dear incoming/younger students,
please don't EVER feel like you're annoying us (senior students), bothering us, distracting us or wasting our time by asking questions, even questions you think are stupid or simple, and HERE'S WHY:

1) we have ALL BEEN THERE. i guarantee you i've asked dumber questions than whatever you're thinking. but MY senior students were patient, welcoming and ALWAYS willing to help. so us helping you now is just part of paying it forward! we help you, and you will help someone too

2) your learning and development as a scientist is JUST as important as anyone else in the lab. my project is not more important than your project or your homework, it's all a part of training to be a better scientist.

3) labs simply do not run without collaborative effort and teamwork! mentorship by older students is probably one of the most significant parts of making the "lab machine" work

4) when you ask me something, i also learn something every time. seriously.

5) PLEASE DISTRACT ME FROM THIS NMR I CANNOT FIGURE OUT