One for the experts.....
A lot of what I'm reading suggests that getting a good supervisor is paramount to surviving your PhD. Obviously none of you with bad experiences would have chosen your supervisor had he/she screeched abuse at you in the interview, it happens later. So does anyone have any tips (aside from basic intuition) for how to suss these people out? Key questions I could ask, warning signs, etc?
Bit random I know but it's this our I call the premium rate astro-line...
*Ask how often they would want to see you - as in would you get weekly meetings etc.
*If they haven't seen a PhD student through yet make sure you have a second supservisor who has.
*Again speak to other students - they are usually quite honest.
Fairly simple I think. Ask them on what they expect of you as a PhD student, and also what you should expect from them as a supervisor.
You may feel awkward doing this but it does two things, firstly it will give you an idea of what to expect during your three year relationship, and secondly you can assess your supervisors reaction to an uncomfortable question. You going to have to ask one sometime, and you might as well do it at the start!
I think asking their current PhD students is useful, I was told things my supervisor did and was like which sounded as if he worked in a similar way to me and I found this to be true.
I am also aware of a number of people who have poor relationships with their supervisor that have warned off other PhD students.
Also if you are staying at the same university don't think because someone is a good (bad) lecturer or tutor that they will be a good (bad) supervisor, I know alot of people who have made these mistakes
PostgraduateForum Is a trading name of FindAUniversity Ltd
FindAUniversity Ltd, 77 Sidney St, Sheffield, S1 4RG, UK. Tel +44 (0) 114 268 4940 Fax: +44 (0) 114 268 5766
An active and supportive community.
Support and advice from your peers.
Your postgraduate questions answered.
Use your experience to help others.
Enter your email address below to get started with your forum account
Enter your username below to login to your account
An email has been sent to your email account along with instructions on how to reset your password. If you do not recieve your email, or have any futher problems accessing your account, then please contact our customer support.
or continue as guest
To ensure all features on our website work properly, your computer, tablet or mobile needs to accept cookies. Our cookies don’t store your personal information, but provide us with anonymous information about use of the website and help us recognise you so we can offer you services more relevant to you. For more information please read our privacy policy
Agree Agree