Important advice for students

This site is mainly about professional activities. However, beyond work, there is life.

Among those who work in academia (or in research), it is frequent to find an incentive to consider work (in academia, science, research, etc.) as something more important than other aspects of a person’s life. In my view, this is completely false. However interesting, however relevant and however fulfilling it may be, work in teaching, research, extension and innovation is work and should be seen as such: work is work.

It is important to know that, according to some research, the happiness of a human being is closely linked to the quantity and quality of connections with other human beings that he (she) has. This should be a priority in every human being’s life. Your happiness does not depend on your grade, your history, your payment, your articles, titles, etc, etc.

Thus, I recommend that each student consider their professional activity as a professional activity and not become so involved in such activity that it harms their physical and mental health or their relationships with the people who are important to them. Do your best during working hours (~8 a day, 5 days a week) and live your life (don’t forget that doing your best doesn’t mean suffering!).

Dedicate yourself to eating well, sleeping well, and valuing your social connections. Your life is more important than your job.

Each person is living an individual journey and should not self-deprecatingly compare themselves to other individuals. Live at your own pace and set the goals and objectives that make sense for you.

Finally, like it or not, many scientific discoveries occurred by sheer luck!!! Thus, living life and working with balance will always be the best decision.

Detail: It is worth remembering the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

Article 24
Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.

Don’t give up your rights!!!!

Below are some photos that show precious moments for me. These moments have nothing to do with my work and in fact there is a lot in my life that has nothing to do with my work that is very important to me.