Like others, I would advise talking to someone confidentially about this - an academic advisor or postgraduate tutor/support or whatever label they have at your institution. I think I understand how you've found yourself deeper in this mess... reading your original thread it sounds like you weren't sure what to do - maybe you thought that changing supervisors could damage your research more than the situation itself. Even when people are giving advice that is sensible, it is sometimes hard to project into the future about how it will end up if you follow it vs. don't follow it and try to handle the situation yourself.

Anyway, better late than never. Good luck.

Thanks Nesrine87! So it can be done! Is yours a 4 year PhD, or was the first year a Masters? Unfortunately, I only have 2 years remaining. I may have to go part-time to try and buy more time for myself! I think there is a LOT of hard work ahead...! I am still not 100% on the direction the project is taking... or rather, I am sure of the direction but not of the detail... but it should soon be clear as I read more.

Yes, it is defo. an opportunity for me. Good point! You see, I have initiated this change BECAUSE I want more of a challenge (already wondering if I am mad, haha!)... I just hope I can rise to it now, lol!

Yep, I think I will conceptualise this as proving to myself that I can do it... I actually already feel more motivated/determined by the excitement (and slight fear) of coming out of my comfort zone :)

Thanks for sharing your encouraging, similar experience! Good luck with your final few months.

Hello again!

So I had planned a series of studies in my original proposal, and it was all very neat and in boxes on a gantt chart. In reality, the first study isn't quite finished, I'm planning the second one as it needs to get going, and I'm also still dealing with stuff from my Maters (getting a paper out)... argh... is this normal? Any suggestions on the best way to manage this kind of multitasking? Or it advisable to multitask on this scale or might it be better to just focus on one of these major activities and get it out of the way?! Any advice appreciated, as always!

Cheers
tudor

Hello all (especially experienced PhD-ers)
I'm coming into the 2nd year of mine and feeling a bit behind... especially as I have decided to change the direction of my project quite a bit... I'm in the early stages of this "changing" business, and I'm not highly familiar with the relevant theory (or with theory general, if I'm honest - I was more applied before but started getting a bit bored with that side of things - just personal preference). I've started reading of course... just feel a bit behind and looking for some encouragement! Anyone out there successfully played catch up at this stage?
Thanks
Tudor

I'll third Mendeley. All the above, plus it's free.

Hi Trollymunster

Different advisors/supervisors have different styles. But yes, some are "bad".

Is it possible to talk to him about this? I understand if not - it is usually the first best option IF it you feel you could. If not then my advice in this situation would be to consider talking to someone who is in a position to try and help/advise you. Do you have another advisor/tutor who is not directly involved in the supervision and who is there for that purpose? Or perhaps a postgraduate tutor? I would suggest talking to them, but framing the issue very carefully. I think their number one priority is often to protect the backs of their colleagues, so that is why I think it would be a good idea to approach it really carefully. But definitely talk to someone and see if they have some advice/can suggest some options.

Hmmmm, I'd advise anyone reading this and having a similar issue to NOT talk to their advisor... :D

Thankfully, my head is still above the water and I'm OK. But it is a very fine line. The issue has been brushed under the carpet, and I've read between the lines and interpreted that if I want to take things further I may screw things up for myself later. It is a choice of choosing between the lesser of two evils. And for me, that means putting up with a supervisory style I can't stand for 2 more years.

Don't believe it if you think you can go to your advisor about an issue with your supervisor. Unless of course it is something trivial (sorry) like you want to ask for more contact or something. Tread very carefully!

Just nearing the end of first year, Hugh. It is a personality clash. It is OK though - I raised it today with the advisor (it was too sensitive an issue to raise directly with the sup), they took it all on board, and they're going to see what we can do to resolve the situation.

Thanks, Tea Addict. I now feel happy with what I've planned to say. :-)

Well done! Well, you may be surprised - you never know. Whatever the outcome, you obviously impressed him. Hope you're managing to take your mind off it while you wait to hear back... horrible isn't it? :D Good luck :-)

Hi all
I need to talk to my academic advisor regarding supervisor issues. We have a personality clash and it is not working. That much is clear to me. My question is, will having this meeting and being honest with my academic advisor have a negative impact on my reputation? I know it sounds selfish, but obviously I do care about it.
Cheers
Tudor

Hey Mako!

I had a 2nd interview too, which they used to narrow it down. Getting through the 1st one means they think you have what they want. In my 2nd one they asked me identical questions to the first one! I was a little thrown and didn't elaborate as nicely as I did in the 1st one, which I regretted. They may have asked me the same questions as this time the big wig of the department was present, and he hadn't heard my responses previously - even though the rest of the panel had!

I would say try not to sweat and just go for it. They obviously like you so just be yourself again and be prepared (for some new questions but also potentially for some repetition - since there may be new people, or the same ones with short memory spans).

Best
Tudor

This sounds like a tough decision. Imagine if you left... would you regret it after? Or imagine if you stayed and were a bit unhappy (or very unhappy)... do you think you would regret that at the end?

It may not help but it is a strategy I use to help me make decisions.

Hi AgaK.
A lot of people feel lost at the start. With time things do usually improve. For me - I felt like quitting until like 3 months in but didn't quit, and now I'm so glad I didn't as I would have regretted it.
All the best.
Tudor

If you want rain, go to Manchester. Anywhere away from there is comparatively dry!