What makes PhD students happy? Good supervision

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CrimsonNeon

The Surprising Key to PhD Happiness: Supportive Supervision

A whopping 69% of PhD students who met with their supervisors more than once a week were satisfied with their work - nearly half of those who saw their supervisors less than once a week. The message is clear: support doesn't have to be time-consuming or all-consuming, but rather meaningful interactions that foster a sense of belonging.

Stipends and manageable hours matter too, but the lack of face-to-face interaction is often cited as a major contributor to burnout. In fact, more than 40% of respondents reported feeling pressured to get published, which can leave little room for creativity or exploration. The pressure to perform often comes with a heavy price: 43% of PhD students experienced some form of discrimination or harassment.

The most satisfied PhD students were those who came from countries that prioritize open communication and collaboration in research settings. Brazil and Australia stood out as hotspots, where nearly half of the respondents described relationships marked by openness, mutual respect, and trust. It's no wonder why these countries produced such high levels of student satisfaction - it's not just about finding a supervisor with a similar passion for your field, but also about building a rapport that fosters growth.

Good supervision isn't just about giving advice or providing guidance; it requires empathy, curiosity, and reliability. When supervisors take the time to understand their students' struggles and interests, they become more than just evaluators - they become collaborators who invest in the next generation of scientists. By doing so, supervisors not only boost student morale but also reap benefits that extend far beyond the lab.

So what does it take to become a good supervisor? It starts with being aware of the pressure students face and recognizing that sometimes all it takes is a short check-in to make a difference. Even small gestures can save time in the long run by catching problems early on. Ultimately, supervisors who prioritize building relationships with their PhD students are not only investing in their students' success but also reaping rewards that extend far beyond the academic world.

By adopting this approach, researchers and institutions alike can foster an environment that nurtures creativity, collaboration, and growth - a culture where students feel supported, valued, and empowered to thrive.
 
🤓 I'm so stoked about this news! 👏 69% of PhD students who had regular meetups with their supervisors were super happy? 💯 That's a total game-changer for student satisfaction. I think it's all about creating that meaningful connection, not just throwing money at them (stipends and manageable hours are cool too tho 🤑). The countries where they got it right (Brazil and Australia) just get it, you know? Open communication, mutual respect... that's the magic formula! 👍 Supervisors need to be more than just evaluators, they need to be collaborators who care. Small gestures can make a big difference in saving time and boosting morale 🕒💖
 
I'm not buying it 😒. Just 'cause some phds are happier when they hang out with their sups more than once a week doesn't mean all supervisions are created equal. What about those who can't get regular time with theirs? Like, what if you're doing online research or working in a lab that's always closed? 🤔 It sounds like it's just about finding someone who likes the same things as you, but what about when that doesn't happen?

And don't even get me started on the pressure to publish. That's just gonna keep students stressed out no matter how much their sups try to be supportive. Can we really say that just 'cause a few countries have better research cultures means everyone else should follow suit? 🤷‍♂️
 
I'm really surprised to hear that having regular meetups with your supervisor makes such a big difference in happiness 🤯. I mean, it's not just about the money or hours you work, but actually talking to someone who cares about what you're doing can make all the difference 🤝. And it's so true that some countries prioritize communication and collaboration more than others - Australia and Brazil sound like amazing places to be a PhD student 😊.

I also love how the article says good supervision is not just about giving advice, but being empathetic and curious too 🤔. It's all about building relationships and investing in people, you know? And it makes sense that researchers who take an interest in their students' lives are actually doing better for themselves too 🙏.

It's kinda funny how the pressure to publish is mentioned - I mean, I've heard of feeling like you're not getting enough done, but that's just a normal part of life right? 😅. But seriously, if having regular check-ins with your supervisor can make all the difference, then yeah, let's do it! 👍
 
I think it's really important for PhD students to have some semblance of social life 🤗. I mean, we've all been there, stuck in the lab for hours on end, feeling like you're just going through the motions... but sometimes a friendly face or just a quick chat can totally turn your day around 😊.

I'm not saying it has to be some crazy-long sessions with your supervisor, just like 2-3 times a week is pretty reasonable ⏰. And honestly, if you do get that time, make the most of it! Ask them about their research too, they might have some interesting stuff to share 🤔.

It's also super refreshing to see countries like Brazil and Australia shining in this area - I mean, who knew having an open-door policy could actually work? 😊 Anyway, supervisors being more than just "tuteurs", but actual collaborators, is a great way to foster growth and creativity... can't argue with that 👍.
 
🤔 The fact that 69% of PhD students who met with their supervisors more than once a week were satisfied is actually kinda weird 🤷‍♂️ I mean, isn't that just what you're supposed to do in a supervision? Still, I guess the key takeaway here is that it's not about how often you meet up, but rather about having meaningful interactions that make students feel like they belong 💡 Like, it's not about being all-consuming or time-consuming, but actually making an effort to understand your student's struggles and interests 🤝 It just goes to show that even in academia, a little bit of empathy and reliability can go a long way 😊
 
🤔 I'm not surprised PhD students are more satisfied when they have regular face-to-face interactions with their supervisors. It's like having a mentor in your corner who understands you as a person too, not just as a student. In countries that prioritize open communication, it's clear that building trust and respect is key. Institutions need to make supervision less about pressure to publish and more about creating a safe space for students to explore their research passions. And let's be real, sometimes all someone needs is someone to listen 😊.
 
OMG, can u believe 69% of PhD students r happy w/ their supervision lol?! it's all abt the quality, not quantity of interactions 🤗 40% feeling pressured to publish is lowkey sad tho... discrimination & harassment r major issues we need 2 tackle ASAP 🚨. countries like Brazil & Australia r doing it right w/ open communication & collaboration 🌟. good supervision means more than just guidance, it's about empathy, curiosity & reliability 💕. supervisors should prioritize building relationships, not just evaluate students 🤝. institutions & researchers let's make a change & create a culture that nurtures creativity, collab & growth 🌱
 
😊 I gotta say, it's kinda surprising that having regular meetings with supervisors makes such a big difference in PhD students' happiness. I mean, we all know how stressful grad school can be, especially when it comes to publishing and all that jazz. But it's awesome to see that just having someone to talk to and feel like they're part of something bigger than themselves can make a huge impact. I think this says a lot about the importance of building relationships in academia too - it's not just about getting the research done, but also about supporting each other along the way 💡
 
omg i totally get why 69% of phd students are happy with their work if they have decent supervision 🤩 like who doesn't need someone to talk to about their research struggles? i mean stipends and manageable hours are important too but honestly it feels so much more meaningful when you actually talk to your supervisor in person or video call. 40% of phd students feeling pressured to get published is crazy tho - doesn't that just make everyone wanna burn out? 🤯 i feel like institutions need to focus on creating a culture where students can grow and explore without all the pressure. and it's so cool that brazil and australia are leading the way with their research settings 🌎💡
 
😊 I mean, think about it... PhD students are basically adults with a lot of responsibility on their shoulders, but they're still in this super intense academia bubble 🧠. It's like they're expected to be experts from day one, with zero time for self-care or having fun 🤯. The fact that only 69% were satisfied with their supervision is low-key insane... I'd want a supervisor who's down-to-earth, not just some strict mentor who's always on your case 👀. And omg, the pressure to publish and get recognition is like, no wonder people feel burnt out 🤕. We need more supportive environments where researchers can actually collaborate, have open conversations, and not be judged by their supervisor... or anyone else for that matter 😊
 
I think its crazy how much of a difference even small gestures from our supervisors can make 🤗. I mean, 69% of PhD students feeling satisfied is no joke! Its not about the stipend or hours worked, but those personal interactions that feel like a safe space to explore and grow. Thats what makes me think that even with all the changes happening in academia, its more important than ever to put people first 💕. Like, imagine if we had PhD programs where students felt seen, heard, and supported? We might just see some amazing breakthroughs come out of it 🎉.
 
Wow 🤯, I think its really cool how supportive supervision is key to PhD happiness. Like, who knew being seen once a week by your supervisor could make such a big difference? 🙃 and 43% of PhD students experiencing discrimination or harassment is just not okay. But the countries that prioritize open communication like Brazil and Australia are totally on another level. Their approach to research settings must be doing something right! 😊
 
I mean, think about it... 🤯 if supervisors in countries like Australia and Brazil get it right by being all open and collaborative, why can't we just adopt that here too? I know some people might say PhDs are super competitive, but to me it seems like the pressure is already there no matter what. Like, if you're working with a supervisor who's really invested in your growth, shouldn't that take away from the stress of getting published and all that? 💡
 
Ugh man I totally get why PhDs are stressed out lol 😂 those stipends aren't even enough sometimes 🤑 and the pressure to publish is like woah! I've seen so many students burn out just trying to keep up with the expectations 👎 but on the flip side, having a supportive supervisor makes all the difference 💖 it's not just about getting published or achieving some kind of academic goal, it's about feeling supported and valued as an individual 🤗 so yeah let's prioritize building those relationships and creating a culture where students feel empowered to thrive 💪
 
I don’t usually comment but I think it’s crazy how much of a difference supportive supervision makes in PhD happiness 🤯. Like, I get it, stipends and manageable hours are important too, but if you’re constantly stressed about getting published and feeling pressured all the time, that's not gonna be good for your mental health at all 😬.

And it’s actually really interesting to see which countries are doing it right when it comes to research settings 🌎. Brazil and Australia seem to have got it spot on with their open communication and collaboration vibes 💡. I think we can all learn from that.

For me, the key is just making sure your supervisor is invested in you as a person too, not just your research 🤝. That means being aware of the pressure students face and recognizing when they need a little check-in or support 👋. It’s not about being perfect or having all the answers – it’s just about showing up and caring 💕.
 
I'm thinking, we need to change how we think about supervision in PhD programs... 👍 69% of happy PhD students are those who had regular face-to-face interactions with their supervisors, it's not about being super involved all the time, just showing they care 🤗. And yeah, stipends and work hours matter too, but let's not forget that burnout is real and can be caused by a lot more than just lack of money 💸. I'm seeing some countries like Brazil and Australia doing it right, where communication and collaboration are key 💡. It's all about building relationships with your students, being empathetic, and making time for them 🕰️. And honestly, good supervision isn't just about giving advice, it's about investing in the next gen of scientists 👩‍🔬. Let's support our PhD students better!
 
I totally get why 69% of PhD students who met with their supervisors regularly were super satisfied... it's not just about getting help with research, but also feeling like you're part of a team 🤝. I think institutions should prioritize building those relationships from the start, and provide stipends that actually make life easier, not just more expensive 💸. And omg 40% of PhD students felt pressured to get published? That's insane... it's no wonder some people are burnt out! 🚫
 
Ugh, just read about how 43% of PhD students experienced discrimination or harassment 🤕... like, isn't that bad enough already? And it's not even the pressure to get published that's so harsh, but the fact that they have to deal with all that drama too 😩. I mean, can't we just focus on making sure our academics are happy and supported for once? 😒
 
supervisors should defo be more chill lol, just have a casual coffee chat or something to check in on students, not like they gotta micromanage their entire lives 🤗. also, i think it's pretty interesting how phd students from brazil and australia are doing better than others, maybe it's because those countries prioritize collaboration and open communication even outside the lab? 👥
 
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