The Postgraduate Moans Thread on PostgraduateForum.com

Hugh 1264 posts
8 years ago

Quote From affiliatev:
Totally agree with Hugh. Supervisors are supposed to help but sometimes you do just wonder?

Yes you do wonder! The worst thing is they know they can get away with it - and I'm truly fed up with unreplied emails. My supervisor also asked me to consider applying for a fellowship under him, no ways, I'm running a mile!

Z

Zutterfly 279 posts
8 years ago

My sup started paying considerably less attention when they got some new first year students. I imagine I felt the same way a child does when a younger sibling is born, or the way a dog does when its owner gets a new adorable puppy.

H

Hugh 1264 posts
8 years ago

Quote From Zutterfly:
My sup started paying considerably less attention when they got some new first year students. I imagine I felt the same way a child does when a younger sibling is born, or the way a dog does when its owner gets a new adorable puppy.

Hahahah :-D love the analogy!

Z

Zutterfly 279 posts
8 years ago

Quote From Hugh:

Quote From Zutterfly:
My sup started paying considerably less attention when they got some new first year students. I imagine I felt the same way a child does when a younger sibling is born, or the way a dog does when its owner gets a new adorable puppy.

Hahahah :-D love the analogy!

Thank you, thank you *takes bow* I'll be here all week! Haha joking aside, I hope your supervisor starts being more responsive now that it is coming to crunch time Hugh :)

MilagrosAllen 6 posts
8 years ago

Quote From Zutterfly:
I can't wait for that either!

I am frustrated too, probably because I am applying for jobs now and I feel like the PhD is holding me back in an odd way. It is just hanging over me whilst I am trying to move on, but at the same time it is required in order to move on. When I submit the draft I am totally having a duvet day!

It sounds so good! I already have a job but it's nothing serious. Helps me with money. And between it and my PhD I don't have enough time to rest. All I want is to spend a day in my bed reading Agatha Christie and sipping coffee.

Z

Zutterfly 279 posts
8 years ago

Ahh Milagros when the PhD is in, definitely do that! I am fortunate in that I have some funds saved from doing lots of teaching work over my PhD to sustain myself for the next couple of months until it is in- the PhD alone is exhausting enough, so I can understand you being so tired.

Z

Zutterfly 279 posts
8 years ago

I would just like to moan about supervisors who do not listen to you and clearly only hear what they want to hear. Got to me more than it should have really :(

H

Hugh 1264 posts
8 years ago

Quote From Zutterfly:
I would just like to moan about supervisors who do not listen to you and clearly only hear what they want to hear. Got to me more than it should have really :(

Sorry to hear that, you must feel really let down. I feel like compiling a book where people can contribute their experiences with their supervisors. My bet is most will be negative sadly.

C

chickpea 820 posts
8 years ago

Quote From Hugh:

Quote From Zutterfly:
I would just like to moan about supervisors who do not listen to you and clearly only hear what they want to hear. Got to me more than it should have really :(

Sorry to hear that, you must feel really let down. I feel like compiling a book where people can contribute their experiences with their supervisors. My bet is most will be negative sadly.

I've thought for a while that it would be good if there was a website where people could anonymously feed back on their supervisory experiences, as well as experiences of examiners, departments etc. Seems like so many people have a story to tell!

Z

Zutterfly 279 posts
8 years ago

Thanks guys, yes it just really put a halt to my motivation on finishing my PhD really... I am so close now so of course I will finish, but its put a bad taste in my mouth. I didn't sleep last night as a result of how stressed it made me feel.

C

chickpea 820 posts
8 years ago

I'm sorry, Zutterfly. You're nearly there :-)

Z

Zutterfly 279 posts
8 years ago

Quote From chickpea:
I'm sorry, Zutterfly. You're nearly there :-)

Thank you Chickpea :) just not had the best year in terms of supervision as I have been ignored a fair bit. It makes me want to complete and just move on from the PhD as quickly as possible.

H

Hugh 1264 posts
8 years ago

I'm really angry today with my supervisors. They promised feedback by a certain date, and I told them to let me know if they can't make that date, date has passed and I've heard nothing. Common decency would be that if you can't make the deadline then at least let the student know. I'm fed up.

I can't wait to submit and move on. My supervisor was trying to convince me to apply for a fellowship under him, but I literally need to run. Its a toxic environment and relationship. I don't understand why they are getting away with it (well I suppose because no one is speaking up, including ME). I've had promises made that were never kept too, and never an apology. I've had emails ignored for 2 months, and no apology or acknowledgement that they were sent. I just need to ignore the supervisor's behavior for a few months until I pass but I am utterly fed up.

So is anyone else feeling the same way?

T

teegs90 39 posts
8 years ago

Hey Hugh, that sounds really rough. It's really hard for students to speak up about these things given the power imbalance between student and supervisor. It sounds like their inaction is really holding you up, so I hope you can find a way to politely but firmly request that you get the feedback you were promised!

If it's any consolation, I'm pretty mad at my supervisors today too...

H

Hugh 1264 posts
8 years ago

teegs90, sorry to hear that! Its tough because we can't say anything. It just isn't feasible to say anything as I need them to a) submit and pass my thesis and b) to secure my next job.

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