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Tip #5 for Full-Time Summer Researchers: Expect Hofstadter’s Law

Tip #5 for Full-Time Summer Researchers: Expect Hofstadter’s Law

a lab timer with four timers, each with a flag pointing to a task to be done
a lab timer with four timers, each with a flag pointing to a task to be done

Basically, this law states that, “it always takes longer than you expect, even when you take into account Hofstadter’s Law.” New and seasoned researchers alike find that this reflects the true realities of bench work (and writing, and coding, and library research and pretty much everything else that is research related). Therefore, be prepared for everything to take longer than you or research advisor thinks it will, because everything will take longer than you or your research advisor thinks it will. One of our lab's most common sayings: Everything takes longer in research.

Want more tips for thriving during your summer research experience? Check out 10 Things to Expect From Your Summer Undergrad Research Experience and On why it’s so important to 5 Survival Tips for Summer Research