Not stepping back and thinking strategically about where to go and why before beginning a PhD program.
Because of a deteriorating relationship and problems in my current lab, I felt completely overwhelmed by the prospect of choosing a PhD. I was being told by my superiors that I had loads of potential and therefore had to get into the most prestigious institute possible. I therefore copped out of the difficult task of doing a PhD and essentially allowed my supervisor (who I knew was incompetent) to choose one for me. I never asked myself if I really wanted to do the research I was being pushed towards, if labwork was a rational choice for someone with my skillsets, or, more importantly, if I wanted to do a PhD at all.
Imagine my embarrassment when I start reading lesswrong and discover that stories like this about grad school are a stock example of irrational behavior...
A good, lightweight rule of thumb: before making a major life decision, spend at least an hour googling around for relevant information, especially from people who’ve done the thing you’re contemplating. Chances are, your experiences will not be so different from theirs.
Then, seriously consider at least one alternative.
Not stepping back and thinking strategically about where to go and why before beginning a PhD program.
Because of a deteriorating relationship and problems in my current lab, I felt completely overwhelmed by the prospect of choosing a PhD. I was being told by my superiors that I had loads of potential and therefore had to get into the most prestigious institute possible. I therefore copped out of the difficult task of doing a PhD and essentially allowed my supervisor (who I knew was incompetent) to choose one for me. I never asked myself if I really wanted to do the research I was being pushed towards, if labwork was a rational choice for someone with my skillsets, or, more importantly, if I wanted to do a PhD at all.
Imagine my embarrassment when I start reading lesswrong and discover that stories like this about grad school are a stock example of irrational behavior...
A good, lightweight rule of thumb: before making a major life decision, spend at least an hour googling around for relevant information, especially from people who’ve done the thing you’re contemplating. Chances are, your experiences will not be so different from theirs.
Then, seriously consider at least one alternative.
I second this mistake.
I also second this mistake.