Relationship w other undergrads in Research Lab

[binderpaper]

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What is your relationship like with the other undergrads in your research lab? Do you hang out outside of lab at all? Is it competitive/have you ever had to directly compete with them for something?
I feel like I'm constantly comparing myself with the other students (ex. checking their hours and making sure I go in for more) but I honestly don't even know why 🙁

 

[maplecookie]

When I was an undergrad, each of the undergrads in my lab had their own separate mentor in the lab and so ended up spending more time with their mentor than with each other. I made friendly conversation with them when they were around but never really hung out with any of them outside of lab but then again all of our schedules/things to do were different and I'm not particularly the type of person to go make friends everywhere I go. I didn't really feel competitiveness probably because everyone was working on separate projects.

But then again, each lab has their own atmosphere and way of working as well their own range of people working in them so I don't think there's really a set "normal" in lab relationships. In my graduate lab, there's a couple undergrads that are working under the same mentor on the same project and they seem to be very good friends and hang out outside of lab as well (I saw them together in the library).

I think you're overthinking; I doubt your mentor is gauging the performance of his or her undergrads against each other. Most lab people also realize undergrads have a lot of other things going on as well (especially classes) and are understanding of your hours as long as you let them know. Reasonably, they can't really ask for more than that you're enthusiastic and work hard at what you're asked to do. Good luck! 🙂

 

[Targaryens]

The undergraduates at my lab became pretty close friends, but now everyone is graduating and the new cohort has a very different (less close-knit) dynamic, so I guess it all depends. I am a pretty competitive person but I have always put in the most hours by far out of all of our undergraduates by virtue of how many projects I took on at the beginning. I wouldn't worry too much about trying to clock the most hours out of everyone, especially if everyone has their own projects. I definitely understand competing to look "the best" in the eyes of your mentor or PI, but I think as long as they see you putting in work, they will appreciate your effort and treat you accordingly. As the above poster mentioned, I doubt that there is any real hierarchy in their eyes.

 

[Gilakend]

We're all tight. No one cares about hours in my lab really, productivity is king.

 

[plasticdiscoball]

I did undergrad research in a few different labs and we were always cordially friendly. Everyone was nice, but we were in different years/had different schedules/etc., so never any opportunity to really hang out. But if we saw each other outside of lab we would definitely say hi and talk with each other. In lab too, we would help each other out with experiments and troubleshooting. It was nice to have people to count on.

What is your relationship like with the other undergrads in your research lab? Do you hang out outside of lab at all? Is it competitive/have you ever had to directly compete with them for something?
I feel like I'm constantly comparing myself with the other students (ex. checking their hours and making sure I go in for more) but I honestly don't even know why 🙁

Ugh, dude, please don't do this. I'm supervising some undergrads in my job now, and (having been a neurotic premed myself) it's obvious when people are doing this. And honestly, it doesn't make you look as good as you might think it does. It's so awkward when a student is hanging around for no reason and asking me to give them work I don't have for them. Try not to feel threatened by your colleagues and instead focus on what you're learning from the experience. Collaboration is very important in science, and it'll help you as well... an easy way to get your name on publications is to help out other students with their projects. As long as you show up when scheduled, the number of hours you work isn't as important as the quality of your work.

 

[thegrind33]

The lab I work in is pretty laid back and we all get along really well. One of my bestfriends moved to the lab I am in so I hang out with them.

 

[willow84]

Don't fall into the trap where you think more time = better worker. Being productive and efficient are important. I had an old co-worker who used to brag about the long hours she worked, but she was so slow at doing things and turning around assignments. The people observing you know what's going on.

With that said, I did not hang out with the other volunteers in my lab because I was 12-14 years older than most of them. They hung out together.

 

[PreMedStudent55555]

We don't hang outside in lab but do talk and catch up on our weeks if we see each other in lab while doing experiments. It's a friendly environment and low pressure.

I usually compare myself with others but don't in lab. Idk why but for me it's a neutral zone where I just chill and do science.

 

[DubbiDoctor]

My lab experience was very limited in undergrad - the only neuroscience (my major) research I could obtain involved working with mice/rats, which I hated - but the undergrad lab students seemed to get along quite well. I didn't sense a competitive vibe. While I didn't have the sustained lab experience, working on my own projects, to make long-lasting connections with the other undergrads, I'm sure you can if you're friendly and polite. Maybe ask some of the lab members if they want to meet up for lunch or coffee or if they have any weekend plans that they could include you in.

 

[binderpaper]

I usually compare myself with others but don't in lab. Idk why but for me it's a neutral zone where I just chill and do science.

thats actually a really nice way to think about it

 

[Goro]

I feel like I'm constantly comparing myself with the other students (ex. checking their hours and making sure I go in for more) but I honestly don't even know why 🙁

This is NOT healthy!

 

[binderpaper]

thanks for the replies yall
I'm starting to work in a new lab this summer, and there's only one other undergrad (very different from my old lab which had 10!) and we got coffee after our lab meeting today c: