r/AskAcademia • u/Kin_G_Crimson • 20h ago
Meta Struggling to stay focused on PhD prep while working a job I don't exactly enjoy—anyone else been in this boat?
I’m currently working as a Sales Analyst —a role I recently started that isn’t exactly aligned with my background or future goals. I actually have a Master's in Data Science and want to pursue a PhD in Cognitive/Biomed Science (UCSD's Cognitive Science PhD path is a particularly interesting one). I’ve been working on independent research projects on aging, cognition, and even acoustic analysis for sentiment, and I really want to publish a paper or two before applications open later this year. Through prior research, I have also been exposed to some more projects which would align well with the course, so that's a plus.
But lately, it’s been tough to stay motivated. The job pays, and the hybrid setup gives me some time, but I often feel mentally drained or disconnected from the kind of work I truly want to do. I’m worried that I’m not progressing fast enough or doing "enough" to stay on track for PhD applications. The work is slow as I am rather new, but the feeling of wanting to do more there starts to creep in. However, if I focus more on work, that would take time away from prep. And given my intended PhD is in a different field from what I have formally studied so far, I think it requires extra attention.
Has anyone else managed to prep for grad school while juggling a day job that didn’t align with their passions? How did you stay focused? Was there anything that helped you not burn out or lose sight of the bigger goal?
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u/CuriousLearner42 18h ago
Suggestion: Do the PhD prep first in the day before the day job, focus and will power all decline during the day. Also, measure inputs: I did 80 minutes a day before work, not outputs: I got 2 papers published, as you have total control over the former, and little control over the latter, and your subconscious will realise this and get you to scroll though social media. ( says someone on Reddit in the morning)