I am on my second year of the PhD and when I started last year my supervisor without ever guiding me or telling me anything just said that I had to supervise the foreign master students that come to study. I took them over and had immense problems with the first ones due to them not knowing the system and me not knowing the system either (I come from a different system and they were from a different system too).Long story short, I never got any supervision or guidance as to how on earth do I deal with these students. I had to figure everything out myself. But now, I realized how bad that was. I had one student whose thesis I supervised and gave him feedback and in all honesty thought that he was doing a good job, and deserves to pass. Now, I did not tell him that I think he deserves to pass but as I was back and forth giving him my feedback I would let him know that he has been progressing. When my supervisor read his thesis she said that it is super bad and she failed him. She then emailed me saying that I should be "less enthusiastic" with the students and "harsher".

I honestly do not understand why he had to fail. I don't think his thesis was superb, but he deserved to pass according to me. But now this has got me questioning everything. Am I fit for this road? What if I will never learn? Never be good enough?

Yes, I know the opinion of my supervisor does not define me, but I feel like shit and I need to hear some words of support. I know a PhD is a journey in hell, but these supervisions has been taking so much of my time and energy and yet it seems it's all for nothing. I am still bad at it apparently.

I can feel your pain, I got landed with a summer student with a weeks notice and told "to use him". Like no guidance or forewarning and lots of expectation. Considering all my equipment was broken this summer he has had a fun few months reading. Though he at least he doesn't have to write a thesis.

It is unfair for them to expect you supervise a master's student by yourself. It can be hard to be critical of work if you have followed the progression through all the drafts, you became emotionally attached. Take it as experience and next time you can try to think more objectively about it. It is your first time "supervising" someone and you are only human. It will get easier as you do it more like everything in life.

It also sounds like you are perfect to be a PhD supervisor now. You are good at telling students their thesis is awesome, for them to fail a viva because of your bad advice. Literally half the supervisors on this forum are like that, so you are comparing yourself to too high of a standard.

Hi, skyisnotthelimit,

I agree with rewt that it is unfair for you to supervise a master's student by yourself. You have done to the best of your capability, are definitely good enough and should not be too hard on yourself. It is not your duty as a PhD student to supervise as your primary role is to focus on your own PhD research. It is usually a postdoc and the primary supervisor who should do their supervisory role. So, you have taken on extra responsibility, did your best and while it did not turn out the way you wanted, it is not your fault.

Your supervisor though is another matter all together. Him not supervising and then simply failing the student without trying to help in any way speak volumes about his character. I would think twice about a supervisor who is less enthusiastic and harsh on his students... I know academics can be hardened by the system, but still a heartless supervisor who really doesn't care at all? It's awful...

While you can't do anything about the unfortunate masters student, have you thought about your own situation? Are you ok with no supervision or guidance for the entire length of your PhD? Training to be an independent researcher does not mean being left on your own completely. That's not training but neglect. Can you get another secondary supervisor (someone who actually will supervise you) on board? Or do you need to change project and supervisor? I am just worried that history may repeat itself and that this time, it will be you who will be the one in trouble. You can read up about iwan's posts here on this forum to learn from his experience on bad non-supervising supervisor. I believe Tudor_Queen, one of our top posters here, also had a pretty bad time with her first supervisor and again, you can learn from their experience or even message them...

Don't feel like sh!t. You have done nothing wrong. Take actions to secure a better future...

All the best