He was less than happy with his heavy lecturing commitments, however, and so he decided to ask University College to give him an administrative post in exchange for the Chair of Mathematics. Hirst throughout his life always became unhappy when commitments prevented him from undertaking mathematical research.
Siya ay mas mababa kaysa sa mga nasisiyahan sa kanyang mabigat na lecturing commitments, gayunpaman, at kaya siya nagpasya na magtanong University College na magbigay sa kanya ng isang administrative-post ng kapalit para sa Chair ng Matematika. Hirst sa kabuuan ng kanyang buhay ay naging laging malungkot kapag commitments pumigil sa kanya mula sa pagsasagawa pananaliksik matematika.