Things I wish someone had told me before starting a PhD I'm finishing up year 4 and feeling reflective. There are SO many things I know now that I wish someone had sat me down and explained before I started this whole journey. I'll go first: 1. Your relationship with your advisor matters more than your program's ranking. A supportive advisor at a "lesser" program will produce better outcomes than a neglectful famous one. 2. Imposter syndrome doesn't go away, you just get better at ignoring it. 3. The skills you develop matter more than your dissertation topic. Nobody is going to read your dissertation. I'm sorry but it's true. What are yours? Incoming students lurking this forum take notes lol.