Chemistry Comradery

Today, I have finished labs.

Those of you who been taking note of my daily activities may have gathered that labs are not my favourite part of my degree. However, there are some definite bonuses to this aspect of the course, distinct advantages that sometimes make me realise that despite how awful it can be sometimes, let's face it, it's not the worst part of the degree, either. Since I am perfecting my profiency in procrastination, I feel it is appropriate to tell a bit more of nothing of much necessity, by way of reflection of the lab lessons learnt.

Three cycles of laboratory sessions: physical, organic, inorganic. Physical was first, easing into the lab situation, the most straightforward of the three, basically a lot of maths, equations and excel graphs. Organic followed it, organic labs are horrible. The worst. Half the time, they would honestly make me want to run out in tears. They weren't very helpful in learning more about chemistry, or perfecting experimental technique, all I was ever concerned about was achieving some discernable product, so I could have someway of proving that I had made progress. Plus, the demonstrators were a bunch of cocky twerps, but the less said about them, the better, really.

Finally, inorganic labs. Truth be told, I enjoyed these. Yes, enjoyed. Earlier in the year, I could never have seen myself saying that I actually enjoyed labs, maybe they were bearable, maybe not too bad, but that was always afterwards. The anticipation and worry that preceded lab sessions meant that before, I would have never have said to actually like going to labs. Sure, some parts were fun, it is the best way to get to know people on the course outside of organised socials, and a lot of the time the majority of the three hours each afternoon were spent just chatting or meandering, waiting for some reaction to happen. There have been moments of pure hilarity, spontateous suggestions and stupid questions that make you realise that, hey, we're all in the same boat and no-one really knows what they're doing half the time - even the PhD students!

It's strange, these past couple of weeks, I've found myself actually looking forward to labs. The inorganic demonstrators are more geeky than the arrogant organic cool dudes, but they're more socially adept than the ones in physical lab and usually very helpful, didn't make me feel completely incompetent and didn't make a move on me, which was a mixed blessing. Plus, inorganic means lots of pretty colours and less of the "you're going to destroy your lungs, eyes and skin if you so much as spill a drop of this" chemicals.

All in all, I'm kind of sad to see them finish. No more laughs in labs, no more spotting & spying demonstrators, no more in-jokes of the nerdy nature. Sometimes, it's the most social interaction I get all week, and as I find myself far more in alignment with chemistry chums than housemates, it seems loneliness looms, along with the inevitable revision/procrastination frustration. Also, the end of labs is very significant in that it signals the end of teaching for second year. The end of second year. Slightly strange, somewhat scary and so very sad :o(

On the jukebox: Coldplay ~ The Scientist