All work and no play

By Derek Lowe2021-10-27T13:30:00

An image showing a tired person wearing a jumper that shows that their battery is drained; the character is sitting at a desk and looking at a screen while resting their hand on their face

Source: © John Holcroft/Ikon Images

Is the long-hours culture of academic organic chemistry laboratories finally changing?

Going to graduate school in the physical sciences doesn’t have to be an awful experience, but the truth is that it’s often a less-than-delightful one. You’ll probably get a more accurate account by talking to people who are in the first few years past their degree, while the memories are fresh. With time, the usual reworking goes on in memory, with the worst moments fading a bit and the better ones being reinforced.