Over the course of your undergrad research experience, you'll have opportunities to develop a strong sense of self-reliance. The more you choose to do so the more rewarding research experience you'll have, and the stronger your recommendation letters from your research professor will be.

Even if your research advisor doesn't require it, it's important to keep track of your research goals and project objectives. At the start of each semester, make a list of three things you want to learn or accomplish. After, create an outline of your undergrad research project. Include the main objectives & the techniques you’ll use.

Did you make a mistake? Don't panic. What might feel like a tragic mishap to you could be easy for someone with more research experience to fix. So don't panic, and don't throw anything out. Simply take a deep breath and ask your research advisor what can be done. If you need help starting the conversation, use the words: "This is hard for me to say but...." and follow with: "What can I do to fix it?" And keep this in mind: when you watch how someone with more experience troubleshoots, you learn how to solve problems in the process.

Someone ruining or needlessly complicating a labmate's experiment is the third most common complaint people tell us about their labmates. (And it doesn't matter much to the inconvenienced researcher if the labmate believed that they were being helpful.)

If you work out the math once, save it on an index card so it is easy to use at the scale or at your research bench. It’s likely you’ll make the reagent, solution, or medium again.

Also, use an app or calculator to get the math right the first time. The most expensive chemical in the lab is the one that is made up wrong, and everyone uses. It's always worth your time to double-check.

Some research work isn't exciting. Racking pipette tips, autoclaving waste, making media, or washing dishes definitely fit in this category.

However, if you try to think of your research-related chores as "community service" that helps everyone in the lab, it might be its easier to find the motivation to get them done. Also, your willingness to help out and do a good job, even on the boring tasks, will be recognized as solid teamwork by your labmates. This matters to your success in the lab more than you can possibly imagine.