We are not superhuman so as do our supervisors. We can get brilliant writing guidance, but are unsuccessful when we reveal that we are depressed. Our supervisors can become our best friends, but sometimes fails to motivate us to put great words on the paper.

Most of the time, we felt fortunate to have a great PhD supervisor. We saw them as dutiful, expansive and exceptionally helpful. Nonetheless, supervisors are often as stressed as their students; sometimes they are disengaged and plagued by their own work. And to my surprise, worst-case scenario tells that a supervisor sometimes detests and weakens a student.

Where can we find support, if our supervisor can’t help?

Colleagues are an alternative, but online communities are doing a great job, blogs and forums are progressively more popular sources of advice. A student can take advantage from online resource that might be missing from the supervisor-student relationship.

What a blog or forums have for a PhD student?

1) Limitless realistic advice

We can find number of students/supervisors to guide us on related topics. There is endless time and unparalleled knowledge. They are always available; they are understanding and always supportive. Reason: we can find many of them and can seek help from one and another.

2) Unlimited Emotional support

Since, on an online blog or forum the number of student or supervisors is very high, so there is no lack of emotional support. Again, we can find help from one and the other. Time has no conditions. We can login any time and get supported.

3) Sincere discussion

Online communities are open for any kind of discussion which sometimes cannot be spoken in face to face with pupil or supervisors. Nobody hesitate or feel jealous describing things. No one has to do anything with another; in person. We as a student can explore beyond academia and that’s without hesitation.