Pier Giorgio's student life begins in public school, with Luciana, in childhood, and continues there, passing through the Social Institute twice, to finally arrive at university.
Pier Giorgio carries with him the reputation, at home, of being a not brilliant student, who "can't write". But he is a normal student. His university curriculum does not show many excellent grades, the maximum is 90/100. Sometimes he has to refrain from exams because he is not well prepared: misadventures typical of the life of many students.
He approaches his studies with great seriousness. He chose to graduate in mining engineering because he wanted to work alongside one of the most exploited and least guaranteed professional categories of the time, the miners.
Someone reminds him that, since he is a "gentleman", he could also do without studying. It is true, but the answer is: "No, I am poor like all the poor. And I want to work for them.».
He is aware that to do a job properly requires competence. Study to serve: he wants to enter the world of work ready to do his part. To create the more just world he dreams of, and fight for the promotion of the humble and the poor, one must be equipped with serious professionalism.
Studying is therefore for him a duty felt within himself, which turns into a convinced and, often, energetic commitment, also made of renunciations and sacrifices. Sometimes, in the letters to friends, he lets the struggle that it costs him to apply himself to somewhat arid subjects shine through, which he remedies by reading some good book that speaks to his spirit. He takes advantage of his trips to Germany for family reasons to integrate the commitment of his preparation on books by visiting mines and wells "in the field".
He is also driven by his passion for the subject: since he was a boy he has collected stones and minerals during his excursions, until he has formed a real collection, carefully classified, with the intention of donating it one day to the University.
The progress of technology excites him: in Berlin, in 1921, he visits the Deutsche Museum, and is fascinated by it. The tenacious commitment devoted to study undoubtedly tempers Pier Giorgio's moral fiber; the toil of everyday life, in dealing with the things of the world, is a characteristic trait of the lay vocation.
The other day, while leafing through the calendar, I made a terrible realization: that we were approaching the middle of the month and then I said to myself, here is the time to intensify my studies and then I decided that as soon as I arrive in Turin I will be dead to everyone except the conference of St. Vincent and I will study from morning until evening. I know that it requires great energy but I trust in the Providence of God and therefore in the prayers of friends. I am happy to see you again and I would like to dedicate to you not only a few days, but all my time as long as this coming does not coincide with exam time and then I would be forced to do violence to my affections and tear from the time of the exams a few hours in which to enjoy your dear company.
Letter to Isidoro Bonini – Pollone, 15 April 1925
I spend my life dedicated to study, I am like a castaway who desperately struggles with the waves always hoping for an anchor of salvation, and I am so immersed in the handouts that they almost surround me trying to drown me in this struggle to be able to reach the port that would be the exam. The mind soaked in this arid science finds every now and then peace and refreshment and spiritual enjoyment in reading St. Paul. I would like you to try reading St. Paul: it is wonderful and the soul is exalted by that reading and we have the spur to follow the right path and to return as soon as we leave with the guilt. Wednesday, I hope if not before there will be the great debut. The third to last debut of my life as a polytechnic student and then the thesis will begin. The program as you see is great, however you need to find the good will to implement it but I hope to gain this little by little with the grace of God.
Letter to Isidoro Bonini – Turin, 29 April 1925