Considering entering a PhD programme and don't realise the weight of the monkey? Already in a PhD programme and feeling the heavy weight of that monkey on your back? Thinking about getting rid of that monkey on your back by abandoning your PhD quest? If you answered "yes" to any of the above, READ THIS BOOK If you want to know more about what it's like to do a PhD this book will give you a good insight into the key issues and challenges involved. This book is especially relevant to the long-suffering families and friends of PhD students. If you are contemplating doing a PhD this book will help you decide if this is the right choice for you, potentially saving you lots of money, time and heartache as a result of a poorly made decision. If you are already doing a PhD this book will help you decide to keep working at it or 'let go' and move on to something else. If you decide to keep going at your PhD this book will help you to spend less time thinking about your own fears and insecurities and more time actually working on your PhD, possibly saving you years.