Professor X is never in the office, doesn't respond to e-mails, meets you once every six months and is guaranteed not to hassle. Dr Y, meanwhile, requires daily updates and detailed progress reports, is always close at hand and knows your thesis research better than you do.

Choosing the right supervisor is crucial, yet many students underestimate the importance of their decision. Finding the right person can make or break a PhD.

The right kind of boss is someone whose style matches the way you like to be managed. You may prefer to be left alone to do your own thing, whereas your boss wants to guide you every step of the way. That doesn't make them bad, just the wrong style for you.

Research is rarely done in a vacuum, and students usually interact with a wide spectrum of people. My PhD has taught me as much about myself and other people as it has about physics. If you have the right people to work with, half the battle is won.

When your relationship with your boss is flexible enough to suit both of you, you can get the most out of your research. A good supervisor is like a best friend who helps you to ride the PhD roller-coaster safely. So take time to find the right combination for you; it'll be worth it in the end.