A PhD isn’t just about research. It’s about leading, adapting, and delivering results. Here’s what supervisors expect (but rarely explain): 1. 𝗢𝘄𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 Supervisors expect YOU to lead the project. ↳ Independence beats constant supervision. ↳ Solve challenges before asking for help. ↳ Manage timelines without reminders. ↳ Propose ideas, not just problems. 2. 𝗕𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁 They assume you’ll know your field - better than them. ↳ Challenge assumptions and defend insights. ↳ Master the theories and research gaps. ↳ Stay updated on trends in your area. ↳ They guide - you own the expertise. 3. 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 Draft early - progress matters more than perfection. ↳ Submit drafts regularly, even rough ones. ↳ Fix grammar - they won’t do it for you. ↳ Revise quickly based on feedback. ↳ Expect feedback - and lots of it. 4. 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 Show initiative but know when to ask for help. ↳ Ask specific, clear questions - not vague ones. ↳ Clarify doubts early to avoid bigger issues. ↳ Respect their time - prepare for meetings. 5. 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 Publications aren’t optional - they’re expected. ↳ Turn conference presentations into publications. ↳ Break your thesis into smaller papers. 6. 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 Feedback isn’t personal - it’s about improving. ↳ Revisions build stronger arguments - embrace them. ↳ Track and implement suggestions carefully. ↳ Respond with edits, not excuses. ↳ Listen without defensiveness. 7. 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘆 Supervisors expect regular updates without chasing you. ↳ Share progress - even if it’s partial. ↳ Keep meetings focused and goal-driven. ↳ Highlight challenges early to get support. ↳ Silence signals trouble - keep the conversation going. 8. 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 Messy work wastes everyone’s time. ↳ Clarity shows professionalism and preparation. ↳ Follow formatting rules - every detail counts. ↳ Organize sections before submitting drafts. ↳ Use headings and visuals for clarity. 9. 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 Research rarely goes as planned. ↳ Adapt quickly when methods don’t work. ↳ Embrace failures - they can be lessons. ↳ Progress isn’t linear - resilience is key. ↳ Stay focused on long-term goals. 10. 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀 ↳ Ensure timely submission of work, even if in draft form. ↳ Supervisors need reliability more than brilliance. ↳ Track goals with timelines and updates. 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆 Supervisors expect focus, clarity, and ownership. What’s one expectation you had to learn the hard way? -------------------------------------------- Struggling with data analysis or methodology? DM me or email [email protected], and let’s move your research forward. #ThesisWriting #PhDLife #AcademicTwitter #GradSchoolProblems #ResearchStruggles #DissertationHelp #WritingCommunity #PhDChat #AcademicChatter #PhDJourney
I agree. I think the problem is autonomous learning is disappearing. MOOCs, flipped classrooms, and artificial intelligence, are all pushing for autonomous learning. Still, at the same time, lots of students are not motivated at all, so teachers are not facilitators or mentors but almost classical inspectors. If Bachelor students behave like grown adolescents... they are not developing the needed skills to perform complex research which should start with master courses and be sound enough in PhD courses. At least here in Latin America, PhD courses still have a rather guided structure.
In my opinion, clip thinking and even pre-frontal cortex development are concerned it is not only a question of habits but a much more complex issue, enhancing procrastination.
Just in case... here you can check some research about clip thinking: Article Clip Thinking – What We Know So Far
Very good points raised over here. I think that the modern technologies and modern academic lifestyle in general have shifted expectations on both sides.
The students have it much-much easier than the older generations due to AI, online presence (be it classes, exams, supervision meetings or conference attendance), and due to this they fail to acquire many professional and personality-related skills that are necessary for a successful researcher... so their advisors feel disappointed or frustrated. On the other hand, the supervisors are pressured to produce-produce-produce so much. And so this pressure pushes people to exploit their PhD students more and more, and the PhD students on the other hand feel let down and disappointed by a lack of supervision, overwork, lack of reward for hard work, and so the cycle continues and leads to really negative experiences on both sides.
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