PhD student looking for advise regarding supervision

B

Hello!
I will try to keep my post as short as possible.

So, I am a 1,5 year PhD student in computer science. Before starting my PhD I spend another year in the same university as PhD again, but things went (really) bad with the previous supervisor so a number of people left the group and were relocated to other groups or other universities. So, I changed group and practically restarted my PhD with a new topic.

In my new team the supervisor is much better. I don't have the abuse I faced in the previous group. However, I would really like advise on the following.

My supervisor is super cool. Doesn't stress me, is polite, friendly etc.
However, after a year, i feel that my research area (my topic), is not of particular interest to my supervisor. So, i get a little help on my research. Its hard to arrange meeting to discuss about research and the group does not have any post docs that are related in any way with what I am doing. So, i m practically alone... (even on university level)

The thing is, my PhD should finish at most in 4 years... so i still have about 2.5 years to go.
So far, I do have a couple of publications (not to major conferences). I get really sad that its hard to arrange meetings and that the help i get is sometimes kinda not helpful and that I don't have anyone to discuss things with or help with ideas. These things get me in an emotional roller coaster.

After discussing, i got the reassurance that I will get a PhD and i should not stress myself with publishing too much and that i am on a good track. However, i feel that i have so much more to give (in terms of research/projects) and i get somehow stuck by the fact that she doesn't have time, ideas or post docs to help me.

Is my viewpoint wrong?
Should i discuss it in detail with her?
Thx!!!!

T

Most people publish towards the end of their PhD so I wouldn't worry about that for now.

A PhD is supposed to be done by you really. Obviously it's easier if you have a support network of postdocs and other students but you should be able to do what you need to yourself.

Try telling your supervisor that you want more support and be as specific as you can, but if you don't get it, then accept this and make the best of it.

T

I see where you're coming from but also agree with TreeofLife here. I am only just realising that the PhD candidate is responsible for their own PhD. Supervisors are a necessary add on. Because you're forced to be dependent on them in a sense (you need a supervisor etc) it sometimes can make you start thinking that they share some of the responsibility. But they're basically only there to provide some oversight. So in that sense, it isn't actually necessary that they are really well versed in your specific topic (although it would be nice).

In addition to what TreeofLife has suggested, could you try starting a reading group and invite people who would potentially be interested/have similar areas? It could include postdocs as well and wouldn't need to be big.

Avatar for Pjlu

Hi there, my perspective is very similar to TQ and ToL. Supervisors listen to you and provide some guidance as to whether what you are planning seems to be in the right direction. This is based on their knowledge-some have a great deal of knowledge in your area, some only a little but you got them as they were the best match for you at the time given the University's staffing.

They become more involved towards the end of the PhD, where they read drafts and critique them before you get ready to submit your thesis. This is very helpful but it comes at a later point in the PhD.

Does your university have postgraduate associations for PhD and Masters students? Sometimes these are not in your subject area but they do provide opportunities to develop friendships with people going through the same processes and this can help with feelings of loneliness or help with listening to ideas.

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