Supervisor Meetings 101 for Newbies (Easy steps!)

In this video, I delve into the essential strategies on how to make presentation for PhD meetings with supervisor. The focus is on taking control of these meetings to ensure they are productive and focused. Throughout my PhD journey, I faced various phd advisor problems, often feeling overwhelmed and confused after meetings. This led me to develop a structured approach to ensure I remained in charge and the meetings were beneficial.

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First and foremost, I emphasize the importance of being the chair of the meeting. This means setting the agenda, presenting it clearly, and steering the discussion to stay on track. By doing this, you prevent the meeting from becoming a chaotic exchange of ideas, which can leave you more confused than when you started. One key tip is to start the meeting with a formal presentation, complete with slides that outline the date, the agenda, and the meeting objectives. This sets a professional tone and signals to everyone that you are in control.

Another crucial point is choosing a neutral location for the meeting, such as a room near both your and your supervisor’s offices. This creates a level playing field and avoids the power dynamics that can arise when meeting in your supervisor’s office. If the meeting must happen in a casual setting, like a café, I recommend still bringing your laptop and presenting formally to maintain structure.

When it comes to the content of the presentation, I suggest starting with a recap of what was agreed upon in the last meeting and sharing any good news, such as paper submissions or conference presentations. This not only sets a positive tone but also reassures your PhD supervisor that you are making progress. Following this, present the data you have collected since the last meeting. Be selective with the data you show, focusing on the most relevant and significant findings. This helps keep the discussion clear and focused.

During the meeting, actively take notes on your slides when feedback or new ideas are shared. This demonstrates that you are listening and provides a record of the discussion. It’s important to manage the meeting time effectively, keeping it within an hour to maintain everyone’s focus and energy.

Conclude the presentation with a clear plan for the next steps. Outline what you intend to achieve before the next meeting, ensuring that the goals are realistic and aligned with the overall project timeline. Discuss any new ideas or literature that could inform your work, showing that you are engaged with the latest research in your field. By following these strategies, you can turn your PhD meetings into productive, structured, and goal-oriented sessions.

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▼ ▽ TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Be in control
00:46 Neutral Territory
01:49 Opening slide
02:19 Next Slide
03:22 Good News
04:33 The Data
05:54 Data Slides
07:14 Take Notes
08:03 Conclusions
11:32 Outro

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