your first ' free-handing ' - (May/17/2007 )

hi guys,

i'm about to have my first training program next week since my graduation (one year now) , i'm going to do small projects to refresh my scientific base first....
it's different now since i have to work on my own, and i have never done this before , there was always someone with me, sharing thoughts and preparing for experiments
how did you start guys?! and did you have to look for the protocols yourself !!!?
need you recommendations

I found this site in the first place when I started a project and no one in the lab could teach me the methods that I needed

I adapted my prior experience to some new protocols that I found, several of which were from here. the things that I think are the most important: have confidence in yourself, and don't be afraid to ask for help or to make mistakes

I can probably never reach that level. Congratulations 'Strawberry'

I have tried doing my experiments alone as far as possible without disturbing anyone but I end up discussing a lot even about simple step as there are so many answers I can't find by myself. It's just over a year that I learned how to even pipettee.

I make a lot of small mistakes and lot of blunders but the good thing about them is they just give me more time for myself to think and understand where mistakes can be made and try not to repeat that again but again, I keep on making more of other types of mistakes. I have a very supporting seniors. I will be always greatful to them.

I have tried getting answers in the forum about many silly things. Dunno how stupid they sounded. As for example - my thread on 'fixation of cells'. When I look back, I feel that was a very stupid question but I don't repent asking that nor am I sure what I have learnt and what I will be doing is right or not. I just keep on going and the only thing that keeps me going is that I don't have much to lose but just to gain.

I hope U can make enough mistakes to learn a lot from them.

thanx aimikins and Nabin
i need more confidence in myself, and feel more independent

Three things I've learned:
Read as much as you can, but don't let it cut into bench time too much.

Find somebody who's done the technique before (in person or online) and ask whatever questions you have. If you think you understand the technique but are still nervous, ask if you can just watch them the next time they're doing the technique.

If somebody has no interest in helping you or is a jerk about it, never bother them again.

hope i can be brave enough to start again indepedently , a new start is always difficult