Who would study psychology unless they had some issues?!

"Once the semester starts, everyone will have classes and internships, and some will need to travel for research. It’s going to be hard to have everyone together like today." After easing the mood, Bai Qinghua continued, "That’s why we’re taking this opportunity before the semester begins to gather everyone together."

"Just to briefly mention a few things."

"This is the first group meeting," Bai Qinghua began speaking in a not-too-hurried tone, with an air of ’I don’t want to waste time’, "I’ll discuss a few matters."

"This is both for the newcomers and for you senior students."

Bai Qinghua leaned back against the chair.

The man in the blue shirt adjusted his mindset and sat upright, once again recalling Bai Qinghua’s impressive résumé, enough to carve a niche in the professional field.

"If you can get into Beidu Normal University and be seated here, it means you’re already quite remarkable. Everyone knows how they managed to get through the postgraduate exam year — what time you went to bed and woke up each day, how much coffee you drank, how much hair you lost."

"— even the few who got recommended for graduate school worked very hard."

Bai Qinghua changed his posture, crossing one leg over the other.

"These years of master’s study, saying it’s hard is hard; saying it’s not hard is not hard. You have to attend classes, read literature, do experiments, and write papers. All these things piled up together are very intensive."

"I can’t quite manage you. At this stage, it’s mainly self-study; only you can watch over yourselves, only you can supervise yourselves."

"Everyone has a desk. In principle, I encourage everyone to come and sit when they are free, which counts as a benefit, no need to fight for study rooms or libraries and the like."

Bai Qinghua said this with a slight upward tug at the corner of his mouth.

"But if you say you have to force yourself into something — it’s unnecessary."

He raised his hand and gently waved it in the air.

"Your mindset must remain calm; don’t listen to outside talks about ’involution’ and the like that create anxiety. If your paper lacks a good idea, let it go for a while, go out, have fun, you might figure it out when you return; if experiments aren’t working out, chat with your seniors, don’t just bear it alone."

"As for pursuing a PhD — many who just came say they want to pursue a PhD with me. But this is something I don’t actively recommend."

Saying this, Bai Qinghua’s expression became wistful.

"I have kids myself, and their grades are pretty good. He mentioned wanting to pursue a PhD to me before, and I told him he didn’t have this research talent, so there’s no need, graduating with a master’s and getting a job is enough."

Bai Qinghua sighed, "Those years of doctoral study really have great pressure, require a lot of psychological preparation."

"Think about it, your peers often will have jobs by then, savings; have families, have children."

"And you? If you can’t publish articles, your advisor will rush you, and you’ll be anxious; once published, you worry it’s not good enough, not numerous enough;"

"When looking for a job after graduation, the best option is getting into a university, but university positions are limited, and there are so many doctoral graduates every year;"

"In the end, hair is gone, savings aren’t made, no partners..."

Bai Qinghua started to laugh, "The only increase is in age."

The other people in the office mostly laughed.

Only Chonghui and a few others didn’t laugh, just blinked.

Bai Qinghua leaned forward slightly, adopting the most serious expression since the meeting began, "So, I have only two requirements for you —"

He raised his first finger.

"Firstly, don’t fail your courses. Attend classes seriously, do assignments seriously, take exams seriously."

"After all, failing a course means you can’t graduate, no matter how good your papers are. Everyone worked hard to get into graduate school, don’t fail to get your diploma and have difficulty finding a job later, ending up with nothing."

"As for the second —"

Bai Qinghua retracted his first finger.

Raised the second.

"— graduate alive." Bai Qinghua said seriously.