======= Date Modified 16 Feb 2011 19:12:26 =======
I had my first meeting with my Super today and it lasted 3 hours. I am writing up the meeting minutes, like a good student researcher :p It was fun talking to someone, who is excitable about stuff other people in my life would tell me to shut up about. Like many firsts it was full of promise. Next time I might be less nervous, when offering my opinion. From some of the threads I have read, it seems it is all down hill from here :$

Thinking about it, I would like to change this post, to a discussion about all first-time experiences related to the pursuit of a PhD. I hope it catches on and is a reference of things to look out for or things to expect along the way (you could just read other posts... shut up! Who said that ). A candid expose on the reality of doctoral studies. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.

Glad it went well. I can't remember my first time (ooh err!) cos it was so long ago, nearly 7 years since I started my 6-year part-time PhD. Also to complicate matters I'd been working for my new sup as a Research Assistant before starting the PhD, so things kind of blended. But taking notes is a very good idea. I used to email minutes to my sup. It took me ages to come forward with my opinion more though. I was happier to listen and ponder things, especially in the early stages.

That's good news - hopefully it'll keep the momentum going!!!  It sounds like you've got a good supervisor if they are excitable about your work. Whether it continues or not depends on many things, eg. your relationship with your supervisor, their personality and whether they are in it for the long run.  This is a tough one as I know some supervisors who are great and take an interest in their students' work and will always be there to help and even help others who ask for their help. These are truly gems and a wonderful find - what you look for in a supervisor. 

On the other hard there is the other kind of supervisor where it all goes downhill after a while - you get to see their true nature and that's it! Some refer to this as the end of the honeymoon period (e.g. 6 months settling in period) when they start to get tetchy and demand results and ask why you haven't done all these things as you've been reading, spending most your time in the lab, getting up to speed with your topic, attending lectures etc... and generally more hassle that it's worth. 

Of course there is the in between kind of supervisor which is more common than the first kind and there are a surprising number of the second kind of characters so it's hard to tell.

My first meeting went well - it was very informal and the supervisor was even helpful on the first day!!!! 

Hope this helps. It seems you have the type of supervisor that is really into it as I've never had such a long meeting with my supervisor.  40 mins I think was the longest and that was a rare occasion.

Good luck (up) ;-)

Thank you BilboBaggins and Candle for sharing your first with me. It would seem that you both had a good experience, which was reassuring.

BilboBaggins I took my lead from your experience and kept my opinions to myself. The discussions are still lengthy and I have a new second supervisor. Well I am five months in now and Candle you were right, the honeymoon period is over. My Super is very attentive when we are together but has a heavy workload. The result is low accessibility, which is not to big a deal.

I have had my work corrected a few times and I always have mixed feelings. I feel excited that my work to date has been read, as it often means I can progress. It also creates good discussions. It also however brings a curious sensation of annoyance, when swathes of writing are eviscerated with red ink (oh I am having an English GCSE flash back). I am probably being precious but sometimes those sentences represent hours of reading, writing and cider lifting (not necessarily in that order)! :p

Thinking about it, I would like to change this post, to a discussion about all first-time experiences related to the pursuit of a PhD. I hope it catches on and is a reference of things to look out for or things to expect along the way (you could just read other posts... shut up! Who said that :p). A candid expose on the reality of doctoral studies. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.