Hey there,

I really feel your pain - I have a supervisor with a very similar attitude. He wants data quickly and as easily as possible, whereas scientific integrity isn't important to him. Very frustrating, as I am a scientist who actually cares about what I am doing!

You just need to learn to deal with your supervisor in your own way. If something is incredibly important to you and your project, try to argue your case. You may need to compromise at times, but obviously stand strong for the science that you are trying to do. Your supervisor cannot tell you otherwise if you are armed with literature references, etc :).

Good luck and keep powering through!

J x

Ahh yes, this feeling is incredibly common! I am in my second year now, and still feel like that! In fact, I have a friend that just completed her final viva, and she still doesn't feel like she deserves it!

Your confidence will gradually improve, with every new challenge that you complete. It really helps to talk to other PhD students...having a pint and a "therapy session" together really refreshes you!

Good luck, and chin up.

J x

Hello all,

I have a question, which I would really appreciate personal opinions on. I have been asked by a previous supervisor to collaborate with her on a project, however I am currently undertaking a PhD with another supervisor at a different institution.

The question is...how ethical is this scientifically? The previous supervisor that I have been asked to collaborate with is much more familiar with my field than my current supervisor, so it would be a great opportunity. Just don't want to step on any toes...

Cheers,

J

Thank you, that's very useful. It's mainly disagreements on how to approach the project, but I think there is an underlying current of clashing personalities! It's frustrating, because even though it's my project, I still look to both of them for a bit of guidance, and it seems that we spend most of our time disagreeing instead of helping me progress!

Hello everyone,

I am at the end of my first year, but I have been having issues with my supervisory team for the duration. I have both a supervisor and a co-supervisor, and the project is in collaboration with 2 very different institutes (and my supervisors' respective fields are miles apart). As a result, they both have incredibly different opinions on the how I should approach the project...so I often feel very torn. Most of my meetings involve myself mediating these two guys, and trying to get a word in edgeways...

I have been told that I need to be firm about what I want to do since it is my project...but because it's collaborative, I feel under more pressure to please everybody, without a great deal of success!

Has anyone been in a similar situation and/or have any advice on how to tackle this?

Thanks,

JD

Hello all,

So, my first year upgrade meeting (viva) is approaching. Does anybody have any pearls of wisdom on how to prepare for this? I am unlikely to have any data at this point...just lots of method development!

Cheers,

JDx

Hello,

Would it be too late to appeal your grade now? (not sure if you have officially graduated yet!). I was in a very similar position to you a few years ago. I was awarded a 2:2 in Microbiology (had an average 3rd year, but REALLY pulled up my grades in 4th...As and Bs)...I appealed this decision and I was awarded a 2:1 before my graduation ceremony. Look into this if you can...I think it's important to get recognition for all you have achieved.

If your grade doesn't get boosted, there are options. I was always told by professors that I would need a good honours grade AND a masters to get a PhD...but here I am with my appealed 2:1 and in my first year of PhD! Work experience is another amazing way of standing out. I got a research assistant position as soon as I graduated, which gave me plenty to talk about in my PhD interview.

Let me know how you get on.

JD x

Hello,

I gained a 2:1 (a very low 2:1!!), which is the standard grade which is asked for in UK universities. Some require more "exceptional" marks though, depending on the university and the funders.

If you are concerned about whether you will have enough to stand out from the crowd, I'd recommend getting some work experience as well. I was told several times by university professors that I would HAVE to gain a masters before even being considered for interview for a PhD. However, with some work experience in the bag, I was made more employable.

I wouldn't advise on mass applying to lots of PhD's. The best advice I could give is to check the PhD advert websites every day (little and often!), therefore you won't get overwhelmed by all of the postings! Be patient as well - I wasn't interviewed for some applications, came a close second in one interview, then got my current PhD!

Good luck,

JD x

Hello,

I know exactly how you are feeling. I am in my first year (still getting to know my supervisor), but we have such a huge personality clash. He is very blunt and direct, and doesn't give me any positive feedback on my work. He just constantly picks holes in what I do. At first I took this really to heart, and I was a nervous wreck around him. Now though, I have gotten used to him in my own way and dealing with his personality a bit better!

Hope things get easier for you too.

JD x

Wow, you really are punishing yourself! You have secured a degree, and now a PhD...you should be chuffed to bits! Unfortunately everything doesn't arrive on a silver platter all at once...but life would be boring if that happened! Just enjoy it...you will look back on it in the future (when you are driving your ferrari around) and smile x

Hello everyone,

I found out yesterday that I wasn't successful in obtaining a studentship. So, now it's back to the drawing board and finding more to apply to...

Anyway, I want to know when is the best time to search for PhDs? They are obviously pretty fairly thin on the ground at this time of year.

Thank you!