How to escape a toxic PhD advisor?

Tactics to save yourself from a toxic PhD advisor who is effecting your mental health are given. While doctorate degree is a worthy goal for those interested in research, it should not be something which makes your life miserable.
#phdstudent
#gradschool
#academia
Disclaimer: I am not a psychologist or mental health expert. Always contact a mental health professional if you are suffering from sadness, melancholy feelings or depression. A medical doctor at your university medical center can give you advice.

[@graceasantewaatwumasi]

This is like a fatherly advice. Thank you.

[@TheMutantDNA]

I wish you had uploaded this video 7 years back, when I was joining IIT for a PhD program. 😢 Profs in India have started behaving like a god no one can touch them and say anything...even institutes do nothing in favour of students.

[@Forest82Gump]

Not only in India. It is everywhere.

[@keshav1srao]

You helped me to escape from one scenario and complete my PhD, thank you Sir for your help.

[@Drganguli]

You are most welcome. Best wishes for the future

[@lifeinsouthkorea3150]

Thank you sir! It is the most needed video for me. But unfortunately it is too late for me.

[@Drganguli]

Better late than never

[@ankitatagade9090]

Sir, this is a very sensitive but cruical topic that you have discussed...thank you so much for your guidelines..

[@Drganguli]

Yes the topic has become more important for the current generation as the generation gap is increasing

[@1032bp]

Sir, excellent analysis on this crucial topic. This issue prevails widely across academia, even in top-ranked universities and institutes, yet people from academia often avoid discussing it. Thanks for addressing it.

[@Drganguli]

Academia is based on high level of competition and the process of paper rejection and student training is very harsh. Some students may not be able to cope with this as they are too sensitive. Many kids are raised in one child families nowadays and cannot handle the harshness which our generation was accustomed to take. Hope this video will help some students.

[@JingJao]

I think taking the master and leave is the best option, if you really don't want to continue PhD. Thank you, sir. Also if you're on visa, you can at least get OPT and get a job and leave to industry. Ideally try and transfer university or advisor and finish PhD.

[@Drganguli]

Yes moving out with the masters is always a good idea. Moving to another university is something I have seen students do every now and then.

[@bhaktivgadhvi8057]

Hello sir. Thank you so much for your guidance. In March 24 i submitted my thesis. Now I am searching for Postdoc fellowship in English literature. But it seems less oppertunity in arts. I got fellowship during my PhD. here in India

[@Drganguli]

It is possible in humboldt, Banting and Fulbright fellowships. You can take a look at them. In English most people may become teachers etc. these videos may help you Boost your Career with the Banting Postdoc in Canada? kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2qwn32QapJgfZo How to get the Humboldt Postdoctoral Fellowship in Germany? kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZ-llqSij62Knqs Boost your career with the Fulbright postdoctoral fellowship! kzbin.info/www/bejne/faGbnKano795edU

[@bhaktivgadhvi8057]

I really need it. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart

[@chitararajeshkumar5934]

🙏

[@dikshasharma8108]

Sir, I had severe depression and committed suicide once during phd. Now I have got my degree. I got one reco letter from my supervisor, though she was resistant to give one. Now, I had some issues with her and I m worried, if I submit her reco letter to foreign university in usa for postdoc, those ppl may call her and she will definitely give a bad review. What should I do.

[@Drganguli]

First of all I am sorry to hear about your problems at the university and am happy that you were able to get out of that situation. Typically people don’t give a bad letter of recommendation if they have agreed to give a letter. In case they don’t have something positive to say about a person, academics will decline to give a letter saying they don’t know you well or simply not reply to emails, an art in which academics excel. So I would not worry but continue the search for future career prospects. Also I encourage everyone to seek professional help from mental health experts in case of depression.

[@dikshasharma8108]

@@Drganguli thank u sir

[@dikshasharma8108]

@@Drganguli sir, she has ruined my reputation in the institute because I requested her not to include vague data in my paper. And I requested her to add few controls to my study, to which reacted badly. She is easily manipulated by my junior. My junior got rebuke during her defense . The referees criticized her work but she listens to her since she is my guide's favorite. She has told ppl that she would give me bad reco for postdoc. I requested her. She asked to write on my own and she would sign. Now the problem is her moody nature. She delayed my viva by one year. And she has multiple retraction and is known for her behaviour. But here my concern is will she get a call from potential interviewer, if I submit reco letter given by her because she may speak anything.. I heard from somebody.. pls guide me. Or I take 2 letters from my team lead who is a PhD

[@dikshasharma8108]

Sir, she has given me reco letter. But I m sure if they call her she will speak negative about me. Can I give references of my current genomics company team lead who is a PhD and one, I can get from anybody from my institute who knows my work. Will they reject me, if I don't share my supervisor details.. she has earlier ruined my reputation because I requested her not to add one experiment. She told somebody that she would ruin my postdoc application.. and my phd article is very novel. If I share this with potential supervisor, they will come to know her nameplease suggest.. I m in dilemma

[@Drganguli]

@@dikshasharma8108 It is best not to think too many and take events take their own course. As I mention in this video Make Fewer and Better Decisions in Life! kzbin.info/www/bejne/q2LQeJduo7mDhLM

[@saikatghosh90]

sir i have a great respect for you. but pushing this victim mentality is very very wrong. i have seen PhD supervisors writing papers and thesis for the student still student will bad mouth the supervisor. If we dont get the opportunity to learn under Drone still we can become Ekalavya if not Arjuna, Drone took away Ekalavya's finger still he respected him. Current generation loves to celebrate victimhood, and should never be trusted esp females

[@Drganguli]

Thanks for your contrarian views. Each generation is becoming more and more sensitive due to their parental upbringing. My point is to encourage students who feel uncomfortable to leave the college rather than take any unfortunate measures.

[@dikshasharma8108]

You are right. But few supervisor's are really toxic..