Keep doing research even if I'm not feeling it?

[plaz]

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First off, let's not be too idealistic folks...

I've got a pretty good gig going. I've been doing research just under 10 hours per week for the last 6 months with a couple undergrads, a grad student, and a professor. What we're studying is interesting, but what I actually do in the lab is extremely, extremely boring.

If I quit now, I could have this:

• 6 months of research experience
• good letter of recommendation

If I kept going until application time:

• 1 year of research experience
• probably a better letter than I would have gotten had I quit
• most likely either name on publication or poster presentation

Now, don't get me wrong. This has been a great experience. But what I'm doing is not really stimulating, and I don't have time for mentored research.

What do you all think?

 

[Maxx4]

I don't think you should quit. Who's to say whether or not it won't get interesting 2 months from now?

 

[Mattabet]

It's up to you; I definitely feel you. I think I would try to stick it out, because your name on a pub or presentation would be pretty damn sweet. That said, if your heart's not in it, you can cut and run with what you've got and still have a nice item for your application.

 

[ChubbyChaser]

Quit definitely....if i wasnt feeling something I quit right then and there.

 

[NeuroChaos]

I wouldn't; keep the big picture in mind. Realize that much of research is not stimulating. Much of research is actually boring, tedious, grunt work; sorry, if that was news. Now one goes to lab every day to find a cure to X and solve Y problem. They go in to make minuscule progress on their projects. You will get to exciting parts in your project.

If you keep the end goal in mind, you will be able to get thorough.

oops, may be that was too idealistic?

 

[plaz]

oops, may be that was too idealistic?

Idealistic was more directed to those who would say:

"If you don't enjoy what you're doing, then quit! Don't do it just to look good in the eyes of teh adcoms!!!!!!1"

 

[NotSur]

I was in your position and I quit. That being said, I had been with my lab a lot longer and I was miserable so my mental health went ++++ after I left.

 

[jla314]

also something to maybe consider is where you'd like to go to school...if you're leaning towards research-heavy places, solid lab experience is huge and a publication could be worth a lot. for not-so-researchy places, what you have already is awesome.

 

[Rachell]

Some people never feel research and do it all throughout undergrad. You just have to do it I think. If you hate then don't do it, but if you live with it try not to quit.

 

[shiftingmirage]

You said you were bored with what you are doing. I would suggest talking to the prof, and see if you can do more/take on another role that you would find interesting before you throw in the towel.

 

[musafirah]

have you considered looking for a different project/field that might be more stimulating? you also might find that after sticking to this a little longer it'll turn around and get exciting as you make progress.

i've worked on 3 different projects.. i left the first one because i hated it so much and it was tedious and going nowhere, and most importantly having an effect on my health. the second project was good but it fell through on its own when general motors stopped funding it and then my research proposal for a diff project with the same PI was rejected. then i found the project i'm doing now and VERY happy. it was hard work at first with many disappointments but i'm excited about it now.

one thing is for sure, if you stay with it you'll definitely better develop the quality of patience (but that comes with doing research for a long time even if you jumped projects like i did).

 

[apoptosis123]

.

 

[CupcakeMD]

I would stay. Less than 10 hrs per week isn't bad at all, and it seems like your pro's outweighed the con's for staying. Is this for medical school or dental school?

 

[AlexMorph]

If it's for 6 more months, stick it out. It's worth it, sadly, for the name on paper and a more glowing letter.

I know it blows, but you gotta play the game.

 

[cardinalsrock]

I would stay. Less than 10 hrs per week isn't bad at all, and it seems like your pro's outweighed the con's for staying. Is this for medical school or dental school?

Yeah 10 hours a week is nothing and if you are going to get a publication from so little of a time commitment, I would stay unless you are pulling a part time job simultaneously

 

[CoolWhipp]

Get that Pub!

 

[mdlopez]

Get that Pub!

Keep on going... 👍

 

[fastnfurious]

I was in the same position as you except I wasn't guaranteed a publication at the end of my research. I chose to stay another semester in the lab and I'm kinda indifferent about my decision. I feel like I learned a lot and can talk about my research in interviews, but on the other hand, I hated it and definitely would have liked to do something more fulfilling/clinical related (being a medical assistant, etc)

I'd stay stick it out since you're so close. If you really feel like it's miserable, just quit. Nothing is worth the agonizing pain of doing something you hate

 

[ReptarBar]

wow this is weird. go in any other thread and you will be beaten to death for sticking in a lab just for a publication.

that being said, yes, stick with it.