A recent global survey by Nature, involving more than 3 700 doctoral candidates, reveals something striking. It is not the salary, the workload or the number of publications that most affects how positive a PhD journey feels, but the quality of supervision (Nordling, 2025). PhD students who have at least one hour of weekly contact with their supervisor report significantly greater satisfaction than those who hardly see them. This difference strongly influences motivation, stress, productivity and self-confidence.
Good supervision benefits not only the student. Supervisors who invest time, attention and mentoring build teams that collaborate better, learn faster and get stuck less often. Yet the research also shows an uncomfortable truth. Many PhD candidates experience insufficient guidance, unclear expectations or a dynamic that drains more energy than it provides (Nordling, 2025). For many, the outcome depends heavily on luck. A supervisor who suits you helps you grow, while a mismatch makes every step heavier.
The challenge is not limited to PhD candidates. Research among undergraduate dissertation students shows that mismatched expectations between students and supervisors significantly reduce perceived support and academic satisfaction (Fung & Yang, 2016). Students often report unclear roles and insufficient structure, which directly affects their stress levels and study progress.
Many students respond by trying to change themselves or by continually investing energy in a relationship that is not improving. This is understandable, but it drains more energy than it returns. You usually cannot change your supervisor, and forcing yourself rarely makes the process easier.
The question that truly moves you forward is where your influence lies. Where can you invest your energy so it helps you progress? Sometimes this means finding a second supervisor. Sometimes it means approaching meetings differently. And sometimes it means recognising that you need someone beside you who looks beyond the academic content. Someone who helps you stay mentally steady, break patterns and prevent stress or procrastination from taking over.
Coaching does not replace your supervisor.
It strengthens you.
It gives you space, clarity and direction. It helps you carry your academic journey without losing yourself along the way. Supervision is important, but your development never depends on one person. You can always choose support that fits you.
If you want to understand where you stand in terms of stress, procrastination, focus and support, you can take my short assessment. The questions explore pressure, study rhythm and what you currently need. You receive immediate insight into where your leverage lies and whether additional support could help.
Fung, D. C. L., & Yang, X. (2016). Expectations and experiences of first-year undergraduate dissertation students. Journal of Educational Enquiry, 15(1), 1–20. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1210780.pdf
Nordling, L. (2025, September 29). How money, politics and technology are redefining the PhD experience in 2025. Nature, 646, 247–250. https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-025-03149-7
