I truly love math and have been able to succeed and, as far as I can tell, come to understand some relatively advanced topics (PDEs, measure theory, stochastics…) That said I know for certain I have to work many times harder and spend significantly longer with the material than my peers to achieve the same results. I have a learning disability so this isn’t really a surprise to me but I know a PhD is significantly more “sink or swim” than an undergraduate degree is and I worry that while I may understand the material it may take me too long to get it to be a successful PhD student. Hell, I worry if I go into a competitive area of research, someone else will publish my ideas before I do?Does anyone else have experience navigating this stuff and if so do you have advice as to whether or not I should continue being in school?
It's not easy being an academic in 2025. You are unlikely to make a real career of it if you're not naturally talented (it's dubious even if you've got everything it takes). Then again it can be comfy for a while, and you never know what might happen. But I would only go to grad school if you have>a good supervisor lined up - ideally you should know that he is actually good at supervising grad students, has strong active research that interests you, is an OK person etc.>a scholarship/salary, obviously, enough to survive on at least>some kind of backup plan or other path to employment/money to pursue on the side - you don't really want to be an unemployable phd with no other skills than mathsObvious examples: quant finance, coding, other tech shit.> I know a PhD is significantly more “sink or swim” than an undergraduate degreeNot necessarily. It's easy to float along in a phd program for years while gaining very little and losing your youth. it's easy enough to fall into especially if your supervisor doesn't give a shit.> I worry if I go into a competitive area of research, someone else will publish my ideas before I do?This is not usually a big concern. Most people are busy enough with their own research. Of course if you have something really juicy it's good to keep it quiet.
>>33832225I'm far more talented than most other students in my PhD program, but they're all doing just fine compared to me. Your advisor will take good care of you, and ensure that as long as you work at it, you'll at least do good enough to get the PhD. The work you put in, and ability to stay organized is a lot more important than talent for a PhD.
>>33832225Graduare degrees make more regardless of ability. Good luck getting that 400K starting PhD required job without the PhD.You can't.
>>33832225I don't have PhD experience yet but don't doubt yourself if you have gotten that far. If you want a PhD you can get it I am certain. Just make sure to get other skills in case you decide to jump ship.
>>33832225if you believe you can finish it, then yes
