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interaction among a diverse set of colleagues,

and the success of peer review depends upon

broad participation. Try to review manu-

scripts and grant applications in the evenings

or on weekends to ensure that work days are

reserved, within reason, for your own work.

The most important activities for graduate

students and postdoctoral fellows are experi-

ment planning and data generation. A deliber-

ate approach is required to keep up with the

literature, attend seminars and courses, and

oversee the work of others while carrying out

your own research project. At the end of each

day, have a plan for what you hope to do

the next morning. Write out your protocols,

make up your solutions, and reserve cen-

trifuges/microscopes etc. at least one day

before. When you get to the lab in the morn-

ing, you will be ready to go and able to make

the best use of the day. During incubations or

while gels are running, think ahead about the

next experiment or use this time to read a

research article or catch up on class assign-

ments. Evenings and weekends are ideal times

to catch up on reading, complete coursework,

and plan ahead for upcoming experiments.

The most effective students and postdocs take

full advantage of their time in the lab and con-

sider themselves professional experimental-

ists. Indeed, most cell biological discoveries

are made by students and postdocs.

Lists Can Help

Lists help all of us keep track of commit-

ments. By writing down what you need to

take care of, you will be sure to accomplish

more than you might otherwise. Also, some

items require five minutes whereas others

may require days. You might wish to keep a

column reserved for the small things that you

can cross off in between other activities.

Stay on Top of the Game

People who feel especially overwhelmed

often face email overload. Their inboxes grow

daily, and their ability to distinguish mes-

sages that require immediate action from

those that don’t degrades every day. Respond

quickly to messages and throw out anything

unessential and you will find email to be

more manageable. It is also essential to

organize your email using folders for differ-

ent projects. Someone needs a plasmid? File it

under collaborators. Faculty meeting? File it

under department business. Email spam is an

irritating time-waster and an unfortunate

part of our current world. Create a filter and

Graduate students and

postdoctoral fellows need to

remember that their most

important activities are

experiment planning and data

generation.

THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR CELL BIOLOGY

CHAPTER 2 • DEALING WITH EVERYTHING AT ONCE 129

Try to review manuscripts and

grant applications in the

evenings or on weekends to

ensure that work days are

reserved for your own work.

Respond quickly to messages and

throw out anything unessential

and you will soon find email to

be more manageable.