Hello
I had a really toxic supervisors. The first one expressed his interest in publishing my research in his own name and gave the option by either getting my PhD or by getting a publication. There was a third option he forgot, I went to the the student coordinator and told him the story. Unfortunately this happened 6 months before my contract finishes for my PhD. He didn’t let me publish any of my research. The only time I went to a conference is by submitting the abstract without telling him. The only way I received a feedback from reviewers is by submitting the paper to a journal without telling him. He does not give me feedback or support after the first year. The second supervisor has no clue about my research at all. So I told the coordinator everything and of course he didn’t believe me but of course there is a chance I was telling the truth and the only way to fix the situation is by making the HoD involved. Of course the HoD is a dear friend with my supervisors and he did not believe anything I was telling him. I told him I want to submit my thesis this October and to have my viva in December. I finished five chapters and I am working on the last chapter. I was begging my supervisors to give me feedback but they don’t, i was begging them to have a meeting but they refuse so I don’t see the point of having supervisors at all. So he said I will be your supervisor so in this case I will avoid any further problems and make sure to receive feedback on the thesis. I got two feedback and it was mainly English and formatting (like heading number or figure caption) nothing technical at all. They told me I should apply for another six months to make the thesis more suitable, I said no we already agreed on the date. The HoD said I might end up with resubmission as the thesis as it is not good. I asked him is there anything wrong with the work he said no just the writing, I told him you had three months and you provided me with two feedback and it was only English and formatting so why I should end up with resubmission?so I submitted and got minor corrections. I filed a complaint against my supervisors as they were bad supervisors but the university did not do anything. The HoD Of course banned me from using the computer lab and from getting the master materials even though other students have the material. But I did not care, I submitted my final thesis today and proved them they are wrong.
My advice, do your work and believe in yourself, submit papers to journal as the reviewers feedback helps a lot like they helped me more than my supervisors, and all the best to all of you who is suffering from bad supervisors
Your PhD is quiet inspiring. May I know which country you have achieved your PhD from??
I am trying to get my admission into PhD, but looks very tough for an international student to get it with funding, I have relocated to UK recently! Kind of confused!! I see very low number of admissions will be posted on FindaPhd.com for non-EU students and a huge competition!!
Six months back I just applied for 4 openings in and around London with all the documents, except IELTS score. I did not give my IELTS by then. It was very disappointing that I heard back only from one supervisor saying his project was for only EU students and if at all I can self fund he will be looking into it! (But website was stating for international) . Rest of them did not reply back!!
Now, I want to try seriously. Not understanding, in which way I have to approach other than the website "FindaPhd.com"
Congratulations!! YOur story is very inspiring for me and every student tha can read this!!!
I have that too in some kind, my co-advisor usually tells me you are not ready yet, you are not ready to do your candidacy presentation (I did it with a lot of compliments from my commitee), you are not ready for your candidacy exam (I did it, I prepare it in a week and passed it with great compliments again).
I can continue like this, I have feedback from my advisors I cannot complaint about it, but sometimes the feedback is full of huge negativity and not supporting at all, BUT it does not matter if you believe in yourself and do nod let those comments get into your head, although I am tired!!!!! but I plan to graduate in one year.
WELL DONE Zena85!
Very inspiring work, keep it up!
How did you make sure the chapters were concrete?
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