Hello everyone! I'm new to the blog and I was wondering if I can get feedback to my issue! First, I am a phd student entering my second year, in my first year, my supervisor asked me to work on critical synopsis of related articles to my topic. Basically I have been doing so for almost 8 months then asked me to submit an introduction and literature review along with plans of upcoming months and table of contents. I have done so before the summer and in my first joint meeting with both supervisors, they disappointed me saying that it is not very good and have me a deadline on sept to resubmit. For three months I worked really hard to create a comprehensive piece of writing which I have also sent to not only a proofreader, but someone who's specialized in the field. When I received an email from my supervisor for discussion of what I submitted, I began to worry. In the meeting, and to my surprise, both started to disappoint me and discourage me to continue with my phd stating that my style of writing. Is not critical enough and lacks engagement with the literature review. They gave me sometime to junk about leaving the program (ps. I have been saving for my studies for four years and I have had 3.10 in my BA, a merit in my MA. )

I started to think that it's more personal issue than academic, specially when I sent it to three professors from my old university and they all thought it's not that bad and it needs little revisions not to the extent of quitting the program.

Any advise from you would be grateful as I am starting to really considering quitting and I'm losing confidence

How friendly is the relationship between you and your supervisor? Maybe you could show your current supervisors the feedback you got from your old university professor? Explain to them that you don't really want to quit, and innocently ask how can there be so much difference of opinion ( something along the lines of how you're confused at two very varying opinions maybe?). Be careful on sounding out any personal problems as of yet, things can get awkward fast. Show them you can stand your ground. Good luck! :)

It can take a few attempts to understand what's required - it did for me. I would tell them that you would like to have another go at the literature review, and try to make it more critical this time. Then maybe seek some help with it - are there writing clinics at your uni?

I'd steer clear of mentioning what your old profs have said - academics sometimes have fragile egos and they might not like that you've sought a second opinion.

Hello,
I am new here want to share my views regarding phd students of second year as there study is very much they need proper concentration to study well.Thus be focused to gain more...
Thanks..