If you were starting over again, what would you do differently based on your experience?

• Go to more other research presentations.

• I feel like I should have focused my research more. In the beginning of the summer, I took a shotgun approach to get as much data as I could and sort it out later. I feel with better planning, I would have made much more progress on the study I was interested in.

• I would probably focus less on getting data for my experiment, and more on understanding core concepts of an efficient research design.

• I would have made a greater effort to find a lab and a project that would be closer to my research interests.

• Communicate with the research team a little more.

• My mentor was very helpful and approachable. He recommended over a dozen articles that would give me a better feel for why and how the study has come about. I did read over a handful of articles, but I felt I could've gotten a much better understanding had I been more involved; I could've asked more questions and done a bit more research on my own.

• I would do the same. My second summer opportunity provided by this NEI program is so vital to allow me to continue my project. It is worthwhile to juggle amoung NBEO studying, clinic and research. It makes my days during the summer more exciting and more variety. It is the most productive summer I have ever had!

• None. I wish I could've spent more time in the lab during the summer, but it was difficult when 2nd years had board and clinic. However, I am glad that I get to make up the hours as a 3rd year.

• Do a smaller scale project in the second round of the program because time can be limited once clinic starts.

• I would have tried to start the experiments ASAP, because a research project can often take much long than anticipated.

• It is a tough question. During the summer 2005, I have to work 3 days at clinic, study for NBEO part I, and work for NEI. It was hard to balance everything. I wanted to learn as much as I can at clinic. In order to do that, I had to spend a fair amount of time to research patients' condition before and after clinic. In the middle and late of the summer, I started to study for NBEO part 1. So, when did I do research? I did it when I was not in clinic or study for board exam. My priority was on clinic and board exam. As long as you clarify this point with your mentor, you don't feel stress from doing research. (Of course, you have to make up your time to meet program requirement after the board toward the following semester.) Over all everything went well. So, I guess I would do the same thing. (2nd Yr).

• Nothing (2nd Yr).

• I would check to get the human subject protocol is been approved (2nd Yr).

• Since I wanted to work on a new project working with humans and had to submit a new protocol to the university, I would have submitted it at least a semester in advance instead of stressing the entire summer about not having approval yet and being forced to collect data in the fall.

• Try to take care of logistics earlier (ordering clinical tests, etc.).

• No regrets, just try to learn more!

• If I were to start over again, I would begin doing literature searches before the training program begins since a summer is too short to become both familiar with the research and to work on the project.

• I would have loved to complete a project over the summer, but due to subject needs that's not always possible.

• I would try to finalize (or at least plan out) my summer project before summer, as getting approval for human subject research from the CHPS takes a long time. I would also make more time to spend with other NEI students.

• I'd ask more questions. Both my faculty mentor and the other researchers working around me knew a LOT, so I wish I had taken more time to ask questions — especially since they were all very willing to help out.

• I can't think of any major changes I would make if I was starting again. All my results and procedures, both positive and negative, had to be discovered throughout the summer. And, well ... I guess disclosing future results without experiment would probably be considered cheating!.

• If I were starting over again, I would try to ask more questions. You are not expected to fully understand all that goes on in lab. That's where your mentor and lab members come in. It will make your summer more fun and educational.

• I would do nothing different that I can think of so far.

• I would check that our names were on the animal protocol list early on. The certification process took up some time.

• I would get started on data collection sooner. I would try to figure out statistics sooner. That way, I would have been more focused sooner. I would rather have met for an hour 2 times during the summer for a journal club meeting rather than go to all Oxyopias. Although I did learn a lot about presenting science in Oxyopia, the topics were WAY over my head. I would also have arranged for a party for the sake of group unity. I would have thrown the party myself, except that we moved to a remote location.

• Hang out more with the other participants of the program

• I would not use retrospective data to analyze, because each exam is different and variations make data extremely difficult to manage. So even with good time-management, getting started took most of the summer.

• I would not change a bit of any of my experience. I feel that I chose the right lab to work with. Although, there were times that were stressful and I had to take an extra step to get the work done, it was all worth the experience. I was fortunate to be able to work with very good mentors and excellent researchers. They helped and guided me throughout my thinking process. They taught me how to properly conduct a valid research, how to ask and answer my research question, how to organize my data and results and interpret what they mean. Furthermore, I know they will remain my mentors even after my summer experience.

• I would begin earlier! Three months is very little time to get acquainted with a project, develop a research strategy, and gather results. I'd start planning in early May.

• I can't think of anything so far.

• I don't think I took full advantage of all the help I had over the summer. If I had to do it over again I would ask for more help and take advantage of all the knowledge in lab.

• No regrets.

• I would have worked harder at the beginning of the summer instead of waiting until the end and rushing to finish up the project.

• I would try to manage my time better. Towards the end of the summer, I felt really rushed to get something meaningful together. However, I've learned that some things in research can't be helped such as malfunction of crucial instruments or unavailability of human subjects.

• I would be more focused, work on fewer projects.

• I was very happy with my experience. I was fortunate to have very one-on-one attention. However, at the same time, I would have also liked to have seen how a larger lab runs to experience the life of graduate students and post-docs.

• I would try to focus my energy and attention to finishing my research project in one summer because it's hard to come back the next summer when you also have boards and clinic to worry about.

• I would have more distinctive goals in my specific project as to what I hoped to accomplish in one summer of research.

• I would try to finish the entire project and the write up by the end of summer. But I would also have liked to work more on the clinical side, i.e., gathering data from actual patients rather than collecting/deciphering data already collected by other clinicians. It would have been fun creating my own hypothesis and a situation where it could be tested. I think one of my colleagues did more of his own testing and I more of data investigation. But I think the entire summer research project was a very positive experience and I recommend the NEI program to all optometry students - even if they plan to go into private practice. What was learned spending a summer at Berkeley will only make the optometrist a more well-rounded scholar/clinician.

• I would have worked harder the first summer, followed up with the project throughout the year, so I would have something set up and ready to go prior to my return the second year. I would have also written more descriptive and detailed entries in my research notebook so that it would be easier to refer back to what I was doing later.

• Set a more realistic goal for completion, starting a new project from scratch which required a ton of practice just to learn the measurement technique spelled for a slow start. Do a project which incorporated techniques I'm already familiar with.

• Give professor/mentor a clearer picture of the level of involvement that I expect in the project I'd be working on. I'd also discuss the amount of independence I'd have while working in the lab.

• I would probably choose not to work on an independent project as I was, but rather "hop on" to what another grad or post doc was working on. As it is always difficult to get a project off the ground, I think it would have been a wiser use of time if I worked on a project that was already well underway.

• I wouldn't change anything.

• Plan for more time to do experiments and analysis.

• Nothing. I was very busy enjoying what I was doing.

• I would do more reading and literature research to better organize my project for the summer. I would also be sure to obtain and order all the materials I would need to do my experiments as soon as possible instead of waiting for them to arrive. I think one thing I learned about this summer is to expect the unexpected and be willing to reevaluate the project details and direction. As a response to these surprises and changes I would be less discouraged, to persevere and be more patient.

• I learned a lot and I had fun. I would ask more questions if I was starting over again.

• I would have liked to use the first week to read up on past research articles to get a better understanding of glare, glare disability, previous glare tests, etc. Having this background would have helped early on to understand the theory behind our glare test. Also, if I could have done this before working with the undergrads, I think I would have felt more prepared in knowing what our summer goals were. Instead, in the beginning, we were all trying to learn together to figure out what we were supposed to be doing. I think that's why the first couple weeks felt a little slow and unproductive.

• If I were starting the summer over, I would have tried to get a better grasp of the experimental goals from the beginning. I feel that this would have allowed me to be more productive throughout the summer, rather than doing the majority of the work in the last 4 weeks. Also, I would have gotten a better knowledge of the computer programs I used beforehand, as I wasted a lot of time learning new programs through trial and error.

• The only thing I would change would be to select a clinic schedule that was less intense the second half of summer. It was challenging trying to juggle 4 days of clinic with boards studying and lab. Fortunately, I will be able to make up for lost time during the school year. [returning 2nd-year student]

• Try to finish my OD thesis and get it over with by the end of this summer. [returning 2nd-year student]

• Actually, I feel like my work has gone quite smoothly this summer. If I could do it all over again, I would have limited my expectations for last summer. It is difficult to design, administer, and complete a project within a single summer. I think future students should be aware that completing a project is unlikely. If I could do it over, I would have began my preparation last spring immediately after qualifying for the fellowship i.e. background reading and meetings with advisors. I think an early start is very worthwhile. [returning 2nd-year student]

• I think that I would plan out the subject schedule better. I found that it was very difficult to get subjects on such short notice. [returning 2nd-year student]

More comments can be found at:

What was the best part?

Did the benefits outweigh the negatives?