Progress in My PhD: What Are the Programming Tasks For Mice?

Even with the lousy weather upon my return from South America and despite catching the flu, I’ve discovered a profound sense of happiness. It’s all thanks to my special PhD project, you know. Right now, I’m learning how to program a computer game for mice using Blender, and let me tell you, it’s absolutely fascinating!

In the near future, I’ll be lending a hand in an experiment where mice run on a ball in a special 3D environment. Can you believe it?

After completing three majors like me, I get to professionally dabble in programming computer games for mice. It’s as if there couldn’t be a better way to make use of my knowledge.

Who would’ve guessed? Each day brings new challenges, and I’m ready to tackle them head-on.

Of course, this isn’t my only project. I’m still dedicated to exploring fMRI data analysis, specifically focusing on functional networks in psychiatry. It’s such an intriguing topic, you know?

But what really tickles me is the fact that I’m getting paid (and quite generously, I must add) for programming games for rodents. It amuses me to no end, and I just had to comment on it.

On top of that, I have outstanding supervisors—highly competent and incredibly understanding. Honestly, I wouldn’t trade places with any other student at the Donders Institute. I’m filled with immense gratitude knowing that I’ll spend the next few years engaged in interesting work alongside fascinating individuals. It’s truly worth holding out for that dream job, rather than settling for any old job that comes along. According to Kristof-Brown, Zimmerman and Johnson (2005), a good fit between a person and their job is a strong predictor of job satisfaction and long-term commitment.

Progress in my Life: How Has My Contact With People Changed?

The rest of my thoughts today are leaning towards philosophy. Specifically, when I contemplate work and the broader scope of my life, I can’t help but notice that as I grow older, my connections with people seem to wane. According to Carstensen (1992), interaction with acquaintances naturally declines with age as people narrow their social world to focus on their closest, most emotionally meaningful relationships.

Now, this may not sound particularly astute or logical at first, but let me explain. When I compare myself to a year ago, I sense that I’m becoming less invested in the presence of others in my life. It doesn’t mean that there are no other people around me; on the contrary, when you stop placing as much importance on it, more people naturally come into your life than before.

In the past few months, I’ve had the pleasure of making numerous fantastic friends, especially during my travels. I’ve also moved to a new home close to the university, where I’ve encountered individuals from distant countries like Pakistan, Iran, the Philippines, Japan, and Eritrea. 

Interestingly, they are all fellow PhD students in scientific fields who share a similar philosophical outlook on life. Spending evenings with them, and engaging in delightful and meaningful conversations, has been truly enjoyable.

Progress in my PhD: What Is My Bond With Gods?

I instantly felt better, and I have faith that the gods know what they’re doing. Gradually, over the years, I’ve started seeing purpose in everything that unfolds in my life, and I’ve become less stressed about setbacks. According to Park (2010), actively making meaning out of difficult or stressful events is consistently linked to better psychological adjustment afterward. Take, for instance, this good project I have now that can lead to significant scientific accomplishments.

Being alone at the moment doesn’t bother me because I’m focused on securing a promising professional future and finding happiness in doing what I love until the end. This way, it becomes easier to harmonize my scientific and private life.

Recently, I experienced a setback in the stock market, where I had only been dabbling for a few weeks.

Guess what happened? The Russian-Ukrainian conflict erupted, and chaos ensued. Luck wasn’t on my side as a beginner.

Facing My First Real Financial Test

It became the first major test of my ability to handle stress, cope with losses, and stick to a predefined plan. That plan included exiting the stock exchange and entering the gold market during unfavorable investment times.

According to Skinner, Edge, Altman, and Sherwood (2003), sticking to a predefined, planful course of action under stress is one of the coping strategies most consistently linked to good outcomes across the research literature.

However, instead of taking immediate action, I hesitated for a week, and it cost me a significant amount of money. 

Eventually, I mustered the courage, made the switch to gold, and felt an indescribable sense of relief. I felt as though I had passed my first test, not just one but three tests, while many others remain trapped on this sinking ship, unable to come to terms with a loss of a few or even a dozen percent of their funds. Now, I reflect on how the gods bring forth everything for a reason, even the presence of Russians in Ukraine.

What My Money Test Taught Me

Apparently, after initial failures, one can achieve greater success in the stock market, and I’m inclined to believe it. It has prompted me to dive deep into researching listed companies, ensuring I have a clearer understanding of where I want to invest and why. 

I’m waiting for better times in the stock market, and when they come, I’ll reenter with caution. Somehow, in the past year, my confidence in higher powers has reached such heights that it’s challenging to harbor anger towards whatever unfolds in my life. I believe it’s all for a purpose—well, at least that’s what thinking individuals tend to believe.