The importance of having a good relationship with your supervisor

 

supervisor and student discussing phd

I have recently been thinking a lot about the student-supervisor working relationship and why it is so important. Firstly, my experience of my doctoral studies so far has been a combination of overwhelming and lonely in many aspects as I have gone back to studying after more than ten years away from the classroom. 

My first few months felt really alien and I constantly wondered if I was really able to achieve at the level required to succeed. My discussions with my supervisor made me almost feel like a toddler as I felt it quite difficult to openly express where I wanted my research to go and what I hoped it could deliver. This is normal at the start as your academic vocabulary or understanding of the doctoral requirements will not have developed to the standard required to perhaps help you shape your views from an academic perspective. 

I felt that my supervisor was able to take my layman's terms and decipher where I wanted to take my research and as time has progressed and I have written and read more, I am now in a position where my supervisor appears to understand where I hope my research will go and he also understands both my short term and long term needs to ensure that I am able to keep m research on track to complete in the fairly tight timelines that I have set myself.

Over time I have built up comfort in expressing my thoughts around my research even though I still don't feel that I have reached any level where I am able to discuss in-depth using academic terminology.  How have I got here? I believe its a combination of self-discipline and hard work combined with a supervisor who drives me forward in a direction that I aim to go in but who also offers a couple of scenic routes, short cuts and alternative paths to help me expand my knowledge and also look at things from an alternative perspective. 

My feeling is that my supervisor and I have mutual respect and understanding for one another and I think that is important in a doctoral situation. Being in this position means conversations flow more easily and we understand each other, thoughts, driving forces and viewpoints. 

Your supervisor is like a manager in any job that you may have or have had. The difference being, your supervisor is seen as a mentor figure to you, someone imparting their knowledge, experience and expertise and in that light, they are keen to see you succeed and complete your doctorate in a timely manner. It doesn't bode well if they have a number of falling doctoral candidates. On the other hand, managers can be good or bad and the outcome may easily be blamed on the staff member. 

Be organised, be honest and be realistic when it comes to setting yourself objectives and goals for completing tasks relating to your studies. Explain what you don't understand and perhaps why and take advice and opinions offered seriously as they will probably steer you in the direction you are looking to go.

Its a 3-6 year project and working relationship depending on the type of doctorate you are doing and whether that's full time or part-time. There are bound to be ups and downs, laughter and possibly tears too, but if the relationship is based on mutual respect and understanding of the roles you play then things should progress well. As you may have seen if you have read any previous blog posts of mine, I am a publicity editor for Pubs and Publications and one of my most recent guest blog posts there talks about the traits a good supervisor should have of their doctoral students. You can read that here and I only hope that after writing two articles on this topic that I actually possess these traits myself otherwise that would be a wee bit embarrassing!

I'd love to know more of your thoughts on the student and supervisor working relationship so please do leave a comment or two.

Location: Bristol, UK

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