How to Be a Successful Organic Laboratory Student

Here are some other hints to help you become even a better lab student.

• Clean all glassware by the end of each experiment so that the glassware will be clean and dry for the next experiment.

• Double-check your calculations to make sure you are using correct amounts of reagents.

• Keep your bench top clean to avoid spillage and breakage.

• Save everything from an experiment until the end, when you are sure you don’t need these materials any longer.

• Outline the steps in the experimental procedure. As you perform each step, think about why you are doing the step. Be thinking ahead to the next step of the reaction and how to allocate time.

• Be prepared to begin work as soon as you come to lab. Prepare your laboratory notebook ahead of time, including assigned prelab assignments. When you come into the lab, know what chemicals, glassware and equipment you are going to use.

In summary, plan ahead, work hard, but most of all – have a safe and enjoyable experience.

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