Practicalities
Project Advice
contact info
Dr. Ir. Hugo JonkerOpen Universiteit
Valkenburgerweg 177
6419 AT Heerlen
Netherlands
| phone: | +31 (0)45 576 2143 |
| email: | hugo.jonker@ou.nl |
| www: | http://www.open.ou.nl/hjo |
| twitter: | @hugojonker |
- Regular meetings
Have a 30 minute meeting with your supervisor at least every 40hrs of work you put into the project. This makes sure you don't go too far off the intended plan. - Meeting notes
After each meeting, send a brief list of the main points to your supervisor.
This makes sure that your supervisor has a chance to correct misunderstanding. Moreover, it helps the supervisor prepare for your next meeting. - Supervisor's time
Your supervisor is one of your project's resources. Be conscious of the time the supervisor spends on the project - (s)he only has a finite amount of time to dedicate to you, and it isn't much. Moreover, make sure to direct your supervisor's attention to the parts where you want or need assistance. Don't send 30 pages of new writing without instructions. If you send 30 pages of newly written text, explain what it is you would like your supervisor to do (check outline, focus on this section, check the argumentation, etc.). - Take responsibility
Even when your supervisor says "we ...": it is your project, not theirs. You need a passing grade, your supervisor doesn't. Your supervisor may provide ideas, suggestions and directions for the project, but it is up to you to choose and it is up to you to defend your choices.
If you're not sure: ask your supervisor for advice! - Supervisors are guides
Your supervisor's primary role towards you is to guide the project. Even if your supervisor is also one of the persons grading the project, note that this is separate from guiding the project. - Create a planning and keep it up to
date
Give some thought to how the project should go. Keeping the project planning somewhat up to date will help you (and your supervisor) keep track of how the project is going.