By Darren Lee, Peer Research Ambassador

Another fall semester at UConn. Undoubtedly, it’s been a whirlwind of moving in, seeing new faces (or re-acquainting yourself with familiar ones), and settling into the rhythm of classes. By now, you’re most likely aware that many of your professors and TAs are involved in research in addition to just teaching. Whether they’re using their research to introduce themselves to the class, weaving references to it in between lecture slides, or complaining about deadlines (professors are human too!), they’ve probably made that fact abundantly clear. Without a doubt, research is an integral part of the work being done at this university. But what does this actually mean for you?

Most students’ first exposure to research is in college, so there’s naturally a lot of confusion and apprehension about it. Maybe you’re in awe of all the cool research being done at the university and you’re itching to work on your own project, but you don’t know how you can find a mentor or if you even can do research as an undergraduate. More likely, your eyes are glazing over as you wonder if you could ever get to that level of knowledge in your subject—research seems like an interesting way to get there, but it just seems so hard to get started. If those scenarios describe you at all, then you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, we’ll be trying to dispel some common myths about research and help you understand what it’s like to be involved in research (Hint: you can do it and it can be really great!).

I’m just an undergraduate student. Are we even allowed to do research?

Yes! Many professors are happy to take in undergraduates who show a strong interest in their work. We even have an entire office at UConn (OUR!) dedicated to providing support and resources to undergraduates who want to get involved in research. Generally, there’s a really great culture surrounding undergraduate research here at UConn, and we’re always excited to have more students share in that! Continue reading →

By Emma Beard, Peer Research Ambassador

As a STEM major, my biggest misconception about research was that I would spend more time at the lab bench than at my desk. I was surprised to find that for the first week of my time with the Health Research Program, I ran one or two experiments and then spent the rest of my time reading papers. At first, I felt like I wasn’t doing enough work since I wasn’t getting any data, but as I began to design my own experiments and brainstorm project directions, I realized just how important it is to learn from others’ projects. Reading research articles has been a constant throughout my time involved in undergraduate research, and through experience, I’ve discovered a few tricks that I would have loved to know when I was just getting started. While these tips are based on my experience in STEM research, hopefully one or two of these tips can help you as you begin your research journey, no matter the field!

1)  Write down every paper you read

I don’t know how many times I’ve thought to myself, “oh I read this in a paper,” and then realized I couldn’t remember which paper I found it in. Especially when I was first getting started, I read a lot of research papers to get introduced to the field, but thought about them in almost the same way as a textbook for a course where once I learned the material, I could move on. I didn’t realize how much I would need to refer back to papers later on, especially the materials and methods section for guidance on how to plan my own experiments.

Whether it’s a hand-written list kept in your lab notebook or typed out on your computer, write down the title and a few key points or relevant experimental techniques from each paper you read. I’m usually someone who prefers to handwrite rather than type (and did when I first started making my list), but for ease of reference, I’d recommend a typed list. Control/Command+F will be your best friend once you’ve read enough articles, and having the direct links available is extremely helpful. Continue reading →

By Fraser McGurk, Peer Research Ambassador

What do you do when it’s time to move on?

The journey through the world of research is as unpredictable as it is exciting. There is never one clear cut way to find your passion through research, and often this requires a bit of trial and error. On some occasions, someone’s first research mentor fits their every need, and that is great! However, that’s not the case for everyone, and sometimes it’s better to expand your horizons. There are a variety of reasons someone may want to diverge from their original research mentor. Whether it’s for convenience, disagreements, or just the passion to pursue something new, it’s OK to feel like you fit better somewhere else. But leaving your lab or mentor can be a daunting task. What if they react poorly? What if I lose a connection? Am I really making the right decision?

It is completely understandable for these thoughts to be rushing through your head, this is a big decision, and these conversations are never easy to have. But there are a few things that are crucial to know about breaking up with your mentor:

1) Do not feel guilty for leaving

When deciding to leave a lab, it can be easy to put it on yourself. Imposter syndrome is common for early-career researchers. Was I not smart enough for the lab? Am I just not made for research? What if I hurt their research by leaving? It’s normal to have second thoughts when you decide to leave. However, you should not feel guilty about your exit. You have every right to explore all the wonderful areas of research on campus, and you are not confined to one single research group for the entirety of your career. If a research group makes you feel guilty about exploring other options on campus, that is a glaring indicator of a toxic workplace that does not treat its students with respect. Continue reading →

By Anabelle Bergstrom, Peer Research Ambassador

Navigating research, academics, and extracurriculars can be daunting. Luckily, time management doesn’t need to be scary! At the beginning of every semester, I take some time to reflect on my study and schedule habits. That way, I am in tune with what works for me and what doesn’t. Every semester offers new experiences that change how I approach my responsibilities. I thought I would share some advice on what makes me successful, though it is important to note that just because these tips work for me, doesn’t mean they will work for you. Here are my top five study and schedule hacks to help you succeed this semester.

1. Dedicated blocks of time– This tip helped me during one of my toughest semesters. Just like you would put a class or club into your schedule, put a block of time that is dedicated for studying. Do not schedule anything else during these times. This will allow your mind to become used to dedicated time to focus. Also, it will assist you in becoming more disciplined with your study habits.
2. Disconnect – Turn off your phone and computer notifications. You may have heard this a million times, but I promise it makes a difference. Staying focused and present during your study time is a valuable skill to have. Having a distraction free environment will also help prepare you for exams.
3. Take breaks – Remember to take a few moments when you are studying, and throughout the day, to ground yourself. Take a few deep breaths or drink water. It can even be helpful to set a timer for when to take a break while you are studying. As I mentioned, staying focused is key but remember that you are human. Studying for 4 hours straight can do more harm than good, so setting few minutes of time to go for a walk or grab a snack is beneficial.
4. Surround yourself with people who understand – Part of surviving the semester is knowing when to throttle up and when to throttle down. You won’t be able to go to every girls night, party, or sporting event. Surrounding yourself with people who understand that you may need some nights to catch up on work or self-care will help immensely. Having a strong support system is key to surviving the semester.
5. Listen to your body and mind – If you do not get anything else out of this blog post, at least take this piece of advice. Listen to yourself. You know yourself better than anyone. So, if you are feeling overwhelmed, allow yourself to set back and reset. This might look like a hike, a walk around town, or a long gym session. There is nothing more important, even academics, than making sure you are healthy and happy.

Continue reading →