Chapter 1053 - 798: Cause_2
"Just last year, our teacher said he was going to Port District for further studies and handed the project over to us, without taking anyone... At that time, we were quite puzzled because usually our supervisor takes one or two PhD students with him when he goes on a trip."
Being a life assistant means booking tickets, handing over tasks, and so on. The cultivation of a graduate student’s ability is "comprehensive" in all senses.
"But we didn’t ask in detail because our teacher is usually quite strict."
"Unexpectedly, a few months later... he stopped responding to our messages. He didn’t delete or block us, but we couldn’t reach him. Initially, we didn’t think much of it. But then days later, we heard from the school... he’s not coming back."
Nan Zhubin leaned his head slightly forward, repeating: "Not coming back?"
Jie Nianzhou said with difficulty, "I heard... he got a job at a university on the Port District side."
Nan Zhubin raised an eyebrow.
"The school was very angry because he hadn’t handed over any work to this side; I heard his position was even still here. Worse still... he took a lot of confidential data with him, not only from our research group but also from many collaborative projects with other teachers..."
Nan Zhubin was dumbfounded.
Beidu Normal University is the top psychology school in the country. Even if a supervisor there isn’t someone like Bai Qinghua, who’s a leading figure, they’re absolutely a pillar of the industry.
The projects they can access... unimaginable.
"The school reported it to the police immediately, but since he fled to Port District, it was hard to handle. The matter dragged on for a long time, but in the end, it was unresolved."
"Later, the matter was suppressed. We no longer know the situation of that person. I heard he occasionally contacts former classmates... anyway, hasn’t contacted me."
"But no matter what..." Jie Nianzhou took a deep breath, "We have no supervisor now."
"Our school has many applicants; many teachers are already full of students due to teaching quotas. Not to mention, that person’s actions were so absolute, leaving his students with no one willing to take them."
"Master’s students are still okay; the dean can adjust them, and they can start anew within a year or two. But PhD students... even if a teacher is willing to take them, it’s equivalent to completely changing direction; their previous research, data, etc., can’t be used at all; they can’t graduate..."
A bachelor’s degree involves broad learning in a certain discipline; a master’s degree involves exploring a field within the discipline.
As doctorates, it’s about delving extremely deeply into a more detailed direction within a field.
At many universities, often only one supervisor conducts detailed research in a particular direction—more would cause conflict, fighting over projects and papers could make their brains explode.
Therefore, for PhD students, changing supervisors is absolutely not just about changing the environment or getting someone new to sign off.
They’re like setting sail with a captain on a certain route, and now they’re in the center of the course, most supplies are consumed, and the captain is gone.
The newcomers to the first year of PhD may have a bit of luck; if they have enough liver, they can change supervisors and direction, and start learning anew from the master’s stage, they can just barely graduate. It’s like an Inner Sect disciple voluntarily scattering their Inner Strength and starting anew while still having time.
But for those in their second or third year, their foundation is already set.
"My previous senior classmates, those with poor mental states contemplated suicide; those with better mental states... immediately withdrew and went back to seek employment with their master’s degree."
"Occasionally, some still stubbornly holding on, but I heard... they might have hope by studying the fourth, fifth, or even sixth year of PhD..."
Saying this, Jie Nianzhou’s waist bent deeply. He covered his face with both hands, making it hard to see his expression.
But the trembling tone, quivering body, already fully expressed his emotions.
But somehow, this emotion doesn’t seem quite right.
...
Nan Zhubin didn’t immediately provide feedback.
"This person doesn’t deserve to be a teacher." Nan Zhubin rarely directly attacks someone in a consultation.
This wasn’t his genuine feeling. Even if this assessment is very objective.
But he discovered that when the visitor was recounting this process, Jie Nianzhou’s emotion was highly suppressed, with no release at all.
Some things are still hidden deep within Jie Nianzhou, the information isn’t comprehensive enough.
So Nan Zhubin first used the empathy technique, trying to stand in Jie Nianzhou’s shoes to help him express what he was suppressing.
This can effectively shorten the distance between the consultant and visitor in an initial interview, establish a consultation relationship, and facilitate therapeutic effects through surrogate emotional release.
"But you seem to have very complex emotions now." Nan Zhubin continued.
Showing the consultant’s dedication and concern for the visitor.
"As of now, can you tell me what you’re feeling?" This is the answer Nan Zhubin ultimately wanted to know.
Jie Nianzhou lifted his head.
"I feel... very guilty."
Nan Zhubin didn’t speak, just watching the visitor. There must be more to say after this expression.
Hiss—Sigh—
After a deep breath, Jie Nianzhou’s throat began to tremble.
"My previous supervisor... before he went on a trip, I was the one who organized the materials for him."
Jie Nianzhou swallowed hard.
"I had just enrolled, thinking of being proactive with tasks; besides, I had just joined the research group and wanted to learn more about everyone’s research, everyone’s data."
"The senior classmates were all very nice; not only did they give me the group’s previously organized database, but they also shared their latest achievements for me to organize."
"I pulled several all-nighters, thinking it was a good thing..."
"...In the end... I ruined everyone."
Nan Zhubin didn’t rush to interrupt the visitor’s series of near-repentant venting.
"I know rationally speaking, I didn’t do anything wrong. He’s an adult, he’s a supervisor, he’s the responsible person for all of us. And I’m just a student." Jie Nianzhou said.
At the cognitive level, the visitor seems to have no unreasonable aspects.
"But... those thoughts just keep popping up..."
"’It’s all your fault’...’If it weren’t for you, things wouldn’t have gone this far’...’You’re an accomplice’..."
"Especially later when some senior classmates couldn’t withstand the pressure... these thoughts became... more and more frequent..."
Nan Zhubin nodded.
"When did these thoughts start to arise?"
"...Just after my previous supervisor left, about half a year ago."
The information on this direction is deep enough now, let’s change direction.
"You mentioned earlier that authority figures are also a trigger point, and your previous supervisor counts as one."
Nan Zhubin asked, "What about your current supervisor? How’s your current study life?"
"The current one... it’s just the normal life of a PhD student, at most a bit more strenuous."
Jie Nianzhou said, "Changing to a new direction, it’s like I have to build my foundation again from the master’s level... The teacher pushes many papers and books to me, lets me analyze many project data, and helps me catch up."
Nan Zhubin raised an eyebrow.
Didn’t immediately express any evaluation.
"It’s just because... the issues and thoughts I mentioned earlier, those behaviors, always taking up a lot of my time, and severely disturbing my mentality... so I feel my learning efficiency has always been low."
"I’ve recently started thinking... maybe I shouldn’t be doing a PhD."
Nan Zhubin didn’t immediately provide an evaluation, changed direction again: "Have you discussed your current situation with your current supervisor?"
Jie Nianzhou shook his head: "No... I feel... there’s nothing much to say."
There’s nothing much to say.
But given the visitor’s situation now, it is more like "too much to say."
Nan Zhubin glanced at the clock on the wall. From entering the door till now, over thirty minutes had passed.