Your thesis supervisor can be one of the most valuable assets in your academic journey. They’re not just a formal requirement—they’re a mentor, sounding board, and guide through the complex process of completing your thesis. But like any professional relationship, working with a supervisor requires clear communication, mutual respect, and proactive planning.
Whether you’re just starting your research or navigating your final draft, here are key tips to help you build a productive relationship with your thesis supervisor.
1. Clarify Expectations Early
The most successful student-supervisor relationships start with a shared understanding of how you’ll work together.
Discuss upfront:
How often you’ll meet
Preferred communication methods (email, in-person, Zoom, etc.)
How quickly to expect feedback
Who initiates meetings
Boundaries around work hours
Ask what they expect from you in terms of drafts, updates, and independence. Every supervisor has a different style—some are hands-on, others hands-off—so clarity is crucial.
2. Set a Meeting Schedule and Stick to It
Regular meetings create accountability and momentum. Don’t wait for issues to pile up or feedback to drift into the distant future.
Best practices:
Set recurring meetings (e.g., fortnightly or monthly)
Prepare an agenda before each meeting
Summarize key points and next steps in a follow-up email
This shows respect for your supervisor’s time and helps track your progress.
3. Be Prepared and Organized
Come to meetings with purpose. Bring questions, drafts, outlines, or progress updates.
Tip: Create a shared folder (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.) for your thesis documents so your supervisor can easily access your work and see its evolution.
Use tools like write studio for task tracking, reference library, and writing progress reports.
TIP: If you supervisor is technology-savvy, ask them if they want to view drafts of your work online.
4. Be Open to Feedback (Even When It’s Tough)
Receiving criticism on your work can sting, but it’s an essential part of the learning process.
Remember:
Feedback is not personal—it’s about improving your research.
Ask clarifying questions if feedback isn’t clear.
Don’t just fix what’s wrong—try to understand why it’s wrong.
Proactively invite feedback on specific parts (e.g., “Can you comment on my argument structure in this section?”) to get more targeted advice.
5. Respect Their Time
Supervisors often balance heavy workloads, including research, teaching, and other student responsibilities.
Be professional by:
Submitting work with reasonable lead time for feedback (e.g., 1–2 weeks)
Avoiding last-minute emergencies before deadlines
Being on time and prepared for meetings
The more you respect their time, the more they’ll invest in helping you succeed.
6. Communicate Challenges Early
If you’re struggling—whether with your research, motivation, mental health, or personal issues—don’t suffer in silence. Supervisors aren’t mind readers, and most will appreciate honesty and transparency.
They may be able to:
Adjust timelines
Offer encouragement or alternative strategies
Refer you to support services
Early communication can prevent small problems from snowballing.
7. Own Your Project
Remember: this is your thesis, not your supervisor’s. They’re there to support you—not do the work for you or make all the decisions. Undertaking a thesis is a learning journey; so it will be tough at times.
Demonstrate initiative by:
Proposing ideas
Making decisions (with input)
Taking responsibility for your research direction
A strong supervisor-student relationship is collaborative, not dependent.
8. Document Your Progress
Keep a running record of:
Meeting dates and notes
Feedback received
Actions taken
Draft versions
This helps you stay organized, reflect on improvements, and track your growth. It also provides a paper trail in case of misunderstandings.
9. Know When to Escalate Issues
If your supervisor is unresponsive, overly critical, or you feel the relationship isn’t working despite your efforts, seek advice from:
Your program coordinator
A trusted faculty member
Your university’s graduate office
Most universities have policies and processes for changing supervisors or mediating issues—don’t be afraid to use them if necessary.
10. Show Appreciation
A little gratitude goes a long way. Supervisors put in a lot of time and energy guiding students.
Ways to show appreciation:
Thank them after meetings or when they provide feedback
Acknowledge their contribution in your thesis
Share your successes with them (e.g., acceptance of a publication or award)
Mutual respect builds a positive, lasting academic relationship.
In Summary
Working effectively with your thesis supervisor isn’t just about submitting chapters—it’s about building a relationship based on communication, accountability, and shared goals. Treat your supervisor as a partner in your research journey, and you’ll not only produce better work—you’ll enjoy the process more too.
Whether you’re aiming to finish your thesis on time or explore opportunities like publishing or further study, a strong supervisory relationship can open doors well beyond your degree.
