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Hello. I'm an assistant professor.

Setting up a research lab is tough. Managing students is also difficult. I saw some posts about entering and leaving research labs, so I wanted to share my opinion.

Securing projects (including labor costs), setting up the lab, writing papers, administrative work... it's too busy, but guiding student research and turning them into useful members of society requires more time than I thought.

That's why I became a professor, but it can be personally tiring at times. When my brain isn't working well, I want to rest but can't, and if a student says something nonsensical... Usually I can brush it off, but sometimes I have to take a deep breath.

So, I hope people can remember that professors are human too.

This is a human-to-human relationship, so don't do anything extreme... If you want to change labs, give notice. If you only want to do undergraduate research, don't lie about entering a master's program (unless you really have a good opportunity to transfer). I hope you'll respect these things. Although it may be difficult and painful when you want to do something else, managing those feelings is also the professor's responsibility, so I hope you'll give notice so we can prepare mentally.

Professors don't take responsibility for your life, but we worry a lot to be responsible during your degree. When I was a student, I didn't worry about whether my professor would secure better projects in two years, and I know you don't worry about that either.

But professors have to worry about that even while sleeping. You can become an educator who worries a lot about other people's futures, and from there, you can grow while fulfilling your duties as a student. You might also hurt someone and witness their change. I think it's like the butterfly effect.

The reason I'm saying these things without knowing who you are and it doesn't help me is because that attitude will determine your future. If you try to act smart because of a moment's discomfort or for personal gain, you'll feel uncomfortable. Humans are not very wise, we tend to think the way we act. In the end, I hope you won't only form relationships with people who prioritize personal interests over responsibilities.

There are graduates who become friends with professors. They're all people who have gone through these worries and faced them properly. In society, human relationships are more important than you think. I hope you'll act sincerely, as if you're creating a senior in life. You're not children anymore.