Hi there, I’m here because I’m freeking out about what to do!
Long story short, I’ve known my supervisor for over 10 years, I’ve always respected their work but found their personality difficult. Their mood changes quickly from jolly to chair throwingly angry. I have been guilty of cancelling meetings in the past because I’ve been so scared to find out what kind of mood they are in. This year I have been trying desperately to arrange plenty of tutorial oppertunities and have sucked up my worry but have found my supervisor doesn’t show, double books me with first year undergraduates, and gives no input when they do arrive - nods and grunts! They do not read my emails or work and so do not provide any kind of feed back. I have gone for 9 months without being able to speak to them. I am doing my PhD part time and am self funding by working along side. I’m exhausted and feel like I’m hitting my head against a brick wall. I have approached my supervisor and my head of department and asked to change supervisor as I don’t know what else to do BUT although I’ve been as nice as possible my supervisor has reacted badly and my head of department hasn’t responded.......my supervisor talks very loudly about his other students around the department making them sound incompetent, I’m sure he’s been speaking very loudly about me too and I’m scared no one will want to work with me because of it. How long can they leave me without supervision? I just can’t continue the way things are.