From primary school to PhD
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 31 июл 2024
- Now this is a story all about how my life got flipped turned upside down, I'd like to take a minute, just sit right there. This is how I got my PhD.
If I were to sum this whole video up in a quote, it would have to be "Never give up! Never surrender!"
(By Grabthar's hammer, what a story Mark.)
But more seriously, this is one that I've been meaning to make for a long time. Not least because I needed to sit my viva to do so! But also this video captures the underlying philosophy behind much of what I do. I'm not the smartest person in the world, and I'm certainly not the most talented at science or maths. But while you can never always be the smartest person in a room, you can always make yourself the hardest working one. Perspiration beats inspiration, and my refusal to quit has got me to where I am now.
- All my PhD vlogs: • Studying my PhD at Exe...
- What I'm doing next: • What I'm doing after m...
- Atmospheric physics textbook (Wallace and Hobbs): bit.ly/introtoatmos
- Never Split The Difference (Chris Voss): bit.ly/simonhaggle
- Draw My Life video: • Draw my life - SimonOx...
- Brewer-Dobson circulation: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10...
- My headphones: bit.ly/runningbluetoothheadphones
You can support the channel by donating at / simonoxfphys
--------- II ---------
Music by:
- Pacific Coast Strings ( / coldplay-viva-la-vida )
- Adam Radford ( / viva-la-vida-cover )
Filmed on my Canon 80D bit.ly/simonvlog80D (and 5D mk II)
Editing done in Premiere.
Huge thanks to my supporters on Patreon: Dan Hanvey, David Efird, Michael Phillips, Neudys Almonte, Fraser Birks, Martin Hermes, Anh Duong Phan, Luca Schumann, Katy P, Rhys Rickard-Frost, Cameron Matchett, Lachlan Woods, Tim Boxall, Simon Vaes, Gabriele Mozzicato, Jawad Alalasi, Gaia Frazao Nery, Kodzo, Josh Ruby, Claire Anthony, Eve Dillon, Rowan Gow, Matthias Loos, James Bridges, James Craig, Angela, Sanaa Al Derei, Mark Anthony Magro, Liam, Theresa Wang, Kieran Kelly, Wendover Productions, Kendra Johnson, Caitlin Louise, and Real Engineering (nice hair Brian).
--------- II ---------
I am Simon, a fourth year PhD candidate at the University of Exeter. I upload videos on bits of science which are relevant to what I do, and sometimes just because they're really cool.
Vlogs from Oxford students - / oxvlog
My twitter - / simonoxfphys
My facebook - / youtubesimon
My insta - / simonoxfphys
My goodreads - / simonoxfphys
Thanks to Vlogbrothers for their sponsorship of this video. Money from the Foundation to Decrease Worldsuck contributed to equipment used in this video.
You said "I passed" and now I'm crying because a man on the internet got a PhD. Damn you how invested you've got me in this. The biggest congratulations, Dr Clark!
Tohtori Clark!
I don't even know this guy. it's literally the first video of his I watched. And I cried when he said he passed. It's a feeling we all can relate too in some scale.
Noora Mättö honestly same and I was smiling so much cause it gave me so much hope. I am horrible at physics but it interests me and I’ve been reading this summer and I really want to go into it as a career. And Simon gave me hope.W.O.W
Should be hearing back from graduate schools for physics any day now... Exciting time! Thanks for the video
Cool dp though 😉
I fail in physics rip
Did you get in?
I just realised how mad phds are. Mad respect!
Student Vlogs - Dylan
I love your channel! 😁
Student Vlogs Ayee dylan
Mad !
Simon: "I passed!"
Me: **Chuckles**
Also me: **Teardrop rolls down my face**
Amazing, Simon!
when Simon came out from viva and said; "I passed, I have a Ph.D.". His smile was priceless and I smiled with him too.
I feel like a proud mum! Your hard work paid off, you deserve it. Can’t wait for what’s next :)
I did it mum!
hit me harder daddy
Your sun was inspiring to follow for the past many years. Thank you, Dr. Clark.
DOING A LEVELS AT 23 YEAR OLD FUCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK M8T
gabrielle.s has
Honestly, you've saved my day. I'm struggling with uni a bit at the moment (mechanical engineering) and there are times of depression and low self esteem I'm trying to cope with. But you really motivate me to keep going and just try anyhow. Thank you.
I related to this so much I had to read your name twice to make sure I didn't type this in the past.
Hope you're doing well now!
When you said, "I passed. I have a PhD", I literally started smiling, choked up and saying, "What!?" as one tear fell out my eye.
Congratulations, Dr. Simon! So proud of you.
Dr clark. Finally I've been watching since the oxvlogs 🎉
That was a good 21 min investment :) your story is truly inspiring , thank you for sharing it with us . It deeply touched my insecurities of not being "smart enough" or not being" talented and gifted" and as you were telling your story I realized that mine could also become a reality and not just a dream
Thank you, again.
Congratulations Dr. Clark!!! This was a great video, I went from being top of the class at school (I even got top academic student in my year in year 13) to failing 3/4 papers in my first semester of uni. After many breakdowns and an application to drop out, I decided to change my degree, persevere, and after three years of struggles and absolute hell, I got a Bachelors degree! Now I'm halfway through my Masters and have been thoroughly put off doing a PhD, but I'm glad I stuck around for the extra few years because I have learned SO many new skills that have set me up for the working world.
This is such a wonderful story - thank you for commenting, and congratulations on pushing through!
That's awesome! What is your degree in?
Thank you! It's in Zoology, which is a HUGE change from the Dentistry degree I initially went to university to do.
I get that^^ I take it you like biology, since you went for a medical course and then another part of biology?
Definitely, biology was always my favourite subject at school. I didn't even consider studying zoology until I took a random animal biology paper at the end of my first year of uni though, I didn't think it was an option! I couldn't be happier with where I have ended up, this year I've taken on a role as a lab demonstrator for undergraduate zoology classes so I get to share my passion with the younger students which is so rewarding. Are you studying?
Well done Dr. Clark!!! :)
You'll be in the same position before long - keep fighting the good fight!
This is my favorite video you've ever put out!
Firstly, what a wonderful style of making videos! Going back and forth from your narrative and the VIVA Vlog! you're getting very creative with the videos :)
secondly, and more importantly, thank you for taking us through such an incredible journey of your life. It might have been hard to be so honest about your life on a social platform with all the rebuttal that the internet has to offer these days. And yet, you as a youtuber stand out! you're genuine, funny and a friend we'd all like to have. Thank you particularly for this video. This brings a lot of hope and encouragement with it- the best you can give to people.
Love you Dr Clark!
We were promised your RUclips name would be Dr. Simon Clark
+Aragorn Keuken after graduation 😉
Simon Clark Make your name "Dr Simon Clark (Subject to Corrections)"
Simon Clark
Wait arent you already graduated
It still is..
@@SimonClark it’s been 3 years
I'm so glad your mental health has improved over the last few years. Juggling depression and academics is such a confusing thing and I'm so so happy that you were successful (and are courageous enough to share your story with us all)!
the idea of "questions about your work, from a world leading expert" sounds terrifying but also like...kinda cool.
First thing first, big thumbs up 👍 on your PhD Simon.
I've been watching your vlogs since Ep.1 (when your beard was only a dream) and ever since then, I felt determined to succeed and prosper, even though I may meet roadblocks along the way.
Now I'm in Yr12 (just finished my mocks, they felt good) and I'm still meeting roadblocks but after hearing your journey, I know that one day I'll succeed, in whatever career or life path I will pursue.
Thank you for giving me hope
"Despite of my intellectual shortcommings" Says dr. Clark who just got a PhD in Physics 🤔🤔🤔
I've been watching your videos for a couple of years now and honestly, this video made me incredibly happy for you. Plus it gave me a bit of hope in my own academic career :D
Awww this is so heartwarming!
After following you for a couple of years, I feel like a proud parent now that you've become Dr Clark!
Congrats, I look forward to seeing all that is yet to come.
Not even ironically, at 6:00 when he was excited about the fluids on rotating planets, I was super intrigued as well. That sounds so cool
I don't comment a lot but as someone who have watched this lad since he was at Oxford, I now feel so emotionally invested to his work and and life. I'm not particularly emotional but I always root for him like he is an extension of myself or any person is is close to me. This is such a proud moment for you and your youtube community. Congratulations and good luck on the future!
Congratulations ‘Dr Clark’!!! So incredible to see what you have achieved and so inspiring to me as a (hopefully) future PhD student to see how dedicated you have been and your videos never fail to motivate me to work harder, so thank you 😊
I only discovered your channel a few months ago but honestly I'm so obsessed. Your dedication to education and determination with it no matter what inspires me so much. Currently in my last year of A-levels, seeing you doing incredible things and achieving your dreams inspires me so much. I'm having to retake all my As maths modules despite working very hard last year so I'm feeling terrified for how they will go this year but hearing how you have succeeded despite your struggles is just amazing ahhh. Anyway thank you, keep inspiring us all and doing awesome things and following your passions! Back to the maths practise for me 🙈
Simon, I'm honestly so so happy and proud of you. It's been so wonderful watching your journey all these years so far and I was tearing up in the clip saying you passed! I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavours! xx
I’m so proud of you, I’ve seen you through this entire journey, and knew you’d do it, well done and congratulations. Godspeed Simon!
I really enjoyed how you described the viva , very terrifying but enjoyable at the same time !
how you talked about your second chance in Exeter , that was my favorite part !
First of all... Congratulations Dr Clark!
Even though I have expected and watched your videos every week for the past years, I have never written a comment to any of them. However, this time is worth it.
I'm a second year PhD student in environmental chemistry, here in Spain and France, and I wanted to express my biggest gratitude for these vlogs. They really did (do, and will) make a difference in this whole PhD-experience.
Perseverence is a valuable skill, and you are a good example to follow. I cannot thank you enough for sharing your experience.
I wish you the best of lucks in your after-thesis life! Congratulations!
Simon, I'm SO happy for you. Congratulations. This was such a heartwarming and brilliantly filmed(and edited) video. Watching your videos has opened my mind to studying as further as getting a phD. And thank you for motivating us always!
Congratulations Simon, I just wanted to thank you for the vlogs you made and all the videos you put out as they were one of my biggest motivations to continue on studying and perusing an academic career, so thank you... hope you'll publish more of the quality content you provide.
It's impressive to me how much more important determination is, rather than intelligence. I started to watch your channel because I've always thought that furthering my studies was what I wanted to do with my life, but I've started two careers and accomplished nothing other than barely passing my first year in physics. I've left it this year.
I used to think that I was pretty good academically speaking, but now I've lost trail and I don't think that anymore - I lack a lot of perseverance. I am the ultimate procrastinator, haha.
Anyways, great video. You make it really easy for your audience to engage with you and, in a way, share the joy of your accomplishments. Congratulations! I'll keep watching your videos in the future.
Simon I remember the first time I can across you was for studying advice during my junior cert in Ireland. You’re done your PhD now and I’m sitting my leaving cert this year, strange how time flies as it only feels like yesterday when I stumbled across your channel. Onwards and upwards from here pal👌
Just discovered your channel via this video, and I have really enjoyed it! So happy about your PHD, congrats on the work man😊 greetings from Spain!!
Simon congrats on your PhD, while I haven't been as diligent as others in watching the vlog, I would still try and check back in as much as possible. Every step of the way I watched however was incredible and watching you overcome your struggles along this PhD journey was incredible. I must say this is the best video in your collection in my opinion because of the inspiring narrative and the ups and downs of your adventure and experiences. This story comes almost as a punch in the face with the raw emotional content contained in the 21 minutes. It is really worth the watch especially for the many of us who struggle with academics. Once again I loved the video and keep up the damn good job with these videos. I look forward to your content in the future. Cheers, Dr. Clark.
Simon you wonderful, wonderful man!
Honestly it made me teary.
This video perfectly conveyed the terror, struggle, and eventually relief you feel with a PhD. I have had so many friends go through this that I do (in some sense) understand what is needed to go through this. I can only commend and congratulate you for doing so well.
And I definitely echo the perseverance theme to this. I was also the first in my family to go to uni. And it's not because I'm smart, it's because I refused to take no for an answer.
Keep striving and I look forward to many many more of your amazing videos, Dr Clark!
Hi Simon, congratulations on your PhD. Just wanted to drop by to say thanks for being so honest about your burnout and mental health issues at Oxford. It means a lot to me that you were so frank about what happened.
Longest yeah boi ever
I've peaked mother Simon liked my comment
Mother, Simon
You know what it goes both ways
Mother of messy eyebrows
I have been watching this series for more than a year ago. I really feel happy for you! Congrats and keep doing what you do best!
It's been a huge pleasure following your journey. Whenever I feel demotivated or lazy in school watching your videos has always inspired me to work harder. I look forward to seeing where you go next.
Congratulations Dr Clarke! It has been a pleasure to witness your progress in recent years. Like you, I had some trouble paying attention when work became difficult in secondary school, and like you I was the first of my family to attend University. Your videos (alongside Jamie's videos) persuaded me to apply to Oxford to study law. I'm now several months off sitting finals, and I owe you an enormous amount of gratitude for bestowing me with the confidence to apply in the first place.
That's fantastic! I'm glad I was able to motivate you even in part!
Oh man. I am in the exact same position. Could you elaborate on the process of you getting accepted?
Congratulations Dr. Clark!
I'm so happy for you, there are literal tears in my eyes! You inspire me to work hard whenever I watch your videos and I'm ever so thankful for that. To have been on this journey with you was absolutely amazing and insightful as well. I can't wait for what will come next. Congratulations Dr. Clark!
Thank you Simon! I think that throughout your videos you've helped a lot of people, including myself. Congratulations, and best wishes for everything there is to come
Thank you for this, Simon. This is so motivating... thank you...
Wow those 20 minutes flew by. Brilliant Simon! Congratulations!
So much passion in your eyes when you talk about your thesis
THANK YOU!
Your point on "determination" is extremely valuable.
Thank you. 😊
Congratulations Dr. Clark :)
I sat in on a viva (it was open to students) for a chemistry doctoral student at my university so I know exactly what you went through and I applaud your determination for preparing for this day in and day out for your PhD.
I'm late but I want to get my PhD in biomedical engineering and you've inspired me. Thank you and congratulations.
Congratulations Dr. Clark! Thank you so much for letting us share this moment with you. You really are an inspiration for many of us wanting to dedicate our lives to science.
A left handshake and a toast in your name! :)
I am so proud of you!! It has been an honour watching you work your little arse off!
Okay, to be honest, I shed a tear while you said “I passed“ and I am so proud of you. You keep motivating me in my studies and I love your videos. Thank you for everything you are doing.
Dear Dr Clark,
Congrats! You are brilliant. Thank you so much for helping me and inspiring my career. I intend to apply for a master this year. You, and your videos make me believe that I can do it. Second chance exists for sure and we have to embrace the opportunity. I found your channel by chance while I was looking for knowing better how to be a researcher. I found here a variety of interesting content, so I decided to subscribe it. Even though my studying area is not science, I reckon humanities and science are connected some how. Good luck and I can´t wait to watch your next videos. Sending good vibes from Brazil.
Followed you for so long, so happy and proud of you! You're an extremely inspiring person. Thank you!
Watching you or a couple of years now and it all amounted to this! I'm super happy for you Simon!! All the very best.
idk if ur gonna read this but i just wanna genuinely thank you for this video. you have no idea how down i am rn and for some reason this genuinely motivated me to try better. thank you for sharing how imperfect college can be and how it can get better eventually. kudos to your channel and im definitely subscribing. all the love from the philippines! ❤️
It's been long since you passed your PhD viva, but when you talked about the decision part, I could connect. This video touched me. Have fun with learning! Good luck!
Dr Clark, this is your best work so far
Phenomenal Simon! Absolutely phenomenal! Huge fan of you, your work, your ethics. Keep inspiring me and the rest of the people who follow you to strive for greatness in science!
Hey Simon. I just wanted to let you know that your vlog has been really inspirational and encouraging to me. Congrats on your PhD!
Only found your vlogs today!! I’m about 3 months away from submitting my thesis in astrophysics, great to see a RUclipsr documenting the UK PhD system!!
Now I’m away to watch more videos...
This is my favorite video on youtube! Thank you for inspiring me to get the most out of my education.
You've done good work and been wonderfully honest about what you went through. I have watched your vids on and off for years and continue to be impressed - with what you are doing but mostly with you. My daughter went to Cam, so I enjoyed the window you offered into Oxbridge more than all the others. Your idea of going into science communication is great. Good luck.
I'm seriously so happy, im currently a first year physics student, I aspire to get a PhD, thankyou so much DR.Clark for giving me so much hope, best of luck
Congratulations Dr. Clark. I'm at a point in my PhD where I'm feeling very overwhelmed and completely exhausted. You have given me so much motivation to keep going. I hope you will still make some vlogs to motivate your viewers who are still studying. Will look out for your research when they are published! Good luck on the next chapter of your life journey
Keep going! It is worth it in the end, I promise. Make sure you take care of yourself, and keep fighting :)
Thanks for sharing your story, Simon! It's lovely.
Congratulations!! I've watched you for a couple years and I am so happy for you, and I really appreciate the message you've put with this whole journey. Inspirational, and I am grinning.
3:25 I feel like this is more important than being gifted or naturally skilled at something. I got good grades too, but it was because i was motivated to do well and I wasn't afraid to ask for help, not because I was some school prodigy.
Is that Viva La Vida?
I see what Simon did there...
You inspire me a lot. Thank you a lot for being so authentic and just, basically, yourself. AND CONGRAAAAATS !
All respect goes to you, Dr. Clark. I’m a final year student doing degree in physics. There were days when anxiety causes me a lots of problems. Sometimes i do cry while studying because i am that person who is too afraid of failure and i also lost my appetite due to that.. And there were also times when I reached out for my supervisor advice during my lowest point of my life. I kinda relates your struggles to mine. Watching your video makes me inspired, and thank you for that. I’ll sure try harder and do my best in everything i can. Thanks a lot for sharing Dr Clark. You are an amazing person !
fucking well done Simon! I'm so proud of you!!
Is that tshirt going to be available as merch? (Also, it's a great tshirt)
Been watching this channel for quite some time and it's been really cool seeing you go through it all. Strangely proud *claps*
Congratulations! I am so happy for you and I grinned so hard when you said you passed. It's incredible how humble you remain. you're so inspirational!!
I’m a PhD Candidate in California (so I’m currently dissertating). I had my proposal defense in October (similar to the dissertation defense except we defend our plans and answer methodological questions). I relate to this video SO hard. I’m still traumatized by my experience. The exam wasn’t nearly as bad as I felt the prep work ended up being.
They should've just given you a PhD for "PhDone". Congrats Simon!
Congratulations Dr. Clark.
I've watched your journey from the start of your PhD til now and you've become an inspiration to us and others like you.
Continue being awesome.
Incredible story Simon! Been with you since back in the early Oxford days and I’ve loved every single minute of it. We’re all so incredibly proud of you mate, and can’t wait to continue to see what the future holds! Congratulations Dr Clark! 😀
Massive congratulations, Dr. Clark*!
*subject to corrections =D
You know it only just occurred to me after all these years that Exvlog stood for Exeter vlog. Genuinely thought it meant like ex- oxford student vlog lolll
This makes my heart so happy. Recently discovered your channel and may or may not have binged A LOT of your videos. I've been offered my dream PhD to start in September and this is getting me SO excited for that journey to start! Thank you :)
Thank you for your inspirational vids! Becoming discouraged and giving up has been the bane of my academic career. Everybody struggles at some point while at uni, but I always felt like I was the only one, and the weight of that isolation was crushing. It was only after I took time off that I was able to really get on track.
Pretty nice shirt you're sporting there :P
My man
Congratulations! This made me tear, and also really encouraged me to push on in my studies. Thank you so much.
Huge congratulations Simon! Watching your story from the very beginning till the moment when you actually get your PhD it's absolutely amazing and inspiring. Keep up the good work and keep motivating people. You're the best example of not giving up your dreams. Thanks a lot for your videos. Hope we'll see your next one soon!
Congrats Dr. Simon, I think you should repeat the 1 mile drinking beer as a doctor
0:11 wait wait wait...PhD in mathematics?! o.O
axko007 wasnt It physics?
hugo garcia well, maybe a mix. Theygo hand in hand
I'm pretty sure he tweeted about this - apparently atmospheric physics is part of the Maths department at exeter, so technically, his PhD is in Maths.
Yes as I remember it , it was environmental science :)
I was at cambride, not the same uni but same country, where i met a PhD student in fluids aswell. And he said in England he will get a PhD in maths, but about the rest of the world fluids is considered as physics. Idk if thats an answer
Simon you're a huge source of inspiration and encouragement for me. Congrats on your PhD!
Congrats Dr. Clark!!! Man its sad to see the Phd series end but what a ride.
and i thought solving A Level integrals with ease was cool :/, congratsss tho!!!
You say you had to write scripts. What are the scripts for?
+Harry Ward for future videos! Have about a dozen in various stages of development
Simon Clark can’t wait! Keep up the brilliant work!
I just started Uni and you really inspire me. I'm not in the nature sciences, but watching you succeed and giving advice really keeps my hopes up. Thank you, so much for everything, Dr.Clark. Greetings from Germany!
That speech at the end about determination is something I really needed in this time. Thank you, Simon. :)
I started my PhD in October. My 6 Month review is due soon and I still have no idea what I'm doing. I don't even have a research question yet! The stress caused by uncertainty itself is the hardest thing for me
I was in exactly the same position! I didn't have a thesis structure until about two years in, and the uncertainty was killing me. Don't worry - keep reading, keep thinking about the big picture, keep talking to your supervisor, and it will all work out in the end :)
Simon Clark Thanks for replying & congratulations on your defence! I've followed a lot of your advice already. Good luck on the job hunting!
4:29 hahahahaha Zaphod Beeblebrox. Did they pick up on that?
Well they didn't look at me as if I had two heads so...
Congrats Simon! I'm so proud of all that you've done, and to inspire me to be a researcher when I grow up
Biggest congratulations Simon! This series has been entertaining and so educational. Iv'e loved every minute since day one. Thanks for sharing your journey with us! Very excited for the next chapter :)