How to fix this love-hate relationship with your PhD?

Being a Ph.D. myself and now a postdoc, I can vouch for the fact that Ph.D. life can be full of complaints about working long hours with a low stipend, supervisors who are always traveling and not providing direction, people with undergrad degrees buying houses, while you are leading a super unromantic life, approaching bankruptcy in your late 20s or early 30s. Nothing hits harder than receiving your Ph.D. degree while sitting on the stage and having no job offer in your pocket. To get a glimpse of it, watch the movie called "Ph.D. (Piled, Higher, and Deeper)," as it perfectly sums up the experience. You'll rarely find someone who has anything good to say about their supervisor.

So, can you do anything to improve this situation if you are now halfway through your Ph.D.? The answer is yes, and it's actually super simple if we acknowledge some real facts.

1. Ph.D. research does not typically lead to financial gain, regardless of how fancy your research is. Therefore, your stipends are often close to non-existent. During my Ph.D. in Australia, my stipend was $13/hr, whereas someone with a cleaning job could earn up to $20-25 per hour. A Ph.D. requires a minimum of a 4-year degree, while a cleaning job only requires fitness. The same goes for data analysis skills in a Ph.D., with fancy algorithms versus the mundane task of data analysis using Excel in an office. Understand that every other occupation is based on a profit margin scale. Your business makes a profit, and you get a share; if it doesn't, you're laid off. Be realistic and improve your money-saving skills or, if allowed, engage in side hustles to supplement your income (you don't need to inform your supervisor if they are not supportive).
2. Learn skills that have value in the job market. Your Ph.D. might be the last time you reasonably have time to learn new things; trust me, after this, everything is a race. If you're a postdoc, there's a race to publish. If you're unable to find something after graduation, your race may be to earn a living rather than to learn. At that time, every topic you don't know will seem like a potential job opportunity, even if it's as remote as becoming a professional athlete. My tip is not to get too comfortable with what you already know. In today's world, knowledge becomes outdated quickly. Make sure to learn something in demand in industries and incorporate it into your thesis, even if it's as small as learning Power BI simulations for your Ph.D. results or using Excel for automating your results. This feeling of knowing a high demand skill will boost your confidence and help you avoid burnouts during your research period.
3. Most Ph.D. supervisors are not formally trained to handle students. They may excel academically and have numerous publications, but their emotional intelligence may be below par. Supervising is more about EQ than IQ. Anyone can work with motivated self-sufficient individuals, but not everyone knows how to assist struggling students. To address this, be vocal and transparent about your needs with your supervisor on a regular basis. PLEASE DON'T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MOMENT or GET TRAPPED IN MEETING YOUR SUPERVISOR ONLY WHEN YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SHOW. Research is 90% failure and 10% success and requires a fresh perspective most of the time. Ask for help and utilize your supervisor's skills and networks to address your challenges.
4. Learn to let go. Don't overanalyze everything you do for the first time. As long as things are fundamentally sound (which can be validated through discussions with your peers or supervisors), you're good to proceed. This will help you see short term progress on regular basis, just ensure its leading towards your long-term goals.
5. Develop your networking skills. If your department doesn't know you by the end of your degree, your networking skills are in serious trouble. Take every opportunity to network with the relevant community, whether by becoming a member of relevant organizations or attending webinars and conferences. Let people know who you are and what your future goals are; you might just find your next job through networking. You are what your company is, hang out with people with similar interest and build your face-value.
6. Learn the art of investing. I've never met a Ph.D. student who was serious about growing their money. Growing isn't the same as saving. Investing even a small amount, like $100 per month throughout your Ph.D., can work wonders. Most of the time, the answer used to be, "I'll do it when I have a regular job," but in today's academia, the concept of a regular job is vague. You'll often find yourself in contract positions, so this security might be far from what you imagined.
7. Lastly, treat your Ph.D. like a job where success depends more on consistency than one-time efforts. In undergrad, studying a week before the exam might have sufficed, but in a Ph.D., such a thing doesn't exist. Writing papers, conducting lab experiments, and even obtaining your supervisor's signature may take ages. Stick to a consistent routine, and find time for your family and loved ones too.

So, is a Ph.D. tough? The answer is a resounding yes. But don't let unrealistic expectations take a toll on your degree and personal life. Stick to the basics: do your part with honesty and stay one step ahead of the game. A Ph.D. may often be low-paying, but finishing it with planning can take you further than you can imagine. We're fortunate to have been given the opportunity to develop new knowledge; don't let temporary discomfort devalue it.