I am currently studying for my PhD at a uni in the UK. I have had quite a few problems with the work, the first and foremost being the non-arrival of data from a government body. It is now two years overdue. I have been suffering from depression during the last 5 months and I am on an anti-depressant (similar to prozac).
I racked my brain for something I could say to make you feel better, and alll I came up with is-
Angel has some good points. You've come this far, hang in there & revise :-) You're so close, it's worth hanging in for it.
Angel has some good points. You've come this far, hang in there & revise :-) You're so close, it's worth hanging in for it.
Ooops sorry for the almost identical postings. I added a sentence about my friend's keeper of the text comment w/out realizing the first had gone through :-{
The thing with academia is that there are so many hoops you have to jump through before you are even allowed to start presenting your own research. Everything has to be right and in accepted form. There is no room for anything different.
Not defending your advisor, but maybe he's trying to prepare you for the rest of the committee?
Nice way of putting it, Lee.
I`d just like to say that I think its great that people can help each other over the net. Such great advice is being given out.Its good to think that other people actually care about your problems and situations, you go grrls!
Make a formal complaint, take it to the top Kate if it's that bad. That will teach them a lesson and also piss them off too! Hell go the whole way and take it to the European Court of Rights. Ok ok so thats a bit far I know.
Thanks everyone. Im on a bit more of an even keel now, and I have started making changes. I have also talked to someone else in the department who is very sensible. The gist of what he said is that there ARE hoops which have to be jumped through, but if you are aware of them then it allows you to be more cynical about them and just do what is needed. I still feel angry at the very male dominated academic system where everything has to be right in a really anally retentive way. I makes me MAD. But Im just going to try and "work" the system in a very cynical kind of way.
Keep us posted Kate, we want to hear how things are going for you. Sounds like you're looking at it the right way.
Ditto!!
Anyway to get to the gist of what this post is about. I have recently managed to pull myself together somewhat and produced a very large piece of work (9,000 words+). I submitted this to my supervisor (who knows what Ive been going through as I had two months off earlier this year for depression). He recently returned this piece of work to me with NOT ONE single positive comment. This has completely blown me to pieces. I have sat in front of the computer for the last few days and been unable to do anything at all. I feel right back where I started from with my depression. I just need some support and help from anywhere I can get it, as Im not getting it from the person Im supposed to. Please help
Kate
By Angel on Wednesday, June 17, 1998 - 11:28 am:
It does get better. I saw my friend go throught the same sort of depression last year when she couldn't find a job and she pulled through. The fact that you asked for advice shows you are dealing with it in a good way.
Your supervisor is a jerk especially since he knew the problems you were having with your life. All I can say to you is redo the work and do all that he said to improve on. Show him that his words didn't bother you (even though they did) that way he won't get the satisfaction of seeing you upset. You just gotta keep trying and have faith in yourself even if others don't.
I wish you all the luck in the world Kate and don't give up.
Let me know how you get on
By Lee on Wednesday, June 17, 1998 - 09:55 pm:
Originally I was going to go for a PhD, but I gave up & settled for a MA 'cause of all the hostility in academic circles. Too much politics, etc. Academia can be tough.
I'll try & look for more info, but one of my friends (who became equally disgusted & settled for a MA degree), bought a book for a friend who went the PhD route. I'll see if I can find it. It was about finishing dissertations, etc. In the meantime, you can always turn here for support :-)
By Lee on Wednesday, June 17, 1998 - 09:58 pm:
Originally I was going to go for a PhD, but I gave up & settled for a MA 'cause of all the hostility in academic circles. Too much politics, etc. Academia can be tough. One of my friends actually had a professor tell my friend that he was "the keeper of the text" and he'd better go along w/the prof's intepretation of the text if he wanted to get anywhere.
I'll try & look for more info, but one of my friends (who became equally disgusted & settled for a MA degree), bought a book for a friend who went the PhD route. I'll see if I can find it. It was about finishing dissertations, etc. In the meantime, you can always turn here for support :-)
By Lee on Wednesday, June 17, 1998 - 09:59 pm:
By Kate on Thursday, June 18, 1998 - 08:50 am:
I feel that because I am a woman moving in very male-dominated academic circles (this is especially true in the sciences) I am discriminated against by the whole system. Women DO work in different ways to men. For a start, I know that personally I need more praise than most men would because I have low self esteem and a fragile ego. This is what has been crushed by my supervisor who has a skin as thick as a rhinoceros. He is an academic first and foremost. God forbid if I ever get anything WRONG.
I also have the problem that my counsellor keeps telling me how awful my supervisor is which in some ways makes me feel worse.
Arrggh. Im stuck and donr know what to do.
All I can say is you guys are really great. Its nice to feel that I have friends on the other end of my computer! Thanks for your support. And Keridwyn, thanks for the e-mail, sorry I havent got round to answering it yet.
Kate
By Lee on Thursday, June 18, 1998 - 11:26 pm:
Anyway, hang in there :-)Or as U2 said on Achtung Baby, "Don't let the bastards grind you down."
By Keridwyn on Friday, June 19, 1998 - 12:18 am:
My opinion goes something like that. :)
Keri
By Marble on Friday, June 19, 1998 - 12:44 pm:
Kate, things can only get better.This is just a stage in your life where things are hard, everybody goes through it.Just remember that every cloud has a silver lining. You are gonna get through this with or without that stupid supervisor.Don`t give up!
My love life is a bit crap at the moment, but hell, someone will come along soon!
Be positive and I can assure you that everything will be alright in the end.
Good Luck!
By Angel on Saturday, June 20, 1998 - 04:29 am:
If they don't allow change in the way things are done then all you can do is when you get your PhD, and u will get it, make loads of changes to everything and do things the way you want. Don't get mad get even.
But anyhoo, good luck.
By Kate on Monday, June 22, 1998 - 06:19 am:
Thankyou to you all for your advice. Its great that people who have never met each other and live 1000s of mile apart can be so caring of each other.
Kate
By Lee on Monday, June 22, 1998 - 09:18 pm:
By Angel on Monday, June 29, 1998 - 09:18 am: