Beginning on page 76, your lab book has an excellent discussion of the proper way to handle, use, and clean your microscope. In our lab, student-made slides are disposed of in the glass box on the biohazard table. If you wish to keep your slide for future examination, your instructor has four slide boxes that you can use for that purpose.
PLEASE READ PP. 76-78 OF YOUR LAB MANUAL AND FOLLOW THESE PROCEDURES EVERY TIME YOU USE YOUR MICROSCOPE!!!
Be sure the objectives and oculars are clean before you use the scope. If they are dirty, you will have difficulty seeing your specimen.
DO NOT add oil to the slide until after you have focused the 40X objective and are ready to move to the 100X (oil immersion) lens! Use the method described in your lab book to add oil to your slide.
When preparing your own slides, be sure to put your specimen on the side of the slide where the glass is frosted; it will feel slightly rough. If you aren't sure to do this, you may put the slide on the stage upside down, and you won't be able to focus on your specimen.
ALWAYS clean the scope and put it away properly when you are done!!!!