I think the idea of a thread with feedback about supervisors is good. I have been so frustrated throughout my PhD, from the beginning I thought about leaving, but just couldn't make up my mind. I am funded by the university and I think this complicates things a little. I thought I would have problems getting another PhD, and then it just felt like I've been through too much to have wasted all those tears and blood - the cost of sunken ships. I have 9 months left and still the thing I would really like to do is leave, but I'm not going to so close to the end. I feel trapped, I am so angry and so bitter that I'm starting to have health problems. I think university websites should have a 'review' section or something, like books on Amazon. And yet, when I try to warn new PhD students, they don't seem to take it seriously.

======= Date Modified 11 Oct 2010 15:22:02 =======

======= Date Modified 11 Oct 2010 15:22:32 =======
[quote]Quote From boatgirl:

I think going to GP is a good idea; also the advice to go to psychologist or chaplain is good; I know drugs are not the solution to everything, but in my case after one of the periods of intense anger and anxiety due to my supervisors I went to GP and the medication really helped. It sounds like the environment you're in is not suitable for you and has bad influence, although at least others have suffered too (other phd students in my department think the sun shines out of my supervisors' arse). Maybe try to find a hobby outside of the lab? Anything that can help you get to the end of this process and get a job somewhere else.

I don't think it's a problem if you withdraw from a project as long as it's before you start it; then they will just ask the person who came second in the interview. So I would e-mail the labs you're interested in. I think the only thing you should keep in mind (but it's probably not your case) is not applying for too many projects in one place. And I don't see why you couldn't e-mail all the labs at the same time rather than waiting.

I agree you should ask postgraduate tutor or personal tutor if you have one; someone who's in charge of the supervisors anyway; otherwise you'll just be getting more and more frustrated and you'll waste time. Good luck!

Thanks both of you, it calmed me down a bit. I'm just working on the NHS ethics form, so hopefully I won't be that delayed.

Hi all,
I'm 8 months into my phd now and I haven't collected any data yet, still designing my first experiment (in psychology)! Is this normal? I've written quite a bit, but writing alone won't get me far. It's partly due to my supervisor, as he's quite busy, so every time I come up with something I have to wait for weeks for him to get back to me with feedback. Has anyone else gone into their second year with no data? Thanks!