In need of advice

[shanaqui]

So my dissertation is due on 15th March. I can't get an extension at this point, because I already had a huge one after I had an operation and a bereavement. I sent my supervisor a draft of just my first chapter on 9th January. A week later, I sent an email asking if he'd received it safely and he said yes. Two weeks after that, I sent another email asking if he'd have time to read through it soon. He said he'd try and get me feedback on Friday.

Yep, the Friday that's been and gone.

I'm not sure what to do. I know he's busy -- start of term, marking stuff, etc -- but he's always known the timescale we were working with, and he's only got to look at 5,000 words at this point. I don't think anyone else in the department has the relevant interests to follow my argument, and I don't want to get him into trouble -- he's awesome as a lecturer and he's been very supportive. But. I feel like I can't move on with this until he gets back to me 'cause maybe it's all a massive waste of time and none of it is any good. In terms of the time available, though, I need this to move forward now.

Any suggestions on what I can do?

Comments

[jae]

I can't speak for your supervisor, but if you were working with me, I'd want you to approach me and remind me of the urgency of your timeline, either in email or during office hours. I'd then feel very chagrined and make time to read the damn chapter.

Sometimes, we just need a (gentle) push.

-J

[shanaqui]

I've done that, sadly. I've tried suggesting an appointment with him in office hours now, though. Fingers crossed!

[jae]

Unless you live in a country where this is severely frowned upon or something, I'd say just show up at the office hour. Don't wait for an appointment. He'll be sitting there anyway (he has to!). Office hours are student time.

-J

[shanaqui]

In our university, you do have to sign up first -- each person that signs up gets a ten minute slot. He only has office hours once a week and I'm not even sure when offhand...

[jae]

Oh, dear.

Well, all right, then, good luck with the appointment! Let us know what happens. But this Canadian professor says that being proactive about this is the right thing to do, in case you're doubting that.

-J

[shanaqui]

Thank you! I'm feeling really worried that I'm being overly pushy or something, but everyone is urging me to push a little more, so...

[siria]

I think going to your supervisor's office hours is an excellent idea. I have a friend whose supervisor is notoriously awful about providing feedback for her students, so my friend has taken to showing up at her office hours, saying, "Can you read this draft and give me some feedback? I'll sit here and grade while you read through it." It is, perhaps a technique that lacks in subtlety, but it is effective :D

[shanaqui]

I can't just turn up, we have to make appointments, but something along the same lines as that in principle is what I've decided to go for...

[egret]

Could you go without an appointment and apologize profusely for not having an appointment and then say "I was just so anxious because of the time limitation" and proceed from there?

[shanaqui]

That'd cut into someone else's time with him, so I don't really want to do that even at this stage.