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Re:Nature’s survey of 6k grad students reveals the turbulenc... by musicale on Thursday November 14, 2019 @02:25AM (#21533494)
This isn't going to change. You should do everything in your power to get a better supervisor, particularly for your dissertation research. You're early enough in the process that starting a new project, or modifying your current project, is completely worth it to get a better supervisor who actually supports you and will help you graduate. Talk to other grad students to see what they think of their advisors.

Also you should try to find other faculty (and possibly postdocs) to advise you who aren't your supervisor if at all possible, and try to form an informal group of grad students to meet periodically to discuss research and grad life in general.

And remember it is a marathon not a race, so overworking is usually unproductive unless you are up against a strict paper deadline (even then it's unproductive but may be worth it in the short run.)

Re:Nature’s survey of 6k grad students reveals the turbulenc... by montalbano on Thursday November 14, 2019 @07:16AM (#21534792)
I just finished my PhD.

My first half was with a supervisor similar to what OP described. Fortunately I was able to transfer halfway through to a much better supervisor. I have seen both sides, having a good supervisor makes a massive difference.

Even so, now that I am finished, the emotional drain of the first two years and lack of time to properly recover has left me completely BURNT OUT.

OP, please take the advice of musicale, it is EXACTLY RIGHT.

I am a little dissapointed to find many comments here putting the responsibility on the (prospective) PhD student. I'm sure this is the case sometimes. In my case I was absolutely happy doing independent research at all times in my life apart from with this horrendous supervisor who, at all turns, made it difficult to do good science.

Re:Nature’s survey of 6k grad students reveals the turbulenc... by throwaway_shame on Thursday November 14, 2019 @12:37PM (#21537426)
I am glad that you were able to get a better supervisor. Did you face any kind of retaliation from your first supervisor?
Re:Nature’s survey of 6k grad students reveals the turbulenc... by montalbano on Thursday November 14, 2019 @01:53PM (#21538183)
Not in my case due to details I can't go into.

But in general direct or indirect retaliation is a risk and is why it is so important for you to do something ASAP.

I don't know all the details of your situation but based on what you said in OP it might be advisable to switch. The sooner you do the less time you might 'waste' in an unfruitful project and the less time and money the supervisor has invested in you, so they might be less likely to retaliate.

Further, it also might be considered 'professionally embarrassing' for the supervisor if you ask to switch during the PhD. At the stage you are now you could probably change in a way that saves you hassle and the supervisors face by diplomatically posing the change as a mere change in 'academic interests', i.e. slightly different project with a favourable supervisor.

Of course you should suss out the possible alternative supervisors first and try and meet them and their students to make sure they are actually favourable to your current prof.

These are just the first points that come to mind, happy to answer other questions if you would like (see my gmail in profile).

Re:Nature’s survey of 6k grad students reveals the turbulenc... by throwaway_shame on Wednesday November 20, 2019 @03:38PM (#21588231)
Very valuable advice. Thank you!
Re:Nature’s survey of 6k grad students reveals the turbulenc... by brnt on Thursday November 14, 2019 @09:23AM (#21535537)
The difficulty is knowing who's a good supervisor. As a msc student, you may only know of their academic reputation, which has nothing to do with quality or attitude to supervision. In retrospect I was lucky, and my supervisors bio picture has him hanging in a hammock, which, if I had known, could have been exactly the indicator I should have looked for.

Either way, try if you can, and don't hesitate to stop with the current supervisor if it's just not working for you. No reason to continue on an unhappy path. It's always worth choosing your own sanity.

Re:Nature’s survey of 6k grad students reveals the turbulenc... by pelario on Thursday November 14, 2019 @03:36AM (#21533808)
This sound advice. I cannot emphasize enough how important is the supervisor in the PhD experience, IMO, the most relevant factor. So if this is the treatment you get even before starting... I would also say, yes, look for another place.
Re:Nature’s survey of 6k grad students reveals the turbulenc... by throwaway_shame on Thursday November 14, 2019 @12:33PM (#21537389)
Very helpful advice. I am trying to extend my masters by another 8 months and work with other professors in the department to make the switch. Fingers crossed :)