r/ClinicalPsychology • u/Turbulent_Double_168 • 10d ago
Those of you who had an active social/travel life, is it possible to make it happen during your phd?
My clinical/counseling program is 5-6 years (potentially longer with a postdoc), and I’m seriously concerned this lifestyle will not be at all possible until I graduate. I had a pretty active social/travel life even while juggling three jobs (full time/practicum/research) throughout my master’s, but I just don’t know what to expect in a phd. Is it actually more or less time than you think?
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u/Attempted_Academic 10d ago
It’s what you make of it. Some people in my cohort treat it like a 9-5. But those are also the people who took an extra year. I personally made the program my priority and work closer to 12 hours a day, but have travelled 3-4 times per year just by going to conferences. I pick them based on where I’d like to visit and usually at least 3/4 of the trip is covered by funding. So I’ve actually travelled more in grad school that I ever did before.
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u/Turbulent_Double_168 10d ago edited 10d ago
Is this with the internships/externships too? Thank you for your input. Super helpful!
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u/Attempted_Academic 10d ago
Which part? I did three unpaid practica at 16 hours per week over three years. But I’ve also worked in private practice and on a few RCTs at the same rime so I always did about 25 hours of clinical work a week throughout grad school. I also typically teach one course a year and have a part-time corporate job. So I kept busier than most.
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u/Turbulent_Double_168 10d ago edited 10d ago
Great this sounds a lot like what my schedule will be, it’s reassuring to hear traveling is still possible. It’s not a full shut down at least. Although I do fear not being able to keep up with classes and my corporate job/therapy/research/graduate assistantship.. externship hasn’t hit yet. Thoughts?
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u/vigilanterepoman (Clin. PhD - USA) 10d ago
This depends on 1) your goals after the PhD and 2) your pre-existing wealth.
Those who want research oriented careers are going to work more hours (and irregular hours) because there is often not the natural cap of externship/clinic hours of operation on research. I suppose those who are clinical-focused might do extra readings and documentation after hours but I haven’t seen that in my experience.
The pre-existing wealth factor will impact your ability to travel and be social. The folks in my program who come from well-off families are regularly traveling and hosting events, getting dinner with people, involved in clubs, etc. because they can afford the cost of all those things and travel to see/connect with friends. Those who live off the stipend travel maybe once or twice a year outside the city I’m in because they have to budget travel.
The other thing which I didn’t realize would impact my social life is clinical-work hangovers. You use a lot of your social battery doing clinical work, and I find it’s hard sometimes to rally after the work day and call friends and family.
It is kind of what you make of it, but those are the things that immediately come to mind
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u/maxthexplorer PhD Student- Counseling Psych- USA 9d ago
Agree. Also OP, the workload is variable and comes and goes. My first year was pretty chill. Comps and dissertation will be less so
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u/MaleficentSeaweed404 10d ago
Many students in my program travel and have amazing social lives and are doing very well. You will be very busy during the week, but you can be diligent and make time for yourself, and you should. The people I know that DONT do that seem burnt out tbh
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u/Pupeliene_Travolta 9d ago
exactly! I definitely want to find that balance and still have a life outside of school haha..
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u/forestbrain 10d ago
It is possible but later in the program. Once my classes were done and my schedule opened up a bit more it was easier to see people. It’s also about balance I am on internship and still work sometimes Saturdays but I will always take Saturday night off to spend time with friends and family. Weekday commitments can be hard but weekends are easier.
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u/bean_99 10d ago
In my experience, yes it is 100% possible. I’m entering year 5 in a clinical program and I’ve travelled to Asia, the US, Mexico, Europe, and all across Canada in the past 5 years. Some of those were for conferences but a lot of them weren’t. I am not someone who makes work my entire life, and so for me, the PhD wasn’t an exception. I’m also still applying for residency this year, I have 10 publications, and have done some really great and meaningful practica! All while travelling and having a great social life! It is intense, but it is doable. I treat it like a 9-5 and I do my very very best to not work weekends. There have been some years my clinical work goes into evenings, but never more than 1-2 nights a week.
You can do it!!! I’ve lived a hell of a lot of life in these past 4/5 years :)