On: Why do older grad students become bitter?

[BiteCode_dev]

They... don't ?

I don't know where the person is studying, but it's not a general phenomenon.

I have still students around me, and the number of years don't seem to make them more or less bitters.

[arethuza → BiteCode_dev]

A long time since I was a Research Associate at a UK university (salaried short term contract) and trying to finish a PhD and I remember someone from outside of academia describing me as "hyper cynical" - that was after 5 years or so.

I left, co-founded a startup and never regretted leaving academia.

Edit: That comment didn't make me leave but it does rather reflect my state of mind at the time - which was pretty bitter....

[loa_in_ → BiteCode_dev]

If you're in a teaching position and students' evaluation depends on you remember that you won't see all that much genuine interactions, as many will try to appear at their best

[Balgair → BiteCode_dev]

To add to the anecdata, it is very much a general thing. Most grad students I've encountered were pretty bitter by year 3/4.

[ClumsyPilot → BiteCode_dev]

5 of my friends did a phd, 4 of them had a clinically diagnosed depression during phd