[davidenarb]

Hi all,

Apart from doing research and writing thesis, what a PhD student have to do or look for to do?

How many papers I need to publish before graduation?

[discodermolide]

You need to be completely up to date with the literature in your research topic. You also need to be aware of other areas of relevance by reading the literature.
Talk to the others in the lab, find out what they are doing.
Generate lots of ideas and even try them out.
That should keep you busy.

[davidenarb]

thank you for your response.

but it is this time consuming? I mean is it easy to have a private life because it seems that it takes a lot of time.

PS: I just trying to gather information from graduate PhD student to plan which path I will choose for me.

and thanks again!

[discodermolide]

Well, I don't know where you are, but doing a PhD is very time consuming. If you want to have a good thesis and a good reference from your boss then he will expect hard and good work. There will be plenty of time for your social life
fit it in around your lab and library time.
Make a point of having at least one day when you can relax for at least half a day, otherwise you will become a zombie.

[kriggy]

One thing was not mentioned: I dont know how at other universities but at mine, PhD studens usualy lead lab courses or some other classes.