Today, I asked my professor for his opinion on the subject I plan to study in my thesis. Turns out, he likes it so much that he's going to steal it from me. FML
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Wild Nights Out
Last call, bad decisions and 3 a.m. texts you'll regret until noon. Cheers.
Today, I held a presentation about my masters thesis. Turns out, my professor never ever actually read the drafts I'd given him, but decided to rip me to pieces in front of everyone, saying that the topic isn't worth researching. I've been working on it for six months. FML
Today, I walked into my office and found my ex-roommate going through my desk. Apparently, despite not wanting to be friends or even speak anymore, he has no qualms about "borrowing" my Master's thesis so he can compare and write his. FML
Today, after six months of writing a 40 page paper criticizing a famous method, I found out the professor who conceived it has transferred to my favorite college to head the department I'm applying to study in. They require I submit the paper with my application. FML
Today, I realized the cute guy in my Spanish class only talks to me so he can steal my answers. He asked if I'd give him the answers for the final as well. FML
Today, after I'd being sick all day, my boyfriend volunteered to do my very long sociology paper. I was later notified by my professor that the paper I'd submitted was completely plagiarized. FML
Today, after I took my first set of exams, my professor posted on Twitter, scoffing at how stupid one student's answer was. The answer he quoted was one that I wrote. FML
Today, I found out that my manager has been stealing my ideas. The worst part? He made me work overtime to complete the project that I originally proposed. FML
Today, the professor I've had a crush on informed me that there's only one way left I could still pass his course. Thinking this was an attempt to flirt with me, I told him I'd do anything he could imagine. He then looked confused when he asked me to write an essay. FML
Today, I got a paper back that was given a zero for suspected plagiarism. Everything I wrote was my own thought and analysis. My instructor basically thinks my paper is smarter than I am. He won't listen, even when I explain my thought processes throughout the piece. FML
Today, I asked my professor what happened to the assignment I gave him several weeks ago. Turns out he lost it, and graded me zero as a result. Now if I want a mark, he says I'll have to hand-write it all over again, but that I "probably shouldn't bother," because it was "a bit shit, really." FML
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Top comments
Immortal_Toaster 23
I don't have anything witty to say, that just sucks. I'd report him to the higher-ups.
bethers_ 22
This happened to my roommate when she started her PhD! It took her an extra 8 months to find another lab after the experience. You need to report that professor for stealing your idea. Don't let the same thing happen to you.
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Comments (83)
fml510605 16
Report him.... It's better than doing nothing.
ohSNAPyall 27
Better to have an open, uncomfortable with the professor first. This might be a misunderstanding.
Wolfipoo 31
That sucks OP, please receive the wise words of this community and report him, hope it all goes well for you.
Technically 5
That's terrible for OP... But the way french universities work, there is no way he (or she) will get any form of justice. Administrative procedures are long, heavy, requieres rock solid evidence and in the end he may not even find another professor in his field willing to direct the thesis. Which his current professor is probably perfectly aware of. Good luck anyway, whether you try the battle or start looking for a new topic...
knoxxx 22
Unfortunately OP has no right to prevent that professor from using that idea unless you have a patent on it. It's not your intellectual property without one. If you know anything about intellectual property, you know never to disclose your ideas or projects without a patent if you don't want other people to use it.
Technically 5
You have an obligation to disclose your subject to your thesis director. He must approve it and he will be the one to allow you, at the end of your research, to submit it to a jury.
Hash13 13
You can still use it for your thesis, can't you? And if it's better than your professors you will have your sweet revenge.
SystemofaBlink41 27
Thesis unacceptable!!!
HeWillBeLoved105 22
That's why you don't tell people shit.
ohSNAPyall 27
The professor is probably a member of her thesis advisory committee. The professor has to know about her research.
tdawg91 17
Intellectual property, you can actually sue for that
ohSNAPyall 27
Tell your professor that this is your thesis, but you'd be happy to collaborate on a journal article afterwards. Certainly he has other research he can do in the meantime.
dispwned 8
He needs to be reported to your advisor, and if he's your advisor, report him to the department head, and so on. That is unethical and a gross misuse of his position as your professor. If you, as a student, were to do the same thing, your would punishment would range from failing the class to being kicked out of your school for violating academic honesty policy. But most of all, report him, because that's straight up bullshit.