-Me: I want to go home for about 2 weeks when classes are done, I only get to go once or twice a year and these are the only vacations I take during the year.
-Advisor: Well, you are only supposed to get about 4 weeks of vacation a year and you've already taken over three weeks during Xmas and J-term. Plus, you're behind in your research.
-Me: But I didn't join the group until after J-term was over!
-Advisor: I don't care. You should also consider that there are some international students who spend years without going home at all.
So basically she took away vacation time from before I even started working for her. How does that make any sense at all? She hasn't even paid me for any of my work yet! (the school is)
And I'm also behind in my research. It's not enough that I go a couple of times a week to do experiments, even though I'm taking 2 advanced classes and I teach for roughly 15 hours a week. Let's not mention that I also want to have some spare time for a personal life.
No matter what she says, I'm taking vacation time to go home and visit my family. I'm burned out enough from the semester that I'll go crazy if I start her 50+ hours a week summer schedule right after classes end. To tell the truth, I had been considering the idea of switching advisors for a while, and now I'm seriously thinking about it...I don't care if it somewhat backtracks my progress, I'm not happy working there as it is, and this will pay off in the long run.
Nothing like a little grad school drama to end the semester with. The question is, what group can I/do I want to join now?
at April 18, 2006 9:40 PMWelcome to the not-so-glamorous side of grad school. It gets even better next year when you have to do your PhD qualifiers (written + oral). If you're working for someone who expects you to do 8+ hrs a day, and then do all the bloody reading and writing associated with those exams (oral especially), plus possibly teach a class, you are not going to enjoy next year either. And how exactly is one behind on research -- I've never understood it when this is said. Sometimes experiments don't work, or you find out that your advisor's brainfart is going to be a hell of a lot of work.
Now, being an old fart (haha) who's passed his oral, I would say that two weeks right after spring semester is a little on the long side. But experience has taught me that it is one of the best times for a vacation that you'll have. Later in the summer you'll be too involved in research and all the related BS.
Good luck with the advisor decision. The work/life balance, and working for someone who appreciates that, is the most important part of grad school -- we aren't soulless bastards like Harvard or CalTech folks.
Posted by: Anonymous Coward at the U of M at April 20, 2006 7:18 PMHey, thanks a lot for the support buddy. I met with her once more to explain my situation, and then came to the conclusion that I'm not happy working there anymore. Next week should be interesting as I talk to potential advisors all over again.
Posted by: DAP at April 23, 2006 12:51 PM