It was just a typical morning of an ordinary workday. I was at the1 , on my way to the lab where I was a postdoctoral fellow. But something began to2 inside me as I watched the preple around me—headphones hanging from their ears, eyes cast down,3 faces. They looked unhappy. And I realized that I was one of them. Suddenly, I could no longer4 my work life and booked a one-way ticket to fly home.
Over the years, I had grown more competitive due to the 5 of finishing my Ph. D. Those who could have been partners became competitors I disliked and the effect of this competition was exactly the6 of what I had hoped for. I began to feel lonely and lost. I became less and less 7 in my scientific work. I hit my8 point that day at the bus station. I had to end this. I emailed my professors, explaining that I had put the9 firs and myself second for too long.
Shortly after I got back home, I started to receive some emails from my workmates—I guessed they expected me to join them again soon, After a few10 asking how i he emails many expressed their stress of academic life. Vulnerable(脆弱的researchers were sticking their heads out of their shells(壳), seeking11 It occurred to me that we all12 sometimes, and our vulnerability seemed so much alike that I 13 myself from all that had bothered me for days.14 it can be win-win game, instead of one where one side gains while the other side loses. Working with others and asking for help doesn't make my contributions15 ;it means we can all succeed
