I am a PhD student in life and health sciences and both my supervisors are experts in their areas, bring in quite a lot of funding and to put it quite frankly, do not have time for a PhD student (Both are professor status).
So my issue is down to communication I feel, they do not show to supervision meetings and usually think of some lame excuses as to why they couldn't make it, leave it 2-3 weeks before replying to my emails, do not give me feedback when I ask for help in my academic writing skills...they tell me to "write a story" (and trust me I know my writing skills are poor). They provide little or no guidance and give out to me if I make decisions without them e.g. my confirmation seminar is coming up, I e-mailed them my report 2 weeks in advance for feedback and they never replied, the deadline was looming so I had to submit it the evening it was due and a week after submitting they shouted at how irresponsible it was to submit it without their knowledge. I feel like I can't win, I feel unprepared and they have completely knocked my confidence and made me feel so incompetent. I consider myself as a strong person, quite laid back but take my PhD very seriously, but lately I've really being doubting myself as to whether I should stay going. I am a year through it and I just don't know if I can do another 2 years with them. I spoke to our postgrad tutor and on his recommendations I told them how out of my depth I feel and how I would like more support and they shouted at me that "A PhD is hard and that's why they prefer MSc students". (I came straight from undergrad) Our meetings are quite hostile and I find them very unapproachable, my PhD is hell I'm not sure what to do. They are very mean in general

Hi Adrienne,

I am so sorry to hear of your experiences. I have just applied for a PT self-funded PhD and would completely disregard the 'preference for MSc students' - of course a Masters can help prepare you for the study at PhD level but I know many who have been successful without a Masters. In fact, I only have 60 Masters credits and am applying for a PhD based on my experiences of PGCE for my research topic.

You are a keen student and that must be respected. I would approach the Head of the School and discuss how you are feeling. I always read that ownership must be given and assumed by the writer but of course you need advice and feedback like everyone else. Please don't let anyone underestimate your ability - you got fully funded as they must have seen your potential. I know you feel like your in a no-win situation but I would definitely organise a meeting with the Head of School who can possibly transcend to your Supervisors or support you to find an alternative Supervisor in the School. Ignore the negativity and grab this opportunity as it is yours!!

Hope you can get the support you deserve and like everyone else deserve.

Best,
J

Thanks so much for your feedback Raji, I forgot to mention my supervisor is actually our head of school...I am her only student and as I mentioned before, very career driven and very busy! My other supervisor is possibly just as busy and again does not have time for a student. Is it insulting to ask for possibly a third supervisor or (worst case scenario) a change of supervisor?
Best of luck in your own studies, my fellow colleagues all have very positive experiences of supervisors so please do not let my experience put you off, I'm sure your supervisors will be great!

Hi Adrienne

I'm sorry you're having such a hard time with your supervisors. It does sound like something needs to improve or you'll have a miserable couple of years. In your situation, I'd be looking for everything I could do to show them that you're willing to take responsibility for your own development - for example, there's a very helpful book by Rowena Murray called, 'How to Write a Thesis', which talks you through the writing process and has lots of exercises to get you started - busy supervisors won't be able to give you nearly as much guidance as you'll find in this book. It is hard when your confidence has had a knock, but if you can show them that you're doing as much as possible to take control, and using your supervision sessions to get extra feedback and advice from them, they shouldn't have a problem with that. If they do continue to be hostile and unhelpful, ultimately you may need to look at a change of supervisor, but I would try stepping up a bit first and see if that helps. One early bit of advice I got was that you sometimes need to 'manage up' with supervisors, i.e. you need to be the one telling them when deadlines are and what needs done by when, as they're so busy with other things they might not notice otherwise. Good luck!