There are numerous chores that need to be done in a research lab, and it's tempting to rush through them just to get done.

Instead, adopt the philosophy that everything you do in the lab is important, and deserves careful attention to the correct procedure.


The reality is that even a seemingly trivial task such as washing glassware, making media, or preparing flasks for the autoclave can have a significantly negative effect on all of your labmates if done incorrectly. (Whether or not a subpar task can be traced back to you is beside the point, although most experienced lab managers are adept at figuring it out if needed.)

So remember, no matter how boring or insignificant it seems, treat every task as if it's important—even if it is not important to you.