Hi,
Just finished a degree in biology, loved the social life and want more! Will a PhD supply me with this, or is it more work orientated and with a smaller circle of aquaintances, many of whom may be older than me? How much fun and social life do you PhD people have, and how does it balance with how much work you do?

Cheers,
Giles

I had 3 years out working between my degree and phd and the phd is much more like work. i dont feel like a student at all and if you approach it as such you wont do well. it is far harder than a degree.

I agree with Anon. I also worked (as research lab tech) for 3 years prior to starting my PhD. There is a huge difference between being an undergraduate and being a postgraduate student. Doing a PhD is very hard work. Of course, there is also time for fun and a social life but don't expect to have as much free time (or holidays!) as you did doing your first degree. Good luck! :o)

You may find that in your first year you have some free time but this gets less with each year. However, some universities (like mine) allow flexible working times and don't expect 9-5 workers, so you can arrange things around this.

Compared to normal work, I think a PhD is very flexible, although nothing like a degree which is a holiday in comparison! Maybe it depends on your uni - i can work from home in my own time and my supervisors are always asking if im taking enough breaks! If you plan it properly you also have enough time to go out - if you didnt you'd go mad. Although I do loads more work now than I ever did in my 'proper' job it doesnt feel that way cos now I actually enjoy what I do.

Very good reply Carly. I'm a bit of a workoholic (in the two years I worked before my PhD I was nagged at for not taking any holiday) and I haven't taken any holiday yet this year. I think that a good supervisor is one that allows working from home occasionally (particularly when reading or writing) and allows flexible working hours as some work better in mornings than evenings.

why, thank you neil!