As I near the end of my PhD journey, I find myself reflecting more and more on the path I’ve walked.

Before starting my PhD, I often wondered:

What does a typical day in the life of a PhD student look like?

Of course, every field has its own “typical day”. My field is health economics and outcomes research (HEOR), which means I work more with humans, data, and computers than with cells or animals. Your experience may also vary depending on the country you study in — I’m doing my PhD in the US.

Year 1: A Honeymoon with Study, A Struggle with Life

In the first two years, most of my time was spent on coursework. I studied subjects related to my field from different departments in my program.

On average, I took 4–5 courses per semester. Attending lectures, doing assignments — this was the typical rhythm of academic life as a student.

Outside class, I joined a research lab. That hands-on experience helped me understand what I needed to learn and pointed me toward potential dissertation topics.

But the real challenge? Life.

I’m originally from Vietnam, and it was my first time in the US. Adjusting to a new environment, a new culture, a new way of life in the US was not easy.

Once I felt stable in my living situation, I began to feel better. Without that, it’s hard to protect your mental health.

If I’m okay in life, I can work well.

Not everyone in my cohort had the same experience. One friend couldn’t adapt and had to leave the program and return to his home country.

Key lesson: Take care of your mental health first.

Your research will only go well if you are well.

Year 2: Settling into Life, Facing a Study Nightmare

Life got easier. I became more familiar with the culture, the people, and how things work.

But academically, Year 2 was the hardest. (Now I think every year earns its own record of being the hardest😂).

Along with more coursework, I faced the PhD Examination— the one that determines whether you move on to become a PhD candidate.

If you pass, you continue with your dissertation.

If you fail, you get one more chance. If you fail again…

You pack your bags and go home.

In my program, the exam is a 4-hour written test covering four subject areas, each with main and sub-questions.

I failed one subject the first time.

The pressure was intense.

For the month before my second exam, I did almost nothing else (I mean no research work). I focused completely on studying that subject to pass the exam.

The result?

I passed. 😌

Year 3: The Enlightening Year

From Year 3 on, most of my time has been spent on dissertation research. And it’s my favorite part.

I love reading, thinking, researching, and writing.

This year, I started reading more intentionally and built a habit of reading 20+ books per year. (In 2025, I set a goal to read 40 books — you can check out my reading list each month here.)

I also took courses (mostly online) that directly supported my dissertation work.

The biggest milestone of Year 3 was defending my dissertation proposal. After that, I could focus fully on completing my dissertation.

Year 4 (Now): The Real Journey Just Begins

I’m currently in Year 4, working full-time on my dissertation and (hopefully) wrapping it up next year.

Now I’m spending all my time on research, I’ve started realizing:

There’s so much I don’t know — not just about research knowledge or skills, but about myself and my future in academia.

• What’s my personal philosophy in research and science?
• What research field truly excites me?
• What research niche do I want to build?

I don’t have the answers yet.

But I’m exploring.

I deeply work into every research project I take on, trying to find what feels right to me.

The more I do that, the more I enjoy the process — and the more responsible I feel toward doing research work.

I’m also learning how to do research better, deeper and more productively.

I feel like my real research journey is only just beginning.

Me Then and Me Now

• Me, 4 years ago: I did research because I liked it more than going into clinical work (my background is pharmacist).
• Me, now: I do research because I find fulfillment in it. I enjoy learning, reading, and writing through doing research.

I don’t know how much of my research work will truly impact others.

Maybe it will support decisions that improve human heath. Maybe not

Maybe it will add something meaningful to human knowledge. Maybe not.

Maybe it will move science forward. Maybe not.

But it fulfills me first now.

And that’s a good enough reason to keep going — and to keep growing.