First Year Students

Tasks to complete immediately

• Obtain an MSU student ID from the ID Office
• Memorize your student number
• Activate your NetID
• Gain approval to conduct research. Fill out the appropriate forms from IACUC to study vertebrate animals or from the Human Research Protection Program to study humans. If your project involves more than one grant then you need approval for each grant.
• Complete the necessary ORCBS laboratory training
• Contact the Program Office to fill out all forms and be added to the payroll
• Get a parking permit
• Establish a bank account. MSUFCU is a popular choice
• Obtain a Michigan driver's license and register to vote at the Secretary of State
• Learn where your buildings are using the campus map
• Find a bike at MSU Surplus Stores or MSU Bikes
• Car insurance is required. Renter's insurance is a good idea

Advice About Rotations

• Make sure to discuss with your rotation supervisor what s/he expects (e.g., Expected time spent in the lab? Should the project be completed? Is there a write-up expected?)
• Also find out what the policies are regarding use of lab resources such as phone, computers, printers, etc., and anything else that you might want to use in the lab that is not strictly related to your rotation project

All Students

General

• Read the Graduate Student Handbook
• Become a member of the Society for Neuroscience
• For those of you interested in hormones and behavior, consider joining the Society of Behavioral Neuroendocrinology.
• Ask your rotation supervisor or other grad students about other relevant organizations
• Get to know your fellow NSP graduate students (they are often the experts!)
• Go to the Society for Neuroscience meeting in November
• Stay current: Read your email, especially emails from Dr. Galligan, Dr. Swain, and Eleri Thomas
• Borrow notes, old exams, and books from other students