Every PhD experience is an experience in itself and a story can be written about each one of them. I have heard of good supervisors and I have heard of bad supervisors and I have also heard of good supervisors turn bad and vice versa. You need to pick up the pulse of your supervisor and know how to manipulate the things in your favour. You need to just keep a few things in mind to keep the ball rolling:

1. Set your own goals and limits as no one else knows you better than your own self. Do not let anyone push you beyond your limits
2. You must know your aspirations well so that no one can impose or mix theirs with yours ( read no one here as supervisor)
3. If you have more than one supervisor, build a good relationship with all of them so that they remain not just involved in your work but also accountable for your work to some extent
4. Stay connected with all others in your department. This includes other professors, staff members, accountants and peer scholars so that you can get the warning sign, if at all, from any of the quarter
5. This one is not to miss, have all possible interactions, emails, feedback and other important interaction details with your supervisor documented well. This would be of great help if things become sour and an external intervention is required
6. Remember always to “patch up” with your supervisor. Compromise, bend, accommodate as after all it is your PhD and not his.

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