Post by honestlabrat on Nov 16, 2012 1:02:32 GMT -5
I thought I'd do every lab rat a favor and list some items that may be helpful to bring to you to check in. I'm an experienced lab rat and these things have helped me get through many studies.
1) Active Noise cancelling headphones/earphones or earplugs- I can't stress this enough. You have no idea who your roomates are, maybe you'll get a roomate that talks loudly on their cell phone. Maybe you're a light sleeper. Or the walls could be thin. Or you could have a tv in your room blaring most of the day and thus you can't concentrate on your laptop or read a book, etc. With a decent pair of active noise cancelling headphones, you can wear them in studies and not hear other noises, I have a set that's comfortable enough to sleep with. Just make sure to leave your cell phone on you on vibrate mode so you aren't late for procedures/meals. As for types, you dont' have to break the bank for BOSE headphones, there's certain brands for 50-100 dollars that work almost as well, which will be worth it if you're planning on doing studies in general. Plus, this way you can listen to music in peace and not disturb the people around you.
2) Laptop I find it hard to understand how some participants do a long study without a laptop. Yes many clinics have computers to use, but often times they are busy and often times extremely dirty (germs) and don't expect other lab rats to let you borrow their computer since they may have sensitive things on there, etc. These days a budget laptop can be had at best for 250-300, which is sometimes just one day of work as a lab rat, get yourself a computer.
3) Surge protector with multiple outlets/extension cord Depending on the clinic, it's nice to have one of these around so you can plug in your computer, laptop, or anything else and have it near you so you don't have to take other outlets in the room etc. They are cheap and useful if you have lots of electronics.
4) Blanket and Pillow Now obviously you don't need to as every clinic will provide with for you, but if you have space to pack it or are a sensitive sleeper you might as well. If you're doing a long study you want to be comfortable and be able to get your rest.
5) Sandals or flip flops Not mandatory, but useful, since many times some shower areas floors are pretty disgusting. I've seen pubic hairs, (blood, hopefully not from a girls period) sperm, **** and piss (really) and other things that I don't want to step on. Some clinics are cleaner than others but the janitor only comes through once a day and accidents happen and some people simply dont get a F, so better to bring a pair of shower footwear in case.
6) Warm clothes I dont care what the weather is like outside, but one thing that clinics like to do is keep the temperature cold! Even if you complain sometimes they can't do much about it, that's just how these clinics like it probably to fend off germs etc. Sweaters, sweatpants, long underwear, hoodies, just in case you'll be better off. Having layers to keep you comfortable is always a good thing to have if you're sensitive to cold temperatures.
7) Toiletry bag Just easier to bring when you go to the bathroom or shower to brush your teeth, shave, wash up, shower etc, instead of rummaging through your bag to bring items separately, plus some clinics showers/restrooms are a bit of a walk from your room.
THINGS TO NOT BRING
1) Guitar- Nobody wants to hear it buddy. The problem is that there aren't many areas in most clinical facilities where you can play in an isolated area, thus wherever you play you may be annoying people around you. I don't care if you're the next Led Zepplin, leave it at home.
2) Boombox I actually had this roomate bring this large boombox (as large as the one in the spike lee movie, do the right thing) and bring it into the common shower area and blast it while a bunch of us were showering. WTF.
3) TV I know many clinical facilities allow you to bring your own TV, and that's your right, but if you do, please bring some earphone/headphones so your roomates or people around you dont have to hear it, it's the least you can do seriously. Nothing worse than having one roomate watching tv in the room and raising the volume as another roomate blasts his ps3 and tv in the other corner, ARGH!!!
1) Active Noise cancelling headphones/earphones or earplugs- I can't stress this enough. You have no idea who your roomates are, maybe you'll get a roomate that talks loudly on their cell phone. Maybe you're a light sleeper. Or the walls could be thin. Or you could have a tv in your room blaring most of the day and thus you can't concentrate on your laptop or read a book, etc. With a decent pair of active noise cancelling headphones, you can wear them in studies and not hear other noises, I have a set that's comfortable enough to sleep with. Just make sure to leave your cell phone on you on vibrate mode so you aren't late for procedures/meals. As for types, you dont' have to break the bank for BOSE headphones, there's certain brands for 50-100 dollars that work almost as well, which will be worth it if you're planning on doing studies in general. Plus, this way you can listen to music in peace and not disturb the people around you.
2) Laptop I find it hard to understand how some participants do a long study without a laptop. Yes many clinics have computers to use, but often times they are busy and often times extremely dirty (germs) and don't expect other lab rats to let you borrow their computer since they may have sensitive things on there, etc. These days a budget laptop can be had at best for 250-300, which is sometimes just one day of work as a lab rat, get yourself a computer.
3) Surge protector with multiple outlets/extension cord Depending on the clinic, it's nice to have one of these around so you can plug in your computer, laptop, or anything else and have it near you so you don't have to take other outlets in the room etc. They are cheap and useful if you have lots of electronics.
4) Blanket and Pillow Now obviously you don't need to as every clinic will provide with for you, but if you have space to pack it or are a sensitive sleeper you might as well. If you're doing a long study you want to be comfortable and be able to get your rest.
5) Sandals or flip flops Not mandatory, but useful, since many times some shower areas floors are pretty disgusting. I've seen pubic hairs, (blood, hopefully not from a girls period) sperm, **** and piss (really) and other things that I don't want to step on. Some clinics are cleaner than others but the janitor only comes through once a day and accidents happen and some people simply dont get a F, so better to bring a pair of shower footwear in case.
6) Warm clothes I dont care what the weather is like outside, but one thing that clinics like to do is keep the temperature cold! Even if you complain sometimes they can't do much about it, that's just how these clinics like it probably to fend off germs etc. Sweaters, sweatpants, long underwear, hoodies, just in case you'll be better off. Having layers to keep you comfortable is always a good thing to have if you're sensitive to cold temperatures.
7) Toiletry bag Just easier to bring when you go to the bathroom or shower to brush your teeth, shave, wash up, shower etc, instead of rummaging through your bag to bring items separately, plus some clinics showers/restrooms are a bit of a walk from your room.
THINGS TO NOT BRING
1) Guitar- Nobody wants to hear it buddy. The problem is that there aren't many areas in most clinical facilities where you can play in an isolated area, thus wherever you play you may be annoying people around you. I don't care if you're the next Led Zepplin, leave it at home.
2) Boombox I actually had this roomate bring this large boombox (as large as the one in the spike lee movie, do the right thing) and bring it into the common shower area and blast it while a bunch of us were showering. WTF.
3) TV I know many clinical facilities allow you to bring your own TV, and that's your right, but if you do, please bring some earphone/headphones so your roomates or people around you dont have to hear it, it's the least you can do seriously. Nothing worse than having one roomate watching tv in the room and raising the volume as another roomate blasts his ps3 and tv in the other corner, ARGH!!!
