Hello Forum,

I have spend a couple months watching the forum and have found it extremely helpful knowing that I am not alone in this process. Thank you to all!

I have a question about the student/supervisor dynamics that others have experienced, particularly around the idea of "hand holding" or over guidance.

I am having a lot of difficulties pinning down an outline for my first comprehensive exam. My committee has decided that it will be in the format of a written/publishable paper, however the topic and focus has sent me running around in circles for the last 5 months. Five months ago I sat down at my annual committee meeting, and hashed out my first comp direction. As per direction, I created a more solidified outline and brought it to my supervisor for feedback and the stamp of approval- however, that's not how it went. My supervisor said that he wanted to go a different route (because he felt his background was different than my very interdisciplinary committee, and he knew better)...since then, I have created 6 different comp outlines based on discussions with him, and each time I take him the "revised" outline, he says a mixture of "too narrow", "too broad", "to big of focus, with too much detail", "needs more detail"....which has inevitably sent me running around in a circle, spending hours reading irrelevant articles and getting no where.

We have finally solidified a comp outline that is vastly different than what my committee agreed upon, and have sent it to my committee.....however the response has not been good. My committee is confused and unsure of my direction, which has left me in a state of panic. I have an up coming meeting which I know will result in me being thrown under the bus and left to defend why I do not have anything to show them.

Throughout this process I have voiced my frustration to my supervisor, and he simply tells me that this is a PhD and he is not here to hold my hand. I am having a hard time not feeling guilty, as he makes me feel that I am requiring too much guidance and cannot work 'independently'...but at the same time, I feel he provides very little concrete advice, and has left me with no way to gauge the focus, depth, and scope of what my comp should be.

He is a very new professor, and I am his first student. I am in my second year, and since me, he has taken on several other students which he is co-supervising with a more senior professor. I am trying REALLY hard to sort out my frustrations and understand the expectations of this relationship. I feel he has a rightful lack of experience, but refuses to devote the time/effort to make up for it.

I know a lot of students have felt that they receive little guidance from their supervisor, how have they gotten past this so that it does not impact their productivity? Should I submit an outline I've created on my own and defend it to my committee regardless of my supervisor? What should my expectations be from him?

Thanks!

"He is a very new professor, and I am his first student"- I am in the same position as you, but my supervisor was a controlled freak and yours is the opposite. Have you tried to talked to you research committee group (or whatever it's called in your department), even the chair of graduate school or something like that.

Does your department has someone who you can talk to when you have problem with your supervisor (confidentially)? I think every department has someone like that- try to look into your postgraduate/phd handbook

Try to talk to to them, that might help.

Thank you, Human!

It is nice to know that someone else has experience with a supervisor. I know it is difficult to learn how to handle students and adapt to a range of learning styles, so I am trying to give him slack- but it's starting to come at the expense of my own work.

I find balancing the correct political dynamics between my advisor and myself, and myself/advisor/committee. I am very aware of the power structure and the implications.

I love the idea of talking to someone within the department for advice. It is unfortunate that we don't have a 'handbook', as I think this would be a great source of information for myself AND him!! I think we are both unclear of each other's roles and the dynamics which should be taking place. I certainly understand him not wanting to 'hold my hand', but I get the feeling that it's not for my benefit that he doesn't want to do it- but more because he doesn't want more on his plate!

Thank you again for the advice! I hope your situation clears up!!

Hi
I am sorry to hear about your predicament but I have had similar experiences so you are not alone. In my experience I always felt that my relationship with my supervisor was impacting on my productivity, I was confused about which direction I was taking because my research seemed to be constantly changing.
Your PhD is your PhD. So whilst I think it is our responsibility to take the initiative and not be spoon fed by our supervisors I feel that they are there to guide us and supervise our work and provide feedback/constructive criticism on what we're doing. Whenever your supervisor says that something is 'too broad' or 'too narrow' can you challenge him and say how exactly is it too broad, which areas specifically are too broad, what would you suggest I could do to help narrow the focus. When he says it needs more detail can you ask him what type of detail are you looking for, where do you feel there is a lack of detail etc.
Maybe because he is new the supervisory culture in his old university was different or if you're his first student ever maybe he is unsure what exactly he's supposed to be doing.
My university provided us with a handbook about the supervisors responsibilities and the student's responsibilities. It's a pity you were not provided with something similar. Some of the items which are included under the supervisor's responsibilities are:
Help the student draw up a plan timetable for their research
Monitor progress against this timetable on an ongoing basis
Provide the student with regular feedback on his or her work and raise any problems with the student as soon as they become apparent
Meet the student regularly
Included among the student's responsibilities are:
Agreeing a schedule of meetings with the supervisor and keeping to it
Keeping in regular contact with the supervisor and keeping him or her informed of the progress of the research
Taking the initiative in raising problems or difficulties
I doubt the expectations in your university would be much different, I can only speak from my own experience but if you feel you aren't getting the guidance you need I would speak up to someone because although the PhD is your work and you are responsible for its success or failure, you are entitled to guidance and help and that is why students are appointed a supervisor. I don't think supervisors are there just as a formality and to complete the paperwork.
Good luck and I hope it works out well for you.

I'm really sorry to hear the situation you have found yourself in. However I think it is actually a more common situation than most students think. I am currently in the final year of my phd and the relationship between me and my supervisor has really taken a turn for the worst. He has always been very laid back and allowed his students to be very independent. Initially we liked this freedom and felt it would enable us to take control of our work. However I now believe that, at the end of the day, doing a phd is supposed to incorporate a large amount of training for life as a researcher, and I think often supervisors forget this. I feel like I am on my own when other people are being helped a lot more.

The fact that your supervisor is new to this and you are his first student should be taken into account by your committee. He is learning too, so maybe you should ask him if you could get another professor in your supervisory team? I have 3 supervisors, which means there are other people to go to when your primary is driving you mad! But my main advice is talk to someone else. Any other professor, even if they have nothing to do with your project. Find someone who you know can listen and will provide real advice. A friend of mine has been through a lot of problems with her supervisor, and because she spoke to other people in our department they now have a good relationship, and she's further on than any other student!

I hope you get this sorted, but remember that it is quite common and the other professors will have dealt with similar situations in the past.