Feel like quitting your PhD? Read this first

If you’ve ever stared at your thesis file thinking, “I can’t do this anymore,” you’re in very good company.

Almost every PhD student hits a point where motivation evaporates and confidence crashes. The problem isn’t that you’re not good enough - it’s that doing a doctorate is genuinely hard.

When the work feels endless, your supervisor’s feedback stings, or everyone else looks like they’re racing ahead, it’s easy to assume you’re the only one struggling. You’re not. What you’re feeling is part of the process.

The Real Villain: The myth of the PhD Secret Club

Imposter syndrome thrives on comparison. You see other students posting progress updates or delivering polished conference papers and think, “They know something I don’t.” But there’s no “PhD Secret Club.” There’s just a bunch of exhausted people figuring it out as they go.

Everyone’s research journey looks different - some crawl, some sprint, most wobble somewhere in between. Your confusion doesn’t prove you’re failing; it proves you’re learning.

Here’s what you can do about it.

Step One: Lower the bar

When you’re overwhelmed, aim smaller.

Write for ten minutes.

Edit one paragraph.

Re-read a section of your data.

Each small action re-builds momentum and confidence. Progress in a PhD isn’t measured by marathon writing sessions; it’s the sum of tiny, consistent steps.

Step Two: Find people who get it

PhD life can be isolating, especially if friends or family don’t understand academia’s weird pressures.

Find your people - online groups, campus buddies, or even the comment section under a supportive YouTube video. Saying “I hate this today” out loud and having people respond, “Yes, me too!” is often the first step back to motivation.

Step Three: Reconnect with your “why”

When everything feels pointless, remember what pulled you into this research in the first place.

Who benefits from your work? What problem are you trying to solve? Reconnecting with meaning converts drudgery into direction.

There are people out there in the world who need your research. What you are doing matters. What you have to say is important. What you are bringing to the table will make a difference. Okay?

Step Four: Rest like it’s a requirement

Exhaustion masquerades as failure.

Taking a break doesn’t mean you’re lazy - it means you understand how brains work.

Rest is a strategic tool, not a guilty pleasure.

So, ensure you plan to rest on the regular. Don’t wait until you need to - because that will mean you’re not resting enough.

You’re not failing - you’re transforming

Feeling like quitting doesn’t mean you should. It means you’ve reached the messy middle - the part of the story every hero goes through before things click. Smart, capable people feel lost sometimes. But you’ve already done hard things to get here, and you can do this one too.

Want to join an amazing community who get it, who will listen to your rants with empathy rather than eye rolls? Degree Doctor Momentum is where it’s at - sign up (or join the waitlist if we’re closed) here.