Jumping right into technical stuff in the beginning: when you read a paper demonstrating some interesting properties of a certain material, don't assume that all such properties actually exist for that material. If you have that material in your lab, test if you have the same quality of material demonstrated for experiments in the paper OR if you can make such a quality of material in your lab. Then verify if the properties of that material match with those mentioned in the paper. This is a god way to test for ourselves and remember its properties for life.
Similarly, when reading an experimental paper involving fancy equipment and highly sophisticated measurements, don't try to search for those equipments on your university campus. First read the purpose of those measurements using those equipments and understand if such a high capability is required for what you are working on. If not, it's useless to show fancy pictures just because there's another equipment available to you.
When working with someone on a project, before telling the other person what you have in mind, make sure you test your idea in the lab and see if it works at least up to 60%. Then discuss with your partner about it and now you'll have more information before you talk randomly about a broad idea which you 'think' 'may' 'work'. Three dangerous words that cannot be confirmed unless we burn the midnight oil and see for it ourselves.
When some famous scientist from some famous group from some famous university visits your university to deliver a speech/talk, go attend it. You may not understand everything he says about his field but you can get some ideas by listening to experienced people. If possible, talk to them after the talk and ask them any questions that will help you understand the topic better. If it's too basic, don't worry, just ask the talker to suggest a good resource to start learning about the field and how he got interested in it in the first place. Having interest is one thing, having the dedication to pursue it long term is another thing. Many students will be conveniently 'interested' in something but not have perseverance to follow it up and get in depth (but that's what PhD students must do). I'm not saying I'm a perfect student. Since learning is always in progress for someone in academia and since even the brightest minds have failed several times before becoming successful, there's nothing to be ashamed of when you have the will power and are sufficiently motivated.
Similarly, when reading an experimental paper involving fancy equipment and highly sophisticated measurements, don't try to search for those equipments on your university campus. First read the purpose of those measurements using those equipments and understand if such a high capability is required for what you are working on. If not, it's useless to show fancy pictures just because there's another equipment available to you.
When working with someone on a project, before telling the other person what you have in mind, make sure you test your idea in the lab and see if it works at least up to 60%. Then discuss with your partner about it and now you'll have more information before you talk randomly about a broad idea which you 'think' 'may' 'work'. Three dangerous words that cannot be confirmed unless we burn the midnight oil and see for it ourselves.
When some famous scientist from some famous group from some famous university visits your university to deliver a speech/talk, go attend it. You may not understand everything he says about his field but you can get some ideas by listening to experienced people. If possible, talk to them after the talk and ask them any questions that will help you understand the topic better. If it's too basic, don't worry, just ask the talker to suggest a good resource to start learning about the field and how he got interested in it in the first place. Having interest is one thing, having the dedication to pursue it long term is another thing. Many students will be conveniently 'interested' in something but not have perseverance to follow it up and get in depth (but that's what PhD students must do). I'm not saying I'm a perfect student. Since learning is always in progress for someone in academia and since even the brightest minds have failed several times before becoming successful, there's nothing to be ashamed of when you have the will power and are sufficiently motivated.
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