Template

Thesis advisor meeting template

A regular meeting between a student and their thesis or dissertation advisor: what was done, what is stuck, feedback on the latest draft, and the next small deadline.

45 minutesFor A graduate or final-year student and their advisorAgenda room

Change the agenda first

The agenda, with a time for each part

Since last time8 min
- What did you get done, and what did not happen?
Where you are stuck12 min
- What is the problem, and what have you tried?
Feedback on the draft15 min
- What is the main thing to fix in this chapter?
The next deadline7 min
- What will you send me, and by when?
Anything else3 min
- How are you doing, apart from the work?

How the notes read afterwards

A made-up example, so you can see the shape. In a real call each line carries the words that were said and who said them.

Since last time. Collected all survey responses; chapter 3 not started.

Stuck. Half the responses skipped one question.

Feedback. The literature review describes but does not argue; pick a side.

Next. Chapter 3 outline by the 15th.

Running it well

The student sends a one-paragraph update and the draft a few days before. The meeting is for decisions, not reading.
End with one deadline the student sets. Small, frequent deadlines finish theses; big, distant ones do not.
Ask how they are doing. Long projects are lonely, and advisors are often the first to notice someone struggling.

Ways to change it

Group meetingAn advisor's students meet monthly to present to each other.

Writing stageWeekly short meetings, one page reviewed each time.

When to skip it. If the student has nothing new — but keep a short check-in so weeks do not turn into months.

Questions

How often should you meet your thesis advisor?

Often every one to two weeks, more during writing; agree a rhythm at the start.

What should you bring to a thesis advisor meeting?

A short update on progress, the specific problems you are stuck on, and any draft you want feedback on, sent in advance.

How do you get useful feedback on a thesis draft?

Ask specific questions about what you are unsure of, and ask which one thing most needs fixing.

What happens in the room

Everybody joins from the link, with no account. The agenda sits beside the call and each item fills in with what was said about it, under the name of the person who said it.

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