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Overview of rewt

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Overview

Username: rewt

Signup date: Friday, 3 November 2017 at 1:37pm

Last login: Sunday, 8 December 2019 at 1:57pm

Post count: 503

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page 1 of 34 recent posts

Thread: Feeling Lost

posted
25-Nov-19, 20:23

by rewt

(view my blog)

posted about 2 weeks ago

Quote From athenian:
The Phd program is completely disorganized, no coursework, no research seminars, no collaboration between Phd students, and between students and professors, no funding, very little research activity of faculty members etc.

That sounds exactly like my university in the UK.

Though can I say that it is common for European universities to not have any coursework elements. I would say in the UK the majority of PhD courses have minimal to no coursework but PhDs are instead based around an apprenticeship and project teaching model. Where you work in partnership with your supervisor on a specific (large) project, slowly gaining skills and knowledge under their guidance. I am not saying coursework based PhDs are right or wrong but if you want one you should specifically sign up to a coursework/structured programme/ doctoral school based PhD (or whatever else they call it). I believe you are on the apprenticeship model and you should not blame your university for lack of coursework, as this is the norm.

To be honest, if you are not enjoying it, you should quit. If you said that you had an interesting project that you love or you had an amazing supervisor I would say carry on. However you said nothing positive about your current situation which is not a good sign.

Thread: Being sick and turning up late for my PhD

posted
25-Nov-19, 20:04

edited about 20 seconds later

by rewt

(view my blog)

posted about 2 weeks ago

I usually work 10am- 6pm and my supervisor is fine with it, since she knows I stay that bit later. I don't agree with clock watching but if you turn up late you should make the appearance that you all stay late. PhDs have great flexibility but you are still expected to put in the hours and get results. If you can argue both of those points to your RAs they will shut up.

Though I am in the UK with guaranteed funding and my supervisor cant strip me of it.

Thread: any point applying for phd positions with a 2.1?

posted
25-Nov-19, 11:22

edited about 29 seconds later

by rewt

(view my blog)

posted about 2 weeks ago

I personally got a 2:1 and many many other PhD students also achieved 2:1s at undergraduate level. So a 2:1 does not rule you out.

Thread: Should I go to this conference?!

posted
22-Nov-19, 09:53

edited about 4 seconds later

by rewt

(view my blog)

posted about 3 weeks ago

Yes. Go for it! I think going to conferences outside your field is incredibly useful and gives you insight on how to better apply your own work. I agree with Tudor_Queen, a poster doesn't take too long to make once you know the basics and you don't need a lot of content (use of lots of pictures).

Thread: Bewildered and confused by supervisor

posted
22-Nov-19, 09:45

edited about 27 seconds later

by rewt

(view my blog)

posted about 3 weeks ago

Quote From drwubs:
For rewt and pm133. I think you misunderstand what I was trying to say.

I don't really see how I can help you figure out what's going on with my situation

I do my best to be very clear in my communication with people

Not to be rude but if you can't explain your side of the story, it means you are not a very clear communicator.

Honestly I think your issues with your supervisor is all a misunderstanding. You both had different expectations (not assigning blame) on your relationship and it isn't working. When any working relationship breaks down the key is to understand the other persons point of view and having a honest conversation to find a compromise. I think you can fix this issue by asking your supervisor in a polite manner why do they not want you working on this paper and would he review a completed draft?

I am assuming that you have had very little contact with your supervisor since this and if so he probably does not know your concerns. He cannot change or help if you do not talk with him honestly. Though saying that your supervisor is far more experienced and you should assume he is right. Swallow your pride and try to be productive instead of vilifying him.

Thread: Do you get funding in the 4th year and do you pay for tuition fees?

posted
20-Nov-19, 20:16

edited about 14 seconds later

by rewt

(view my blog)

posted about 3 weeks ago

Usually yes but sometimes no. At my uni it varies from several thousand to as low as £300 per 6 months and the lucky few get the uni to pay for it. I think it it is stupid to charge students short term extensions, especially if it is due to reasons outside their control. Though one person I knew got his fees waived due to extenuating circumstances, surprisingly enough his supervisor was deputy head of department.

Thread: Postdoc reference

posted
18-Nov-19, 22:28

edited about 9 seconds later

by rewt

(view my blog)

posted about 3 weeks ago

I think you should take the risk. Most companies only check references after they have made the decision otherwise it would be a pain to call every reference for every application. Though could you give your old line managers as references instead as they probably be safer?

Thread: Cora

posted
18-Nov-19, 22:26

edited about 11 seconds later

by rewt

(view my blog)

posted about 3 weeks ago

You can apply anytime. Most PhDs have flexible start dates and will wait for you to finish your current studies.

Thread: MSc/MSci preference in Physics PhD applications for Oxbridge

posted
18-Nov-19, 22:24

by rewt

(view my blog)

posted about 3 weeks ago

I would choose a course you enjoy and that will allow you to maximise your potential. A lot of universities allow you to swap between Bsc and integrated masters which means you can worry about this later. Generally you want at least a masters before a PhD (though you can sometimes do without) and their is an ever so slight preferences for research focused masters over integrated masters. Goodluck!

Thread: I will deliver a guest lecture in the UK, but i do not speak English well

posted
18-Nov-19, 19:13

by rewt

(view my blog)

posted about 3 weeks ago

Having had many lecturers with bad English or a thick accent I can safely say it doesn't really matter. Some of the most memorable bits of my course was when the lecturer said something very important in stunted English.

Thread: Post. Doc. Research Associate, Post. Doc. Training Fellow and Post. Doc. Research Assistant - diff?

posted
15-Nov-19, 09:47

by rewt

(view my blog)

posted about 1 month ago

I think there are differences in ambition and independence. Like a research associate is the typical post-doc with a set project and supervisor but freedom of work. While an assistant is told exactly what to do and hands over the data to a supervisor. Though a post-doc fellowship is an opportunity to do your own research with minimal supervision, you also have your own budget and more is expected of you. A post-doc fellow seems very cushy and you have a lot of scope to develop your own interests and skills

Again, not an expert and my uni mostly has a post-doc associates and post-doc fellows with very few if no post-doc assistants. The research assistants usually have a Masters but interestingly enough most of the technicians have PhDs.

Thread: Bewildered and confused by supervisor

posted
14-Nov-19, 17:00

edited about 17 seconds later

by rewt

(view my blog)

posted about 1 month ago

pm133, I completely agree that there are issues and misunderstandings at the start of any relationship. You both start with different expectations and preconceptions and the aim is to build a productive relationship. Your example is very poignant in that we don't know what we want at the start of the PhD and that things will change.

Though I think one of the stages of any PhD is realizing your supervisor is only human. I read the OP's original post and thought the supervisor was acting normal apart from the monologue dissing their abilities. As the OP defended themself by saying how independent they are and that the supervisor has backed down, now thinking they should keep their distance. I am not saying the OP should keep him as their supervisor (if it is not working now it probably won't work later) but from an outsider I see clear cause and effect.

Thread: Weird question about potential collaboration / etiquette etc

posted
14-Nov-19, 13:27

edited about 27 seconds later

by rewt

(view my blog)

posted about 1 month ago

This might be a bit late but you can just say that it isn't your data. He will understand that means you can't promise authorship and can decide appropriately.

Thread: Bewildered and confused by supervisor

posted
14-Nov-19, 13:24

edited about 1 minute later

by rewt

(view my blog)

posted about 1 month ago

EDIT: I started writing this before I saw pm133's post and I agree with him

You started a PhD and the first thing you say to your new supervisor is you want his help on a project that he isn't involved in. He rebuffs you and says that you should develop your skills first in a very negative way (which he shouldn't have), to which you rebuff him. He then realises you are independent, so gives you minor suggestions and gives you space. You are then perplexed by him giving you space and not being supportive, when you implied by your actions that you don't want or need him. He might be sending mixed signals but so you are you.

To be honest you sound like you will succeed regardless of your supervisor but a student-supervisor relationship is give and take between both parties. There is nothing wrong with knowing what you want from a supervisor but you should also be prepared to give. You can probably reset this situation with some diplomatic words and talk about how you want to progress in the future. He might be feeling the same way and a frank discussion about what you expect from each other.

Thread: Campus Closure.

posted
14-Nov-19, 12:58

by rewt

(view my blog)

posted about 1 month ago

If you are self funded you have plenty of options and it is more on you to decide what you want. If you want to stay with your supervisor tell them that and say you will follow them. If he gets a new job at a new university, the university will mot likely not reject you. You could also look to have him as an external supervisor at in Liverpool or at another local university. Self funding brings a range of opportunities and it is rare for a self funded PhD student admission to be rejected. I think the best advice I can give is work out what you want most and follow that. Your PhD is changing regardless and you will need to be flexible in this awkward situation.

page 1 of 34 recent posts

Overview of rewt