PREP - Module 8.5

Time Management

While some labs will have you log hours, others will not. In these labs, you are expected to manage your time and appropriately spend the time you and your research professor agree upon. Research can oftentimes be a very independent endeavor, especially during literature review or data analysis. It is critical that you organize and prioritize your time so that you can dedicated the necessary time to your research projects and endeavors. Unlike classes which usually have deadlines and exams, research tends to be flexible, which can be a double-edged sword because you may not prioritize it as highly as your other tasks. Make sure you plan accordingly so that you can maximize the benefits of your research experience.

Feedback

If you’re lucky, during your time working in a research lab, your research advisor and other people more senior than you will offer you lots of feedback over a number of projects. For example, you might receive feedback on a research abstract you write for a conference or feedback on an IRB protocol you attempt to write. Generally speaking, take the feedback seriously and try to apply it to future revisions or efforts. If you feel like you need additional clarification of feedback you’ve received, generally, it’s a good idea to ask for that clarification instead of guessing about its interpretation. It’s also important to note that this is a learning process, so feedback is important in that endeavor. Feedback is not a reflection of your self-worth or abilities. Approach it with an appreciation that the feedback will improve your skills in that domain.

Accountability

In terms of accountability, it is very similar to thoughts about time management. It is important that you hold yourself accountable because independence is quite critical to the research endeavor. For example, don’t wait for professors to follow up on deadlines. They often have multiple projects that they are juggling. If you don’t follow up on your deadlines, your project will fall behind. Hold yourself to a high standard and strive to achieve what you set out to do. Having said that, also allow yourself grace and know that failure is an inherent part of learning. It’s important that you fail so that you can learn how to improve and hone your skills.

Use of University Resources

As a research assistant, you may be assigned tasks that you have zero to limited experience doing. For example, you may be tasked with writing an abstract for a conference or preparing an oral presentation for a conference. It is important to know that you do not have to approach these tasks alone. For example, reach out to your writing center on campus with help with your abstract; reach out to the tutoring center to help with statistics related the poster; or reach out to services designed to help students practice their public speaking. These resources can complement the mentoring you will likely receive from your research professor.

Student-mentor Relationships

In regard to your student-mentor relationship with your research professor, understand that it’s not likely to be a perfect fit. There are a variety of factors at play. Professors are human and they differ in how they communicate and work with students. For example, some professors tend to be more nurturing and supportive than others; some tend to be more charismatic than others, and some are more detailed-oriented than others. Overall, professors enjoy seeing you succeed, and your success brings them joy. But the process of working together may bring highs and lows, make sure you communicate clearly and honestly with your professor. Be reminded that this is a learning experience, that your professor should teach you things, and that you should be open to learning them. And, remember to check your relationship boundaries to ensure that you are treated fairly and respectfully.