What's the worse thing you can imagine happening to you during you PhD?In the scheme of the universe, nothing is that bad. But in the scheme of my own PhD life, the worse thing that can happen is about to happen to me.
My supervisors are moving overseas and the lab is breaking up. Well, so he thinks, he hasn't quite decided yet. He's taking his own sweet time about it. 3 months sweet time in fact. Of course, by some weird turn of events, I'm the only person who knows this, and I'm not supposed to tell anyone. Oh, and I forgot to mention, advisory supervisor is leaving also. But "shhhh, keep this to yourself," they both say.
A rumour is what started this all. For one entire week I have held onto this knowledge. Only today did I confront my supervisor with this query. "Is it true?"
His face reddened, so did mine, and we stumbled over a conversation that I regretted starting. Only that I have every right to do so.
"There are more important people who need to know about this first," he says, in a 'mind your own business' kind of voice. Clearly this is my business. Previously high on my respect list, he drops well below average.
He lists a few assumptions about my life and what I will and will not want to do if he leaves. (House, boyfriend etc.) Respect drops even further.
"Don't lose any sleep over it, don't tell anyone, and I'll probably have made up my mind by the end of next week," clearly an arbitrary date pulled out of his confused mind.
He needs help deciding what to do with his life. I tried to help him out: "Don't worry about me, I'll find other options" Secretly, I'm loving the opportunity for change. I'm going to be disappointed if he stays.
Just made up your mind already!
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