Inside the grad school machine: Demystifying the Dr. title

Hi, it is me your older sisters ex best friend thats also your ex best friend who now lives in a city where it rains in November, Santina Duarte. This week I am talking about how PhD's actually work and the realities of academia. If you are thinking about grad school and dreaming of that “Dr.” title then this episode is for you. This week, we’re ripping the academic band-aid off. I break down the real difference between an MSc and a PhD, the unspoken truth about burnout in research, and the red flags that scream “run” when choosing a lab. No gatekeeping, no sugarcoating — just the honest, neuroscience-infused reality of what it takes to survive (and actually enjoy) the grad school journey.Whether you’re planning your next degree, rethinking academia, or just curious how people become “Doctor,” this episode demystifies the entire path with clarity, humour, and a few hard truths.As per usual, I release a new episode every Monday at 7:00 am EST. You can find me on all podcast platforms and on Instagram at @theplasticitypodcast. Thank you so much for another week of listening, and i hope your fyp is also full of mort thirst traps like mine is (thats normal right?)..