What They Don’t Tell You About PhDs (Until You're Trapped)

Video Description

In this video, I explore why so many PhD students struggle to finish their degrees and what really leads to PhD failure. ▼ ▽ Sign up for my FREE newsletter Join 21,000+ email subscribers receiving the free tools and academic tips directly from me: https://academiainsider.com/newsletter/ ▼ ▽ MY TOP SELLING COURSE ▼ ▽ ▶ Become a Master Academic Writer With AI using my course: https://academy.academiainsider.com/courses/ai-writing-course This isn’t just about individual ability - it’s about systems, expectations, and the personal realities of research. I’m sharing insights from my own experience, from working in universities for over a decade, and from the countless PhD failure stories I’ve heard along the way. When people talk about how to fail your PhD, it often gets simplified to things like “not working hard enough” or “not being smart enough.” But the truth is, those are rarely the reasons people leave. It’s often a complex mix of burnout, poor supervision, unclear research goals, isolation, time pressure, and the overwhelming demands of academic life. As a former PhD student myself, I understand how easy it is to feel like you're not doing enough, or that you're somehow failing if you’re struggling. This video is here to challenge that mindset. If you’re asking yourself, “Will I fail my PhD?” or you’re wondering whether it’s normal to feel like quitting, I want to reassure you: you are not alone. PhD advice online often focuses on productivity hacks or writing tips, but there’s not enough honest talk about why people drop out. That’s why I made this video. It’s not about blaming anyone. It’s about understanding the warning signs, recognizing patterns, and empowering current or future researchers to make better decisions for themselves. Whether you're early in your journey or wondering if it's time to walk away, this is a space to reflect honestly. And if you've ever thought “I might fail my PhD” or you’ve already left and felt ashamed, this video is for you. Because leaving isn’t always failure. Sometimes it’s strength. ................................................ ▼ ▽ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Intro 00:16 PhD Attrition Rate 01:02 Supervisor's Support & Communication 03:16 All about Passion 05:08 Topic Selection 07:13 Time Pressure 09:50 The Environment is "The Way It Is" 14:35 Wrapping things up 15:24 Outro ................................................ ▼ ▽ Socials for shorts and reels Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drandystapleton/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drandystapleton