Tips for Surviving Your First Undergrad Research Experience

If you were like me when I started doing research, you’re probably equal parts excited and anxious to get started. I thought I could use this blog to help give some tips making your first research experience worth while.

1.      Read, Read, Read, and Ask Questions

It’s imperative to know the big picture goals of your project, as well as being able to explain them to other people in laymen’s terms. One of the best way to get a good idea of this is to read your lab’s most recent publications. It is also a good idea to ask your mentor or a graduate student in the lab if they have any others suggestions about relevant books or papers that form the basis for the research your lab does.

A lot of the papers and books you read will most likely be confusing, which is perfectly normal considering they often contain a lot of scientific jargon that can be intimidating. When this happens or you don’t understand a concept or detail about the research, you shouldn’t be afraid to ask a grad student or your professor to help you understand the problem. Additionally, it is most helpful to read the material first and then ask for clarification on things you don’t understand, rather than trying to get a busy grad student to explain the whole thing to you.

2.      Learn by doing

As an undergrad in your first research experience, you may be asked to do a lot of hands-on tasks or to use some instruments/software that you have seen or heard of before. Staring at these boxes with a lot of buttons and lights on them can be pretty intimidating, but just try your best! You’ll soon develop the necessary skills to be a contributing member of your lab if you work at it and try everything yourself first. That being said, there’s nothing wrong with getting help from your mentor if you are having persistent trouble, but you should try to do what they assign you to do by yourself before giving up.

3.      It’s okay to make mistakes, persevere

One of my main fears when I first joined the lab was the fear of messing up. However, everybody makes mistakes; it’s part of being human. Even my mentor has made calculation errors or overlooked something in a design, and when I make mistakes, it’s not a big deal and everyone understands. When you do make a mistake (trust me it will happen), it’s important to not beat yourself up about it. I’ve botched several soldering joints in my lab days, but though it is frustrating, I shrug it off and continue working with a positive attitude.

4.      De-stress

Sometimes, after working for a long time in the lab, things can get quite overwhelming, and it seems like there is simply not enough time to get everything you have to do done. Even though it feels this way, I feel that it is important to take some time and give your mind a break. I find when things are getting frustrating and stressful in the lab, walking around outside or having a hobby can really clear your head and get you revitalized and ready to tackle the obstacles you’re struggling with.

5.      You get out what you put in

Lastly, I would like to say that doing undergraduate research is a great opportunity for you to learn and gain experience, but if you don’t put the time in to read the material or actually go into lab to work, you won’t get anything useful out of it.

Best of luck on your future research endeavors Gauchos!