Are you also like me: do you like to take matters into your own hands and finish them - at your own pace, with your own personal goals in mind? The past three semesters were characterised by the fact that the virus got to set the pace.

Over and over again we had to change our plans, cancel or postpone exchange semesters, as well as holidays abroad and private parties. Psychology teaches us that the feeling of being at the mercy of a virus is one of the strongest forms of stress there is. Now that the semester is coming to an end, I hope you can turn your thoughts to those things that you can influence yourself. The first tentative steps towards a general opening up have already been possible in the past few weeks and further steps are coming. Despite the caution that is still called for, we can gradually free ourselves from the rigidity into which the pandemic has plunged us. I am pleased to see that many of you are already taking advantage of the opportunity to study in the library or in the lecture halls. Now we have to hold out for a few more weeks or months - whilst at the same time reclaiming those spaces that open up for us.

I wish you perseverance, energy and confidence, especially for the assessments you will be taking in the coming weeks. And I am already looking forward to an autumn semester in which we can meet again, not only as pixels on a screen, but in real life, in the lecture halls, seminar rooms and in the canteen.

Prof. Dr. Regina Aebi-Müller, Vice-Rector Personnel and Professorships