Troubleshooting
Not All Research Projects Work Out
Be honest with yourself. If you feel you can no longer commit to your research, it's okay to either stop or switch to something else. There are several resources you can contact to discuss your situation, such as your academic advisor or an undergraduate research advisor from your college. They'll be there to help you make your transition.
Pros and Cons of Switching Projects or Labs
You may want to work on several projects during your time at Cornell. If you're headed for a career in research, you can seek out several research experiences to help make decisions about the field or topic that you want to pursue in graduate school. Alternatively, you may want to stay in one group for several years, with the hope that your work may be included in a publication. There is no right or wrong way; your commitment should fit your needs.
If You Decide to Pursue Another Opportunity
- Finish out the semester.
- Talk to the head of the research group, not just the person you're directly working with. Be appreciative of the opportunity they've given you.
- Explain that you want to explore something else—another field, a different research approach, another research question.
- Ask if they would like help finding another student to work on the project.
Building Successful Working Relationships
General Guidelines
- Find out the system to order supplies and ask what your responsibility is.
- If a common reagent runs low or runs out, make more!
- If you break something or find something broken, tell someone!
- Be respectful and don't interrupt others when they're in the middle of an experiment.
- Be proactive about getting help when you need it. Make the appropriate appointments to get support.
- Act interested and take notes when someone is teaching you how to do something.
- Don’t use other people’s solutions without asking.
- Clean up your messes (and others if you have time).
- Ask for assistance, but don't demand it.
- Don’t assume that others will be willing or able to stop what they're doing to help you immediately.
Communicating with Faculty
- Make the purpose of your meeting clear when you reach out to schedule an appointment.
- Make arrangements according to the professor’s preference.
- Be prepared to schedule the date/time via a support staff person or by email with the professor.
- Be prepared to stop by the professor’s office during office hours.
- Courtesy and polite persistence are keys to success.
Consider Pursuing Research Outside Your Major
Cornell, with a strong focus on research, has ample opportunities to pursue any and all interests. Pursuing research outside of your major and/or department is a great chance to explore and become more well-rounded. Often, you’ll find the techniques and principles applied in one field relate to another. Interdisciplinary synthesis is a powerful tool! It’s a skill you’ll continue to use once you leave Cornell.