How time consuming is undergrad research?

[DOwnage]

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I'm strongly considering getting some research under my belt during undergrad if time permits, but I'm a bit hesitant since I feel I'd be stretching myself too thin time-wise. To all of those who have done undergrad research, how much time a week would you say you dedicate to it? Or another way to think about it, how does it compare time-wise to other things you do during the week?

 

[Lane138]

It really depends on both research field, your project, and how dedicated you are. For instance, I've found that psychology research is less time-intensive than, say, cellular biology research. Some procedures in cell bio simply requires you to be there for hours, whereas psych research may be more regular (not that I've ever done psych research). Clinical research, where you interview patients, may also be pretty time-consuming, but at least it's a set schedule. If you want a bigger project, expect to take more responsibility for running your own gels or cell cultures, than if you just help a post-doc with his/her project.

I have friends who spends 20 hours a week at the lab = never see him outside of class. I also have friends who do 7 a week. Between 10 to 15 hours seem to be the normal amount.

 

[paintballswimgu]

i researched 40 to 50 hours a week last summer for a prof. It was a blast. I then continued it throughout the school year working 5 to 10 hours a week. Research during the school year just wasn't as much fun to me. It felt more like a choir, and i couldn't enjoy it as much because i wanted to be doing orgo the whole time.

 

[VeeTeeHokies]

I'm strongly considering getting some research under my belt during undergrad if time permits, but I'm a bit hesitant since I feel I'd be stretching myself too thin time-wise. To all of those who have done undergrad research, how much time a week would you say you dedicate to it? Or another way to think about it, how does it compare time-wise to other things you do during the week?

Social Psyc Research: Had scheduled hours in which I ran single-blind experiments on unwitting students just trying to get extra credit in their psyc 101 class . It was fun, but each participant was 1.25 hours. Averaged about 12 hours a week.

Clinical Psyc Research: Did this for nearly 3 years. The professor was great, got a great LOR, tons of other stuff to add to my application throughout the entire process, and overall just had a blast and met some great lifelong friends on the team and with the professor. The professor was also known as being the most demanding research professor in the entire department. Signed up for ~10 hours a week. Some weeks would be 7 hours, some would be 20-25.

Molecular Genetics Research: Had a blast with this, although I mainly took the position because I loved genetics and because I wanted to be entirely sure that I wanted to go into medicine and not just academic science. Averaged 12-15 hours a week, rarely more, often less. I wasn't involved with this long enough to have my own project which would have been the case if I were on for a year or more, which I'm sure is much more time-consuming.

I would say go for the research. It is always going to be what you make of it, and professors are very willing to work with you on hours because they know that you're busy too. You're going to establish some great relationships and you will never regret it. Let me know how it goes, and good luck!

 

[Red Clown]

I spent at most 8 hours a week during the a term. During the summer I spend up to 15 hours a week. My professor and grad student, who I work with, are very understanding and considerate to the fact that I need to focus more on my grades. When I applied for research opportunities I felt the same way as you and was uncertain of if I would be able to do devote time to it. 6 months later, it has been one of the greatest choices I have made during my freshman year. I was lucky to be in a lab that I had deep interest in the area of study and that helped out a lot too. Its basically like taking another class on top of ur schedule, but without tests or hw. Do it you can always find time if you try. The hardest part for me was starting, and now Im glad I started doing research. Im sure you will feel the same way after you start.

Goodluck

 

[wahngjasnowy]

I did about 8 hours a week in Neurosurgery research lab for over a year and a half. The first thing the professor told me though was that no matter how much research you do, it doesn't mean a thing if you don't keep your grades up. Don't waste your time doing tons of research if you can't hold a decent GPA.