The first few weeks of a new semester are often the most exciting. They are also, typically, the most expensive in both time and lab reagents.

Even if you only took a short break between the end of the last semester and the start of a new one, simply getting out of a lab routine can throw off your game.
Therefore, before you start an experiment this week, no matter how confident you are, take an extra few minutes to read over the entire protocol before you start.

It will help you remember all those little details that aren't written down, and help get your brain back on track. You'll also make fewer mistakes which will save you time, the lab money, and make your research mentor happier.

Good luck this semester, Undergrads in the Lab!