Hello,

So i am in the end of the 2nd year of my phd in and things are flowing slower than ever. My main problem is that my supervisor does not realy know much about the project and the only direction he can give me is to send me to 2 post docs who have eventually become my supervisors. Also, he actually doesnt even care that much about me as i have not submitted the last 2 reports i had to and he did not even ask me about it. Having passed through a mini depression the last months, there were days when i did not work for more than 1 or 2 hours a day, but he would be happy with this little amount of bad data that i would show him. Some days i even feel i dont have any plan at all and i struggle to pull myself together and do any work.

Honestly, i dont even think that talking to him is gonna change anything, as i really think that even if he wanted to help, he wouldnt be able due to lack of knowledge, but if i continue like this probably i will graduate alogside with my unborn children, as i really need some pressure and motivation from above to boost me up.

Is there anyone with a similar experience?
Thanks

I am in the same boat. Supervisors don't know my methodologies and think all my data is amazing, even though just replicating another paper. I have had to teach myself everything and my motivation is patchy at time (procrastination is my best skill).

However I am enjoying the freedom. As PhDs vary significantly and this kind of supervision can be quite liberating if you know what you want to do. As my supervisors don't know my methodologies I can spend time doing my own experiments. The project has changed significantly at my own discretion with no problems. I had serious problems with my fear of failure but realized it is my PhD.

What I am trying to say is don't try and change it but embrace it. You can take charge of the project and no one will really care.