This is your PhD, and you have to make your own decisions.

Pursuing a PhD is a long journey, requiring several years of training to eventually become an independent researcher.

There was a passage that deeply influenced me: “At the moment you receive your PhD, you and your advisor share the same title and have an equal voice in academia.” Yes! The meaning of a PhD is that you become an expert in a certain field. You will have unique insights and may even be better than your advisor in this field.

So, try not to rely too much on your advisor. This is your PhD, and you need to plan your own future.

You will have to learn to know what you need and what you don’t need. You will have to learn to fight for resources, seek various collaboration opportunities, proactively connect with other researchers, and build your network. You will have to learn to lead research projects, cultivate academic vision, promote your research, and market yourself. You will have to learn to get your advisor to help you most effectively, learn to communicate, and learn to say “no” to things you don’t need.

Of course, in the early stages of your PhD, when you are less experienced, your advisor will provide you with resources, direction, and advice. But remember, this is your PhD, and you need to plan it yourself and strive for it on your own.

You will have choices, but you must also be responsible for your decisions.

At the moment you get your doctoral degree, you should be able to proudly tell everyone that you are a doctor, an expert, an independent researcher.