By Julia Armington, Peer Research Ambassador
Coming into college as a pre-med student, I had many expectations and aspirations for my time at UConn. I looked at college as a checklist and one of the main goals I knew I needed to address was getting into a research lab. To me, research was a rite of passage, and if I got into a lab, I would be set. But the process I endured was not as simple as I had thought.
I searched and searched UConn’s Molecular and Cell Biology and Physiology and Neurobiology department pages, looking for labs that were willing to take on an undergraduate student. Under the impression that only research in a biology department would be highly regarded, I went in with a closed mind and little idea of what I would actually be doing. After I had met with a few labs to discuss their research, I felt unengaged and unenthusiastic about the process that I had been gearing up for. Little did I know, I skipped arguably the most important part of getting involved in research. I didn’t know why I wanted to research or what I wanted to get out of the experience. These roadblocks were vital to the next steps I took to finally pin down what I found interesting and why I was doing it all. So, this is what I did:
Reflected on my Personal Experiences & Interests
A big part of what led me to my major in Biomedical Engineering was my experience with sports medicine and learning from what my orthopedic surgeon had to say about recent developments and literature. When I reflected on this experience, I recognized the interest I had expressed in this topic made me want to inquire and keep learning more. This continued interest past the basic knowledge of the topic inspired me to absorb as much information as I could and proved to be something I was passionate about.
Considered my Learning Style
I have always been a visual learner. Freshman year, entering all my general education and major requirement classes with 100+ people in every class, I knew I had to find a way to complement my learning outside of lecture. I noticed I learned a lot more when I participated in the lab sections of my classes and so, I knew I would like to have some wet lab experience pertaining to my major. This is an important consideration when it comes to research that many students don’t recognize. Research is not just a resume booster it is an excellent learning experience to add depth to your academic experience.
Thought Outside the Box
Academics can feel restricting. It can be hard to take the time to actually learn the content when the pressure of getting good grades is looming. This is the great part about research: you’re not there to get graded! Research is an experience to expand on your classroom knowledge and you don’t have to be right. Additionally, research does not even have to pertain to your major. If there is a topic you feel strongly about and you are willing to put the time into researching it, do it! Research is the space for you to express your interests and learn as much as you can about your passions.
At the end of the day, it is important to carefully think about what’s motivating you to join a research lab. Will you enjoy showing up to some random lab every other day because it looks good on your resume? Or would you rather show up to a lab that’s researching something you have always wanted to know more about? Take the time to consider your interests, motivations, and learning methods. This will make the process of meeting with a professor about their research much more digestible when you go in with a clear mind and goal in sight. Don’t forget: in order to do research, you have to do your research!