Heartbreak in the PhD: My supervisor is breaking up with me!

I'm heartbroken. I never thought this would happen to me. My supervisor is breaking up with me. We have seen through a Master's thesis together and he has been my rock. How could he take up a post at another University let alone in another state?!

I text my Principal supervisor in a daze. She said there was no need to panic and we would sort it out. The positives are it isn't her that's leaving and I only have to find a new co-supervisor. Thinking more clearly now, my supervisor has introduced me to some great academics so it shouldn't be a problem. It's just that I had rapport with my co-supervisor and a relationship built up over years. 

This post has now led me to: what should I look for in a supervisor?

I believe choosing a supervisor is key to a good working relationship and completing your thesis.

Luckily for me, choosing and asking an academic to be my co-supervisor is made easier because I have already started my PHD, I know some academics in my school and it is a co-supervisor I need not a Principal supervisor so they won't have the bulk of the supervisory part.

Things to look for in a supervisor:

Personality - would you be able to work with them?

Number of research students they have seen through to completion 

Number of students they currently have under their wing

Expertise in your field- look at their publications 

Position- go for the experienced and highly regarded member of the academic staff

Is there anything you would add?

Cybersafety - reduce your risks

It won't happen to me. I don't write anything anyone would target me about.

TROLLS, they don't care if you haven't written anything at all, you can still be their next prey. You can be targeted for all types of reasons, whether trolls know you personally or not, targeted cyber harrassment occurs and you have no control over their actions but you do have control over yours.

The main reason trolls target others are;

- they like the feeling of power (even if it makes them look stupid!)

- they thrive on the feeling they have control of others (but they do not!)

- their own self perception is poor and trolling provides instant gratification for them

What they (the trolls) don't realise is that ongoing cyber harrassment is against the law and if people that know them and know what they are doing have any sense they won't be friends with them for much longer.

Being a bystander of a person you know who posts something publically online and you either get in on the attack (secondary cyber harasser) or stand back and let it happen- you are being part of the problem too, instead of being part of the solution. 

If you are harassed by an online troll there a number of things you can do depending on the mode of they use to attack. For example, on Facebook, posts and messages can be reported. On email, addresses can be blocked. 

The key is not to retaliate because the trolls themselves are the ones that own the problem. Their behaviour is not socially acceptable.

If cyber harrassment continues, ensure all cyber attacks are documented by either saving files or taking screenshots. 

If it bothers you more than it should, talk to a trusted person or seek professional help.

Below are so,e helpful sites that can offer support.

You are not alone- don't let the trolls win.

Lifeline.  https://m.lifeline.org.au

http://tolovehonorandvacuum.com/2013/01/adult-bullies-and-their-enablers/

http://thecybersafetylady.com.au

Ready for the new study year? Here's how to kickstart the semester.

10 Tips to kick start your new study year

It is the start of the New Year and getting back into the swing of study can be tough. Receiving all your University material at once can be quite overwhelming. It is best to take small steps and ease yourself into your new study year. Here are ten tips to kick start your new elearning year.

To ease yourself into the new semester or trimester;

      1 . Enrol in your subjects

  - start with navigating your way around the university website

  - ensure your username and password works

  - enrol in your course subjects if you haven't already done so

 

2. Organise Yourself

-De-clutter your study space

-Refill your black and colour ink cartridges

-schedule study times

- have plenty of printer paper and pens/highlighters on hand

- organise your file storage and back up system

        3.  Order Your Textbooks

- you will need them by the first day of the teaching period

- check your course outline on the uni website for compulsory text books

-order second hand textbooks to reduce costs

        4.    Prepare your diary

         - digital or physical diary - a digital diary is good as reminders can be set

-schedule in important events  into your calendar ie: weddings, birthdays

-write in your assignment due dates as soon as you know them

-write in the exam period and holidays

        5.    Introduce yourself to your fellow students

          -if you are a distance learner - go online and start and an introductory thread in the discussion forum (if it is open)

             - if studying on campus and you don't know anyone, remember there will be plenty of other students in your situation. Take a chance and say hello.

          -join online study groups if available (these don't have to be at your university)

        6.    Eat well

- eat plenty of the 'right' foods everyday

-get adequate sleep every night

         7.  Move everyday

          - exercise even if you only have time for 15 minutes!

          - vary your routine so you don’t get bored

          - alert body = alert mind

         8.   Get into good habits now

           - stick to your study schedule

          - check your University email regularly

          - log on to University forums most days

          - use your diary (helpful for goal setting)

         9. Write down your goals

          - have long term and short term goals

          - write down what you need to accomplish each study session ie: read article xyz

          - reward yourself regularly

         10. Be kind to yourself

               - the overwhelming feeling will go away

              - take one day at a time, take one week at a time

              - tick of the study schedule (usually provided by your university) as

                you complete each week/task

              - the more you use online tools , the easier they will become to use

              - take a break! Mini breaks and a longer break during the holiday

                period

No longer do you have to think ‘where do I start?’ – You have already started. You have taken the first steps to further your education – well done!

Studying and Parenting - It can be done!

Studying while you have young children can be done! It just requires some organisation and routine. Depending on how young your children are, I recommend using child care two days per week. These will become your study days. If money is a problem or your child/ren are too young to attend child care, focus on their sleep times to get your study completed.

Organisation is key. I recommend using a digital diary that syncs with all your devices but the ‘old fashioned’ diary is just as good. Schedule in all family events, extracurricular activities and assignment due dates. Work out the regular days you can do study and write ‘study’ on those days.  Aim to set aside two full days.

From your unit information and study schedule provided by your tertiary institution you will see what is required for the first week. So, if it is article XYZ and chapter 1 and 2 of your text for unit EDNE then write that down under your first ‘study’ day. As you complete your study, tick off what you achieve. If you don’t get it done the first day transfer the work to your next study day.

Organise study around your life. Print off and read articles before you go to bed, take your text book to the hairdresser or when you take your child to their gymnastics class. That’s an extra hour of work you can tick off your study schedule that week! Look for opportunities to do a little bit of extra study. If you have an assignment due or an examination coming up, ensure you have organised time without your children so you can get the assignment polished and you’re pre-prepared to sit your examination – even if it is online, peace and quiet is needed!

There will be days that you will think ‘this is all too hard’ but remind yourself of the final outcome and what that will provide for you and your family. Reward yourself when you finish an assignment or when you do extra study. Take regular breaks to walk the dog or do something one on one with your child. Keep yourself motivated because you can do this!

5 steps to writing the conclusion

I have had a number of students contact me asking how to write a conclusion. So here are 5 tips to help write the closing paragraph of your next essay.
 

1. Try writing the conclusion first before writing the rest of the essay. You can always re-edit it later.

2.Re-iterate the focus question of the task. Refer to the task sheet.

3. State the key findings or aspects from the task, linking them together. Don't introduce new ideas. This includes quotes, however, there can be exceptions to this rule.
 

4. Try to avoid starting the conclusion with 'In conclusion...' or 'The purpose of this essay was to...'. Begin with a statement about the topic focus.
 

5. The important thing is to just write! Begin your thoughts with 'the purpose of this task is...' Write your answer down and that's your starting point. 

Which part of assignments do you find tricky?

5 ways to beat procrastination.

There seems to be a procrastination theme happening on the StudyBreak Facebook page at the moment so here are 5 ways to beat procrastination and get whichever part of study you are avoiding done.

Here are 5 ways to beat procrastination and get your study done!

1. Set small study goals

What is the task and what do you need to do to get there?

Each day write down two smaller goals to complete. On the same list, write down others things you would like to get done too. Is there washing to do? Do you need to call back Aunty Dot? Do you need to schedule exercise in today? Study just might look like the better option!

2. Reward yourself

When you've achieved your set smaller goals, reward yourself. It might be going to the beach, watching tv or surf ing Facebook. When you've completed a task then it's time to take some time out before starting on the next assignment or exam study. This is the time to reward yourself with an organised social outing, a massage or something else you find relaxing. This will help you re -energise for the next task and reduce your stress.

3. Remind yourself how good you'll feel once it's done

You've already checked your Facebook feed five times this morning and there are no new emails, smothered no needtocheck them again for the next two hours. Mark Twain said 'the secret to getting started is to start'. Remind yourself how good you will feel once you've achieved your study goals. 

4. Talk about your study and get your motivation back

Simply sharing with someone about your study efforts and what task you're working on can clear your thoughts and motivate you to keep going. Especially if the other person gives you encouraging words. Talking out loud about your study can help you vent about any problems and make you realise how much you do know about your topic. 

5. Eat, sleep and exercise

Some people may use these tasks to avoid study but eating a healthy diet, getting adequate sleep and daily exercise will boost your energy levels. Try to exercise before studying and awaken your mind or change your study snack from chips to grapes. Be kind to your body!

How do you get your study started?

Where's your chair?

For years my study space was on the lounge with a small table to sit my laptop on. I thought it was great because when my neck hurt I could look up and rest by watching tv. Sure I had a desk, but it wasn't appealing. Sometimes I took my study outside and this is a great idea to get fresh air and a new surrounding can help with the writing flow.

In my final year of postgraduate study, I set up an appealing study space- at a desk with a view. I wasn't isolated and everything including my text books and printer were accessible. However, if I could sneak back to the lounge with my laptop on my knees I did. 

When my husband did a stint of working from home I decided he needed a good chair to support his back. I did my research and I tried and tested a range personally before I decided on just the right one.

When he finished his stint of working from home, I thought it looked a lot nicer than my shabby, unsupportive and generally ugly office chair, and pushed his chair over to 'my' side of the study space.

I haven't looked back and I have now claimed this chair as my own. Since using a good, supportive and comfortable chair, long gone are the days of sitting on the lounge with my laptop. I'm more productive as it's not so tempting to watch the tv and I'm more comfortable so less aches and pains from sitting with bad posture.

So, what are you sitting on as you read this post?