Suggestions for a beginning researcher.

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Graduate students in research often face challenges when their supervisors are unavailable for guidance. The discussion emphasizes the importance of establishing regular communication with a supervisor, suggesting weekly meetings to ensure consistent progress. If a supervisor remains unresponsive, students should consider finding a new advisor to facilitate their research journey. The key takeaway is that without proper mentorship, students risk prolonged periods in graduate school without significant research output.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of graduate-level research methodologies
  • Familiarity with academic literature and journal articles
  • Basic skills in time management and self-discipline
  • Ability to communicate effectively with academic advisors
NEXT STEPS
  • Research effective strategies for establishing a productive advisor-student relationship
  • Learn about time management techniques specifically for researchers
  • Explore methods for self-directed research and setting personal milestones
  • Investigate networking opportunities within academic circles to find potential mentors
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for graduate students, early-career researchers, and anyone navigating the challenges of independent research without adequate supervision.

arroy_0205
Messages
127
Reaction score
0
What advice will you give to someone who starts as a graduate student (theoretical works) but since supervisor is rarely available for consultation, have to take the responsibility of making progress alone. Frankly I am in such a situation and even though I work a lot, I find I am making very little progress in actual research. I am reading lots of papers, books and journals but I realize I have not done much research. Whenever I find some interesting new idea or some new formulation I can not resist myself and immediately start reading and learning that. This way though I have learned much, I have done very little research. I am looking for useful suggestions from experienced researchers. How should those work practically alone, proceed to become a good researcher?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Either get your adviser to make the time for you (try suggesting a weekly meeting) or pick a new adviser. If you're not making much progress on your own and don't know how to start making progress, you need a supervisor - most grad students do. And the longer you go without a useful one, the longer you'll be in grad school.
 

Similar threads

Admissions PhD Admission: What Do Committees Want from an MS Applicant in Research?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
Other Should we reach out to fellow researchers, or patiently wait for them?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
763
Programs Research paper reading suggestions
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
1K
Other Finding a research topic in the Aerospace field
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
Suggestions for research topics for M.Sc. in Nuclear Power Engineering
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Possible research directions for a beginner in TQFT
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Programs Universities for Research in Dynamical Systems of Fluids
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Schools Which College Should I Choose for a Career in Fusion System Design?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Programs Take a 5th year to do more research?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Admissions Admission into Princeton Grad School
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K