Undergrads.......

The undergrads start their final year projects already and so we could see them moving in and out the labs lately. This means 'challenging' time for postgrads because not only you need to look after them, but also undergrads=troubles. In the past, we had history like autoclave machines broke down, gel doc's thermal paper finished in 2 weeks time after loaded in etc during their labbing season.

This afternoon, after running my gel, I went to the dark room to get my gel pic documented to realise that somebody somehow had adjusted the gel doc setting (I hope I've mistaken) that no matter how I adjusted the lens to zoom, or the 'iris' or 'focus', I could not get a sharp image as previous. I was pretty sure it was not my gel problem because my PCR bands look sharp and nice on a UV transilluminator. And this has not happened for months until now, and it is always occurring when undergrads do their labwork (history tells). To be honest, I was a bit pissed off. I guess maybe because I have had bad experience during my master study when the gel doc broke down and needed to be sent for repair for months. And life was difficult during that time.

Then while I was on my way driving home, I did my prayers as usual. I was expressing gratitude to those who have directly or indirectly help me with my study, and then I remembered that I was once an undergrad too. I began to recall how I felt about my seniors. How I was kinda 'helpless' and 'blur' in the beginning. Then I could understand and start to forgive (although I didn't get mad at anyone. Anyway I didn't know who did it also, ha!).

p/s: For undergrads working in our lab, we had already had a 'intro to the lab' session with them last wednesday afternoon. To help them get used to the lab environment, brief them about the Do's and Dont's in our lab, and also to brainwash them with things such as 'plan your work properly so that you are not wasting the money of taxpayers', 'the lab belongs to everyone in the lab, so take responsibility to maintain its cleanliness and comfort' etc. Hope that they will carry themselves properly