In order to start your career off on the right foot, you’ll need to know how to gather and present information. That’s what research is: looking for information and collecting it for review. And while you may want to store all that research on your computer, writing by hand is essential for retaining information. Arm yourself with a laboratory notebook and learn the important role of research for an aspiring student.
Building Skills
Proper research is a skill, and one that practically demands a lab book. As you collect information, you’ll gain much-needed practice in documenting every discovery and every possible hypothesis you encounter. The more research you do and the more notes you take, the more effectively you’ll build your skills and form habits.
Retaining Information
As a student, you’ll have to take a few exams every semester to test your knowledge. If you completed your experiments correctly, you’ll have pages of thorough research notes to refer back to as you study. (Again, writing notes by hand in your college lab notebook will help you remember your research more easily).
Making Discoveries
Those “eureka” moments don’t just happen on their own. Much like showing your work on a math assignment, writing out your research as you perform it will guide you towards your answers. Regular research gets you accustomed to each step of the scientific method. If you are thorough in your studies and excited to learn more at every step, you’ll learn and discover more than if you’d simply observed the experiment.
Solving Problems
Scientific research scratches your brain in unique ways and forms neural pathways that will aid you in other areas of your life. Any job you apply for after college will require strong problem-solving skills. And if you’ve spent the last few years asking questions and seeking solutions, those skills will be in top form.
Don’t phone it in this semester! Be prepared for your research with a quality lab notebook and a ready-to-learn attitude. Know the important role of research for an aspiring student when you walk into the classroom and set yourself up for success.