Don't miss our weekly PhD newsletter | Sign up now Don't miss our weekly PhD newsletter | Sign up now

PhD Discussion Forum

The following thread is brought to you by our sister Web site PostgraduateForum.com. If you wish to reply or post your own thread, you will be redirected to this site.

This Category:   PostgraduateForum.com > PhD Advice / Support


Message

Supervisor annoyed with me wanting to discuss future experiments


User: iwan - 24 December 2017 07:18

hi i am feeling kind of down. Recently i requested a discussion with my supervisor on future investigations with regards to my project. She gave sound advise (basically a green light) on my first proposal but when i shifted the discussion to a second one, she gave out a huge sigh which is something you would hear from someone annoyed at you.

Then she started questioning me on my choice of method for the second proposal, before shooting it down as something that is not very useful - with a harsh tone. This despite the fact that she does not know anything about this method (its a very well established method published in papers, and used by many researchers in my institute). Am i over-interpreting this or is the relation with advisor not very healthy?

User: tru - 24 December 2017 08:33

Hi, iwan,

Your posts on this website has mainly been on your PhD supervisor and lab environment. You have repeatedly questioned whether the supervisor, project, lab environment were worth you staying on.

Are you still with the same supervisor? I think you have to make a choice and accept the style of your supervisor, which may be less friendly (and maybe even less knowledgeable in your area) than you desire. This is especially since you have decided to continue on with her. Your pattern of constantly questioning whether relationships are healthy/ project is working will only cause you worry and can't be good for your mental health for the entire length of your PhD. Accept and focus on your results and future data rather than whether she likes / dislikes you.

Good luck.

User: iwan - 24 December 2017 10:02

Quote From tru:
Hi, iwan,

Your posts on this website has mainly been on your PhD supervisor and lab environment. You have repeatedly questioned whether the supervisor, project, lab environment were worth you staying on.

Are you still with the same supervisor? I think you have to make a choice and accept the style of your supervisor, which may be less friendly (and maybe even less knowledgeable in your area) than you desire. This is especially since you have decided to continue on with her. Your pattern of constantly questioning whether relationships are healthy/ project is working will only cause you worry and can't be good for your mental health for the entire length of your PhD. Accept and focus on your results and future data rather than whether she likes / dislikes you.

Good luck.

I like your advise. Thats a fresh perspective. I will try this. Merry xmas to you!

User: Risfy1994 - 29 December 2017 10:14

Dear author, I am really sorry about your situation, but I am also sure that you will find your way out and maybe we will help you. Good luck!

User: Tudor_Queen - 02 January 2018 17:49

Happy new year Iwan! Either that (as tru suggests) or change advisor! One or the other. Otherwise you are just wasting time and energy thinking about the wrong things (I did this for a long time so am speaking from experience unfortunately!)
All the best, Tudor