Chapter 17. Laboratory Safety and Study Strategies

Laboratory safety

Wear safety goggles, a lab coat and suitable footwear; tie back long hair.

Know where the eyewash station, shower, fire extinguisher and exits are.

Read instructions and any safety data sheets before beginning.

Never taste chemicals, and handle heat and glassware with care.

Dispose of waste in the correct containers and report spills and accidents immediately.

Study strategies

Ask “why” and “how” about every fact.

Practise problems and explain concepts aloud.

Draw diagrams, concept maps and timelines.

Link ideas across subjects, for example energy in physics, cells and ecosystems.

Keep a notebook of experiments, observations and questions.

Use reliable sources, such as the OpenStax textbooks [6][10], alongside your course materials.

Next steps: physics [8][9], chemistry [6][7], biology [10][11], Earth science [12] and astronomy [17].