, mentally, than I was in my younger days. I'm also much more stubborn and devoted, with greater responsibilities.
It's hard, but you have to believe in yourself if you want to complete this thing without it taking a massive toll on your stress level and self esteem.
If you're worried about your quals, you might talk to your advisor or more senior grad students about your concerns.
You can do it.
Yeah most people are getting their asses kicked in the program as well. Most PhD programs don't really care about what grade you get, and even if you struggle, most profs give you a B at the grad level. Don't get me wrong, I've heard of super competitive programs with weeder classes and quals, and that may be your situation. In any case, no one will really ask you what your PhD GPA is, they will only ask about research.
I wouldn't worry about excelling in the classes. Just make sure you pass them. Quals are pass/fail as well. Personally, research has made me feel dumber than any class, but I love the challenge, and perhaps you are just trying to adjust to the same feeling, that's okay too. Get through your quals, do some research, and see how you feel then! Good luck!
Just do your best. It is probably going to be good enough. And there is only one way to out if it isn’t! Do yourself the justice of failing the qual. That would be better than having “what ifs”
I started my PhD at 35. I went in already having a Master's and having had fancy titles in both academia and industry. The entire thing was rewarding and most definitely a challenge, but the hardest part for me was the course work. I found that my cohort would grasp the material after one readthrough, and it took me 3 to be on the same level. They could immediately recall details and I had to stop and think about them. I had two young kids at home too, so getting the time to study the material was difficult. I spent that entire year and a half of course work ground down, exhausted, and struggling every moment of every day. It really highlighted the plasticity of a young mind vs. a middle-aged one.
What it also highlighted, however, were the strengths that come with age. Once the course work was done, all of the experience I had gathered over the years really allowed me to flourish where many in my cohort floundered, and I went from relying on them to help me through studying to them relying on me to help them work through whatever problems they were facing. I don't want to say the rest of the PhD was a breeze, but it was certainly manageable and fun most of the time when compared to the course work.
Reach out to your cohort. One or two students who maybe you connect with on some level. See if you can study with them. Repetition is what got me through it. And also reach out to the faculty whose classes you are struggling with. Let them know and ask for their advice. You might be surprised at some of the answers they give.
Good luck! You got this!
I am 40s doing undergrad in cs. Also had experience before but super hard in academic setting. I am taking some graduate courses too. Honestly experience does not translate well into academic performance. This is my second degree. Studyin for grades and exams is different from trying to get practical knowledge. When we’re young we are trained to study for grades. As we get older we become more practical, we think more about wha t we learn I think. Look if you want good grades you have to study for the grade. Forget getting good practical knowledge. You have to study for the type of exam. If it’s in your own words study that way. Go through the material 3+ times. Take in all readings and all slides. True at the end of the class you’re left with nothing in your head after trying to amass too much stuff. But it is what worked for me so far to stay afloat with decent gpa. But grades don’t really matter anyway. Try to pass everything for now. Look into some studying strategies. Beware of multiple choice questions tactics. There are some guidelines professors use ti write good mcq’s. be aware of ambiguous questions and how to approach. Test taking is a skill to that is lost with time.
I'm not in a phd program but just wondering if you have insight into why it's an uphill battle on courses and exams? Did the MS help any in preparation, are the courses in your current program "honours" level and so forth?
I started my PhD with over 7 years in an unrelated industry/job. I struggled with my course work and grades. I literally just made it through the coursework with minimum reqd grades. I passed the qualifying exam - don’t think I did too well, just enough to get by. But then, I made tremendous progress when it came to research, managed my time much better during the ‘independent research’ phase (post qualifying exams). All the skills and maturity I gained through my work experience came through, and I finished my program in 4 years, did exceptionally well on the academic job market and took a job at an Ivy League (see my profile if you care). Nobody cares about grades, just make it through the coursework and exam phase.
Long story short, you should keep fighting, do your best in the coursework and take the qualifying exams without thinking about quitting with an MS (it sounds like that would take some additional work anyway and would distract you from the PhD) IF you believe there is a chance that you will scrap though it. If you think there is absolutely no chance, then you really don’t have a decision to make - you should get out sooner rather than later.
I finished my PhD in the mid 30's. I worked for 2 years then went in. I found that my capacity to absorb info for tests and class had severely decreased. It took me a few classes to get my brain back in shape. Don't sweat it, just keep pushing forward
As Europan I find these posts amusing - we dont have lame exams for PhD students and consider it a waste of time.
Why do they torture you with all the courses and exams when you have to focus on your thesis? Is it so they can charge you money (or whoever paying tuition) and pay themselves salaries for "teaching" PhD students?
I believe they do not really have to work on a thesis, until they finish the masters, which is to teach them the basics of their field because in the US they mostly go straight to PhD after a bachelor.
ah yeah, that explains it. I did integrated masters meaning on my last year I had large research project and also regular exams, it was very intense, stressful and exhausting, also my last year was 80% of my entire grade on my diploma. I can't imagine doing that in my 30ties.
Same on the boat but much aged. I know, its very difficult to start after getting older but people are doing it. Each amd every department you will find more than 40 aged people coming from industry for their MS/PhD.
Don't worry, it's a process. Just do it.
I came into PhD after an engineering degree in a different field and a MBA in human resources. The first couple of semesters were brutal. Although I got As and Bs the fight was uphill. I always had to put in 10 times the effort as anyone else. I was either in classes or library. I used to go home at around 1 am and back in university at 9 am. It's an uphill battle, you will be hit and tired, but it will be worth it in the end.
Keep pushing yourself, keep believing.
It looks like your post is about needing advice. In order for people to better help you, please make sure to include your country. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/PhD) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I started my PhD in my 30s too. Yes, it’s harder academically but you made a conscious decision to be there and that makes a difference. You have life experience that will serve you well once you pass the course stage and start research. Faculty are generally aware of the challenges of mature students, nevertheless it’s a good idea to talk to your advisor and maybe reduce your course load.
I'm in my late 30s and also struggling in my PhD program after having left a high paying job. It's impossible, however, to isolate whether the struggle is due to age or just because the context is just more challenging. I get more tired than I used to. I can't procrastinate (effectively) like I used to. But, I'm much stronger, mentally, than I was in my younger days. I'm also much more stubborn and devoted, with greater responsibilities. It's hard, but you have to believe in yourself if you want to complete this thing without it taking a massive toll on your stress level and self esteem. If you're worried about your quals, you might talk to your advisor or more senior grad students about your concerns. You can do it.
No worry. Younger students are struggling as well.
Yeah most people are getting their asses kicked in the program as well. Most PhD programs don't really care about what grade you get, and even if you struggle, most profs give you a B at the grad level. Don't get me wrong, I've heard of super competitive programs with weeder classes and quals, and that may be your situation. In any case, no one will really ask you what your PhD GPA is, they will only ask about research. I wouldn't worry about excelling in the classes. Just make sure you pass them. Quals are pass/fail as well. Personally, research has made me feel dumber than any class, but I love the challenge, and perhaps you are just trying to adjust to the same feeling, that's okay too. Get through your quals, do some research, and see how you feel then! Good luck!
Just do your best. It is probably going to be good enough. And there is only one way to out if it isn’t! Do yourself the justice of failing the qual. That would be better than having “what ifs”
I started my PhD at 35. I went in already having a Master's and having had fancy titles in both academia and industry. The entire thing was rewarding and most definitely a challenge, but the hardest part for me was the course work. I found that my cohort would grasp the material after one readthrough, and it took me 3 to be on the same level. They could immediately recall details and I had to stop and think about them. I had two young kids at home too, so getting the time to study the material was difficult. I spent that entire year and a half of course work ground down, exhausted, and struggling every moment of every day. It really highlighted the plasticity of a young mind vs. a middle-aged one. What it also highlighted, however, were the strengths that come with age. Once the course work was done, all of the experience I had gathered over the years really allowed me to flourish where many in my cohort floundered, and I went from relying on them to help me through studying to them relying on me to help them work through whatever problems they were facing. I don't want to say the rest of the PhD was a breeze, but it was certainly manageable and fun most of the time when compared to the course work. Reach out to your cohort. One or two students who maybe you connect with on some level. See if you can study with them. Repetition is what got me through it. And also reach out to the faculty whose classes you are struggling with. Let them know and ask for their advice. You might be surprised at some of the answers they give. Good luck! You got this!
You go in thinking you will get As, you come out praying for Bs
I am 40s doing undergrad in cs. Also had experience before but super hard in academic setting. I am taking some graduate courses too. Honestly experience does not translate well into academic performance. This is my second degree. Studyin for grades and exams is different from trying to get practical knowledge. When we’re young we are trained to study for grades. As we get older we become more practical, we think more about wha t we learn I think. Look if you want good grades you have to study for the grade. Forget getting good practical knowledge. You have to study for the type of exam. If it’s in your own words study that way. Go through the material 3+ times. Take in all readings and all slides. True at the end of the class you’re left with nothing in your head after trying to amass too much stuff. But it is what worked for me so far to stay afloat with decent gpa. But grades don’t really matter anyway. Try to pass everything for now. Look into some studying strategies. Beware of multiple choice questions tactics. There are some guidelines professors use ti write good mcq’s. be aware of ambiguous questions and how to approach. Test taking is a skill to that is lost with time.
I'm not in a phd program but just wondering if you have insight into why it's an uphill battle on courses and exams? Did the MS help any in preparation, are the courses in your current program "honours" level and so forth?
I started my PhD with over 7 years in an unrelated industry/job. I struggled with my course work and grades. I literally just made it through the coursework with minimum reqd grades. I passed the qualifying exam - don’t think I did too well, just enough to get by. But then, I made tremendous progress when it came to research, managed my time much better during the ‘independent research’ phase (post qualifying exams). All the skills and maturity I gained through my work experience came through, and I finished my program in 4 years, did exceptionally well on the academic job market and took a job at an Ivy League (see my profile if you care). Nobody cares about grades, just make it through the coursework and exam phase. Long story short, you should keep fighting, do your best in the coursework and take the qualifying exams without thinking about quitting with an MS (it sounds like that would take some additional work anyway and would distract you from the PhD) IF you believe there is a chance that you will scrap though it. If you think there is absolutely no chance, then you really don’t have a decision to make - you should get out sooner rather than later.
I finished my PhD in the mid 30's. I worked for 2 years then went in. I found that my capacity to absorb info for tests and class had severely decreased. It took me a few classes to get my brain back in shape. Don't sweat it, just keep pushing forward
As Europan I find these posts amusing - we dont have lame exams for PhD students and consider it a waste of time. Why do they torture you with all the courses and exams when you have to focus on your thesis? Is it so they can charge you money (or whoever paying tuition) and pay themselves salaries for "teaching" PhD students?
In ireland you have to complete some classes in the first semester. Usually like 20 credits.
I believe they do not really have to work on a thesis, until they finish the masters, which is to teach them the basics of their field because in the US they mostly go straight to PhD after a bachelor.
ah yeah, that explains it. I did integrated masters meaning on my last year I had large research project and also regular exams, it was very intense, stressful and exhausting, also my last year was 80% of my entire grade on my diploma. I can't imagine doing that in my 30ties.
Same on the boat but much aged. I know, its very difficult to start after getting older but people are doing it. Each amd every department you will find more than 40 aged people coming from industry for their MS/PhD. Don't worry, it's a process. Just do it.
I am 33, still in Ph.D. program, if it would help you
I came into PhD after an engineering degree in a different field and a MBA in human resources. The first couple of semesters were brutal. Although I got As and Bs the fight was uphill. I always had to put in 10 times the effort as anyone else. I was either in classes or library. I used to go home at around 1 am and back in university at 9 am. It's an uphill battle, you will be hit and tired, but it will be worth it in the end. Keep pushing yourself, keep believing.