Tips from previous participants

Getting the Most out of the VisREU Experience

One of the most important things in succeeding in the program is to ask questions. It may be intimidating at first to go ask your mentors questions about the project, but it is very important that you understand what your role is and that you're not misunderstanding what you need to do. ~ Cameron Collins, Coastal Carolina University, 2014 VisREU Cohort

I would advise not to be panicked in the first week if you aren't sure exactly what you're supposed to be doing for your project. Your advisor will let you know. The first week is mainly for getting to know your fellow peers and Clemson. Make sure to work on your project at a steady pace because the weeks go by faster the closer the deadline gets. I'd advise to get to know your fellow VisREU students. ~ Hali Gallagher, Coastal Carolina University, 2014 VisREU Cohort

Ask questions. If you are confused about something or stuck, do not hesitate to talk to your visualization and research mentors.
Kenneth Curtis, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2014 VisREU Cohort

Don't be afraid to ask your mentors and co-workers for advice. It'll likely save you a ton of time and make your project easier along the way. Tyler Slonecki, Wofford College, 2014 VisREU Cohort

Don’t make too many assumptions about your given project. If you are unclear about any aspect of the direction your project is going or is suppose to go, ask your research mentor or, if not them, Dr. Byrd. Michael Bosch, University of South Dakota, 2014 VisREU Cohort

Try not to miss any of the supplementary lectures given throughout the program. The information, at times, may not seem important to your project, but it’s still good information to know (For instance, I had no idea what Linux was until I went to a couple of those lectures). Michael Bosch, University of South Dakota, 2015 VisREU Cohort

Projects

As long as you work on your project at a reasonable pace, I don't think the midterm or final presentations should be hard. I think the most challenging part was getting over public speaking. If you feel lost as to how the poster presentation is supposed to look I'd advise looking up examples online. Examples will also be given to you though by Dr Byrd or other faculty. So if at any point you're like, "I'm so lost," just ask your advisor or Dr. Byrd.~ Hali Gallagher, Coastal Carolina University, 2014 VisREU Cohort

Make sure you are putting enough time into the research. Personally I put at least 8hrs a day into my project. Most mornings I tried to be at my work space by about 9 or 10 and would get done at 4 or 5. But I also did research when I was back at my room. There were plenty of nights where I would be working on my project anywhere from 12am-4am. Which leads to my next point….
At some point during the research term your work will follow you home. In the later half of the research term expect to put in some OT working on your project. Kenneth Curtis, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2014 Cohort

Don’t be discouraged. For most students, doing research is a new experience and can feel overwhelming. I even felt overwhelmed at one put. The best way to overcome this feeling is to do is relax, do your best, and keep trying to make progress.Kenneth Curtis, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2014 VisREU Cohort

It's better to get ahead on your project when you can because you might get stuck on something you thought was simple. Tyler Slonecki, Wofford College, 2014 VisREU Cohort

Time Management

Find a schedule that works for you for working in the visREU lab. I found that I was much more productive working in the lab from 9 o’clock to 4 or 5 o’clock than working from my room. Michael Bosch, University of South Dakota, 2015 VisREU Cohort

Presentations

Don't put off working on your presentation because your project will be much easier at the end if you do. Add a little bit of information at a time.Tyler Slonecki, Wofford College, 2014 VisREU Cohort

Always go to poster presentations to support your fellow REU participants. Michael Bosch, University of South Dakota, 2014 VisREU Cohort

Mentors

Meet with your research mentor regularly or as needed. For example, starting out I met with my research mentor almost everyday for training purposes and/or to learn more about his project I was working on. As time progressed and I started to get a feel for what I was doing, we met about twice a week. Personally I’d meet with him on Monday and Thursday OR Monday and Friday. Mondays were for going over the plan for the week and Thursdays/Fridays were to show the progress I had made with the goal for the week.
Kenneth Curtis, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2014 VisREU Cohort

Always update your research mentors on how your project is going, if that means meeting with them face-to-face or just sending them a quick email. Michael Bosch, Univeristy of South Dakota, 2015 VisREU Cohort

Milestones

Know your milestones and be sure you are on track to meeting them. Setting smaller sub-goals for the week will help you do this. IF you are making significant progress with your research, try to surpass your milestones. If you have an idea your research mentor didn’t put in the milestone but will contribute to the project then go for it. Kenneth Curtis, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2014 VisREU Cohort

The VisREU Experience

Be Professional. Kenneth Curtis, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2014 VisREU Cohort

Be on Time..BE on TIME..BE..ON..TIME. Throughout the course of the REU there will be seminars, meetings, and others events Dr. Byrd as set up for you to attend. It is important that you be there on time and make the most of the opportunity presented. Everything Dr. Byrd has setup for you to attend is for your benefit.

You do not want Dr. Byrd to have address tardiness.

Kenneth Curtis, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2014 VisREU Cohort

Email

Get used to receiving and corresponding via email. Over the course of the research term you will receive A LOT of Emails. Eventually you may get tired of getting emails. Either way, it is still important to read them and respond in a timely manner when necessary. I learned how to corrspond professionally via email from all the emails I received and responded to during my research term.

Sidenote: I am putting this skill to use now at my internship, SO TRUST WHEN I SAY IT’S A GOOD SKILL TO HAVE IN A PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT.Kenneth Curtis, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2014 VisREU Cohort

Attending the XSEDE Conference

One thing to keep in mind in regards to the XSEDE conference, its really important to talk to other people and network. I learned a lot of useful information about fellowships, research opportunities, different programs, and different fields just from talking to the various graduate students and university representatives at the conference. ~ Cameron Collins, Coastal Carolina University, 2014 VisREU Cohort

About the Campus

Early on, take one or two afternoons/evenings to learn your way around campus. That way it will make it easier to find building you need to get to and also you’ll find shortcuts you can take. Kenneth Curtis, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2014 VisREU Cohort

If you have a bike with you, then ride it to the lab, otherwise just walk. Even though it was about a mile walk from the dorm rooms to the lab, it was still the best way for me to start the day. Michael Bosch, University of South Dakota, 2014 VisREU Cohort

All Work and No Play . . . .

Besides working on my project I spent a lot of time playing ultimate frisbee, volleyball, and swimming at "the beach" with other REU students (not just VisREU) and I'm not a very social person. I've been bowling and shooting pool a few times at Clemson's The Underground. There are a lot of activities to do at Clemson and around Clemson. Finding a friend who has a car can be useful but I also thought the Cat Bus was an interesting experience. I'd advise to get to know what times they run so you don't get stranded. Also don't forget anything on the bus because it will more than likely get stolen. If something is accidentally left though I'd advise calling the Cat Bus number immediately. Working on the project is important so you shouldn't forget it but I'd say remember to have fun also. Also Clemson has a great icecream shop. ~ Hali Gallagher, Coastal Carolina University, 2014 VisREU Cohort

Have fun. Even though you’re at Clemson to do research you should also be having fun. Meet other people from the other REU groups. Explore the campus. Set up group trips for the weekend. Play Ultimate Frisbee etc… We (2014 Viz REU students) set up a GroupMe so we could chat with each and make plans. We also setup another GroupMe students with from the other REUs as well . Kenneth Curtis, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2014 Cohort

Don't just sit around on weekends, there are plenty of fun things to do and plenty of people to do things with! Tyler Slonecki, Wofford College, 2014 VisREU Cohort

Don’t forget to visit the Botanical Gardens! Michael Bosch, University of South Dakota, 2014 VisREU Cohort

Try to make friends with those that have cars and go hiking on weekends as much as possible; it’s very rejuvenating! Michael Bosch, University of South Dakota, 2014 VisREU Cohort