So you have passed your secondary school and university studies, and higher education for young people would be just as easy. Long story short, a completely different and even tougher ball game is taking its toll on you – but it’s too late to get out!
Higher education is much more demanding than higher education and college combined. This requires being 100% all the time, especially during tests and exams. You can’t do it this time; You should come to class prepared.
Doctoral and master’s programs: main differences
To make an appropriate choice between a master’s program and a doctoral program, you need to know what to expect from both programs.
A master’s degree is the first step in your graduate studies and comes after a bachelor’s degree (after graduation) and before a doctorate. A Master’s program helps you “master” your career / specialize in a particular subject / aspect of your subject. Master’s programs usually last two years, but some universities may offer a one-year program. A two year program is usually an even better option as it is more likely to be accepted in most countries (if you are looking for a PhD or even a job). Master’s programs usually involve extensive theoretical study of the subject as well as practical (laboratory) training. You can also expect to lead seminars and write a thesis as part of a master’s degree.
Doctoral students are learning doctors.
PhD means “Doctor of Philosophy”.
Philosophy is the study of knowledge and the nature of knowledge.
Postdoc
Postdoc is the most common step in an academic career after graduation. During this time, you will need to take control of your own career. Which way? Well, you should be proactive and take steps to become an independent researcher (KU Leuven, 2022). These include:
When is it too late for a PhD?
As a college career coach, many people have asked me if it is too late to get a PhD. Some of these people were even in their twenties and they feared that working for two years after their disability would inevitably exclude them from the world of academia.
Others were past middle age and looking for a career change. In both cases, the answer is ultimately no, it is not too late to start your thesis. However, there are some important things to consider when considering this.